Movie Review: Strangers on a Train

Overall: 5

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 12-13 and up

Acting: 4.5

Script: 5

Story: 5

Scariness: 3.5

Language: None (that I can think of, I'm sorry if there is any)

Romance: Some

Violence: Moderate

Blood and Gore: None

Alcohol/Drugs: Some Alcohol

Magic: None

Favorite Quote: "One doesn't always have to say what one thinks." - Senator Morton

Comments:

Note: there is a small spoiler in here, so if you don't want to know anything at all about the movie, watch it before reading the comments.

This is one of my all-time favorite Hitchcock movies. It has a very unique story line, about a not-so-chance meeting and plans of murder. It is not, however, gory or extremely violent. [SPOILER] It does portray a murder, but it is not super awful or gruesome, as you might expect, and it is not shown directly, it is in a reflection. However, it is still murder, so I would not recommend letting a young child watch it. There is plenty of suspense, and quite a bit of action at the end. It is a bit creepy, but I think it is well worth it for the movie.

~Ellentia

Book Review: The Great and Terrible Quest

Overall: 5

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 11-14 (but still good for older people)

Writing: 4.5

Story: 5

Scariness/Suspense: 3.5

Profanity: None

Language: Maybe Some, but I don't think there is any

Violence: Moderate

Blood and Gore: Some

Alcohol/Drugs: Some mentions of Alcohol

Magic: None

Favorite Passage: "The half-wit might have picked it up--they are like jackdaws."
It was a casual suggestion from Diamond, and though it made the boy's blood run cold, the Lord Regent dissmissed it impatiantly.
"He would have given it to his grandfather--he was terrified of the old man. I believe it must have jerked from my pouch on the road. No matter, as long as it is not--" he stopped abruptly, then added in a different tone, "Are you sure the man is dead?"
"As sure as can be," drawled Diamond.
"We thought we were sure the old dotard could not speak," said the Lord Regent bitterly. "To break a twelve-year silence--and to break it so, in full Council! Do what we will, that prophecy has run through the country like fire."

Comments:

I just have to say, I really liked this book. I had to read it for school a few years ago and since then, I have read it two or three more times. It is geared at pre-teens and young teens, but it is a fun, easy read. The story is set in the era of knights and castles, and there are evil Lords Regent ruling over the land. The main characters include a young boy and his dog, a very confused but surprisingly smart and strong man, a fat performer and of course, plenty of bad guys. There is, of course, scenes with fighting and it does clearly tell you about several severe injuries, but the main part of the book is more of a quest and a mystery. Well written, excellent plot and character development, I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good adventure. (geez, that sounded like a commercial)

~Ellentia

Movie Review: Gone with the Wind

Overall: 4.5

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 12-13 and up

Acting: 5

Script: 5

Story: 4.5

Scariness: 3

Profanity: Moderate

Language: Once or Twice

Violence: Moderate

Blood and Gore: Some

Alcohol/Drugs: Moderate-Quite a Bit

Magic: None

Favorite Quote: "I can't go all my life waiting to catch you between husbands." -Rhett Butler

Comments:

This was probably one of the most depressing movies I've seen. It was, however, excellently put together, well written and wonderfully acted. I gave the story a 4.5 because I personally thought that it was simply too tragic and frustrating to enjoy, but it didn't have plot holes or unbelievable twists, and it gave a good (if biased) view of southern life and how the South felt about the Civil War, before, during and after. It also gave you a sense of how cruel and terrible the Civil War really was. It has a good bit of suggestive material and violence, so it is not something to watch with young kids or pre-teens. But, as my history teacher says, this movie is part of the American culture, you have to see it!

~Ellentia