Karen’s Opinion

Tuesdays mean Heads or Tails! You can check out the theme of the week and play along by clicking on Heads or Tails.

This week at Heads or Tails, we have been asked to use the word reason as our theme. “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” popped into my head. They say that all the time in the movies. I enjoy a good suspenseful, who done it movie. A good, who done it, book is “By Reason of Insanity”.

From Publishers Weekly
Inspirational suspense novelist Singer (Directed Verdict) hooks readers from the opening courtroom scene of this tasty thriller, then spurs them through a fast trot across a storyline that just keeps delivering. Catherine O’Rourke is a seasoned reporter who covers trials for Norfolk, Virginia’s The Tidewater Times. The latest sexual abuse case she covers hits a little too close to home, and she has a series of disturbing “visions” that suggest first-hand details of the crimes. Soon she finds herself on trial as the “Avenger,” a Bible-quoting serial killer. Are her visions spiritual? Or does she have a split personality? She’s unsure of her innocence or guilt-and so are her lawyers, including the likeable high-rolling Vegas attorney, Quinn Newberg, who is famous for his insanity defenses. Singer tosses out plot twists with abandon, shattering readers’ assumptions but rarely straining their credulity. The characters’ lives unpeel like onions, with layers of interesting revelations. Christian faith plays a role in the “visions” but never feels forced. Smooth point of view changes, snappy dialogue, interesting details and unexpected humor enrich the storyline. Like the best suspense novels, the character development is sophisticated enough that readers won’t know the villain’s identity until the final pages.

Oh boy! This has been a great month for me. I just received word from Laura at Buy Better and Have a Better Life that I won the Fandango coupon at her giveaway! Thanks so much Laura.

My husband and I seldom go to a movie and I think it is because we are too cheap to spend the money. I like to go to the theater. We have a new one near us. It has the reclining type seats and big cup holders. It is really nice. In fact, I was so comfortable the last time we went, I fell asleep. Now I have to rent Marley and Me because I missed the first half. LOL

I am not sure which movie we will see but there are a few I have on my list.

What would make Christmas feel special for you? Would it be eating freshly baked Christmas cookies with a glass of cold milk? Would it be reading a book while wrapped in a comfy quilt? How does staying in Ralphie’s house sound?

Yes, I am talking about Ralphie as in the “You’ll shoot your eye out”, kid. During the Christmas holiday season, bidders were able to participate in the ebay auction to stay Christmas Eve & Morning in A Christmas Story House.
Photo provided by ebay.

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is dedicated to assisting our nation’s servicemen and women severely injured during the wars on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Beginning at the bedside of the severely wounded, WWP provides programs and services designed to ease the burdens of these heroes and their families and aid in the recovery process and smooth the transition back to civilian life.

You will find other auctions through The Wounded Warrior Project like Longaberger basket sales and other fine items. This one struck me as special. I love the movie, A Christmas Story.

Spend Christmas Eve & Morning in the house from A Christmas Story
VIP EXPERIENCE FOR 4 WITH AIRFARE, HOTEL, & MEALS INCLUDED!

“A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas…” is now yours for the bidding. eBay Giving Works, eBay’s program that empowers people to buy and sell for a cause, and A Christmas Story House & Museum, celebrating the film’s 25th anniversary, invite the winning bidder and 3 guests to spend Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning reliving their favorite moments from the cult classic A Christmas Story at the original Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio! This special experience is being offered exclusively on eBay Giving Works, with all proceeds from the charity auction going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Experience includes:

* Airfare for four (4) people from anywhere in the lower 48 states to Cleveland, OH (up to $1800 total)*
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* 2 Day, 2 Night stay for four (4) in a suite provided by the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
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* Christmas Eve accommodations for four (4) at the A Christmas Story House
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* Christmas Eve dinner for four (4) provided by Pearl of Orient Chinese restaurant
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* Christmas Day dinner for four (4) provided by Sans Souci, an award-winning, fine-dining restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel
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* $200 stipend for food & beverages during stay included

It appears that there were 33 bids on the auction and the winner spent $5,250.00 to stay at Ralphie’s house. I’ll bet they had fun and feel that their money was well spent.

This has been the weekend to watch movies. The weather has made our roads very icy and I do not like to drive on ice. There are too many people who like to get right on my bumper because they think I drive too slow on ice.

Last night we watched Burn After Reading. What a strange movie! It reminded me of Fargo. In fact, it had the woman who starred in Fargo. The movie was odd and took a long time to find the plot. I thought we were in for a dud but it did, finally, get interesting. It was hard to tune out the F word because it was said so many times. I hate when a movie uses it over and over. I only recommend this movie if there is absolutely nothing more to rent.

Tonight we are watching Righteous Kill. It is pretty intense. I think I know who is doing all the killing but am afraid I am wrong. It is just too obvious. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are both in this movie. From IMDB;

Two veteran New York City detectives work to identify the possible connection between a recent murder and a case they believe they solved years ago; is there a serial killer on the loose, and did they perhaps put the wrong person behind bars?

Good so far….

The national news broadcasters are saying that people might be cutting back on their holiday gift giving this year but one thing they are not giving up is their love of going out to the movies. My daughter is among the thousands who saw the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

From IMDB
‘Quantum of Solace’ continues the high octane adventures of James Bond from ‘Casino Royale’. Picking up literally hours after the previous film left off, after being betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Having captured Mr. White, and in pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and ‘M’ interrogate Mr. White who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper to steal Bond’s casino winnings is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless businessman and major force within the mysterious criminal organization known only as ‘Quantum’.

On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world’s most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano. Using his associates in the organization, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in Bolivia, giving General Medrano control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land which is, however, a main source of the South American water supply. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists, and even ‘M’ herself, to unravel Greene’s sinister plan and stop Quantum from getting its way.