An argument about who the “Unsung Hero” is in the movie

By  LPJ

It was a wonderful movie, but my friend and I came out arguing about it. The movie was “Unsung Hero”, based on a true story of singer Rebecca St. James’ Smallbone family, their sojourn from Australia and the trials that beset this immigrant family in the US. Rich in pathos with heart-rending episodes, the story, in my estimate, did not fail in drawing sympathy for a family suddenly thrashed from comfortable living to destitution. The message of the narrative evokes a spiritual reflection hinged on hope and faith.

My intent is not to spoil it for those who may wish to watch it. But I share a viewer’s reaction, my review: it is a good film. A good film not for entertainment, but for human empathy that reminds us that the world is replete with people needing help that may not be appreciated initially, but which eventually will touch hearts, and change hearts, and bring relief to suffering.

The argument with my friend: who was the unsung hero?

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A book review: Travis Scott Luther’s “The Fun Side of the Wall”

If you’re a numbers cruncher and relish poring over statistical data, Travis Scott Luther’s “The Fun Side of the Wall” will indulge you. If you dig the exponential bombardment of academic logic to support the whys and wherefores of a social hypothesis, his book will cloy you. But if your curiosity urges you to skip the stats percentages and just dive right into the rationale, this book is for you, too.

Fast forward straight to the point, Luther’s book explains why populations of US baby boomer retirees live in Mexico.

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Learning from the expert

I just finished reading the book given by my daughter, “Wired to Write” by Lisa Cron, after two months of dabbing on it. Finally last week, I determined to pore seriously over her insights, ideas and instruction like a student cranked up to get an A in the exam. Two-thirds of the book flew by with every thought and suggestion mentally chewed into fine morsels for my brain to easily digest. The goal? I want to be a better writer. I want to know the knots and bolts of tight storytelling, be it in an anecdote, novel or script. Up the ante, a common phrase in Cron’s book, and that’s exactly what I aim to do.

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