Back in the summer of 2009, while on vacation in Dewey Beach, DE, I was looking for a new book to read. There was a local bookstore in town promoting summer books to read. Looking at the list of recommendations, I was drawn to the book “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” by David Wroblewski. Its not the type of book I normally read (Clive Cussler, Dean Koontz, John Grisham) but Something about the cover made me pick it up and try it. It was a great book, I was glad i picked it up. As the years went by, it always stuck in my head and I was pleasantly surprised when after 15 years, David Wroblewski published a new novel (Familiaris) about the Sawtelle family and how they came to be. This was another fantastic book telling the story of Edgar’s Grandparents, how they met, how they ended up on the family farm, and the history of the Sawtelle dogs.

It was really interesting reading about the late1800s and early 1900s and how people lived during those times. Wroblewski writes with great detail and while your reading you can picture the characters and the environment and feel like you were right there with them. With lots of highs and lows it was a great read and I highly recommend reading it.

I took a break from the TV shows I have been watching and decided to watch a few movies over the weekend. There is lots of junk out there, and nothing really caught my eye, so decided to check out a movie called “Delicious” that I saw mentioned online. While it did keep me interested, its was not that good, the characters were not that believable, and the subject matter was a little creepy. I did read a review afterwards, and while it pointed out the meaning of things, I still can’t recommend this. #1Bag

Deciding that I just wanted escape for a bit I just wanted to watch a good romantic comedy. After scrolling through Netflix (Nothing new that looked any good), I ended up watching “Picture This” on Amazon. The cover photo (or whatever you call the pictures you scroll through on each service) looked promising and the movie started off alright and while a bit stupid at parts, it was pretty good.

Like most romantic comedies, you can pretty much figure out how it ends halfway through. Boy and girl are together, they break up, and then at the end, they realize they are perfect for each other and live happily ever after. The problem with this movie, for me, was there was really no chemistry between the lead women and man. For the 2nd half of the movie, I kept hoping somebody else would come along who was at least believable. But no, they got together, and the movie ended just as I figured. Seeing 2 people who to me would never end together took away any feelings I had toward them and the move. Another movie I cannot recommend #1Bag

The chemistry issue happens all the time with the Hallmark and Netflix original romantic comedies. Sometimes I can just go with the flow since my expectations are low to start with, Every once and a while you do get some chemistry and I am happily surprised. But most of the time I walk away thinking one, or both of the main characters are whacked and would never choose each other in the real world

When they work for me (movies like “While You Were Sleeping” and “She’s Out of My League“), they make me feel good afterward. I believe the characters and the choices they make at the end.

Here is Roger Eberts reviw of the movie “Speed” . He is spot on about the chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. You believe both of them and are rooting for them throughout the movie.

Compare that to the Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney movie “Anyone But You”. Zero chemistry between them and nothing to make you care about either one of them. The movie did well at the box office because it stars two of the hot actors of the day, but it faded away just as quick and will end up being forgotten. Take a movie like “Ticket to Paradise” starring George Clooney and Julie Roberts. Starring two of the best actors of our time, it ended up being a disappointment because there was absolutely no chemistry between them. Noting was believable and by the end, you just didn’t care what happened to them

The moral of the story — Movie Chemistry is hard and should be given more thought than just putting two people together (regardless if they are superstars or actors just looking for work) and hoping people care.


Average Andy

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Feel free to reach out to me and leave a comment. Also if anybody has any connections with anybody associated with “Survivor” or “The Amazing Race”, be sure to point them my way and let them know your helping them find the next great contestant