Opinion

Looper: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Oct 1, 2012)

Drawn by Bruce Willis and a new time travel story, the Pilarski Duo pack up the popcorn and hit the movies for "Looper."

The Murder of Halland: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Sep 24, 2012)

Wendy Robards reviews the crime genre-twisting novel "The Murder of Halland" by Pia Juul.

Dredd: Dredd-ful by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Sep 24, 2012)

Sand and Bernie order popcorn, and to go with this movie, request that it be served with extra guts on it.

The Plague of Doves: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Sep 17, 2012)

An unsolved murder from the early part of the twentieth century is the center of Louise Erdrich's stunning novel "The Plague of Doves."

The World We Found: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Sep 10, 2012)

Three Indian women find their lives changed, and their reality far from the dreams they had when they were young friends together in this novel by Thrity Umrigar.

The Words: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Sep 10, 2012)

At last, a movie about writers! Now we'll see some sweating over a keyboard, some agonizing about the pacing of a plot ... won't we?

And When She Was Good: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Sep 3, 2012)

Laura Lippman draws the reader into the world of prostitution, murder, and -- motherhood -- in her novel, "And When She Was Good."

Lawless: Nearly Flawless by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Sep 3, 2012)

"Gary Oldman is in it! We have to go see 'Lawless!'" That's what we said, and that's what we did ...

Into the Darkest Corner: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Aug 27, 2012)

Elizabeth Haynes shows just how easy it is for a woman to get caught up in a domestic violence situation in her novel, "Into the Darkest Corner."

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Aug 20, 2012)

Wendy Robards awards a five-star rating to Rachel Joyce for her novel, "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry."

Gold: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Aug 13, 2012)

Chris Cleave brings his flawed and struggling characters together at the Olympics speed cycling event in his latest novel, "Gold."

Total Recall: Not As Bad As You Thought It Would Be by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Aug 13, 2012)

Promising themselves a reward of ten pounds of popcorn, Sand and Bernie trundle off to see the remake of the Schwarzenegger film "Total Recall," this time starring Colin Farrell.

The Personal History of Rachel DuPree: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Aug 6, 2012)

A woman who marries a "Buffalo Soldier" in a one-year deal to gain homesteading land faces plainsland difficulties her city life never imagined in this novel of hardship and fulfillment by Ann Weisgarber.

The Emperor of Lies: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jul 30, 2012)

Steve Sem-Sandberg's massive historical novel "The Emperor of Lies" examines the lives of Jewish people in the ghetto of Lodz.

The Absolutist: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jul 23, 2012)

Set against the backdrop of World War I, John Boyle's novel "The Absolutist" explores the morality of war and the lives of two men who fought.

The Dark Knight Rises: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Jul 23, 2012)

We've been waiting for this movie since 2008 -- how many years is that in bat years?

The Shoemaker's Wife: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jul 16, 2012)

From a quiet village in the Italian Alps to the bustle of New York City, Adriana Trigiani follows two lovers and their lives in her novel, "The Shoemaker's Wife."

The Amazing Spider-Man: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Jul 16, 2012)

Another remake? How many Spider-Men does it take to change a lightbulb?

The Spiritual Life: Book Review by Bernie Pilarski (Jul 16, 2012)

Allan Cole, Jr. puts together a series of essays by "poets, prophets, and preachers" in "The Spiritual Life."

With My Body: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jul 9, 2012)

Wendy Robards reviews the novel "With My Body" by Nikki Gemmell.

The Memory of Love: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jul 2, 2012)

Set in the war-damaged country of Sierra Leone, "The Memory of Love" examines the interwoven tales of three men trying to rebuild their lives.

Brave: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Jul 2, 2012)

An animated film without a Prince Charming? What a fascinating concept! Bernie and Sand support the popcorn industry once again and review "Brave."

Make It Stay: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jun 25, 2012)

The nature of marriage and how outside relationships affect it is explored in Joan Frank's novel "Make It Stay."

Prometheus: In Space, No One Can Hear You Suck by Bernie Pilarski (Jun 18, 2012)

Abandoned by his alien-hating wife, Bernie intrepidly goes for a space ride, without even stopping for popcorn.

The Elephant Keeper: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jun 18, 2012)

A young man becomes the caretaker and friend of two starving elephants, saving their lives.

Small Damages: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jun 11, 2012)

A young pregnant woman is sent to Spain to give up her baby in Beth Kephart's novel "Small Damages."

Madagascar 3: Movie Review by Bernie Pilarski (Jun 11, 2012)

Yes, this movie is worth braving a packed movie theater filled with pop-corn crunching kiddies. And this one is probably worth the extra cost of 3-D.

Buddha in the Attic: Book Review by Wendy Robards (Jun 4, 2012)

Julie Otsuka tells a collective story about the "Picture Brides" who came from Japan and Korea to marry men in the United States in the early 20th Century.

Snow White and the Huntsman: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Jun 4, 2012)

Nothing like a good movie on a hot summer day! But wait ... did I say "good movie?"

For Greater Glory: Mid-Week Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski (Jun 4, 2012)

There are times in history when people take a stand for what they believe is important above all else. La Criada was one of such battles.