This Patriot isn't a favorite for the Superbowl...

Back in the year 2000, when Mel Gibson was considered a respectable actor, he made a film called The Patriot. This film was very well done, even with it's similarities to Braveheart (which I will not be reviewing today). It actually gave me patriotic feelings after watching (and negative feelings for the British from the 1700s). It is loosely based upon Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox"), though it only touched on Marion's impact on the Revolution in South Carolina.

Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a widower father in South Carolina with a bunch of kids. Because of past actions in the French and Indian War and fear for his family he refuses to fight in the Revolutionary War. But when the jerk colonel (the guy who plays Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter) in the British army burns down his house, takes his oldest son (Heath Ledger) to be hanged, and kills his 15 year old son (Ephram from Everwood) for almost no reason, Martin has the motivation to fight and save his son. Soon he is considered by the British to be "The Ghost" and he ends up leading a militia.

With amazing visuals and non-cliche storyline, this film is not Hollywoodized or cheesy. It shows watchers the cruelty and reality of the Revolutionary War. It is quite historically accurate, though not perfect and is an excellent historical film (not documentary). This film is really well made, with really great acting.

Thoroughly enjoyable, I definitely recommend this film. The Patriot runs 165 minutes and is rated R for violence. Definitely not a film to show your children. I give it solid 9 ramheads out of 10.

Another Review for Jimmy's Book Club

Whether you like it or not, Harry Potter is a phenomenon. I don't just mean the movies. I mean the entire genre/movement that is Harry Potter. The books started it all, but then led to fan sites, record breaking movies, a genre of music (Wizard Rock or Wrock), podcasts, and much more. I got a book for Christmas that describes the entire phenomenon written by someone who experienced it first hand. Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli describes Harry Potter's impact on her life and society in general. If you are a fan of JK Rowling's Harry, then you will love this book.

Anelli writes in the first person and in her experiences in the last 10 years. She is a very good writer and spices the book up by not writing a chronological history from beginning to end. She writes in small chunks, which makes the book easy to pick up and read for a few minutes and put down. In theory. For me, it was pretty difficult to put down. It was incredibly interesting and insightful and should be on every Potter fan's "to read" list. The only negative I could find with the book is that in some portions of the book, Anelli tends to get carried away and then gets herself back on track. I didn't mind because I'm a nerdy Harry Potter fan, but I'm just being objective. Also, just a warning, Anelli tells her story (about Potter) coinciding with the big story. Don't expect an objective, straight, boring history of Harry.

I give the book 9 ramheads out of 10 and suggest you read it if you like Harry Potter. (Like right now: go out and buy it here.)