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It's rare to discover a candid sports autobiography-even rarer when the author is one of the most recognizable athletes...
(01/07/07) It's rare to discover a candid sports autobiography-even rarer when the author is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.But in Shaq Talks Back, Shaquille O'Neal for the first time talks frankly about his childhood, his life, his rivalries, and his career, culminating with a dramatic, behind-the-scenes account of the Los Angeles Lakers' drive to the NBA Championship.At 7'1" tall and 330 pounds, Shaq has always faced outsized expectations, even as a child when he towered over other kids.Shaq Talks Back is the story of how potential became reality-how someone expected to be a champion finally learned to become one.Beginning with his memory of crying on the court after the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers, Shaq takes us back to his younger days in Newark and Jersey City, NJ, then to Georgia and finally to Germany, where he began to harness some of his height and strength.From there, he recounts the remarkable progress of his basketball career, changing from a big but...See less
President Theodore Roosevelt left his mark on every facet of American life. Here, in a single volume, are not only his...
(01/07/07) President Theodore Roosevelt left his mark on every facet of American life. Here, in a single volume, are not only his best Teddyisms and lost words, but also the best of Roosevelt's most memorable quotations, which serve to illuminate every area of our culture.See less
With her sixth novel, award-winning author Sarah Dessen offers up another generous helping of finely crafted...
(01/07/07) With her sixth novel, award-winning author Sarah Dessen offers up another generous helping of finely crafted storytelling about real teens dealing with real life. In The Truth About Forever, when asked how she is coping with her father's death, invariably seventeen year old Macy Queen's answer is "fine," when nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, she is drowning in grief while maintaining a flawless façade of good grades and unblemished behavior. Though she feels lost when her boyfriend heads to "Brain Camp" for the summer, she finds herself a job with the quirky Wish Catering crew, and meets "sa-woon"-worthy Wes, whose chaotic lifestyle is in direct opposition to her own. As the two share their stories over the summer, Macy realizes she can no longer keep her feelings on ice. Though it feels like her future endedwith her dad's death, Macy's learns that forever is all about beginnings. Dessen charts Macy's navigation of grief in such an honest way it will touch every...See less
In The Private Passion of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Vicky Moon illuminates just how vital a role horses played throughout...
(01/07/07) In The Private Passion of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Vicky Moon illuminates just how vital a role horses played throughout Jackie's often tumultuous life. Jackie's mother propped her up on a horse when she was just a year old, and throughout her childhood Jackie turned to her pony Buddy to distract her from the stress of her parents' precarious marriage. As a woman struggling under the intense pressures of her role as First Lady, riding a horse through the countryside was a much-needed tonic. And later in her life, as a mourning widow and then a reluctant celebrity, riding offered Jackie peace and privacy. Whether cantering up and down the emerald hills of Ireland, galloping through the woods in New Jersey, racing cross-country, or taking long, quiet rides with her children down the dirt trails of Virginia's hunt country, Jackie's lifelong passion for horses was a mainstay during difficult years, a refuge from a life in the limelight, and a constant source of joy. Now, in addition to the...See less
Something's out there... Reed Shelton organized this survival weekend. Hired the best guide in the region. ...
(01/07/07) Something's out there... Reed Shelton organized this survival weekend. Hired the best guide in the region. Meticulously trained, studied, and packed while enouraging his wife, Beck, to do the same. But little did they know that surviving the elements would become the least of their worries. During thier first night of camping, an unearthly wail pierces the calm of the forest. Then someone--no, something--emerges from the dense woods and begins pursuing them. Everything that follows is a blur to Reed--except for the unforgettable image of a huge creature carrying his wife into the darkness. Dependant on the efforts of a small town and a band of friends, Reed knows they have little time to find Beck. Even more important, he soon realizes that they aren't the only ones doing the hunting. Something much faster, more relentless--and definately not human--has begun to hunt them. Frank Peretti is at the top of his game in this New York Times best-selling novel of "survival of the...See less
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 (ESV) It all begins in Bacon’s Corner,...
(01/07/07) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 (ESV) It all begins in Bacon’s Corner, a tiny farming community far from the interstate . . . An attempted murder, a case of mistaken—or is it covered up?—identity, and a ruthless lawsuit against a struggling Christian school. Sally Beth Roe, a young loner, a burnout, a kind of “leftover hippie,”finds herself caught in the middle of these bizarre events, fleeing for her life while trying to recall her dark past. Across a vast panorama of heart-stopping action, Sally Roe’s journey is a penetrating portrayal of our times, a reflection of our wanderings, and a vivid reminder of the redemptive power of the Cross. A companion volume to This Present Darkness, readers have purchased over two million copies of Piercing the Darkness since its publication in 1989. "Frank Peretti kicked open the doors that all of us Christian novelists are passing through today. We owe him a huge debt." Jerry B. Jenkins,...See less
In the aftermath of the Columbine High School tragedy, a story came out about Cassie Bernall, a young woman who...
(01/07/07) In the aftermath of the Columbine High School tragedy, a story came out about Cassie Bernall, a young woman who allegedly professed her belief in God in the moments before she was shot dead. Hailed a modern-day martyr by Christian groups and the media, detectives revealed months later that she may never have had such an exchange with her killer. Bernall's parents responded to the news with a statement: "Our intent was to share Cassie's story in an effort to encourage parents and teenagers. If any of our actions have hurt or offended anyone, we sincerely apologize." In She Said Yes, a moving memoir written by Cassie's mother, Misty Bernall, we meet the real Cassie, a typical adolescent who struggles with peer pressure and her relationship with her parents. Once headed down the common teenage path of self-loathing and depression, Cassie turned her life around through her faith and the support of a group of people who helped her find peace and purpose--her youth group at church. Though...See less
Life is hard. We live in a world where we hear about terrorist bombings, sniper killings, and school shootings almost...
(01/07/07) Life is hard. We live in a world where we hear about terrorist bombings, sniper killings, and school shootings almost daily. Teens face challenges at school--struggling to make the right decisions when they are just starting to learn who they really are. They feel the pressure as much as anyone, and long for a sense of balance and comfort in their lives. By reading The Rules, a teen will understand God's perfect plan for his/her life using the basic boundaries that He has set for us. The reader will clearly see the benefits that will come when s/he follows God's rules for living the good life. Avoiding legalism, Mark Nicholas addresses issues teens face daily, makes the Ten Commandments relevant to those issues, and uses references from popular culture to bring the message home. It's a must read for any teen!See less
"Anthony Burgess reads chapters of his novel A Clockwork Orange with hair-raising drive and energy. Although it is a...
(01/07/07) "Anthony Burgess reads chapters of his novel A Clockwork Orange with hair-raising drive and energy. Although it is a fantasy set in an Orwellian future, this is anything but a bedtime story." -The New York TimesTold by the central character, Alex, this brilliant, hilarious, and disturbing novel creates an alarming futuristic vision of violence, high technology, and authoritarianism.Anthony Burgess' 1963 classic stands alongside Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World as a classic of twentieth century post-industrial alienation, often shocking us into a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of free will and the conflict between good and evil. In this recording, the author's voice lends an intoxicating lyrical dimension to the language he has so masterfully crafted. "I do not know of any other writer who has done as much with language as Mr. Burgess has done [in A Clockwork Orange]." -William S. BurroughsRecognized as one of the literary geniuses of our time, Anthony Burgess produced...See less
Nobody hates a cliché more than a conscientious record reviewer, but the fact is there are no losers on Grammy Nominees...
(01/07/07) Nobody hates a cliché more than a conscientious record reviewer, but the fact is there are no losers on Grammy Nominees 2005. Though not all the acts represented here walked away with a golden statuette for their efforts, many —including Alicia Keys, Los Lonely Boys, and Maroon 5 —did, and the ones that didn't handily demonstrate why they earned the nod. Gretchen Wilson represents all that's right with modern country via her inescapable "Redneck Woman," and the genre jumble of relative newcomers Kanye West, Joss Stone and Josh Groban likewise make the case for keeping the radio dial spinning. Older listeners are the real winners here, though: Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Prince and U2 pull former awards-show junkies into the present and confer generational props at the same time. -Tammy La GorceSee less
Linkin Park's second studio effort (not counting the 2002 remix album Reanimation) overflows with glossy production...
(01/07/07) Linkin Park's second studio effort (not counting the 2002 remix album Reanimation) overflows with glossy production values and Big Rock oomph, fully embracing the pop instincts of their Hybrid Theory debut. For many, Theory sounded inexcusably corporate, from its too-timely rap-rock sound to the long list of product endorsements included in the liner notes. Meteora will only amplify those complaints, but this album is actually truer to the band's nature. It's still impossible not to hear strains of Limp Bizkit, Korn, Rage Against the Machine, and the like. None of those acts, howeve, would try something as blatantly anthemic as "Easier to Run," which would sound fine to a Def Leppard fan, or as borderline danceable as "Breaking the Habit" and "Session." Linkin Park is what Trent Reznor was always afraid of becoming, but if you ever wished he would drop the pretenses and just make a hair-metal record, you'll find Meteora to your liking. --Matthew Cooke See less
Much like their brethren Mercy Me, Casting Crowns was thrust into the limelight from a worship band beginning. With...
(01/07/07) Much like their brethren Mercy Me, Casting Crowns was thrust into the limelight from a worship band beginning. With steady chops honed from hundreds of shows/services a year and a simple, straight-ahead rock style, the Florida-based band found themselves on top of the charts thanks to the success of massive singles "Who Am I?" and "The Voice of Truth" from its self-titled debut (2003). Lifesong is a sensible sophomore follow-up that shows the band expanding its musical creativity while lyrically remaining true to the cause. There's a common thread of humility throughout as front man Mark Hall sings of the disenfranchised ("Does Anybody Hear Her"), the heartbroken ("Praise You in This Storm"), and the remorseful ("Prodigal"). Hall even calls outside for songwriting help from the brilliant Nichole Nordeman in "Stained Glass Masquerade," a cautionary warning about church hypocrisy in the face of keeping it real. The radio-friendly, U2- ish "Lifesong" proves a savvy book-end to the...See less
Like The Muppet Show or The Simpsons, Shrek is tiered with visual appeal, fantasy, and sophisticated humor that appeals...
(01/07/07) Like The Muppet Show or The Simpsons, Shrek is tiered with visual appeal, fantasy, and sophisticated humor that appeals to children and adults on two mutually exclusive levels. Judging by the soundtrack alone, there is some genuine emotion coming from this movie; Rufus Wainwright, the Proclaimers, and especially the Eels all pen winsome, longing tunes. Dana Glover's "It Is You (I Have Loved)" represents the soundtrack's requisite glossy ballad, but it's better than most, and John Powell's climactic, orchestral "True Love's First Kiss" makes one wish there was a full score to accompany this soundtrack. On the flip side, Smash Mouth cover the Monkees' "I'm a Believer" with a groovy treatment of crunchy hip-hop beats, and Leslie Carter (sister of Aaron and Nick) gives a perky performance on the Britney-esque "Like Wow!" The soundtrack squeezes the last drops of juice from the overplayed Smash Mouth hit "All Star," but other than that, it strikes a great balance between...See less
Having proven itself as a favorite film of children around the world, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is every bit...
(01/07/07) Having proven itself as a favorite film of children around the world, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is every bit as entertaining now as it was when originally released in 1971. There's a timeless appeal to Roald Dahl's classic children's novel, which was playfully preserved in this charming musical, from the colorful carnival-like splendor of its production design to the infectious melody of the "Oompah-Loompah" songs that punctuate the story. Who can forget those diminutive Oompah-Loompah workers who recite rhyming parental warnings ("Oompah-Loompah, doopity do...") whenever some mischievous child has disobeyed Willy Wonka's orders to remain orderly? Oh, but we're getting ahead of ourselves ... it's really the story of the impoverished Charlie Bucket, who, along with four other kids and their parental guests, wins a coveted golden ticket to enter the fantastic realm of Wonka's mysterious confectionery. After the other kids have proven themselves to be irresponsible brats, it's...See less
If you want to see James Van Der Beek and Ashton Kutcher decked out in cowboy hats and leather chaps, Texas Rangers is...
(01/07/07) If you want to see James Van Der Beek and Ashton Kutcher decked out in cowboy hats and leather chaps, Texas Rangers is the movie for you. Van Der Beek is a young recruit out to avenge his family, who were shot down by bandits; Dylan McDermott is the loose cannon commander of the Texas Rangers unit that's out to track those bandits down. Along for the ride are Kutcher, Usher Raymond, Robert Patrick, Randy Travis, and a host of other good-looking young actors. Rachael Leigh Cook provides some assurance that everything is appropriately heterosexual, though a scene in which Kutcher jumps into a washtub with Van Der Beek may raise some eyebrows. Head bandit Alfred Molina grins with nonchalance as his men gun down innocent bystanders. No one in the cast even attempts to speak with a credible Texas accent, but everyone's hair is exquisitely mussed. --Bret Fetzer See less
Executive producers Dustin Hoffman and Mimi Rogers present the truth of the Holocaust so a new generation can understand...
(01/07/07) Executive producers Dustin Hoffman and Mimi Rogers present the truth of the Holocaust so a new generation can understand why it must never be forgotten. Kirsten Dunst plays Hannah, a modern teen more concerned with trends than history. During the traditional Passover dinner, she zones out as her relatives harp about concentration camps. But then Hannah passes through a portal to the past, where she becomes her own ancestor in Poland during the Nazi persecution of the Jews.Director Donna Deitch provides an infinite library of Holocaust detail, re-creating the period with minute dedication. Haunting images, every costume, every hair, every light and shadow conspire to maintain a sense of desolate desperation. Suspense pervades as escapes fail and mothers with newborns are taken away. Only the magical context of the story, taken from the original children's novel by Jane Yolen, allows for a life-affirming ending. The performances may not be multifaceted but, considering the...See less
THERE is another line not always so readily drawn in the tenements, yet the real boundary line of the Other Half: the...
(01/07/07) THERE is another line not always so readily drawn in the tenements, yet the real boundary line of the Other Half: the one that defines the "flat." The law does not draw it at all, accounting all flats tenements without distinction. The health officer draws it from observation, lumping all those which in his judgment have nothing, or not enough, to give them claim upon the name, with the common herd.See less
The Mad Hatter, the Ugly Duchess, the Mock Turtle, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat-characters each more eccentric...
(01/07/07) The Mad Hatter, the Ugly Duchess, the Mock Turtle, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat-characters each more eccentric than the last, and that could only have come from Lewis Carroll, the master of sublime nonsense. In these two brilliant burlesques he created two of the most famous and fantastic novels of all time that not only stirred our imagination but revolutionized literature.• Featuring the exquisite line drawings created for the original editionSee less
This remastered, pan-and-scan 30th-anniversary edition of that kiddie-car caper is flawed but solid family fare. It...
(01/07/07) This remastered, pan-and-scan 30th-anniversary edition of that kiddie-car caper is flawed but solid family fare. It retains a quaint charm while some of the songs--including the title tune--are quite hummable. A huge plus is Dick Van Dyke, who is extremely appealing as an eccentric inventor around the turn of the century. With nimble fingers and a unique way of looking at the world, he invents for his children a magic car that floats and flies. Or does he? The special effects are tame by today's standards, and the film is about 20 minutes too long--but its enthusiasm charms. The script was cowritten by Roald Dahl and based on the novel by Ian Fleming, best known for his James Bond adventures. --Rochelle O'Gorman See less
A solid and entertaining biopic, Walk the Line works less as a movie than an actors' showcase for its stars. Joaquin...
(01/07/07) A solid and entertaining biopic, Walk the Line works less as a movie than an actors' showcase for its stars. Joaquin Phoenix's total immersion into the skin of singer Johnny Cash is startling--watching it, you can't believe this is the same guy who whined about being "vexed" in Gladiator. As he evolves from a farm boy to gospel croonin' plunker to the Man in Black, Phoenix disappears into Cash's deep baritone, his way of slinging the guitar onto his back, and his hunched-up style of strumming. But it's more than just picking up mannerisms: Phoenix also sings as Johnny Cash, and it's quite impressive. The story of how Johnny Cash became Johnny Cash traces from his childhood under a distant father (Robert Patrick) to his early attempts at a music career, during which he married his girlfriend Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin). During a tour with the likes of Elvis (Tyler Hilton) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Waylon Malloy Payne), he encounters singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), and his love for...See less
Long before Ashton met Demi or Topher got lost in Traffic, the makers of Third Rock from the Sun stepped into the...
(01/07/07) Long before Ashton met Demi or Topher got lost in Traffic, the makers of Third Rock from the Sun stepped into the Wayback Machine and emerged with That '70s Show. It would go on to become the Fox Network's most successful sitcom since Married... with Children. Set in the Wisconsin suburbs of 1976, the action centers around 17-year-old Eric Forman (Topher Grace), his friends, and his family. He's an ordinary teenager, much like the slackers of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused, with an interest in girls, cars, beer, and rock & roll (but not necessarily in that order). Eric's friends include hipster Hyde (Danny Masterson), exchange student Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), and dim-bulb Kelso (Ashton Kutcher). Donna (Lora Prepon), Eric's neighbor, is also a friend, but she'll soon become something more, while Kelso already has a girlfriend, the bossy Jackie (Mila Kunis)--and a crush on Eric's sister Laurie (Lisa Robin Kelly). Kelso and Jackie will spend a good part of the first year breaking...See less
When Just Shoot Me debuted on NBC on a Tuesday night (following Frasier) in 1997, the spirited sitcom had the feel of an...
(01/07/07) When Just Shoot Me debuted on NBC on a Tuesday night (following Frasier) in 1997, the spirited sitcom had the feel of an instant winner. The casting alone was an inspired blend of talent from uniquely interesting sources: George Segal, the veteran actor best known for comic performances in such 1970s film classics as Blume in Love and California Split, was certainly overdue for a hit. Laura San Giacomo, a strong and intriguing presence for a decade in a number of key movies (sex, lies, and videotape, Pretty Woman) promised good things as the series' lead player. Wendie Malick, the former model turned ubiquitous supporting player on the likes of NYPD Blue and Seinfeld, had left an especially indelible impression on HBO's long-running comedy series Dream On. Finally, David Spade, fresh from his great ride as a Saturday Night Live cast member, brought a version of a popular SNL character (Dick Clark's supercilious receptionist) to Just Shoot Me, playing the haughty assistant of Segal's...See less
Movie studios, by and large, avoid controversial subjects like race the way you might avoid a hive of angry bees. So...
(01/07/07) Movie studios, by and large, avoid controversial subjects like race the way you might avoid a hive of angry bees. So it's remarkable that Crash even got made; that it's a rich, intelligent, and moving exploration of the interlocking lives of a dozen Los Angeles residents--black, white, latino, Asian, and Persian--is downright amazing. A politically nervous district attorney (Brendan Fraser) and his high-strung wife (Sandra Bullock, biting into a welcome change of pace from Miss Congeniality) get car-jacked by an oddly sociological pair of young black men (Larenz Tate and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges); a rich black T.V. director (Terrence Howard) and his wife (Thandie Newton) get pulled over by a white racist cop (Matt Dillon) and his reluctant partner (Ryan Phillipe); a detective (Don Cheadle) and his Latina partner and lover (Jennifer Esposito) investigate a white cop who shot a black cop--these are only three of the interlocking stories that reach up and down class lines. Writer/director...See less
As That '70s Show's second season begins, Eric's buddy Hyde (Danny Masterson) and college dropout-sister Laurie (Lisa...
(01/07/07) As That '70s Show's second season begins, Eric's buddy Hyde (Danny Masterson) and college dropout-sister Laurie (Lisa Robin Kelly) are still living with the Formans, but a few things have changed. Red (Kurtwood Smith) is about to lose his job, due to layoffs at the plant, and both the opening sequence and theme, "That '70s Song" (Cheap Trick's version of Big Star's "In the Street"), have been revamped. Otherwise, all the first season characters and their favorite hangouts, like Eric's basement and Vista Cruiser, are back. Granted, Red accidentally sells the car during season opener "Garage Sale," but it isn't gone for long (blame Hyde's "special" brownies). As usual, the 1999-2000 season--1977-1978 in the show's chronology--was graced by a number of 1970s vets. "Red's Last Day" has singer Paul Anka and Lyle Waggoner (Wonder Woman), "Halloween" has Marion Ross (Happy Days)," "The First Time" has Maud Adams (The Man With the Golden Gun), and "Holy Crap" has singer/actor Mac Davis...See less
That '70s Show reached its 100th episode during its fourth season in 2001-2002, which ensured that viewers will be...
(01/07/07) That '70s Show reached its 100th episode during its fourth season in 2001-2002, which ensured that viewers will be enjoying the antics of Eric and the gang in reruns for years to come. The dominating plotline for season 4 is the aftermath of Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna's (Laura Prepon) dissolved relationship, which is handled in typically amusing fashion in the first three episodes, especially the season premiere, "It's a Wonderful Life," which borrows the plot of the classic Christmas film to show a depressed Eric how his life would have turned out had he never pursued Donna. Elsewhere, Donna's dad Bob (Don Stark) must adjust to a newly single life; Leo (Tommy Chong) falls for Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) after an accident; Fez dates Big Rhonda (Cynthia Lamontagne); Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie (Mila Kunis) continue to torment each other in their on-again, off-again romance; and Donna begins dating Kelso's older brother Casey (guest star Luke Wilson), which generates considerable...See less
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