Trying to get Jack Reacher out of my head...

No, I'm not trying to get the "real" Jack Reacher out of my head, I'm trying to get the movie version of Jack Reacher out of my head. I have enjoyed, loved, every single one of Lee Child's Reacher novels. When I read the first one of his books quite by accident (picked it up at a used-book sale in a rush thinking of Preston Child), I couldn't believe I'd missed the series. I went on a hunt and found all the ones I had missed and have not missed one since.

Now they've made a movie.

I made the mistake of watching the trailer.

It's like a bad taste in my mouth that no amount of gargling and brushing can remove.

Novel Jack Reacher is "an unkempt giant...", six foot 4 inches or so... maybe 220 pounds. He's not described as being good looking in any of the books, although, of course, he attracts his more-than-fair-share of attractive women. He's not flashy. I might picture Liam Neeson as a fairly good movie type to play Reacher (although Reacher's nose has never been broken and Neeson's nose may have been). Matthew Fox of Lost fame might fit the bill fairly well (I've never watched him in action so basing that purely on his photo and description). Daniel Craig, minus the British accent, looks the part although he's only 5 ft 10 in. (that's not short, but in comparison to Reacher it is). I know there are others who would fit the bill but they're not popping into my mind at the moment.

One of the LAST people I would choose to play Reacher would be Tom Cruise.

That's who they chose. Pretty boy, 5 ft 7 in., Tom Cruise.

I would accuse them of not reading the books when they cast the characters, but Lee Child is working with them.  I "assume" he had some kind of discretion on vetoing the choice or that they pitched it to him with Cruise as the lead. However it happened, I'm sure Child is wanting the movie to be a hit and/or is legally constrained so he won't be dissing the lead in "his" movie.

The movie has Jack Duvall in it, which is good. Shoot, he might make a better Jack Reacher! They guy laying in the hospital bed in the trailer would make a better Reacher.

I've re-read three Jack Reacher novels since seeing the trailer. I'm trying to get the picture of Cruise as Reacher out of my head. I can't. I keep seeing this little guy acting tough instead of the strong, commanding, Jack Reacher I had always pictured. Cruise is absolutely nothing like any description of Reacher in any of the books.

They've also hyped Reacher up in the movie, hollywooded his dialogue up quite a bit, turned him into some action figure.

I'm guessing that those who have never read the books will probably like the bang-bang, tough guy who talks tougher, hot shot car driver in the movie. I keep seeing the scene in the trailer where Cruise is surrounded by five guys, all of them bigger than he is, the hokey comments he makes, and I flash back to the "real" scene in the book (One Shot) with BIG Jack Reacher, minimalist talker, heavy thinker, taking on the guys. I know in a movie you can't "read" the thought process so they have to make the character say the words and try to make them realistic, but oh, yuck. Not a thing like novel Reacher at all.

Based on the trailer I'm guessing they used "One Shot" as the basis for the script. I'm a little over half-way through re-reading the book and wish I had not re-watched the trailer so I could write about it. Mental mouthwash needed.

OK, here's the trailer. Judge for yourself. I know I will NOT be going to the movie and I guess I'll have to give up my Reacher reading if I can't get Cruise out of my brain.

Discovery... Peter David

I've just discovered a new author. He's not new to the rest of the world, just to me. I grabbed a copy of Fall of Knight at the library when I made my last run-through. I wasn't sure about it, but the idea of knights and their ilk in a modern day setting intrigued me.

It was a fun, thought provoking and enchanting tale.

King Arthur, Merlin, Percival and friends are alive and well in our current day. There is magic, a laudable (and credible in the context of the story) attempt to marry up religion with ancient beliefs, and villains who try to destroy humanity. Oh, and humor, excellent threads of humor.

I loved the book and loved the way Peter David told the tale. I started out a little skeptical that I'd finish the book as it didn't quite fit my mood. I couldn't put it down. It was a perfect break from the intense novels I've been reading, and yet it was intense in its probing of human nature, religion, and the state of the world.

After I read the book I read the jacket. I try not to look at pictures of authors or to read about them before reading a book by an author I haven't encountered before. I want to go in fresh to my new story, not knowing what else they've written or anything that might intrude in my perception of the book. Thus, it wasn't until after I read Fall of Knight I discovered that Peter David is a prolific writer, just in genres that I rarely read these days. I love science fiction and fantasy, used to read it almost exclusively. However, I've been glutting myself on mysteries and similar for quite some time so just skated by sections that included David's books!


David has written sci fi scripts for, among others, Babylon 5 and Crusade. He has written some Star Trek books and is "the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels". He has written fiction, non-fiction, comic books and more. I will be adding Peter David to my list of authors to keep up with and read in the future. If you'd like to know more about David, here's a Bibliography link: http://www.peterdavid.net/index.php/bibliography/. I guarantee that just scanning the list is going to make you tired! How can one person write so well and so much?

After reading Fall of Knight I noticed a list of other books in the front that you may want to read first before picking up Fall. Howling Mad, Knight Life, and One Knight Only are listed as previous ACE titles by David.

Author: Peter David
Title: Fall of Knight
The Berkley Publishing Group
Ace Books
ISBN 0-441-01402-X
First edition: June 2006

New Book Gets Your Thoughts Working for You, Instead of Against You

/PRNewswire/ -- Your thoughts mold your lifestyle. They also shape your mental, physical, relational, and emotional health. Caspar McCloud and Linda Lange, authors of the new book What Was I Thinking?, ask: What shape are you in?

Presented in a reader-friendly discussion style, McCloud and Lange make a strong case that people must choose whether to follow the path of fear (stress) or the path of faith (truth). Understanding these links brings new insight to help people achieve healthier lifestyle results, emotional and physical healing, freedom, and greater effectiveness in life.

Filled with relevant Biblical passages, exciting personal testimonies and "Points to Ponder," this book provides spiritually enriched food for thought that can enhance one's life greatly.

"Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established" (Proverbs 16:3).

Major intriguing themes include: the direct link between thoughts and physical health; brain functions; the importance of forgiveness; and a variety of concepts that keep many people from living in health and joy instead of bondage.

The authors have found that:

* Doctors are recommending this book to their patients.
* People are reporting being healed of a number of sicknesses and diseases by applying these simple life-saving principles.
* Marriages and business relationships are being restored.
* People are being blessed beyond what they thought possible.


Readers will learn easy techniques that will forever change the way they think and process information leading to a more successful, happier life.

-----
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Book Review: Here We Go! Around-the-World-Family Adventure

Step into the pages of your memories and have fun with the children in your life.  

Who doesn't remember baking cookies with grandma in her apron or cuddling up in her lap while inhaling the delightful scent of her special powder to hear a story?  Who doesn't remember the special moments with grandparents that holiday traditions and smells conjure?  Who doesn't remember grandpa's special smile as he dug deep into his pocket to present you with a treasure?

The Baby Boomer Generation is coming of age, grandparent age, and realizing playing with grandchildren is fun.

Looking for adventures and ways to interact with young children has just gotten easier and more fun.  Roll together children, grandparents, some music, a drop of magic and imagination as you head into the newest family fun adventure--  all in the comfort of your home!

Here We Go! - Around the World Family Adventure is the first book in what promises to be an enchanting series of adventures and developmental activities for young children and the adults in their lives.  Written by award-winning author Walter Sorrells and illustrated by Victor Tavares, children will quickly be swept into the storybook.

In the first book, traveling grandparents return home to find their treasures fell out of the airplane.  With the assistance of their grandchildren and a magic compass, the group heads out to find the treasures.  The colorful pages and detailed artwork in the book complement the story as the family travels to lands across the world.  At each location the magic compass takes the family, the children are introduced to native customs as they locate a special treasure.

The story doesn't end as the last page is turned.  There are suggested activities which quickly encourage the readers to keep the story alive as new memories are made.

Original music which accompanies the story is also available.  The songs are well written and sure to be sung by children and adults alike as you rush to play them again.  While listening to the music, memories of grandparents or loved ones who have gone on before us bring the warmth of their love flowing back. 

The fun doesn't stop here, though.  There is an interactive website where the adventure continues with activities and craft ideas.

Collectables which correlate with the books are also scheduled to be released.  The first release in time for the holidays will be the Family Milagro Tree.  Families will discover their own miracle of memory making while decorating this enchanting tree together.

Developed by GrandCamp Adventures, this all inclusive series of books, music, activities and imagination building and time together doesn't have to be limited to grandparents.  What child wouldn't push their parents out of the house if the babysitter came with a grand adventure?

Discover the meaning of treasures.  Discover the joy of time together.

Learn more about GrandCamp Adventures.

Ann Eldredge
Fayette Front Page

Photo Source:  GrandCamp Adventures

Book Review: The Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Poor Little Pelican + A Kidreports Photo-Documentary

Last spring, the Gulf Coast Oil Spill had us all wondering about the oil gushing into the water and being brought to shore by either waves or storms. What effect did it have on the animals? How did our young children see this event?

A great new children's book by well known author Carole Marsh has just been released. This charming story unfolds at the beginning of the oil spill when some young pelicans are out on a morning's adventure. They soon find something is amiss with the appearance of the Dark Shadow and its effect on a young pelican friend.

Children will eagerly follow the pelicans' plight as they get a helping hand from the local children who are assisting the oil covered pelicans.

This story brings the headlines of the summer to a level where young children can understand the events of the oil spill on the environment. Followed by a photo documentary by a Gulf Coast girl named Erin, students will learn how our environment and wildlife were affected by the spill.

The book has wonderful reproducible activities for children as they explore the environment. Marsh has once again brought educators and parents a wonderful resource tool for our children.

The book is available through Gallopade International at www.gallopade.com.


Ann Eldredge
Fayette Front Page

Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Twitter: @FayetteFP