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THE LOST BOYS by Faye Kellerman

What better way to start 2021 than with a new story from author Faye Kellerman. Not only is THE LOST BOYS a new book but it is the 26^th novel in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. Fans of the total series will rejoice as the story of the police detective and his wife moves forward. Kellerman is a great writer with all of her books but with this particular series she excels.

This time out Decker and his partner Tyler McAdams are investigating the disappearance of a developmentally challenged man. He had been on an outing with other people from his group home. At some point he got separated from the rest of the group and later it was discovered he was missing. The police have begun a search but there are a lot of woods and rough terrain near the area where he was last seen.

While Peter is busy with this case his wife Rina has a visit from their “foster” son Gabriel. Although Gabriel has living parents, he lived with Peter and Rina for many years and still relates to them in a familial way. Now he brings news that his mother, who basically abandoned him when he was fourteen, has contacted him and wants to meet in New York City. Gabriel thinks this means trouble in some way and he doesn’t want to get drawn back into her problems. He asks Rina to go with him to the meeting.

I must also mention that while searching for the missing man the police find a decomposed body and this opens up a cold case which Decker also inherits. Kellerman’s writing style is “the more the merrier.” and in this story you have new crimes, old crimes and a possible family problem. That is a lot of plot elements to be juggling but Kellerman does it deftly and entertainingly.

In all the previous Decker/Lazarus books the ones I enjoyed most were those in which Gabriel was involved. He is a piano prodigy who is the son of a criminal father and an emotionally confused mother. In previous stories we saw him grow into manhood but still stay connected to Peter and Rina. It is such a delight to find him back again in the pages of this book.

Some might call Kellerman’s stories thrillers but to me they are much more than that. They are books about relationships, both familial and friendship wise. Peter and Rina are a truly devoted couple whose personalities compliment each other fully. They participate in their marriage as equal partners and their love for each other is beautiful to behold.

Make sure you read this book. THE LOST BOYS is Faye Kellerman at her best and her best means total reading pleasure for you.

THE LOST BOYS is published by HarperCollins. It contains 368 pages and sells for $27.99.

BE SURE TO WATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH FAYE KELLERMAN ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL4Ax2el95I

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com

Review of “Frozen 2”

Reviews of (1) Toy Story 4 (2) Euphoria (3) Murder Mystery

                                             Jackie K Cooper’s Guide To the Movies

Title                                                        Rating                                                                          Score (out of

Alita: Battle Angel                               PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(A cyborg with Keane painting eyes is different but not enough to make it special)

At Eternity’s Gate                                PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(It seems to take an eternity for Willem Dafoe to act out Vincent Van Gogh’s story)

Berlin, I Love You                               R (Profanity, Nudity and Mild Violence)             4

(Ineptness almost made me declare Berlin, I hate you)

Breaking Barbi                                    NR (Profanity & Crude References)                      2

(Shapely blonde wonders through a woods and gets stoned on mushrooms)

Captain Marvel                                   PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  7

(Brie Larson is the star but Samuel L Jackson steals the show)

Close                                                      TV/MA (Profanity & Violence)                               4

(Noomi Rapace plays a bodyguard to a threatened heiress – so what)

Cold Pursuit                                         R (Profanity & Violence)                                          7

(It took me until halfway thru the film to realize it’s a comedy)

Destroyer                                              R (Profanity, Violence & Adult Situations)        7

(Kidman should’ve been Oscar nominated for her performance as a burned out detective)

Faith, Hope & Love                            PG (Mild Adult Situations)                                     7

(A faith based romantic comedy – and it is good too)

Fighting With My Family                    PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                6

(Based on a true story about a British family obsessed with wrestling)

Greta                                                       R (Profanity & Violence)                                        5

(Stalker film that showcases a grown up Chloe Grace Moretz)

Happy Death Day 2U                           PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                5

(A fair to middling sequel to the innovative original)

How To Train Your Dragon 3             PG  (Mild Violence)                                                 7

(Beautifully animated, great voice actors and splendid music; great way to close this series)

 Isn’t It Romantic                                  PG-13 (Profanity & Adult Situations)                   5

(At this stage in her career Rebel Wilson is a great supporting actress. Here she is the star of the film)

The Kid Who Would Be4 King          PG (Mild Violence)                                                   5

(Seems they were looking for another Harry Potter type franchise; they didn’t find it)

Madea Family Funeral                    PG-13 (Profanity, Violence & Adult Situations)    6

(One of the better Madea movies; Tyler Perry is a genius)

Miss Bala                                                PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                               5

(Gina Rodriguez is not enough of a big draw to carry an entire movie on her shoulders)

Run the Race                                          PG(Mild Violence)                                                 8

(Faith based film about two brothers seeking their goals. Tim Tebow produced it)

Saint Judy                                               PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                              8

(Michelle Monaghan plays immigration lawyer who lays it all on the line for her clients)

Stan & Ollie                                             PG (Profanity)                                                         7

(Nostalgic look at the waning days of Laurel & Hardy. Great acting)

What Men want                                     R (Profanity & Sexual Situations)                       4

(Without crudeness and profanity, this could have been a fun comedy about Taraji P Henson hearing men’s thoughts)

(updated) 3/10/19)

                                             Jackie K Cooper’s Guide To the Movies

Title                                                        Rating                                                                          Score (out of

Alita: Battle Angel                               PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(A cyborg with Keane painting eyes is different but not enough to make it special)

At Eternity’s Gate                                PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(It seems to take an eternity for Willem Dafoe to act out Vincent Van Gogh’s story)

Berlin, I Love You                               R (Profanity, Nudity and Mild Violence)             4

(Ineptness almost made me declare Berlin, I hate you)

Close                                                      TV/MA (Profanity & Violence)                               4

(Noomi Rapace plays a bodyguard to a threatened heiress – so what)

Cold Pursuit                                         R (Profanity & Violence)                                          7

(It took me until halfway thru the film to realize it’s a comedy)

Cold War                                              R (Profanity & Adult Situations)                             6

(Polish film in black and white tells a cross purpose love story)

A Dog’s Way Home                            PG (Animal Violence)                                                 5

(Predictable story of a dog separated from her loving owner)

Eighth Grade                                        R (Profanity & Sexual Situations)                          7

(One girl’s journey through 8th grade is painful to watch. Oh those mean girls!)

Fighting With My Family                    PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                6

(Based on a true story about a British family obsessed with wrestling)

Glass                                                        PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                6

(The rest of the story from “Split” and “Unbreakable”. McAvoy steals the acting prize)

Happy Death Day 2U                           PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                5

(A fair to middling sequel to the innovative original)

How To Train Your Dragon 3             PG  (Mild Violence)                                                 7

(Beautifully animated, great voice actors and splendid music; great way to close this series)

 Isn’t It Romantic                                  PG-13 (Profanity & Adult Situations)                   5

(At this stage in her career Rebel Wilson is a great supporting actress. Here she is the star of the film)

The Kid Who Would Be4 King          PG (Mild Violence)                                                   5

(Seems they were looking for another Harry Potter type franchise; they didn’t find it)

Miss Bala                                                PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                               5

(Gina Rodriguez is not enough of a big draw to carry an entire movie on her shoulders)

Run the Race                                          PG(Mild Violence)                                                 8

(Faith based film about two brothers seeking their goals. Tim Tebow produced it)

Serenity                                                    R (Profanity, Violence & Nudity)                       4

(Starts off good but then the wheels come off in the terrible, awful last third)

Stan & Ollie                                             PG (Profanity)                                                         7

(Nostalgic look at the waning days of Laurel & Hardy. Great acting)

The Upside                                              PG-13 (Profanity & Adult Situations)                 7

(Very good American version of the French film “The Intouchables” which was excellent)

What Men want                                     R (Profanity & Sexual Situations)                       4

(Without crudeness and profanity, this could have been a fun comedy about Taraji P Henson hearing men’s thoughts)

(updated)2/24/19)

                                             Jackie K Cooper’s Guide To the Movies

Title                                                        Rating                                                                          Score (out of

Alita: Battle Angel                               PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(A cyborg with Keane painting eyes is different but not enough to make it special)

At Eternity’s Gate                                PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(It seems to take an eternity for Willem Dafoe to act out Vincent Van Gogh’s story)

Berlin, I Love You                               R (Profanity, Nudity and Mild Violence)             4

(Ineptness almost made me declare Berlin, I hate you)

Close                                                      TV/MA (Profanity & Violence)                               4

(Noomi Rapace plays a bodyguard to a threatened heiress – so what)

Cold Pursuit                                         R (Profanity & Violence)                                          7

(It took me until halfway thru the film to realize it’s a comedy)

Cold War                                              R (Profanity & Adult Situations)                             6

(Polish film in black and white tells a cross purpose love story)

A Dog’s Way Home                            PG (Animal Violence)                                                 5

(Predictable story of a dog separated from her loving owner)

Eighth Grade                                        R (Profanity & Sexual Situations)                          7

(One girl’s journey through 8th grade is painful to watch. Oh those mean girls!)

The Favourite                                        R (Nudity, Profanity, Coarse Language)              5

(Solid acting but the story is too crude and coarse for average audiences)

Glass                                                        PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                6

(The rest of the story from “Split” and “Unbreakable”. McAvoy steals the acting prize)

Happy Death Day 2U                           PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                5

(A fair to middling sequel to the innovative original)

 If Beale Street Could Talk                  R(Profanity & Nudity)                                             5

(Slow moving love story that has great acting)

Isn’t It Romantic                                  PG-13 (Profanity & Adult Situations)                   5

(At this stage in her career Rebel Wilson is a great supporting actress. Here she is the star of the film)

The Kid Who Would Be4 King          PG (Mild Violence)                                                   5

(Seems they were looking for another Harry Potter type franchise; they didn’t find it)

Miss Bala                                                PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                               5

(Gina Rodriguez is not enough of a big draw to carry an entire movie on her shoulders)

Replicas                                                  PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                5

(Keanu Reeves stars in an underplayed story of replication – mildly entertaining)

Serenity                                                    R (Profanity, Violence & Nudity)                        4

(Starts off good but then the wheels come off in the terrible, awful last third)

Stan & Ollie                                             PG (Profanity)                                                         7

(Nostalgic look at the waning days of Laurel & Hardy. Great acting)

The Upside                                              PG-13 (Profanity & Adult Situations)                 7

(Very good American version of the French film “The Intouchables” which was excellent)

What Men want                                     R (Profanity & Sexual Situations)                       4

(Without crudeness and profanity, this could have been a fun comedy about Taraji P Henson hearing men’s thoughts)

(updated)2/17/19)

“Homecoming” (Amazon)

How on earth did I let so many weeks go by without watching “Homecoming” on Amazon Prime. I am a Julia Roberts fan from the get go and this is Julia Roberts in her acting prime. She is the focus of this ten episode series and she is the main reason to involve yourself with this series. If you have not watched this amazing show do so as quickly as you finish reading this review.

The film focuses on Heidi Bergman (Roberts) who is a counselor with “Homecoming”, a government project set up to re-acclimate military war veterans on their return to the States. The facility is located in Florida and houses the veterans there too. Bergman is tasked with counseling the returnees and make their transition to civilian life easier.

Heidi is a dedicated employee and throws herself into her work. She obeys every dictate handed down by her immediate supervisor Colin Belfast (Bobby Cannavale). She believes in the program and believes what she is doing is good for these service members.

She is particularly encouraged by the progress she is making with Walter Cruz (Stephen James). He has had a rough time in Afghanistan but thanks to counseling and other aspects of the program appears to be making real progress. Heidi and Walter develop a real bond.

But this is not a linear telling of this story. The series jumps forward a few months and we see Heidi living at home with her mother (Sissy Spacek) and working as a waitress at a local restaurant. When she is contacted by Department of Defense investigator Thomas Carrasco (Shea Wigham), she states she has only vague memories of ever having worked at Homecoming and she has no knowledge of Walter Cruz.

This program delivers suspense in the way Alfred Hitchcock and Brian De Palma used to deliver it in their best movies. On the surface it appears an average woman has somehow been placed in jeopardy by the circumstances of her job, and the friendships she has made. Something ominous has occurred in her life and now her physical well being as well as her sanity are being questioned.

This is Roberts’ best role in ages or maybe even during her career. As Heidi she downplays her Julia Roberts looks as well as that famous Julia Roberts laugh. She underplays everything about this character and it is totally effective. Then when James comes on the scene and these two characters have such immediate chemistry, the show’s entertainment content goes off like a rocket.

Cannavale is also strong in his role and Wigham is even better in his. The only person who disappoints is Spacek who is a bit miscast. Aside from that glitch the supporting cast all the way down the line do excellent work and Roberts is supported with talent and clarity.

It has already been announced there will be a second season of “Homecoming. I look forward to the next season but I felt completely satisfied with the completeness of this first one. This is a show that delivers on its talent and its script. You will race through the ten episodes in nothing flat. It is absolutely that compelling.

“Homecoming” is available on Amazon Prime now.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com

                                             Jackie K Cooper’s Guide To the Movies

Title                                                        Rating                                                                          Score (out of

Aquaman                                              PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                   5

(Jason Momoa is great in the title role; the movie not so much)

Ben Is Back                                          R (Profanity & Violence)                                           6

(The film is basically “Beautiful Boy II”, but this one has Julia Roberts)

Bird Box                                                R (Profanity & Violence)                                           6

(Sandra Bullock is great in this thriller but “A Quiet Place” got there first)

Boy Erased                                           R (Profanity & Violence)                                           6

(Good acting but the movie lacks that payoff scene)

Bumblebee                                           PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                   6

(Two plusses – Hailee Steinfeld and the personality given the Transformer by the special effects people)

 First Reformed                                    R (Profanity & Violence)                                          6

(Ethan Hawke is amazing in this drama about God and the environment, but oh that ending!)

Green Book                                            PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                 8

(Mortensen and Ali are top rate as two opposite men who share an evolving friendship)

Mary Poppins Returns                        PG (Stressful Situations)                                         5

(Lackluster songs and dances make this anticipated return a holiday dud)

Mary Queen of Scots                            R 9profanity, Violence & sexual Situations)       7

((The 16th century battling Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth Queen of England makes for quite a movie)

Mortal Engines                                     PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                 6

(So much better than I thought it would be. Try it, you might like it)

The Mule                                                R (Profanity & Violence)                                         8

(Clint Eastwood is still one of the best and brightest actors/directors in Hollywood)

On the Basis of Sex                              PG-13 (Profanity)                                                      7

(Ruth Bader Ginsberg story packs a dramatic punch)

The Possession of Hannah Grace     R (Profanity, Violence & Partial Nudity)             5

(Woman works the night shift in  a morgue; add an evil demon to that)

Ralph Breaks the Internet                  PG (Comic Violence)                                               6

(Slow in places but great animation and voice talent)

Roma                                                       R (Profanity, Violence & Graphic Nudity)          6

(I appreciate the art but where’s the entertainment?)

Second Act                                               PG-13 (Profanity & Adult Situations)                 6

(An ordinary movie with an extraordinary star – Jennifer Lopez)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse   PG (Violence)                                                            6

(Animated movie presenting a new Spider-Man plus friends from other universes)

Swimming With Men                           NR (Profanity & Brief Nudity)                               4

(British comedy about men’s synchronized swimming, and it just doesn’t work)

Vice                                                          R (Profanity & Adult Situations)                           5

(If only the makers of this movie about Dick Cheney were half as clever as they think they are)

Write When You Get Work                 NR (Profanity & Violence)                                     6

(Surprisingly good con job story; Wittrock, Keller and Mortimer are at the top of their game)

(updated) 12/30/18)

                                             Jackie K Cooper’s Guide To the Movies

Title                                                      Rating                                                                          Score (out of

22 July                                                  R (Profanity & Violence)                                         7

(Terrorism in Norway on 7/22/11 which resulted in 77 deaths)

Bad Times At the El Royale             R (Violence & Profanity)                                          7

(Quirky story of murder and mystery that will keep you guessing)

Bohemian Rhapsody                          PG-13 (Profanity & Sexual Situations)

(Rami Malek is Freddie Mercury in this brilliant bio of the man and his group)

Don’t Go                                               Not Rated (Profanity, Violence & Nudity)            7

(Dark, moody about a couple trying to get past their daughter’s death. Good acting from Dorff and George)

First Man                                              PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                 5

(Cold emotionless movie about Neil Armstrong. the first man to step on to the moon)

Free Solo                                               PG-13 (Scenes of danger)                                        7

(Documentary about guy who scales mountains without ropes)

Goosebumps 2: Haunted                   PG (Some mildly scary scenes)                              5

Halloween

(Okay movie for the kids but for adults its a snoozer)

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s         PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                 7

Biggest Serial Killer

A must see movie whether you are Pro-Life or Pro-Choice)

Halloween                                              R (Profanity & Violence)                                         6

(Too little Jamie Lee & too much Michael Meyers; still a lot of scary fun)

The Hate U Give                                   PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                 7

(Balanced look at current race relations)

Hell Fest                                                 R (Profanity & Violence)                                          6

(My kind of scary movie; no gotchas and no extra gore)

Hunter Killer                                         R (Profanity & Violence)                                          7

(Terrible title but a good movie about submarine warfare)

Indivisible                                              PG-13 (Violence, war sequences)                           7

(Faith based film all audiences can enjoy)

London Fields                                      R (Profanity, Violence & Nudity)                            4

(Quirky, strange, bizarre but never dull)

Nobody’s Fool                                     R (Profanity & Explicit Sexual Talk)                        3

(One of Tyler Perry’s worst efforts. Not funny and overly profane and crude)

 The Old Man and the Gun                PG-13 (Violence & Profanity)                                   6

(It’s like the guy from “The Sting” got old and started robbing banks)

Small Group                                           PG-13 (Violence)                                                       7

(A faith based film that is really entertaining)

A Star Is Born                                        R (Profanity, Violence & Nudity)                           9

(The third remake is the charm; Gaga’s good but it is Cooper who shines)

Venom                                                    PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                  5

(B-Team of Marvel heroes; Hardy & Williams just walk through it)

What They Had                                    R (Profanity & Adult Situations)                            6

(updated) 11/04/18)

                                             Jackie K Cooper’s Guide To the Movies

Title                                                      Rating                                                                          Score (out of 10)

A X L                                                     PG (Mild Violence)                                                      5

(Story of a boy and a robotic dog – not much new here)

Beautifully Broken                             PG-13 (Violence)                                                          7

(Faith based film showing the power of hope and love)

The Children Act                                R (Language & Adult Situations)                              7

(Emma Thompson as a judge forced to choose between job and marriage)

God Bless the Open Road                 PG (Mild Violence)                                                      7

(This faith based film delivers on the dramatic inspiration)

The House With a Clock In Its          PG (Mild scary scenes)                                             5

Walls

(Black & Blanchette are good; the movie not so much)

Kin                                                         PG-13 (Profanity, Brief Nudity & Violence)           6

(Action thriller with sci-fi overtones; gets extra points for originality)

Life Itself                                               R (Language & Violence)                                           5

(Several stories interweave but clunkily)

Little Women                                       PG-13 (Teen Drinking)                                              7

(A modern version of “Little Women”, terrible idea – bit it works)

Night School                                        PG-13 (Profanity & Crude Humor                           7

Hart and Haddish create super fun in a – for Hart -relatively clean movie)

The Nun                                                R (Profanity & Violence)                                          4

(Don’t go into the cemetery; don’t go into the basement; oh, just don’t go)

Operation Finale                                 PG-13 (Profanity & Violence)                                   6

((Search for Eichmann covers the subject but not with much depth)

Peppermint                                          R (Profanity & Violence)                                            6

(Jennifer Garner is out for revenge in this gender switched take on “Death Wish”)

The Predator                                        R (Profanity & Violence)                                            6

(Just a good ole shoot them aliens movie)

Science Fair                                          PG (I have no idea why – it’s clean)                         7

(A documentary about science minded teens who renew our faith in the future)

Searching                                             PG-13                                                                              6

The plot is good but the gimmick (everything is on computer screens) gets in the way)

A Simple Favor                                   R (Profanity, Nudity  & Violence)                              7

(Funny & dramatic at the same time; complex but highly entertaining)

Smallfoot                                               PG (Mild Violence)                                                      7

(Animated movie with lovable characters and hummable songs)

Unbroken: Path to Redemption       PG-13 (Violence)                                                          6

(Good solid story about a great man, but it needs some star power)

White Boy Rick                                     R (Profanity & Violence)                                           4

(Depressing true story of a fifteen year old drug dealer & his spiral downward

The Wife                                                R (Profanity & Adult Situations)                              7

(Glenn Close shines in a role tailor made for her talents)

(updated) 9/30/18)