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Fever Pitch (2005)
Fever Pitch (2005)
2005 | Comedy, Romance
7
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Spring is the time of year when past failures of the fall are forgotten by most baseball fans. While hope springs eternal every spring for most fans, Boston Red Sox fans have long had a love/hate relationship with their team. This is due in large part to the Red Sox’s ongoing and often bizarre ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for year after year, decade after decade, causing fans to claim that the team has been cursed ever since they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees back in 1918. They have failed to win a championship since.

That is, until the magical season of 2005 where lifetimes of tears and frustrations were cleansed by an improbable and historic comeback from a three games to none series deficit to the Yankees, and a four game sweep of the St Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

In the new romantic comedy Fever Pitch two worlds are about to collide in a fury of romance and humor when workaholic Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore), meets and starts to date a school teacher named Ben (Jimmy Fallon). Though their first date is hampered by a bad virus, Lindsey is taken by Ben’s gentle and compassionate nature, finding him very kind, loving and attentive.

As the two become closer over the winter, Ben asks Lindsey to attend opening day at Fenway with him as a sign of his love and commitment to her. Knowing Ben’s passion for the game, Lindsey accepts but soon finds out, that Ben is fanatical about his love of the Sox and that every aspect of his life has to be scheduled around their

games. While this is at first a minor issue, as time goes on it becomes a bigger problem when Ben refuses to take trips or attend parties and functions that interfere with games.

Naturally this soon wears very thin for Lindsey as she begins to question how committed Ben is to her and their future. The humor in the film arises from watching the very kind and lovable Ben become a different person when he is watching his beloved Sox. Rather then painting Ben as an oddball, the story does show why he has such an extreme devotion to the team, as well as how the people around him react to his devotion. His male friends simply accept it as they are rabid fans themselves, while we learn that every woman in his past has had an issue with his love of the Sox.

What really makes the film shine is the solid work by the two leads. Barrymore has a charm and grace to her that lets Lindsey come off as a very lovable and compassionate lady, rather than a selfish shrew who craves attention. Fallon meanwhile is solid, showing the duality of his life, as well as the dilemma he has between wanting to be with Lindsey and his lifelong devotion to the Sox.

The film moves at a steady pace and has more than enough humor to make you leave the theater with a smile, even if you are not a baseball fan. While some may say the plot is a bit shallow and formulistic, the film wisely puts the attention on the two leads and not on the sports action which results in a very winning combo.
  
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Knitting At Home: 60 Classics from Ella Rae Designs by Leanne Prouse
ISBN: 9781933027999
Published: Published October 5th 2010 by Sixth&Spring Books
Rating: 5

 

Knitting At Home aims to be more than a knitting book with pretty patterns. Specifically, it aims to inspire and create a desire to satisfy creativity. It accomplishes this wonderfully. There isn't a pattern in Knitting at Home that I don't like, and there are several I'm itching to start on.

 

The book has six sections: A Room for Living, Relaxing, Sharing, Retreating, Little ones, and It's the Weekend. Each one has a great collection of patterns.

 

There was a good variety of patterns in the book, between socks, fingerless mitts, bags, and decorations for the home. There were also a lot of throws and blankets. Now I've never made a blanket… but after flipping through this book a few times, I've never wanted to make one so badly (Alas, most of my yarn is at home and I'm stuck at college). Same with pillows. I never understood the idea of knitting a pillow, but when seen in the photographs in the book and when I saw the beautiful patterns, I desperately wanted one! There are also some beautiful sweater patterns, some nice socks, a cute pair of slippers, and even some felted stuffed dolls.

 

The patterns and the whole feel of this book drips creativity and inspiration: everything from the layout to the font to the color schemes. Both Leanne Prouse and her artistic director did a great job on Knitting at Home.



Recommendation: beginner to experienced knitters who like larger projects and projects for the home.
  
A story of redemption, second chances and characters that weasel their way into your heart to stay, Ms. Alexander's What Hope Remembers is fantastically done. I instantly transported to Misty Willow(which, in my mind, wasn't hard to do since I live in Willow Spring!) and settle right in for the long haul of Amy and Gabe's story. I loved watching the story unfold and felt like I was among family.

Amy, Gabe and Aunt Tess are my favorites! I loved Gabe and Aunt Tess' characters the most! They really fit well in the story. Amy's character was also a great fit. I loved the way Ms. Alexander chiseled her and her flaws. Watching them come to terms with their past, present and their future really took my breath away, in a good way, of course! Gabe's not so perfect past really opened my heart to him. I can't imagine going through what he went through, and the mama bear in me wanted to wrap him up in a big old hug!

From start to finish, you'll be completely wrapped up and taken on a whirl wind ride of hope! It is the third book in the series, yet the first one I read. It's easily a stand alone novel and I highly recommend it, with 4 stars to all! It's a story of long ago loves, soul searching, learning to forgive yourself and trust in God. Great job, Ms. Alexander! Can't wait to read more of your books. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/revell-reads-review-what-hope-remembers-by-johnnie-alexander/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
Aftermath (Sirantha Jax, #5)
Aftermath (Sirantha Jax, #5)
Ann Aguirre | 2011 | Comics & Graphic Novels
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Leave it to Aguirre to take her heroine in a direction that is apparently pissing off at least half of her readers (those who expected romance). Sirantha Jax is in fine form in [b:Aftermath|10648186|Aftermath (Sirantha Jax, #5)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311703515s/10648186.jpg|10219927], staying strong and true to herself through an all-new set of trials (literally) and troubles. Loyal Velith stays by her side throughout, continuing to depict a friendship that goes beyond mere romance.

I don't normally mine books for quotes as I read them, but two bits stuck with me from this book. Musing, Jax thinks, "&hellip; the world moves on, even when you don't want it to, even when change feels like the end of everything. It never stops. That's harsh and magical and somewhat comforting because nothing is immutable, however much we want it to be. Moments cannot be caught like fossils in amber, ever-perfect, ever-beautiful. They go dark and raw, full of shadows, leaving you with the memories. And the world moves on."

Later, Velith says, "The heart is not a glass of water, but more like an endlessly pumping spring."

There is so much wisdom about love and relationships in those words that I will remember this book far longer than the plot details will necessarily stay with me.

The plot is, of course, as can always be expected of Aguirre, good. It hangs together well. There was a little drag this time, but not much. I am eagerly awaiting the release of <i>Endgame</i> later this month, and will be purchasing it as soon as it's released.