Go see ‘The Hobbit’ and read this book, ‘Unbroken’

Posted Dec. 22, 2012

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been a long-awaited movie, seeming to be often delayed by technicalities and other issues. At last, Peter Jackson and the Lord of the Rings crew reassembled and began filming.

What might take some getting used to for some people was actually one of my favorite parts of the movie–the fact that young Bilbo Baggins is played by Martin Freeman. Freeman brings a humor and depth to the character that is impressive, even if only because he had to follow in Ian Holm’s footsteps.

Thorin Oakenshield, played with all his stubborn pride by Richard Armitage, is an excellent and complex character. The other dwarf that really stands out is the kind and loquacious Balin, one of the older dwarves, and the one who particularly looks out for Bilbo.

There is a lot more that can be said about the movie, particularly what was changed or added, but I don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t seen it yet. I will say that the movie is cinematically up to the standards of the LOTR trilogy, and fans of those movies are almost sure to enjoy this one.

On top of that, Howard Shore’s music is excellent, as it was for the LOTR trilogy. The main theme is a song sung by the dwarves, which is a powerful moment that sets the tone for much of the movie. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was worth the wait. Now we just have to wait for the next installment!

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Posted Dec. 17, 2012

There are many books that don’t deserve all of the praise and acclaim poured out on them by critics. Unbroken is not one of those books. There is a reason it has gone over a hundred weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Laura Hillenbrand has written another masterpiece, after her thrilling Seabiscuit.

Unbroken follows the life of Louie Zamperini, a one-time Olympian who enlists when WWII hits and ends his dreams of more Olympics. Zamperini become a bombardier on the new B24 bomber, and is involved in a number of sucessful missions. He and his crew are finally downed when they are out looking for another missing plane.

Zamperini goes through ordeal after ordeal, and is held as a Japanese POW and viciously beaten and starved. Yet through it all, he maintains his humanity and spirit somehow. He lives through and returns home after the war. However, the battle is not over for him. This is when he must face all the emotional trauma of what has happened to him.

The story is hard to read at times, and not because of the writing, which is clear and precise. The descriptions of everything that Zamperini saw and experienced are often horrific. However, his story doesn’t end with those experiences. He goes on to change the lives of many others.

Unbroken is about the resiliency of the human spirit, and about the power of forgiveness and mercy. If you have not yet read this book, I highly recommend it.

Woiwode, of Jamestown, shares her reviews of movies, TV and books at reelquickie.areavoices.com

Tags: diversions, life, entertainment