Don't Trust Anyone: A Book Review of Agatha Christie's "The Secret Adversary"

Two young people are not doing well monetarily. So they naturally do what anyone else would do and place an ad for two adventurers to go anywhere, doing anything. Before they know it, they get tangled in an international conspiracy!

The Secret Adversary was Agatha Christie's second novel, though far less known today than others such as Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express. However, her second book won admiration from the New York Times Book Review. 

SUMMARY

   In May 1915, the Great War is in full swing and the RMS Lusitania has been hit by a German submarine torpedo. A mysterious man asks a young woman if she is a patriotic American and, after her answer, discreetly gives her a packet of paper. He tells her it is vital and that her chances of surviving the disaster are greater than his.

   Fast-forward four years to post-war London, just after the end of World War I. A young man, "Tommy" Beresford, and a young woman, "Tuppence" Cowley, both are out of money...and jobs. After some discussion in a café, the two create their own enterprise: "The Young Adventurers." No "unreasonable offer" will be refused.

   They find business sooner than they expected when Tuppence is trailed and hired by a Mr. Whittington. In his office, he asks her for her name. However, Tuppence decides not to give her real identity. Rather, she answers with an odd name she had overheard in the café: Jane Finn. Whittington's attitude changes at once, and he angrily asks what her demands are. Tuppence manages to bluff long enough to get some money from Whittington, who later vanishes. 

   Tommy and Tuppence decide to tackle the mysterious questions: who really is Jane Finn, and what is her importance? The pair decide to place an advertisement for anyone with information on this Miss Finn. 

   One reply to the advertisement leads the Young Adventurers to Mr. Carter, who ranks high in British intelligence. He tells the tale of Jane Finn, a young American who traveled to Europe on the Lusitania when it sank. A man gave her a vital yet secret treaty which she is to give to the American ambassador in London, England. However, both Jane Finn and the treaty disappeared. If the treaty was to resurface, it would mean great trouble for Great Britain and possibly another war. Carter offers a job to Tommy and Tuppence, who readily accept. Yet Carter warns that their job is secretive and full of great perils, including the mysterious figure of their opposition: "Mr. Brown."  

   The two young people set out on the case and eventually enlist the help of Jane's cousin, American millionaire Julius Hersheimer. The remainder of the story is packed with chases, kidnappings, espionage, and revealed mysteries.

CONTENT

   There is not as much violence in The Secret Adversary as there are tense moments. The threat of enemies constantly loom over Tommy, Tuppence, and Julius. Still, there are a few times when guns are fired at people, often during a chase scene in the book. 

    In an otherwise enjoyable adventure novel, there is a rather large amount of objectionable language. This includes many uses of h***, d***, and the British swear word "bloody." Although, I recall only one or two uses of God's name. 

   Julius plans to marry his cousin, which may seem strange (not to mention illegal) today, but it was rather common in the pre-1930's. Two characters also are surprised to find they have feelings for each other, and it is hinted that they will marry, but there is not much else in this area.

   When one hears the name "Agatha Christie," you often think of "murder mystery." While The Secret Adversary is undoubtedly a mystery, it seemed to me more of a spy thriller. While the main characters are not real "spies," the novel is quite similar to the spy and espionage genre. If you are not one for mysteries, this still might be a nice book for you to consider. 

   As a huge Agatha Christie fan, I believe The Secret Adversary can't quite compare to her other, more popular novels. Still, this was a great book to read and kept me on my toes (as the "Queen of Mystery" is known to do to her readers). While this novel is certainly too intense for children, teens and adults will likely find a great time in the book.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 320 (first edition)

Author of book: Agatha Christie

Published in: 1922

Primary audience: Teens, adults

The Boy and His Robot: A Movie Review of Martin Scorsese's "Hugo"

Based on the award-winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the film Hugo tells the tale of an orphan who runs the clocks in the Paris train station. The boy Hugo is obsessed with fixing an automaton (or robot), believing it will help him find a message from his father. However, he encounters so much 

more than this...

The film won five Academy Awards (as well as a nomination for Best Picture) and was considered by many to be the best family film of 2011. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Hugo stars Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret, Chloë Grace Moretz as Isabelle, and Ben Kingsley as Georges Méliès. 

SUMMARY

   It is the early 1930s, and a twelve-year-old boy resides in hidden apartments located inside the Paris train station. "Why?" you might ask. The boy, Hugo Cabret, attends to every clock in the station. But that is not all: he also steals mechanical parts from a toy booth.

   One day, he is caught by the bitter booth owner, and the man takes Hugo's notebook, refusing to return it. The toy-shop owner questions Hugo as to the individual who drew the pictures in the notebook. Hugo stubbornly will not answer, and the man calls for the Station Inspector. Hugo flees to his apartment. 

   The audience then learns of Hugo's past: how he lived with his father, became an orphan, and was adopted by his alcoholic Uncle Claude. The boy is taught by his uncle how to care for the clocks of the Paris train station. And here Hugo has remained day after day. However, he has been working on a mysterious mechanical man which he and his father had attempted to fix. This accounts for the stolen parts.

   That night, Hugo follows the old toy-maker to his home, and the door is slammed in his face. After inspecting the outside of the building, Hugo sees a girl in one of the upstairs bedroom. He gets her attention, and she comes down to speak with him. After hearing him out, she agrees to keep an eye on his notebook.

   The next day, Hugo goes to the toy-maker once again. The old man informs the boy that he may have a chance at earning the notebook back. Hugo must work in the shop to repay each and every part he stole. The owner will decide "when, if ever" the notebook will be returned. 

   Eventually, Hugo and the girl, named Isabelle, become friends. The two soon make a shocking discovery that will light Hugo's way, "all the way home."

CONTENT

   Hugo is not really a violent film, having little action, and just a few "chase" scenes. Still, there are two scenes where a boy is nearly run over by a train (one is a dream, the other is reality). Also, for younger children, there is a frightening (and frankly strange) scene in which Hugo imagines himself turning into a mechanical boy. In another brief scene, police find a dead man on the bank of a river. Still, this is much more of a drama than an action film. 

   This film is actually almost completely clean of foul language. There is one unfortunate, yet brief use of God's name, as well as a few minor insults. I was especially pleased with this aspect of the film, save for the one word!

   In two or three scenes, the Station Inspector speaks with a police officer concerning sexual matters. It is vague enough for younger kids to not understand, but teens and adults will grasp the meaning. The officer mentions that his wife is pregnant, and the Inspector asks as to their last "relations." When the officer says not within the past year, the Inspector remarks that the wife's pregnancy is "suspicious." Also, the Inspector tries to make conversation with the flower stall owner. After a lapse of speaking, he mentions cows having "perfectly-formed udders."

   There are a few brief scenes in which Hugo's Uncle Claude drinks alcohol and smokes cigars, being put forward as an alcoholic.

   All in all, I found Hugo to be a delightfully wonderful movie. It is rare that I find a film which I enjoy as much as the book that it was based on, and this is one such case. I even loved the music, which fit right into the classic era of 1930's France. Being clean, for the most part, it is a good movie for families, also including good lessons in perseverance and friendship. I particularly enjoyed the message that we are all here on this earth for a reason. Christians know an ultimate reason: the glorification of Christ.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 126 minutes

Rating: PG (for mild thematic material, some action/peril and smoking)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Producers: Graham King, Timothy Headington, Martin Scorsese, Johnny Depp

Music: Howard Shore

Year of release: 2011

Primary audience: Family, pre-teens, teens

Protection or Freedom: A Movie Review of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

What do you do in a world where moral values are dying and all around we see the sacrifice of our freedoms for the government to give security? In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the title character Captain Steve Rogers wrestles with protecting the people, but still giving them their unalienable rights.

The film stars Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce.

SUMMARY

   It has been two years since the events of The Avengers film and Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) is trying to work in a modern society, as he had previously been frozen from 1943 until the present. In addition, he has been working with the security department SHIELD.

   Early on in the movie, Captain America and Agent Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) are sent to lead a strike team against terrorist-pirates who hijacked a SHIELD boat. However, while trying to rescue hostages and fighting pirates, Captain Rogers finds Black Widow downloading content from the ship's computer. He was not told about her side mission and later confronts Nick Fury at the SHIELD headquarters.

   After his encounter with Captain America, Nick Fury tries to access the items on the electronic chip from Black Widow. Much to his surprise, he finds that he is not allowed access...and that, apparently, he programmed that order! 

   He becomes worried and asks Alexander Pierce, the head of SHIELD, to delay an upcoming project. Pierce promises to do what he can but says that the World Security Council likely won't agree with the idea.

   Soon, Nick Fury is driving to meet with one of his agents but is assaulted by false "police." After his car takes much battering and is flipped over by an assassin, he makes a clever escape under the streets of Washington, D.C. He flees to Steve Roger's apartment where the assassin (called the Winter Soldier) attacks them. 

   Eventually, Steve and Natasha learn that there are terrorist forces hiding within SHIELD, and they must fight against their hidden enemies to bring the truth to light...before innocent people suffer.

CONTENT

   There is heavy violence in the film, though not necessarily gory. Guns are fired almost non-stop from the opening scene to the closing credits. Knives, rockets, and bombs are also used in addition to guns. In a few scenes, we see blood, including once when a man is stabbed. In addition to the war violence, a man's memories are erased by his brain being electrocuted (and the audience hears screams). Also, a man shoots his innocent maid after she witnesses a top secret meeting.

   In much of the movie, there was no foul language, but within the last twenty-some minutes, there were several uses of swear words: one s***, a b****, one or two uses of h***, and God's name. Sadly, this mostly clean film added this, apparently to "appeal" to audiences. It didn't appeal to me.

   The sexual content is pretty minor, but there are a couple various scenes. While undercover, Steve and Natasha kiss in an attempt to "blend in" with the crowd. Later, Natasha mentions a scar on her stomach and makes a comment about no more bikinis; Steve makes a vague comment in reply.

   The movie illustrates a good point from George Orwell's book 1984: when we want security so much, that we sacrifice privacy and freedoms, will we not lose our real security in the first place? Captain America brings this point up to Nick Fury when the latter shows the Captain some new weapons: "This isn't freedom. This is fear."

   For those who have seen The Avengers, Thor, or Captain America: The First Avenger, this second Captain America film might seem a bit of a disappointment. Now, don't get me wrong, the movie was still enjoyable and relatively clean. However, compared to Marvel's recent accomplishments, it kind of paled. I felt like I was watching more of Mission Impossible with a super hero than a Marvel movie. Still, it was a decent movie and much less dirty that some recent Hollywood releases. 

   This is a perfect movie for someone who does not necessarily enjoy superhero movies but likes action. Now if you are more of a Thor fan, this might not appeal to you quite as much.

   Overall, Captain America: The Winter Soldier features good acting, a really great plot, and some important values for Americans today. The violence, however, makes this film less of one for all ages and more geared to teens/adults. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 136 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay, and action throughout

Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo 

Producer: Kevin Feige 

Music: Henry Jackman

Year of release: 2014

Primary audience: Teens, adults

No Evidence for Evolution Here: A Book Review of Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World"

Imagine living in a world where it was discovered that dinosaurs were living and flourishing on an uncharted piece of land. What kind of debate and tension would this cause in the scientific community? Sir Conan Doyle (author of the popular Sherlock Holmes books) does just that in his The Lost World.

SUMMARY

   What would a man do to win the heart of the woman he loves? If you are journalist Edward Malone, you find the most dangerous assignment you possibly can! The editor of the Daily Gazette sends the young Malone on a perilous mission: to interview Professor Challenger. While this seems easy enough, Malone is given the information that Challenger attacked several other men who approached him.

   The Professor had taken an expedition to South America, but no one could seem to get any details out of him. This is where Edward Malone comes into the spotlight. He visits the Professor and his wife for an interview under a clever disguise. When Malone's true intentions are revealed, Challenger assaults Malone. 

   Challenger is afraid of receiving more mockery because of his claims, but he finally tells Malone his secret: he has discovered a plateau serving as the home of dinosaurs! Malone is skeptical, yet Challenger offers a trip to the South American plateau, where the existence of these beasts will be proved.

   The two men are also accompanied by the scientist Professor Summerlee and explorer John Roxton. They and their native guides arrive at the plateau, but Challenger, Malone, Summerlee, and Roxton are trapped with the beasts of the island. The remainder of the story follows the adventurers as they brave monstrous dinosaurs and savage natives.

CONTENT

   One would think that a novel about explorers and dinosaurs would prove violent. While The Lost World certainly has a good share of violent material, it is not too gory. By the same token, much of the story is dialogue, sometimes merely about scientific classifications (which some, like myself, might find interesting!). People are killed and assaulted by not only dinosaurs, but also by other humans. There is the occasional use of rifles, also. 

   Language is rather minimal, with just a few uses of d*** and the English "bloody."

   There is nothing sexually immoral in the story. Malone is in love with a woman named Gladys, though she seems somewhat fickle when it comes to love. 

   The author, Arthur Conan Doyle, was an evolutionist, it would appear. His book is grounded on the theory that dinosaurs lived millions and millions of years ago, never coming face-to-face with humans. On the South American plateau, the native "humans" are evolving from monkeys to humans, and there are different tribes that are at different stages in their evolution. However, in writing The Lost World, Doyle's best "proof" for evolution actually disproves it! The creatures on the plateau are in the same state as if it was millions of years ago. But if everything is evolving to higher species, as evolutionists claim, why then would a plateau full of extinct kinds stay virtually unchanged for well over ten million years? This would actually prove an intelligent Creator! 

   While The Lost World has violence and atheist teachings, it is still a classic adventure novel that anyone can enjoy, with the right mind. If some readers are willing to overlook some possibly "dry" parts (as some might say), you will discover a decent action/adventure novel.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 272 (Modern Library, 2003 edition)

Author of book: Arthur Conan Doyle

Published in: 1912

Primary audience: Pre-teens, teens, adults

Happy Easter!

  Family-in-Mind Reviews would like to wish all a very happy and blessed Easter Sunday! Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!

Ordinary People are Great, Too: A Movie Review of "The Lego Movie"

The song Everything is Awsome of The Lego Movie says that "everything is awesome when you work as a team." An unlikely hero must lead a band of creative Lego people against an evil, corporate villain. Learning to work together is one of the major themes in the film The Lego Movie.
 The Lego Movie stars Chris Pratt as Emmet the construction worker (and the film's main protagonist), Elizabeth Banks as Wildstyle the "Master Builder," and Will Ferrell as President/Lord Business. The film also stars big-name actors Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman. The movie was a box office success and a favorite of family audiences.

SUMMARY

   In a secret fortress, the magical Vitruvius must protect a weapon known as the "Kragle" from the villainous yet orderly Lord Business. However, Lord Business blinds Vitruvius and is about to steal the Kragle when Vitruvius prophesies about the "Special" who will find the "Piece of Resistance" in order to stop the Kragle. 

   A little over eight years later, President Business controls everything, seeming to be a benevolent leader. The audience is introduced to an ordinary, every-day construction worker named Emmet Brickowski. While at work one day, he runs into a mysterious female named Wildstyle. He accidentally falls down a deep hole and finds the Piece of Resistance.

   After touching the Piece, Emmet passes out only to awaken in a black room. He has been captured by President Business' top henchman Bad Cop (who has a split personality with Good Cop). The officer interrogates Emmet, but learns nothing because Emmet, of course, knows...nothing. 

   Emmet is rescued by Wildstyle, who believes he is an interesting, creative, and amazing person until she finds out he is just another brain-washed citizen. She takes him to meet Vitruvius, and the three must escape the evil police robots and find the other "Master Builders" (who secretly oppose President Business) and hatch a plan to defeat the Kragle.

   The heroes must battle evil, with help from Batman and other Master Builders.

CONTENT

   Since The Lego Movie is a cartoon film dealing with Lego bricks, any violence is not quite realistic. There are, however, multiple uses of guns and other destructive weapons. When things are destroyed (such as buildings and vehicles), the worst it gets are Lego bricks flying around. A major number of robots are destroyed, but there is also the death of a "human" Lego person.

   When Emmet first comes across Wildstyle, he is taken aback by her appearance, and we see light shining on her. Also, Wildstyle and Batman are in a relationship and constantly call each other "babe" throughout the film. But there is not a single kiss to be found.

   There is no foul language, but there is occasional name-calling with words such as darn and dang. "Heck" and "gosh" are also used, as well as a few mentions of "butt" (and in one scene, robots sit on a copying machine and make photocopies). 

   The Lego Movie starts to lightly touch on some strange theology, and one character returns as a ghost. Also, there is reference to "The Man Upstairs," but this is not referencing God (and I am not even sure if that phrase was to mean anything like that). And like many animated films of today, one of the main "lessons" is just to belief in yourself. 

   Also, the movie's main villain is President Business who runs a society of order with nothing unexpected and no creativity. This struck me as a possible slight on capitalism, which certainly does have its own share of evils, but I was hoping that they were not implicating that Communism is better. However, on a good note, the movie was much like a kid-version of 1984 in which a dictator sees and controls all things and attempts to keep everyone under his rule. This carries a few good messages for kids (and adults, too!). 

   The film did have a lot of good points, though. The main lessons encourage team work and individual creativity. It does not matter how ordinary any of us are; if we work hard, we can do great things (just look at many historical figures, for example). Also, the movie portrays that we can turn from evil, which mirrors real life; a sinner can turn to Christ for mercy and repentance. 

   Of course, this review would not be complete without mentioning Liam Neeson's great Scottish accent as Bad Cop or Morgan Freeman's role as Vitruvius, as both were wonderful (as usual!).

   In conclusion, The Lego Movie has some funny moments and good lessons. The ending scenes of the movie are both creative and witty. While this was certainly not a favorite of mine, I would encourage families to enjoy this film at least once or twice. Who knows? You might just find yourself "building a good time" (that was a bad pun)!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 100 minutes

Rating: PG (for mild action and rude humor)

Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Producers: Dan Lin, Roy Lee

Music: Mark Mothersburgh

Year of release: 2014

Audience: Kids, family

Update to Blog: New Cartoon Shorts Page for the Family

   Stop by Family-in-Mind Reviews and take a look at our new page; "Cartoon Shorts for Kids and Families" page takes some clean and funny YouTube shorts and puts them on the blog for you! It is still in the BETA stage, as they say, so any comments are greatly appreciated!

~Family-in-Mind Reviews