Crowded but fun super-villain story where the solution creates the problem. Robert Aldrich could have taken a lesson though from the 1967 war movie The Dirty Dozen which managed to connect the viewer to every one of the twelve criminals.
Entertaining fantasy by Tim Burton. Imaginative visuals and world building. Full on interesting odd ideas, including time loops.
Book – *** – Stephanie Tromly’s story is weakest of the three books on my current YA mystery reading list, as almost all the relevant discoveries are made by the secondary character, Digby, who we meet on page one. The main character, Zoe Webster, isn’t named until page ten. Like…
Beautiful story and animation, a film for the whole family.
Coast Guard rescue and love story that fully delivers the dangers seamen and coast guard face combating storms at sea and bureaucracy on land. Nice acting by Chris Pine, Holiday Grainger, and Casey Affleck.
Book – **** Beth Fantaskey’s YA story is set at school where an unpopular coach is murdered after Millie Ostermeyer, the protagonist, has already made a list of the people who would like to do him in, including her father. This book, in tone, style, and incidental romance is very…
Book – ***+ Lauren Oliver has proven that YA mysteries can make it to the New York Times bestseller list. Her story about sisters with great love but some tragic history between them has excellent descriptions and well-drawn characters. A missing child, Madeline Snow, provides the impetus for the older…
A troubled teen and a troubled loner are forced to go on the run together in the New Zealand bush changing both. Lovely film.
After the Willamette Writers Conference in early August, I came away with notes from two agents who wanted to know what other YA mysteries my YA novel, Wasted in Waldport, was like. I realized I was not reading YA mysteries, because I didn’t want mine to be derivative, even subconsciously.…
Although the evil rabbit took over the film, a step up as family entertainment with something for everyone.