Nim's Island -- A Kid Movie, Sort Of

I don't think I'm the one to review Nim's Island competely because I am a dyed-in-the-wool Gerard Butler fan...and they pronounce his name right in the trailer...it sort of like Gerald except with an r or ah, or like Jared. Good.

I will say the story was good--well-done screenplay. Special effects were believable. No one was killed, even the strange lizards that allowed themselves to be lobbed at the island "invaders."

Abigail Breslin was wonderful...she is the Academy Award winner for Little Miss Sunshine. The otheractors took a back seat to her performance and allowed her to be the star. In fact, Gerry Butler took a very far back seat and downplayed his parts...he played the Dad and the character of the author's adventure novels.

Jodie Foster was wonderful. There is nothing more to say, she blew me away. Perfect in a fantastical comedy, taking it seriously throughout. Bravo, Jodie.

Worth seeing even if you aren't a child.

Go.

Books, Books, Books

I love mysteries--written, TV series, and movies (of which there are very few.)

I recently joined a large print book club -- Doubleday -- and chose a couple of mysteries in my introductory offer.

One was Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs.

My husband noted that the TV series Bones is based on the character from Kathy Reich's mystery series...the forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan.

After I read it, I headed to the library to find more of Kathy Reichs.

All I can say is having a Kathy Reichs book in the house is like having a bag of M & M's. Once you open it, you can't stop.

I've read three now with two more waiting in the wings.

To say Kathy Reichs is a good writer would be a watered down comment. The books are habit forming if not addictive.

Be prepared to be educated, entertained, delighted and your funny bone tickled with the author's witty metaphors that take the place of dull descriptive text.

They're not all action...but they're good, good, good.