Reviews

I'm looking forward to seeing as much of the entire book series being produced for television as possible. The first 8 episodes have been terrific adaptations though not exact reproductions of the book, which is fine. Whole novels can't be done in that amount of time and you can't always show or tell someone's thoughts -- to have excessive voice overs would bog the story down. I love seeing the characters of the book brought to life. I like the additional scenes of what happened to Frank while Claire was gone that weren't in the book. They garner a bit more sympathy for Frank while contrasting him to his evil look-alike ancestor, Black Jack. Kudos to the well-cast actors, set designers, costumers, directors and producer Ron Moore for bringing the story so beautifully to television.

Not much, right? This is a fun way to test your knowledge and learn something about the War of 1812 focusing on its events in Washington, DC. Actors portraying Dolley Madison and the Madison's servant Paul Jennings quiz visitors at the historic Dumbarton House in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC with multiple-choice questions. Other information includes prints from the Library of Congress, and video footage from War of 1812 reenactments at the Riversdale Mansion in Bladensburg, MD and on board the replica 1812 privateer schooner Pride of Baltimore II. Period music plays in the background, there are scenes of 1812 fashions, and a genteel lady recites a recipe for Federal-era oyster soup over the closing credits.

The music and muted color tones of the film bring you right into the child's world of silent despair. In her darkness she discovers strength and later light. This is a terrific film about experiencing and witnessing bullying and then finding the courage to do something about it. The little girl's face hardly changes expression, yet by body language and the situations she's in, you know exactly what she's thinking. Her face barely changes when she realizes she can do something, but it's clear and powerful. This is a film that should be shown in classrooms around the world, as bullying is a worldwide issue and the resolution can translate into any culture.

This film is gory, but the gore is mostly suggested rather than shown. You can make up your own mind as to how gory you want it to be. Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) and Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) are excellent as "frenemies." They still sympathize with each other, in a way, as each teaches the other a lesson. Butler is excellent as the crushed father and husband who believes he must use his unique skills and talent to make an example of a justice system that has forgotten the victims. You sympathize with him even as he enacts his vicious lesson plan upon Foxx's coworkers. Foxx is an arrogant self-serving assistant district attorney who is only concerned with his conviction rate as he claws his way up the ladder in the justice system. He has forgotten the victims. But when he has a family of his own, he begins to see Clyde's point, yet he cannot give in to all of Clyde's demands to stop the carnage. Beautifully films in a noir tone with excellent timing on the stunts and effects. Law Abiding Citizen is an adrenaline-pumping experience. Bring your heart meds.