Movie Review: The Gray Man (2022)

Title: The Gray Man

Length:  2 hr and 2 mins

Released: 2022

Genre:  Action, Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

When the CIA's most skilled operative-whose true identity is known to none-accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Heard this was a fun watch with a fun cast, so why not?

Six was once a convict in jail for murder and he is hired by the CIA to be their assassin. When his psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head...it sets off a global manhunt by international assassins.

This was a fun movie. Lots of action. Sprinkle of humor and some serious moments. 

OMG the cast is fun too! It was fun watching these guys and gals duke it out. I was a little disappointed in the dialogue sometimes. It was sparse and lacking sometimes. 

But yes, this was a pretty overused plot. Crazy killer for the government and the government turns on him and send other killers to kill him. It was cool that he actually had to try especially when follow professionals came in to try and take him down. But yes. He knows something and they want him dead. 

A nice action movie if you are in the mood for it. 

3 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Once a Scoundrel by Mary Jo Putney

Author: Mary Jo Putney

Narrator:  Beverley A. Crick

Title: Once a Scoundrel

(Rogues Redeemed #3)

Genre: Historical Romance, Adventure

Format: Audiobook

Published: 2017

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

An outcast on the high seas . . .

The son of a proud naval dynasty, Gabriel Hawkins was born to command the sea, until he leaves the Royal Navy in disgrace and is disowned by his family. As captain of his own ship, he's earned his living in ways both legal and illegal, and his experience makes him the best choice to ransom an aristocratic beauty captured by Barbary pirates.

Having avoided the traps of convention and marriage, Lady Aurora Lawrence is horrified by the prospect of spending her life as a harem slave. Her only hope of escape is a quiet, steely captain who has a history with her captor--and who will do anything to free Rory. Together they undertake a dangerous mission through troubled waters--and encounter another kind of danger as attraction burns hot within the close confines of his ship. But even if they endure the perils of the sea and enemy lands, can their love survive a return to England, where the distance between a disgraced captain and an earl's daughter is wider than the ocean?

Review:

This book has been elusive! I got tired of waiting for or looking for it (I even skipped over it to read the rest of the series) so I decided to bite the bullet and use my free monthly Audible credit on it. 

We follow the disgraced Gabriel Hawkins. He was born to a proud dynasty of naval officers, but he was disgraced from the Royal Navy and disowned by his family. To make his way in the world, he became a captain of his own ship and finds ways to make money. Be it in legal or even illegal adventures. Due to his experience, he is given the chance to rescue an aristocratic beauty who was captured by Barbary pirates and try to ransom her freedom on behalf of the family. Lady Aurora has dodged marriage for a long time, but being captured by pirates and possibly spending her life as a harem slave makes her wish for freedom and to return back home. Her only hope of escape is Gabriel and his crew. 

This was a lot of fun. I think this was my favorite of series so far. I think there are a couple of more left in the series. *does research* Yes, there is a short story and a new one coming out next week. WAIT...WHAT? OMG I MUST READ IT!!!!! 

ANYWAYS...SEE? Some things are worth waiting for I guess ;) 

I loved how eccentric Rory was and how adorable her cousin was. 

I loved Gabriel. Poor guy got dealt a shitty hand. Grrrrr to his family and to the Royal Navy! 

Oooooo and the side romance between Rory's cousin and the 1st mate was adorable! I'm so happy that the cousin found love. She deserved it just as much as Rory and good ol' Gabriel. 

What I really love about this author is that I typically buy these couples. Sure, they had a spark of insta-love here, but they talked and became friends and then lovers. I love that! And it made sense. I mean...they spent a couple of weeks at sea with nothing better to do. I really loved watching them fall in love. 

Now, I will say the resolution seemed a bit...easy and quick. I knew what was going to happen based on what I read in later books, but I expected more...drama? Mmm. Hard to explain without spoiling here...but yes, I thought I was going to be worried. I wasn't at all. I think I was more worried about the poor animals they had to drag along. Poor things crossing the ocean TWICE. Gah! I can't imagine how scared they were. 

The narrator was good! Her voices fit well. I will say Rory's and the cousin's voice were very similar so when it would flip to a different POV I did have rewind because it started not making sense. I really had to focus here. But everyone else's voices were different...even the guys.

In the end, I am so glad I finally got a chance to read/listen to this! It was worth the wait. I adored this couple or our side romance. I loved watching them all fall in love on the open sea. The ending was a little easier than I imagined, but it was nice to see them beat the odds and free Rory and her cousin. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #42 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: Breaking the Foals by Maximilian Hawker

Author: Maximilian Hawker
Title: Breaking The Foals
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published:  March 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



The Troy of myth was a real city. This is its story…

Hektor’s life of privilege is forever changed when a man, allegedly possessed by the sun god, inspires revolution among the oppressed townspeople of Wilusa – the historical Troy of myth.

For Hektor, son of Bronze Age Wilusa’s despotic ruler, social equality contradicts every principle he has been indoctrinated into believing. But his principles and obsession with duty is alienating him from his young son, Hapi, with whom he has a fractured relationship. 

When the ‘possessed’ man saves Hapi’s life, Hektor is compelled to question the foundations upon which his father has constructed his life as he rebuilds his relationship with his child through the breaking of a foal. Wilusa collapses into political violence as the commoners rise up, and Hektor must decide whether to defend the people, but lose his identity, or remain loyal to an irrational, dangerous father.

I was drawn in the cover and title. When I read the summary, I was extremely intrigued to read this. 

The story follows Hektor who has lived a life of privilege in the city of Troy. His father is an irrational and dangerous man who has made life for the common folk really hard. Things happen and Hektor must decide what side he is on. All the while he is trying to do right by his son Hapi. 

This was a really interesting tale for sure. It was a people story but mixed with the intrigue and violence of the time. I really liked the blend. It was so interesting to see the fabled Hektor in this light. Very different then from the Hektor we all know from the epic poem. I liked him there (ya...I was the one rooting for Troy ;D) and I liked him here too. This version was a more realistic version. 

There were some parts I scratched my head at like some word choices, but they didn't bug me overmuch. It's hard to be 100% accurate for historical books (trust me...I know - been there) especially when it comes to some slang words that are sooooo commonplace now. 

Also, I really wished this had been longer. I felt there was so much more that could've been added! I would've liked to see more in the epilogue. Maybe there be another book? I want to see what happens next!

That ending. Sighs. So sad! Can't say much without spoilers, but oooo the feels. 

I did love the added bits with the son and the horse. It oddly worked so well and I'm sure there is some symbolism there if one is to really think about it. 

Overall, I did like this book. It was interesting and the ending did get me there. I do wish this had been longer. I feel like there is so much more story to tell! Also, a few little hiccups along the way, but all-in-all a good read especially if you're looking for something different. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Movie Review: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Film Title: Murder on the Orient Express
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
Released: 2017
Genre: Mystery & historical
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Watched at the theater


SUMMARY:
When a murder occurs on the train he's travelling on, celebrated detective Hercule Poirot is recruited to solve the case.

TRAILER:

Review:
Let me just say this here and now...this is probably one of the best movies of the year for me. I loved, loved, LOVED this movie. 

I read the book version eons ago. Honestly? I didn't remember a lick of it so it was like I was watching this story unfold for the first time again. I must reread so I can compare and contrast. 

The cast was amazing. Loved them all. They did amazing, especially the Detective. Wonderful, wonderful. If they do not receive an award for this film then I will be in utter shock and mad.

The film started off a little slow, but it had to be that way. There was world-building and character-building that was needed to fully get into the murder mystery. I enjoyed the slow start which usually can be boring, but it was done in a way that I wasn't bored. 

Things happen...we learn about everyone including the victim. There are seeds of clues scattered around that you will miss because you have no idea. Trust me. I am usually good at these mysteries. Maybe I should've been a detective. Maybe my next life. But yes, even the best misses them at first like our beloved Detective. 

WHO DID IT! I cannot say. Will not say. You must watch this film or read the spoiler elsewhere. Just know...I was partially wrong in my final guess. Motive and the killer will leave you in shock. I was speechless for a few minutes but then I racked my brain remembering the beginning of the film and yes...there were clues left. I must re-watch this. I would like this for my collection.  

In the end...this was an amazing film. The cast did awesome. The writers did awesome. This did the author of the book justice. I now must re-read. Watch it. 5 stars. 

Book Review: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Author: Jeffrey Eugenides
Title: Middlesex
Genre: Historical Fiction, contemporary
Pages: 544
First Published: September 16th, 2002
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

""I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day of January 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974. . . My birth certificate lists my name as Calliope Helen Stephanides. My most recent driver's license...records my first name simply as Cal."

So begins the breathtaking story of Calliope Stephanides and three generations of the Greek-American Stephanides family who travel from a tiny village overlooking Mount Olympus in Asia Minor to Prohibition-era Detroit, witnessing its glory days as the Motor City, and the race riots of 1967, before they move out to the tree-lined streets of suburban Grosse Pointe, Michigan. To understand why Calliope is not like other girls, she has to uncover a guilty family secret and the astonishing genetic history that turns Callie into Cal, one of the most audacious and wondrous narrators in contemporary fiction. Lyrical and thrilling, Middlesex is an exhilarating reinvention of the American epic."

Yet another book I would never have picked up if it hadn't been for the book club my friends and I recently created. Reece had picked this book. 

For this review, I'm going to divide the book into 4 parts (each one talking about the different parts). 

Part 1:
Oh, the beginning. 
It was slow and hard to get through at times. Why was it slow? Not because nothing happened or that it was all set-up, but because of how it was written. Too much detail and too much jumping around present time (Cal's present) and then his grandparent's love story and then his parents love story. I had to re-read sections to get who was who and what was going on. It was very sporadic. It gave me a headache. I was worried that this was going to be how the whole book was. Not my favorite part at all.  

Part 2:

OH MY GOSH! Sooooooooooo much better. I was actually able to enjoy myself. It followed Desdemona and Lefty and their love story. They are Cal/Callie's grandparents. HOWEVER, they are brother and sister. 0.0 Yes, there is some nice family incest going on in this book. I'm super glad it took a long time for them to actually GET together and be slightly okay with it. Dessie had issues and regrets all her life. Good. It's not at ALL okay to marry your brother. Nope. That is main reason that Cal/Callie came out the way she did. Too much family-loving in that village. The village was small, so it wasn't uncommon to marry a cousin. According to Dessie's madre, it wasn't uncommon for odd things to happen to babies every so often. RED FLAG! DON'T REPRODUCE WITH YOUR BROTHER!!!!!!!!!! Good lord. 

Off my rant about incest....

There was still some jumping around in time, but it happened less and it was more announced. It mainly would flash to Cal's present at the beginning of the chapter. I enjoyed this part of the book much better. It was a nice flow. From Dessie and Lefty coming to America, to them having kids, to seeing the love romance blossom of their son to his second cousin (yet more family loving going on), Tessie, and then the birth and growing up of their kids. Finally...the spotlight would arrive on Callie.

Part 3:

Poor Callie/Cal. I can't imagine that life. It all was normal and she didn't really feel different until puberty came along. She wasn't getting all the girly stuff she was suppose to. All that happened was that she got super tall and her voice dropped an octave. The only girly thing on her was her long, black hair. 

I wish that her first love would have last. I wanted more of WHY they never seen each other again. Why they didn't try to make it work. Sighs. She sort of flew by that and gave no explanation. Oh well... 

I enjoyed the story more and more with each page. In a way, I did like Callie's story better then that of the last two generations. Can't explain why...perhaps it was because she was a completely different character for me? I never, ever read a story narrated and spotlighting on a hermaphrodite. A whole new world for me.  

Sorry...couldn't help myself with the last one....haha

Part 4/Conclusion:

Wow...just wow....I lost a lot of respect for Cal/Callie. Many will disagree with me, but it made me mad what she did. I can't say it without giving away a lot of spoilers. Her parents gave her nothing but love and trying to help her. Her parents would have understood. In the end, she did come to senses (forcibly) and realize that her parents love her and accept her. It's not the parents or the doctors fault for thinking she identified with being a girl. Callie lied to the doctor with all the questions he asked. He gave her a million chances to say that she felt more boy then girl and that she liked girls. C'mon...what did you except? I know, I know, she was scared, but still...>__> Daft.

The ending was okay...it was a little anti-climatic. It seemed forced and quick. After such a long tale, a one page conclusion WILL NOT WORK! Please, give the ending some thought.

There's so much more I want to go on about, but I can't...too many spoilers would be unleashed. 

Again...can't help myself. Once I do one gif...I must do them all!

I must give a sigh of relief, however, because I was worried this book would be sporadic and jumping through time like in Part 1. Thank you Mr. Eugenides. Thank you. (One more, I'm sorry)   

In the end, I did enjoy this book. Every page was better and better. The author seemed to cool his jets as he went along. There is no reason to over-write and try to establish EVERY character in the first part. Introduce them along with the journey. Once the ball got moving, I enjoyed the journey. I liked Cal and his/her story, but at one point I did lose some respect. However, she/he gained a lot back at the end. I wish that the ending was a little longer and not so anti-climatic, but it worked. 

This whole time I've been wrestling with myself on what rating I should give this. It's so hard to decide, because I had such mix feelings with the book at times. Ultimately, I did enjoy it a lot. Maybe we can get an average. Part 1 - 1 star. Part 2 - 4 stars. Part 3 - 5 stars. Part 4 - 3 stars. So in the end, I shall stamp this with.....3 stars. It's more like 3.25, but I don't give decimals, so I rounded. 

Favorite Character(s): Cal/Callie (lost some respect, but it was returned), Lefty (he reminded me of my grandpa, except for the marrying and sleeping with his sister....), Tessie, and Zora (wish she had more stage time)

Not- so Favorite Character(s): Milton (meh), Chapter Eleven (creep and a stupid name I don't understand), Jerome (another creep), and Father Michael (something was wrong with him...)