3 1/2 stars for a predictable but enjoyable trip
358101
Stocked with a plethora of gifted British actors of a certain age, director John Madden produces a fine film full of color and life if a little short of substance.  Deborah Moggach's novel, adapted for the screen by Ol Parker, begins in England with a look at the various characters as they decide how to live out their retirement.  Most are on a limited budget so one option is a retirement home in Jaipur, India.  The on-line information suggests a modern upscale facility in what used to be a glamorous hotel.

Judi Dench heads the cast as Evelyn Greenslade, recently widowed and on her own for the first time.  She also serves as the narrator, documenting her days in a journal.  The always fun to watch Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton are a couple that you immediately wonder why they are together.  Tom Wilkinson is a closeted gay returning to the area where he spent his early adult years, looking for a former lover.  Maggie Smith is a racist grump looking for a cheap hip replacement.  There are others with their own backgrounds.  Then there is the young hotel manager (Dev Patel) whose modest ruse to lure residents has a noble purpose.

Mixing this all up doesn't really deliver much in the way of originality, but watching these veteran actors interact is certainly fun and entertaining.  Madden's visuals are beautiful.  He mixes in the chaotic street life with the color and personalities of the Indian people.  While we can see where this is all going, the trip is enjoyable.

The transfer to Blu ray is excellent.  As usualy it comes with a 1080p resolution and an aspect ratio of 2.35:1.  When our characters leave grey looking England and land in colorful India, the video display pops as well with an inundation of orange,green, pink, turquois.  The palet is clear and crisp.  The audio is DTS-HD Master Audio and is likewise excellent.  While the film is dialog heavy, there is enough music and street life to keep the surrounds busy.  Car horns, trains and planes send plenty of information to keep the viewer centered in the story.  An excellent soundtrack plays throughout and is handled well in the transfer.
55413
3.5 -- I enjoyed this book and a trip in the way back machine for some of the characters. Good read.
2029671
Quick read.  Entertaining with some twists and turns, although slightly predictable
2941772
Bella Fortuna was a nice "Chic Read" and the plot was not totally predictable, but it was a bit obvious in the second half of the story what the outcome would be. The descriptions of Venice were done well and will peak one's interest in visiting the city. A good story, but not an exceptional read.
4848979
Although predictable, and I knew who the villain was early on, it was a relaxed, enjoyable read while on vacation.
835758
3.75 stars

The Sweet Life by Sharon Struth is a gentle womans fiction story that addresses survivors guilt and learning to live again instead of exist. The author provides a delicious trip through parts of Italy under the guise of a tour mostly populated by a group of former Woodstock fans with the last-minute addition of a woman conducting a covert evaluation of the tourprovided she can get past the by-the-book guide.

I enjoyed the slow burn and gradual acceptance that marks the relationship between the hero and heroine against the beautiful backdrop of Tuscany. The tasty dishes described and the picturesque landmarks visited by the group make me want to see the country and experience these things for myself. I ached for the tragedies that have shaped both main characters and rooted for them to find a way to enjoy life again but the ethical struggles were a bit frustrating to me and I wasn't thrilled by the abrupt and open-ended resolution of the story. It also would have been nice if some of the secondary characters were developed a little more, but I enjoyed the glimpses of them I did get.

This was an enjoyable way to armchair travel and gain an appreciation of both the food and people of Italy while accompanying a couple of people on their own emotional journey.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review
3682082
A good light read, great for the beach or a long flight.
1151679
It is predictable from the start that these two will eventually come into a strong and lasting relationship, but the journey there is quite interesting, and makes one thoughtful about one's own relationship, and its genesis.  There are some delightful humorous moments on the way, as well as some that are unexpected.  The main supporting characters are quite well described and add some light, and some thoughtful points.
A light read, and enjoyable.
3364992
A light, predictable read, this book was a nice escape on a lazy, summer afternoon.
1891962
The story was predictable, but the descriptions of the distinations they traveled to was like taking a trip to some places I'd like to go.  It was a cute book.
4738353
While this novel was fairly lightweight and predictable, it was still an enjoyable read. The characters, while not drawn with much depth, were nevertheless likeable and it kept my attention. Sometimes you need a book for distraction from life, and this fit the bill.
3178610
while i can't disagree with most of the complaints, i still enjoyed it and will probably read it again.  maybe i'm too forgiving when i find the subjects interesting, but this book entertained and kept me interested even in the slowest sections.  certainly there are few surprises in where the story goes, but the journey itself is worth experiencing, at least imho.
2485866
I enjoyed it as I could relate to the area, story was a bit predictable, but an easy, good read
3670207
I'll be honest.  This book--if you judge it on literary merit alone--falls short in a number of ways that have been dissected ad nauseam in previous reviews.

But if you're looking for a book with a hook that catches you right away and is a quick and entertaining read, this will fit the bill nicely.  This is perfect for a plane ride or some other "read in a sitting" opportunity, and it moves that fast.  The chapters are short, and the characters are, in my opinion, worth getting to know.

I liked the way the narrator's opinions and perspectives on her family change as she slowly remembers Summer Fifteen; those realizations, at least, are relatable, even if the eventual plot line seems to stretch credulity.  We all come to realize at some point in our lives that the family members of our childhood can be strikingly different people to us as we get older and understand more about the ways (and values) of the adult world.

I wanted to give this more than 3 stars (It's ok), but I couldn't go as high as 4 (Loved it).  If the book had been longer and delved more into the aftermath of the ending and what the narrator learned about herself and her family, this could have been a weightier novel.  It's really more of a novelty, but I would still recommend this to others as an entertaining read.
2012733
Im not quite sure if this is a memoir masquerading as a novel or a novel based on a memoir. It tells the authors story of a road trip made when she was eighteen and is told in the third person with diary entries in the first person. It s interesting to follow Angeli on her journey of self-discovery although Im not sure that the diaries offer much more to the story than we could already deduce from the narrative. The interaction with the people she meets through online storytelling and the way she isn't sure what shes looking for are the books strengths. There is no sudden epiphany at the end, rather a gentle realization of giving an opportunity a chance. It may appeal to YA but it didn't seem to have anything new or different to similar road trip novels Ive read though I guess Im hardly the target reader. Nevertheless an enjoyable read that takes the reader through many different parts of the USA and Canada.
3656364
3 of 5 stars for the movie thriller A Perfect Getaway. We meet three couples who are on vacations in Hawaii. We soon learn that a tourist couple was murdered elsewhere in Hawaii and the suspects are a young man and woman. Hummm .... Sounds like a good setup for a thriller. Several plot twists and tangents to keep you guessing. Of course we end up alone in the middle of nowhere on an island. Enough said. The plot is actually very simple and predictable. The value in the movie is in the acting and character development which casts doubt on each of the three couples. The scenery is amazing. Well photographed, good pace and some real surprises. Milla Jovovich (a favorite of mine) had a relatively minor role and didn't stand-out.

This movie will keep you guessing and keep you at the edge of your seat. Why only 3 stars? Well, it is a thriller, but, I have seen many movies with similar plots and this one never really got you truly scared or fully engaged. So, its good not great.
4300440
The story moves along, in Jane Austin style, with a tendency to follow parts of other Jane Austin stories (most notably, parts of Sense & Sensibility, parts of Pride & Prejudice) which is a nice mirror to how she created the stories. However, as the second half moves along, the story is led down the predictable hollywood-style ending. While not offensive, and with a good cast, this enjoyable movie is not particularly memorable. An enjoyable, if forgettable, experience.