Tuesday, May 31, 2016

32. Dead Time - Stephen White

Alan Gregory #16
audio read by Dick Hill
11 unabridged cds...13 hrs....on the road from Tucson to PA
2008, Dutton Adult
397 pgs.
Contemporary Mystery
Finished 5/31/16
Goodreads rating: 3.82 (1503 ratings)
My rating:  4
Setting: Grand Canyon bottom and Colorado

First line/s:  "She disappeared into a crack in the earth."

My comments:  This was my first foray into this series, and I was told that I'd be okay if I didn't start with the first.  I liked it.  It was written from three points-of-view... Alan Gregory (a psychologist and the protagonist of the series); his ex-wife, Merideth; and a third person voice that describes a happening at the Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch a few years previously that becomes the crux of the story.  Each of the numerous characters have backstories and difficulties they're coping with along with the current mystery, and I love the way it was all woven together.  I liked some of the characters, rolled my eyes at others, and laughed at and with some of them.  Great characterization and consuming storyline.  So why not a five?  A little too much conversation and rehashing - the book could have edited out some of the redundancy and extra long-winded-ness.  It was fine for a long cross-country drive, however.

Goodreads synopsis:  After the shocking developments in Dry Ice, Colorado psychologist Alan Gregory is struggling to deal with his newly adopted son and repair his shaky, though generally improving, marriage. But then Alan’s ex-wife, Merideth, reappears, seeking help she feels only Alan can give. Suddenly Alan is pulled into a mystery that reaches back years to a camping trip at the Grand Canyon involving Merideth’s fiancĂ© and five friends whose lives were changed forever when a young woman mysteriously vanished from the Canyon floor. 
          Enlisting the help of friend and detective Sam Purdy, Alan finds himself pitted against new demons and unseen enemies as he tries to uncover the connection between the unexplained disappearance at the Grand Canyon and Merideth’s missing surrogate. The clock is ticking, and as Alan’s and Sam’s investigations take them from New York City to Los Angeles to the cavernous reaches of the Canyon itself, Alan unearths a series of secrets and deceptions that someone wishes to keep buried at all costs.

May Letterboxing


I'm not super-duper crazy about the signature stamp I created, but I'm going to use it.  

My May 31, 2016 Stats:

P1 F99 X46

New in May
Traditional:  5 finds (now 99F)
HH: no new finds (still 9 F)
Postals:  11 new finds (still 9P now 98F)
LTCs:  2 quisps found, 8 LTCs found, 1 new quisp carved & planted (now 2P 26F)
Travelers 40F so far
Event Boxes 18F so far

CARVES (above)
Tweet Tweet made for summer inchies postal, will use as quisp
New SIGNATURE STAMP




Postcard Received Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - First one in PA!

358.  Beaufort, South Carolina
May 27, 2016
Welcome to my hometown!!!
Beaufort is a small town on an island on the coast of South Carolina.  It's famous for having one of the Marine Corps training bases.  Beaufort is also a popular tourist destination bacause of the nice weather we have all year round and the beaches.  Take care, Auglie

Monday, May 30, 2016

Cross Country Trip WEST to EAST - May, 2016

Thursday 5/27 Tucson to Van Horn, TX
     425 miles, through two time zones
     Motel 6, Van Horn $50.84
Scott Joplin mural in Texarcana, TX (I stayed across the road - literally - in Arkansas)

Friday 5/28 Van Horn, TX to Texarcana, AR
     684,3 miles
     Motel 6, Texarcana $

The Mighty Mississippi in Memphis

Saturday 5/2 9Texarcana, AR to Cookeville, TN
     563.9 miles
     Motel 6, Cookeville $
A little letterboxing - and a few detours.....

Sunday, 5/30 Cookeville, TN to Mt. Holly Springs, PA
     613.8 miles
THIS is what was awaiting me at my destination!

Total 2287  miles

Saturday, May 28, 2016

31. Blood Oath - Christopher Farnsworth

#1 Nathaniel Cade, President's Vampire
listened to in the car from Tucson 'cross country May 27& 28, 2016
2010 Putnam Adult
390 pgs.
Adult Fantasy/Mystery
Goodreads rating: 3.92
My rating: 4
Setting: mostly Washington, DC

My comments:  This was pleasantly different than the books I've been reading/listening to lately.  Differing points-of-view, which I always seem to enjoy.  A good mystery.  Humor.  But, throw in a vampire, national security, and the POTUS and what do you get?  Blood Oath!  Zach Barrows, the vampire's "human handler" is a riot!  Cocky, sarcastic, and quick-witted.  Flashbacks to 1867 when Nathaniel "became" a vampire give details that make Cade more believable and real.  I will read the next in the series.

:Goodreads synopsis:  Zach Barrows is an ambitious young White House staffer whose career takes an unexpected turn when he's partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent sworn to protect the President. But Cade is no ordinary civil servant. Bound by a special blood oath, he is a vampire. Cade battles nightmares before they can break into the daylight world of the American dream, enemies far stranger-and far more dangerous-than civilians have ever imagined.
Blood Oath is the first in a series of novels featuring Nathaniel Cade-the President's vampire.
 

Monday, May 23, 2016

Postcards Received Monday, 5/23/2016 - An Overwhelming Amount!

342.  Wuppertal, Schwebebahn, GERMANY
17th May 2016
Hello Greetings from Germany!
City of Wuppertal is the "secret capital" of Bergischesland (low hills country).  Which is famous for its overhead raliway called SCHWEBEBAHN.  Se more on Youtube!
Best wishes, alles Gute, Josef

343.  Potsdam, GERMANY
14th May 2016
Hi Chris, this is a friendly hello from Denise, 52, from Germany.  I'm sending a card of my ex-hometown Potsdam, close to which I still live.  the New Palace is one of the beautiful palaces in Sanssouce Park (UNESCO).  One of its main rooms was recently re-opened after restoration.  Maybe you could send me a nice viewcard of your placi in return?  Thnaks a lot, all the best and happy postcrossing, Denise. (I did send her a card in return, one of the seaside in Ogunquit, Maine.

344.  Altes Schwarzwaldhaus, GERMANY
May 10th, 2016
Hello Chris, the card I chose for you shows young girls in their typical old costumes of our regions, the Black Forest."  In the background is an old farmhouse, now a museum.  Best wishes, Gunter

345.  The Netherlands
09-05-2016
Dear Chris, Hope you enjoy this view of typical Dutch windmill.  I am 50 years, married, we have one dog named Marley (a Belgian Shepherd).  We have one daughter, she lives with her boyfriend in Amsterdam, studies psychology.  I love to read, travel, colour, and photograph.  Happy Postcrossing, Anoushka

346.  Greetings from New Zealand
15.05.16
Hello Chris, My name is Naomi.  I am from Christchurch, New Zealand.  The strange looking bird on the front of the postcard is a kiwi.  They are native to New Zealand and are also our national symbol.  The lady in the boat or waka as the native Maoris call it is dressed in their traditional clothing.  They were here before the westerners arrived.  Christchurch became the first city in NZSZ on July 31st 1856.  Would love to hear about where you live.  Naomi

347.  Taiwan
Hello Chris!  I'm Ieiko, a 28 year old Taiwanese girl.  Photo on the postcard when I was traveling in Taimali.  This place is Tawain Number Nine Highway Taimali 399k, there can see from here on the beauty of the Pacific views.  I hope you like this card.  2016 May 10.

348.  Tampere, Finland
Hello Chris! 
My bestg greetings from Finland.  On this card you can see a view from my former hometown Tampere.  The town is situated between two large lakes and through the city flows a river with low falls.  There has been many factories by the river but today they have been changed into museums, shops, or offices.  I have lived now 6 months in Valkeakoski, 35 kms. south from Tampert.
Wishing you all the best,
Elisa

349.  North Carolina
20 May 2016
Hello Chris!
My name is Amy.  Greetings from North Carolina.  I hope this postcard finds you well and makes you smile.  Have a great day!  Amy.

350.  St. Petersburg, Russia
Hi.  My name is Tanya.  I live in St. Petersburg.  I work as an engineer.  My husband and I love traveling, especially in Russia.  Welcome to Russia and Happy Postcrossing!!
09.05.16

351.  Maribor, Slovenia
Hi chris, My name is Iztok and I live in Maribor.  It is a city in northeastern part of Slovinia.
Best Wishes, Iztok
16.4.2016

352.  Munster, Germany
10.5.16  Hello.  My name is Inanya and I live in Munster, Germany.  This card shows you my lovely hometown.  When the weather is sunny you can see many balloons in the sky.  Some have a special shape, like a giant bottle ... Best wishes, Inanya

353.  Blick von der Fischerinsel auf das Nikolaiviertal, GERMANY
Hello Classy.  My name is Nikita.  I am 29 years old and live in Bruggerbracht by the Life help work in HPZ orientation group.  (??? Those seem to be the words written...)  My hobbies are pottery, swimming, gymnastics, and Harry Potter.  Greetings from Ken.  Happy New Year.  Nikita.

354.  "Bekking & Blitz" Fiep Westendorp Illustrations
The Netherlands
Hallo class!  I want to tell you about yesterday.  5th May it was, Freedom Day.  the day before we remembered the people who died in the second world war or later.  Yesterday we celebrated our freedom.  Children, please make one thing sure.  Always follow your heart and maker your dreams come true.  We need all special talents in this world, and you have one!  Smile a lot and love the other people.  Debra

355.  Taiwan
Hi Crhis.  Greetings from Taiwan!  I'm Wenhsin.  My hometown is Chiay City.  "Alishan" is our famous mountain.  This card is about Taiwanese winter.  Best Wishes, Wenhsin  15.05.2016

356.  Malaysia Holiday Destination
Dear Chris,
Greetings from Malaysia.  Bood day to u.  Sending u this map card of Malaysia.  Hope y could visit my beautiful country some day in the furture.  Happy postcard writing.  Love, Isabella
30/4/16

357.  Germany
10.5.16
Hello Chris, my name is Petra and I live in the middle of Germany in a town called Friedberg (Hessen).  I live here with my 43 years old mother in our own house.  Last week I drive to Dresden, my mom wished to see the big church there.  All the best, Petra

Saturday, May 21, 2016

30. Eligible by Curtis Sitterfeld

#4 in a series of Jane Austen's works that have been contemporized (my own word) - they do NOT have to be read in any order, they are all STANDALONES
Library book from TPPL
2016 Random House
 492 pgs.
Adult CRF
Finished 5/21/16
Goodreads rating: 3.74
My rating: 4.5
Setting: Contemporary Cincinnati, OH

First line/s:  "Well before his arrival in Cincinnati, everyone knew that Chip Bingley was looking for a wife.  Two years earlier, Chip -- graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Medical School, scion of the Pennsylvania Bingleys, who in the twentieth century had made their fortune in plumbing fixtures - had, ostensibly with some reluctance, appeared on the juggernaut reality-television show Eligible."

My comments:   I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did, and there's only one word I can use to describe it.  Delightful.  It was really a blast to read.  It wasn't stupid...well...not really.....  And if you're a fan of Jane Austen, or know the story of Pride and Prejudice, it's all the more fun. I wonder how it would read if one had NO knowledge of Pride and Prejudice?  I had so much to do this weekend, but would sneak away for half hours at a time to read a little more.  It was written in oodles of short (2 - 4) page chapters, which I quite liked, in this case.  The whole "package" was one I very much enjoyed.  Think I'll try one of Sittenfeld's previous works, though the summary/reviews of them don't look exactly like my cuppa tea.

Goodreads synopsis:  A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice
          This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.
          Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.
          Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . .
          And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Postcard Received 5/20/2106

341.  IDAHO...did you know?
5/18/16 
Hi Chirs, While this is not the "flashiest" of cards, it is a "did you know."  Hop you don't have it.  I had hip surgery last week and will have all summer off - like a teacher!  The pain is no fun, thous.  Lisa

Thursday, May 19, 2016

29. Worth Dying For - Lee Child

Jack Reacher #15
Listened to audio cd in the car
2010 Delacorte
400 pgs.
Adult Mystery
Finished 5/19/16
Goodreads rating: 4.20
My rating: 4
Setting: Contemporary rural Nebraska

First line/s:  "Eldridge Tyler was driving a long, straight two-lane road in Nebraska when his cell phone rang."

My comments:  Jack Reacher was a little disconcerting in this entry, at least until the very end.  He seemed particularly ruthless and ...blood-thirsty... in this one, much more than usual.  But a tiny bit more is revealed just before the very end of the book that made my "thumbs up, Reacher" attitude return.  Reacher is his usual foot-loose and fancy-free self in this one, making quick friends and enemies in an isolated small town in Nebraska where one family rules without question.  And they aren't a nice family.  Of course Reacher discovers what everyone is hiding, how to outsmart one heck-of-a-lot of hoodlums, and end up on the winning side...something you never doubt for a moment.  As always, an enjoyable audible treat on my drive back and forth from work.

Goodreads synopsis:  There’s deadly trouble in the corn county of Nebraska . . . and Jack Reacher walks right into it. First he falls foul of the Duncans, a local clan that has terrified an entire county into submission. But it’s the unsolved, decades-old case of a missing child that Reacher can’t let go.
 
The Duncans want Reacher gone—and it’s not just past secrets they’re trying to hide. For as dangerous as the Duncans are, they’re just the bottom of a criminal food chain stretching halfway around the world. For Reacher, it would have made much more sense to put some distance between himself and the hard-core trouble that’s bearing down on him. For Reacher, that was also impossible.

Postcards Received Thursday, May 19, 2016

339.  The Cranberry Lady, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Hello grade 4 class in Tucson, Arizona!  I am from a suburb of Vancouver, BC.  Here we grow most of the cranberries in the world.  Isn't it such a strange way that they are harvested?  Do you like cranberry sauce with your turkey?   They were probably grown here for "Ocean Spray"!
May 8/16

340.  Hodonin, Czech Republic
Hello!
This is my hometown of about 25,000 situated in south east part of the country in region of wine and traditional costumes.  Enjoy!  Alena.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Postcards Received Wednesday, May 18, 2016

337.  Greetings from Taiwan
2016.5.10
Hello, I am Eric Chen.  I am a college student from Taiwan, and I will graduate this June.  this postcard is about our traditional Chinese New Year.  It represents best wishe and Happy New 2016.  Hope you like it.  Eric Chen

338.  Kang Xinyu - Tree
2015.6.8
(There was no number on this card so it could not be registered, but it looks like it comes from last June or August - although the postmark looks like 2016 03 01)
Hello Chris, I'm a university student living in China.  This is the phot I pictured in my hometown.  My hometown is a peaceful place living with many panda.  It is such a great place for me.  Hope you will like it.  Yours, Tree

POETRY PICTURE BOOK - Flutter & Hum by Julie Paschkis

Aleteoy y Zumbido: Poemas de Animales
Illustrated by the author
2015, Henry Holt & Co.
HC &$17.99
32 pgs.
Goodreads rating: 4.03
My rating:  5
Endpapers: Green
Title Page Single page, decorated with animals from the poems

My comments:  Ah, Julie Paschkis.  One of my all-time favorite illustrators.  And in this gorgeous picture book, she wrote all the poems, too - in two languages!  Some of them just sang out to me.  Others didn't.  She wrote them first in Spanish, then translated to English.  Her illustrations are luscious.  A feast for the eyes.  The few poems that weren't fives for me sounded GREAT in Spanish, even though I couldn't understand a word!
Goodreads:  All sorts of animals flutter and hum, dance and stretch, and slither and leap their way through this joyful collection of poems in English and Spanish. Julie Paschkis's poems and art sing in both languages, bringing out the beauty and playfulness of the animal world.

Snake
Slithering
through
the grass
the sinuous snake
is writing
a slippery poem
with his body.
But his alphabet is
too simple.
He only knows
one letter:
sssssssssss.

Crow
On this gray day
on the gray street
the black crow caws.

He hops,
        stops,
          and stares
at a yellow umbrella --
the only sun shining
today.

Owl
The moon is a lantern
in the branches.
A shimmer.

A shadow whistles
through the grass.
A whisper.

Out of the darkness
an owl hoots.
An echo.

The night train
is leaving.




CACOPHONY: My Favorite Word Found in a Poem!

Sounds of Rain

Rain's too small a word, too thin
to hold the whole cacophonous din
when drops like arrows
drill the muddy river.

Water plasters fur and feather,
splatters sodden vines and trees,
makes each leaf a drum.

You need a word
for booming bands,
geese honking off at dawn,
fire roaring up the flue,
bacon sizzling in a pan,
thunder shaking windowpanes --

There is no word big enough 
to hold forest rain.

       David Harrison

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Postcards Received Tuesday, May 17, 2016

333.  Lappi Lapland, Finland
Hello!  You already had a card from Oulu, I'm sending a map card of the top half of Finland.  Oulu is a bit below the cut.  I am originally from Tornio on the border of Sweden - when I was a teen we used to bike to Sweden to buy candy because it was cheaper there.  Some of my schoolmates in High School lived in Haparanda, Sweden.  It's a free border, so we could cross it whenever we wanted to.  I've gone to Ruka/Kuusamo area for vacation several times.  We usually stay at a cottage and make short hikes to nearby hills.  There are lots of reindeer in the area - one time we had 5 in the cottage yard.  Mia (5.5.2016)

335.  Northern Spain
Hello there, I tried to find a postcard from Malaio, a small town in Northern Spain where I live.  However, I wasn't successful, so [please accept this postcard of a studious girl instead.
Have a good day, Valentina

336.  Miyajima Public Aquarium, Japan
Greetings from Hiroshima, Japan.  Hope you like this card.  Happy Postcrossing!  Michiko

334.  Greetings from Finland!  
Here is card about my home areas sigil bird, metso (tetrao urogallus).  Large is male and it's hanging out with its chicks.  When in heat male can be really angry and attack on humans too!  My friend got attacked once but he sat on the bird until it calmed down.  Crazy guy!  But both are fine now. :)  Good summer for you, Mervi

Monday, May 16, 2016

28. Hard Light - Elizabeth Hand

#3 Cass Neary, Photographer
read the actual book
2016, Minotaur Books
355 pgs.
Adult mystery
Finished 5/16/16
Goodreads rating: 4.17
My rating: 5
Setting: Contemporary England - half London, half the moors

First line/s:  "A stolen passport will only get you so far.  In my case, that was through Customs and Immigration at Heathrow, where I stood in the line for EU travelers, praying I wouldn't have to fake a Swedish accent as an impassive official ran a check on my documentation."

My comments:  I read the second book in this series because Ms. Hand is a Maine author, one of my go-to choices.  Then I read the first, which is set in Maine (yay!).  When I saw this , the third in the series, on the shelf at the library, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
          I really enjoyed this book.  A lot.  Couldn't wait to finish it.  Maybe I'm not quite as shocked about Cass Neary's failings and downfalls (klepto, druggie, alkie), a bit enamored with her deep-down humanity and amount of knowledge of the world and its history, and in agreement with some of her "who cares" attitude about people and situations.
     This was a great story - half taking place in a cold, wintery contemporary London and the other half taking place out on the stormy English moors.  Good mystery, great characterization, a really interesting delve into the underground music and film-making life of the 60s and how poorly it's all aged.   More Cass Neary will be appreciated.  She's really grown on me.

Goodreads synopsis:

Postcards Received Monday, May 16, 2016

328.  Winnipeg: Canada's Natural Beauty
A Postage-Paid Canadian Postcard
07/05/2016
Hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada!  Winnipeg is the capital of the Province of Manitoba.  The building on this card is the government building with a "golden boy" on top of the dome - it was a gift from France.
Happy Postcrossing, Vera

329.  No Kangaroos in Austria
5.5.16
Hello from Vienna!  Hope you don't feel offended, cause you surely never mixed Austria and Australia (as many people do).  Regards and kisses from Vienna, Tricalind

330.  Santorini Thirassia, Greece
Hi!  I'm Ani from Athens, Greece!  I live and work in Athens, my house is close to Athens Riviera and I enjoy seaside walks.  I send you postcard of Thirassia & Santorini islands.  Santorini is the most famious of the two for its wild beauty, the volcano, the vineyards, Akrotiri - an archaeological site like Pompei lost after a volcanic explosion, its beaches are with black or red sand, very special.  Although the island is very touristic & crowded, I prefer in May being there; it's worth it to learn its story and have a look on its breathtaking photos.  Love, Ani.

So when I thanked her for the card, I asked how you got to the village - by boat?  And this is her answer:
“I'm glad you like it,I wish you visit greece! There is a road but it's not seen in the postcard.in Santorini from the old port to the city you can have a donkey trekking or get the cable lift! In case you need more postcards from greece for your class don't hesitate to ask me! Bye bye!”

331.  Maiko Girls Enjoying Tea-Ceremony in Kyoto, Japan
4/5/2016
Hi I'm Rie from Japan, a mom of 3 kids.  They are 10, 8, 6 y.o.  I love books and chocolate so my husband calls me a book junkie and a chocolate addict.  Hope you enjoy this card!  Rie

332.  Oregon City, Oregon
Dear Chris,
Happy Friday the 13th!  Greetings from Oregon City, Oregon.  I sent you another card, but since it's at 50 days out I'm assuming it's gone.  So if it shows up, you have 2!  Happy Postcrossing, Paula


Sunday, May 15, 2016

27. The Fifth Gospel - Ian Caldwell

It looks like The Rule of Four may be some sort of prequel, but I'm not sure...
listened to on Audible
2015
431 pgs.- I'm guessing I read over 200 of them, because I listened for over 7 hours
Adult mystery
Abandoned 5/15/16
Goodreads rating  3.69
My rating:  2/I tried....
Setting: Vatican City, Rome, Italy

First line/s:  "My son is too young to understand forgiveness."

My comments:   I truly enjoy forays into the history of biblical times - but this was so rooted in the Catholic church, the differences between orthodox Greek and Roman Catholic, and believing in the bible, that the plodding manner in which this book moved was just too slow for me to read all the way through. I did read over half the book, but I couldn't get enamored with any of the characters enough to find out more about the history OR who the murderer was.  So I made the decision to go on to one of the thousands of other books waiting for me to read (the same thing happened to me in Rule of Four, I should have paid attention to that, but am forever optimistic....)

Goodreads synopsis:  A lost gospel, a relic, and a dying pope's final wish send two brothers - both Vatican priests - on a quest to untangle Christianity's biggest mystery (the shroud of Turan)

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Postcards Received Saturday, May 14, 2016

327.  Grusse aus Osnabruck (Greetings from Osnabruck) Germany
Greetings. 
 For many years, Osnabruck has been know as the "Friedensstadt" (City of Peace).  Ever since it was so instrumental in the signing of the Treaty of Westphaolia in 1648 which ended the Thirty Year's War. Some signigficant figures associated with Osnabruck are Erich Maria Remarque, a writer born in the city in 1898 who is best known for his novel "All Quiet on the Western Front", and the Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum, who was born here in 1904 but tragically murdered in Auschwitz in 1944
8/5/2016  Anke

MOVIE - Criminal

R (1:53)
Wide Release 4/15/16
Viewed 5/13/16  - first day at cheapie Theater
RT Critic:  31  Audience:  58
Critic's Consensus:  Despite the valiant efforts of a game and talented cast, Criminal has little to offer beyond the bare minimum expected by the most undemanding of genre enthusiasts.
Cag:  4/ Liked it a lot
Directed by Ariel Vromen
Summit Entertainment

Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Tommy Lee Jones

My comments:  My last decadent Friday-after-school-movie.....ever! ? Only one week at THA left!  And this movie was a really good choice.  Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Costner?  Does it really matter what the movie's about?  It was a thriller, edge-of-your-seat-interesting with a (spoiler!) typical really good ending.  A little bloody/gory for me....torture and brain surgery-wise, but I really liked it a lot.  Probably because of the actors - including Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Oldman as well as the afore-mentioned hotties!

INDb Summary:  In a last-ditch effort to stop a diabolical plot, a dead CIA operative's memories, secrets, and skills are implanted into a death-row inmate in hopes that he will complete the operative's mission.