Reviews by revital35

revital35 says "Both enlightning and frightning" about Brave New World

revital35 — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:49:14 GMT

The Plot:

The world the novel describes is a dystopia, presented satirically: humanity lives in a carefree, healthy, and technologically advanced society; however, art, science, religion, and all other forms of human expression have been sacrificed to create this "Brave New World". Warfare and poverty have been eliminated and everyone is permanently happy due to government-provided conditioning and drugs. The irony is that all of these things have been achieved by eliminating many things that humans consider to be central to their identity - family, culture, art, literature, science, religion (other than idolization of "our Ford", who is seen as the father of their society), and philosophy. It is also a hedonistic society, deriving pleasure from promiscuous sex and drugs, in the form of soma, a powerful drug rationed by the government that is taken to escape pain and bad memories through hallucinatory fantasies, referred to as "Holidays". Additionally, social stability has been achieved...

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revital35 says "A whirlwind of insanity in the most positive connotation" about Rant

revital35 — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:26:55 GMT

Plot:

Buster "Rant" Casey was born in the rural town of Middleton, the son of Chester and Irene Casey, at birth he was gifted with a sense of smell and taste far more advanced than any other human.

Rant becomes obsessed with getting bitten by rabid animals along with venomous snakes and spiders. After getting bitten by several highly toxic spiders Rant discoverd that their bites came with an unusual physical side effect. He uses this to get out of school and eventually threatens his way to an early diploma. It isn't until Rant arrives in the city that it becomes clear that the novel takes place in a future where urban dwellers are forcefully divided by curfew into two separate classes: the respectable Daytimers and the oppressed Nighttimers.

Rant becomes a Nighttimer and finds himself swept up in the Nighttimer lifestyle that mostly revolves around Party Crashing, a covert game played out on city streets at night. The object of the game is to crash, not too forcefully, into other players....

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revital35 says "A great book- well worth reading!" about Unless

revital35 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:26:40 GMT

The Plot:

How often do you start reading a book and find you can't put it down, have to keep reading and wish it didn't end?

This book is a prime example. The jacket describes this book as the story of an author with family issues, one of which is a daughter who quits college to become homeless.

Sounds depressing, but this book is anything but.. Reta Winters is an author trying to write her second book while helping an older author translate her stories. In the midst of her professional work, family life intervenes, and the story of Reta's daughter becomes the focus for family and personal change.

the oldest of Reta's three daughters decides on the cusp of her nineteenth birthday to throw up her studies and live on the street with a simple cardboard sign - on which the word GOODNESS is written - on a string around her neck. Reta has no idea why her daughter has chosen this path and that - the abstract decision to withdraw from the life you are expected to live - throws the world out...

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revital35 says "A witty tale of love, family and redemption" about Goodbye Lemon

revital35 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:13:31 GMT

The Plot:

Jack Tennant, a would-be classical pianist and English professor. He could have been the next musical prodigy. Instead, he's 33 and reviewing concerts for an Atlanta alt-weekly. He hasn't seen his parents in 15 years, but when his father has a stroke, his girlfriend, Hahva, (who is also a social worker) convinces Jack that they should drive north and make peace so that he may put his demons to rest.

Hahva doesn't know that she's walking into a family drama that makes Oedipus look like The Brady Bunch. Jack has never mentioned a second brother, Dex, who drowned at the age of 6. For the past 25 years, Jack has slept with Dex's orange flip-flop under his mattress, but he can't handle saying his brother's name. Indeed, his entire family dealt with the tragedy by never discussing it again. The one time Jack tried, wagging his finger and accusing his father of negligence, his dad broke it. The Juilliard dreams ended and Jack's resentments began.

My Take:

This book is so neurotic,...

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revital35 says "When cloning is used to secure organ donations, is all lost?" about Kazuo Ishiguro - Never Let Me Go

revital35 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:53:12 GMT

The Plot:

The novel tells the story of Kathy,a young woman of 31, focusing at first on her youth at an unusual Hailsham, an unusual boarding school and eventually, her adult life. The novel takes place in a dystopian Britian, in which human beings are cloned in order to provide donor organs for transplants. Kathy and her classmates have been created to be donors, though the adult Kathy is temporarily working as a "carer," someone who supports and comforts donors as they are made to give up their organs and, eventually, submit to death.

The central issue of free will, the possibility of choosing to seek an escape from their fate, is not even pondered by any of the novel's characters, and is, by its very absence, one of the novel's themes. As in other fictional dystopias, Hailsham subtly encourages emotional repression, just as it gently obscures the nature of the clones' purpose to the outside world.

Ishiguro also explores the inevitable development of human love and relationships and...

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revital35 says "A musical genius' attempt to find her voice" about Mozart's Sister

revital35 — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:40:14 GMT

The Plot:

The children of Leopold Mozart are uniquely talented, daughter Nannerl (Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Mozart), five years older than Wolfgang Mozart. Unfortunately for Nannerl, her aspirations will not only be secondary to her sibling's achievements, but she will be flatly forbidden to compose. In Salzburg in 1770, only men can compose music. Women may perform for audiences, but greater accomplishments are rendered gender specific. Treasured for her musical talent until the birth of her brother, Nannerl is unprepared for her father's open hostility to her endeavors.

When Leopold prepares to introduce his son to Italy, Nannerl is left at home and is instructed to teach piano to wealthy students and forward the profits to her father to finance their tour. Extremely close in their youth, brother and sister turn away from each other. Out of necessity, Nannerl bows to Leopold's demands, but doing so causes a lasting resentment of Wolfgang's career. Her dreams are shattered; but...

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revital35 says "Birth. Death. Life. Love. Marriage. Divorce. And dancing Hassids" about Nina's Tragedies

revital35 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:24:40 GMT

In his funny, sad, and thoroughly engrossing bittersweet comedy, director Savi Gabizon shows why this highly original coming-of-age story walked away with 11 Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Director.

Fourteen-year-old Nadav is hopelessly in love with his sexy aunt Nina (Ayelet Zurer), who has recently lost her husband and is clueless about Nadav's affections. He's also caught between the two worlds of his divorced parents: his mother is a high-strung fashionista, while his father has recently become devoutly Orthodox and has withdrawn from the family in order to roam the gritty streets of Tel Aviv in a van, cheerfully blasting the word of God through loudspeakers.

The film is told in flashback, as the family packs the boy off to live with his lonely aunt, unaware of his enormous crush on her. Nadav suffers as Nina falls for a man her own age, and he struggles over whether to reconcile with his father.

My Opinion:

This film is another classic example of...

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revital35 says "Gourmet cooking + A loving heart = A wonderful movie!!" about Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi

revital35 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:12:21 GMT

Plot:

Shlomi takes care of everyone. He feeds his grandfather, bathes him and listens to his stories from World War II. He reminds his older brother to take his medication on time and listens to his pornographic thoughts. He calms his quick-tempered mother and mediates between her and his hypochondriac father who was thrown out of the house after cheating on her. He looks after his older sister`s twins and makes sure she keeps going back to her husband who can`t tell between the identical babies. And most of all, Shlomi makes sure to make everyone happy by cooking their favorite dishes. Shlomi knows - they'll eat and calm down. Because his home is a battlefield and Shlomi runs around making peace between everyone. But no one in the family really sees Shlomi. Even Shlomi doesn`t see Shlomi. Until one day a routine math test arouses the suspicions of Shlomi`s math teacher and school principal. After meeting and talking with him, they realize that a very unique personality is hiding behind...

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revital35 says "A new twist to a very old story" about The Red Tent

revital35 — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:36:38 GMT

Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at briefly within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that are about her father, Jacob, and his 12 sons. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through a hard-working youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past. Deeply affecting, "The Red Tent" combines rich storytelling with modern fiction: a new view of biblical women's society.

While the book is a work of fiction, and alot of the contents are the author's interpretations, it does bring forth a very interesting perspective, and perhaps sheds a little light on the lives of the biblical women.

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revital35 says "A brilliant book.illustrating the tragedy that was Beaufort" about Beaufort (Im Yesh Gan Eden-if there is a heaven)

revital35 — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:30:42 GMT

By turns subversive and darkly comic, brutal and tender, Ron Leshem's debut novel is an international literary sensation, winner of Israel's top award for literature and the basis for a prizewinning film. Charged with brilliance and daring, hypnotic in its intensity, Beaufort is at once a searing coming-of-age story and a novel for our times-one of the most powerful, visceral portraits of the horror, camaraderie, and absurdity of war in modern fiction.

Beaufort. To the handful of Israeli soldiers occupying the ancient crusader fortress, it is a little slice of hell-a forbidding, fear-soaked enclave perched atop two acres of land in southern Lebanon, surrounded by an enemy they cannot see. And to the thirteen young men in his command, Twenty-two-year-old Lieutenant Liraz "Erez" Liberti is a taskmaster, confessor, and the only hope in the face of attacks that come out of nowhere and missions seemingly designed to get them all killed.

All around them, tension crackles in the air. Long stretches......

revital35 says "The story of the Beaufort - like you've never heard it before" about Beaufort

revital35 — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 06:55:17 GMT

BEAUFORT tells the story of Liraz Liberti, the 22 year-old outpost commander, and his troops in the months before Israel pulled out of Lebanon in the year 2000. This heavily guarded post has been here since the war in Lebanon in 1982. It is a symbol not only of Israel's most controversial campaign for military control of Lebanon, but also of a sacrificial struggle during which many soldiers lost their lives. The Israeli troops move out of Lebanon, leaving behind their base at Beaufort. On the evening of May 24th, the base is destroyed, blown up by thousands of mines. The powerful explosion marks the end of 18 years of Israeli occupation.

This is not a story of war, but of retreat. This is a story with no enemy, only an amorphous entity that drops bombs from the skies while terrified young soldiers must find a way to carry out their mission until their very last minutes on that mountaintop. As Liraz lays the explosives which would destroy that very same structure that his friends had died...

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revital35 says "A vivid picture of Hawai'i before it became the Touristland" about Moloka'i

revital35 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:19:27 GMT

Alan Brennert's novel Moloka'i is based on serious research into the history of this colony. Brennert chooses to focus on the human tragedy, both of individual sufferers and of those families who, while free from the disease themselves, were ostracized by their neighbors and employers because of their association with a patient. But he also emphasizes the personal triumphs of many of these patients, and that is a story which has long needed telling. Instead of elaborating on the horrors of the disease in order to build up drama, as a less skillful writer might have done, Brennert recognizes their dignity and respects them. Though no book about leprosy and the colony at Kalaupapa can ever be free from profound sadness, Brennert avoids turning this novel into a ten-hanky tearjerker, focusing instead on the lives the patients create for themselves and on their attempts at normalcy.

This book is incredibly moving and humane. Brennert injects positivity and hope into an otherwise hauntingly...

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revital35 says "A different, quirky yet clever book that has alot to say." about Saving Fish From Drowning

revital35 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:10:03 GMT

A pious man explained to his followers: "It is evil to take lives and noble to save them. Each day I pledge to save a hundred lives. I drop my net in the lake and scoop out a hundred fishes. I place the fishes on the bank, where they flop and twirl. 'Don't be scared,' I tell those fishes. 'I am saving you from drowning.' Soon enough, the fishes grow calm and lie still. Yet, sad to say, I am always too late. The fishes expire. And because it is evil to waste anything, I take those dead fishes to market and I sell them for a good price. With the money I receive, I buy more nets so I can save more fishes."

This story represents the main theme running throughout the book, as reflected by it's title.

Saving Fish from Drowning is a funny, almost magical look at group dynamics, altruism, and self-interest set against the beauty and repressive politics of Myanmar. Impressive and surprisingly moving. This book tells the story of a group of eleven Americans who on an ill-fated art expedition into...

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revital35 says "For people who love the comfort of Uggs but hate the look" about Rocket Dog Sugar Daddy boots

revital35 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:34:02 GMT

Looking for a warm boot that can weather the cold weather?? look no further!

Refusing to succumb to the UGG trend? this is for you!!!

Rocket Dog's Sugar Daddy boots are warm, comfortable, reasonably priced and most importantly- more visually pleasing than the dreaded Uggs!!

The boots are durable- i've had mine for the past 4 winters, took them skiing more than once, had occasional snowball fights and they still look pretty good!

The average price for these boots is $40-$50. they come in a multitude of colors which include: Brown, Black, Fushia, Light Pink and Tan.

so next time you need to find a warm, comfy non-UGGly boot, check out Rocket Dog!

You wont regret it!!

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revital35 says "The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy" about Kundun

revital35 — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:49:27 GMT

This movie tells the story of the exile of the Dali Lama from Tibet. In 1937, in a remote area of Tibet close to the Chinese border, a two year old child is identified as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the compassionate Buddha. Two years later, the child is brought to Lhasa where he is schooled as a monk and as head of state amidst the color and pageantry of Tibetan culture. The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.

This film, which was released in 1997, has left a lasting impression on me. It depicts clearly the duress of Tibetan Buddhism. It also colorfully illustrates the reality of life as a Dalai Lama as well as the wonderful traditions and ceremonies that were once an inseprable part of Tibet's...

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revital35 says "Different is good if it means you learn to love yourself" about Middlesex

revital35 — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:27:55 GMT

Middlesex is a book by Jeffrey Eugenides. This book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2003. It has also been featured on the bool list for Oprah's Book Club.

The story is told from the viewpoint of the narrator, Cal / Calliope Stephanides. Cal is a hermaphrodite born into a family of greek origin. the book tells the story of Cal's family, and the trials and tribulations which lead to his predicament. Most of the book, however, is devoted to telling the story of Cal's coming of age, and of his growing understanding that he is different. Cal, Born Calliope, realizes that he was not meant to be a woman, rather, he is a man.

This book is absolutely fabulous. The author takes a very complex subject and presents it in a dignified and intelligent way. I enjoyed reading this book, and would definatly reccomend it to anyone who is open minded and interested in learning. In our day and age, when nothing is taboo, and everyone has an opinion, it is important to have a voice that can represent...

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revital35 says "A fun movie all about music and love" about August Rush

revital35 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:57:26 GMT

August Rush tells the story of a 12 year old boy who having grown up in an orphanage, attempts to reunite with his birth parents through his musical instincts. He experiences the big bad world of NYC and meets some very interesting characters.His parents, both musicians, never knew of his existance due to complicated circumstances. once Lilah (Keri Russel) finds out she has a son, she too goes on a quest in search of him.

The cast includes Keri Russel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Freddie Highmore and Robin Williams

I thought that the way the movie portrayed musical genious was phenomenal. the most cruicial parts of the movie were practically all musical and not verbal. i loved the cinematography- some of it was really fantastic!! not to mention the amazing soundtrack accompanying this film.

if you love music and like fun, easy going films that leave your soul feeling warm and fuzzy, i strongly reccomend this movie.

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