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Reviews (3)
04 November 2006
True North Short Story - Sean Bean's Movie in 2007
I bought this book to read the short story "True North" because Sean Bean
has filmed the movie version of it co-starring Michelle Yeoh of "Memoirs of a
Geisha" and "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon". Although I believe Sean Bean
is a world class actor and he would have only agreed to act in a good script, the short story "True North" was really pretty awful. I'm making an educated guess that the movie version of the script is heavily revised and significant plot structures changes will be made in order to make it a credible film.
I tried reading some of the other short stories in this book, but they put my feet to sleep! I don't recommend the book - but I bought it used for
less than $3.00 so I'm not complaining that much. The author is let's face it, pretty much a very affected "poser". I wasn't impressed with her writing skills. Not the worst book I ever read - but nothing special.
If you are a Sean Bean admirer/fan - go ahead and spring for $3.00 to buy the book used - but the short story "True North" is only about 7 or 8 pages long, nothing to get your knickers in a twist about.
26 January 2008
Writing Alone and With Others Pat Schneider
The book is very good for beginners who are shy about developing their creative writing skills. I bought it because it was a required textbook for a college class. Usually I sell my textbooks at the end of the semester to make some extra money. This book is a "keeper" and I will keep it as a reference tool when I get "writers block". It is very easy to read and written in simple language. I am REALLY EXCITED because the author is scheduled to come speak in person to my Creative Writing class at Sac City College! She is an adjunct professor at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. This is a extremely distinguished seminary with an international reputation.
Several students in my class already read the book even before our class started. Everyone who is my fellow classmate that read her book absolutely raves about it. "How to Write" books are a dime a dozen - in fact, I have a shelf-full in my living room. But most of them just collect dust - whereas this book is my favorite - there is an emphasis on writing as one of the healing arts - and writing is a spiritual journey. The author's premise begins with the belief that "everyone is a writer" and she believes we all can express ourselves with storytelling in the form of written word. I like her practical and down to earth approach.
I also recommend a very fun book called "Writers Block" - it is actually in the shape of a block - about 3 inches wide on each side. When you get stuck, just open up a page at random for an exercise to help you crack the writers block.
Grailscholar
03 November 2006
Black Beauty
3 of 3 found this helpful The only reason I purchased the DVD was to see Sean Bean's performance. Unfortunately, the packaging and promotion of this film erroneously bills Sean Bean as "the star" of the film, yet he appears in only four scenes with less than five lines of dialogue. Sean Bean is only in the first 15 minutes of the movie. So this was a huge disappointment to me. This movie was released around the same time as "Goldeneye" the James Bond movie which Sean Bean had a major co-starring role and that film was a huge hit. I think the studio that produced "Black Beauty" was just trying to cash in on Sean Bean's success in "Goldeney" and use false advertising to overstate his participation in "Black Beauty". Just wanted to warn Sean Bean fans to only expect a very small "bit part" from him. Well, yes he looks lethally gorgeous, scrumptious yummy so handsome, good looking and gives his usual masterful, strong performance! So although he's only in a tiny bit of the film - for Bean Buffs you'd enjoy the fleeting glimpse of a performance in a sorely underwritten role.
However, overall this is a wonderful, wholesome clean-cut family film parents can enjoy with their kids. The costumes, sets, cinematography are gorgeous. This is a very glossy, visually appealing film with lush production values. The cast is very strong and gives excellent performances. David Thewlis and Eleanor Bron are wonderful in their roles - always known as wonderful character actors. The plot is fairly simplistic, but remember this is a film aimed at grammar school children. It's just such a relief to see a wholesome family picture with no violence, no sex, no exploding buildings.
The film will give small children a good sense of morals and ethics in a subtle way - without hitting the audience over the head with a hammer and overtly moralistic heavy handedness.
I was disappointed to see so little of Sean Bean - he's the only reason I wanted to see this film - but after his part was finished in the early portion of the film....I still was drawn in by a compelling story, narrative development and a lovely script. This film is a classic!
There are many other films which allegedly are "family pictures" but still have LOTS of violence - like "National Treasure" which got a PG rating but still had too much violence for small children (although Sean Bean is excellent in "National Treasure" also. So "Black Beauty" bills itself as a "family picture" and it actually deserves that title.
I highly recommend this movie for children of all ages!