Mark Stoddard

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Loved Daniel Silva books, but this one was far below his talent. Heavy on didactic lectures on history of Pilate, New Testament synoptic gospels, Catholic Church practices and doctrines, and treat of Jews by past Christians. Good idea, but the book contains little of the Silva action, drama and character development. Lost as well is the Silva flair for language, and plotting within the sentence and chapter structures. Perhaps it is time for Silva to retire Gabriel Allon as he doesn't have much else to do.

So tired of flashback movies and this one underscores that as it begins at the beginning of the real story, tells the story, keeps the pace moving and the interest in the characters developing. All the acting is very good although the media and the FBI guys are rather one-dimensional -- flatly bad guys, but with the Comey mess at the FBI and the terribly biased reporting at the NYT and WaPO, it's no wonder the FBI and media are played as psychopathic villains who develop an agenda and try to develop facts to prove their suppositions rather than gathering facts and letting the facts make their case or tell the truth. Of particular note is the acting of Kathy Bates and especially the unknown fellow who plays Richard Jewel to the T. Sam Rockwell is the perfect foil as Jewell's attorney. . Clint Eastwood's development of the story and editing make for a very good movie experience. By the way, our law enforcement officers have a very difficult PR job in that the law allows them to prosecute YOU for lying to them, but they are totally allowed to deceive and lie to you. Thus, every word from law enforcement must be considered a lie until proven otherwise. That's no way to garner public trust and it is certainly a warning to everyone to NOT believe anything law enforcement says and never say anything to them without an attorney.

A compellingly accurate account of the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints through the eyes of people enslaved by others and freed by the Saints. Not all of the Saints were saints at that time and were cruel, but this movie doesn't grovel in their shortcomings but instead focuses on how Green Flake and the others found the gospel message so compelling that they could persevere through the needless trials posed by others who were not yet understanding that we're all brothers and sisters of the same God. Mauli Bonner carefully directs this effort and makes it work as he doesn't gloss over historical injustices, but knowingly puts them into perspective. Judging those in the past by our understandings today is never a mistake Mauli makes. Yahosh Bonner gives a compelling performance as Green Flake making him believable yet a true hero for the Saints at that time and today. Highly recommended.