Book Review: Captured by Love

By Jason Hooker

Captured by Love is a non-fiction book combining multiple accounts about the real love stories that developed in the lives of the Vietnam War POW’s and their wives back home. It is co-authored by Lee Ellis (a former POW) and Greg Godek (relationship and romance author), who have done a remarkable job of shining light, hope and beauty into the horrific experiences of the POW’s. This positive outlook threads the writing style of every account, each of which is made from interviews and writing from the real people behind the stories. It truly is wonderful to read these true stories of beauty arising from the least likely of contexts. 

At the end of every account, the book takes a moment to pause and reflect on the values we can apply to our romantic relationships, as inspired by the real-life goodness lived out in the lives of the POW’s and their wives. Many of them were men and women of faith and testify to the powerful role their faith played in giving them endurance and hope. We are also intermittently given small insights into the factual history surrounding each story, so that we are grounded in knowledge but not so distracted by facts that it feels like a history book. Every account feels personable and emotionally evocative. 

This book is incredibly inspiring and heart-warming to read. It is an amazing experience to read about the perseverance, devotion and bravery that the POW’s and their wives upheld during times of trial, and it is a wonderful testament to the power of faith. For anyone interested in inspiring true stories, the beauty of romantic relationships, or world history, this book is a wonderful blend of elements that will inspire and uplift you. 

The authors dedicate the book to “couples everywhere that aspire to keep the love-of-their-life, soulmate-relationship vibrant and growing for a lifetime”. 

Ashwin Babu starrer Shivam Bhaje is the new age divine suspense thriller directed by Apsar. The film has hit the big screens today. Check out our review to find out how it is.

Story:

Chandu (Ashwin Babu) is a loan recovery agent who falls in love with Sailaja (Digangana Suryavanshi). An unexpected incident causes Chandu to lose his eyesight. After an operation, he regains his vision, but things aren’t the same. He suspects something is wrong about the murders connected to Binary Chemical Pvt Ltd. What really happened to Chandu? What are the motives behind the murders? Who is responsible for the killings? How is the story linked to China and Pakistan? The answers will be revealed in the movie.

Plus Points:

Following Hidimba’s success, expectations for Ashwin Babu were noticeable, and he delivered a competent performance. Actress Digangana Suryavanshi fulfills her role adequately.

Arbaaz Khan performs fine as a policeman, and Hyper Aadhi provides some humour with his comedic timing. The supporting cast, Murali Sharma and Tanikella Bharani, perform their roles effectively.

Minus Points:

Despite being marketed as a new-age divine suspense thriller, the film suffers from a weak script and poor narration. The lack of engaging scenes and a coherent screenplay results in an experience that falls short of its potential, often leading to unintended comedy.

The director’s intention is clear, but the execution fails to create gripping moments that hold the audience’s attention.

The divine angle is poorly developed, making the title feel disconnected from the storyline. The few scenes hinting at a divine connection lack impact.

The film does not effectively incorporate the potential threat to India from China and Pakistan, missing an opportunity to build suspense. Additionally, the romantic subplot and some comedic elements come across as contrived.

Technical Aspects:

As both writer and director, Apsar disappoints. He lacks a more engaging script and suspenseful narration. Improved execution might have led to a more compelling film.

The background score by Vikas Badisa is adequate, enhancing certain scenes. The cinematography by Dasaradhi Shivendra is satisfactory, and production values are reasonable. While the editing by Chota K Prasad is acceptable, trimming some scenes could have improved the viewing experience.

Verdict:

On the whole, Shivam Bhaje is a disappointing thriller with a lackluster plot. Although Ashwin Babu and Arbaaz Khan deliver fine performances, the film’s weak storyline and ineffective screenplay fall short. It’s advisable to explore other entertainment options this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 2/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

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Twisters marks the return of the classic Hollywood blockbuster, a type of summer movie that hasn’t been seen in a couple decades thanks to the box-office domination of superhero movies and sci-fi action spectacles. This disaster film builds on the legacy of 1996’s Twister (starring the late Bill Paxton) by delivering a straightforward, action-packed story of humans vs. nature.

Release Date: 07/08/2024 Runtime: 122 minutes Director: Lee Isaac Chung Rotten Tomatoes: 76% Advertisement iMBD: 7.1/10 Where to Watch: In theaters

There are no giant creatures dueling it out, no existential threats to Earth, no evil villains to overcome… all this movie boasts is a great cast of characters and fun set-pieces. At a time when summer blockbusters are still dominated by bloated epics that have become so commonplace they provide nothing but a sense of mundanity, it’s refreshing to watch a story about a small group of people trying to save a couple of towns from natural disasters.

Twisters is tight, focused, and presents a realistic scenario that’s far easier to immerse yourself in. Its script succeeds where many others fail by clearly explaining character motivations, creating ideological clashes, and presenting challenges that are overcome with ingenuity and incremental improvement.

Unlike many legacy sequels, Twisters doesn’t rely heavily on its 1996 predecessor for references or Easter eggs. The characters are entirely new, and the film avoids mythologizing the original cast; while there is a nod to the tornado tracker from Twister, the story stands independently, with its own fresh narrative. Although it shares a similar structure with the original—following rival storm chasers and featuring familiar set pieces like twin tornadoes and a night-time hit—it carves out its own identity.

In essence, Twisters can be seen as a remake of the 1996 film, sharing the basic premise of weather researchers deploying a prototype in the path of tornadoes, facing increasingly severe storms escalating up the Fujita scale, ending with a climactic F5 tornado in the third act.

However, what distinguishes this film from the original is its new cast and stunning special effects that surpass the quaint CGI of 1996. While the original leaned towards horror, this sequel adopts a more realistic and lighthearted approach to storm chasing, allowing audiences to experience the thrill of destruction without resorting to cheap suspense.

For those craving a classic Hollywood flick offering a thrilling ride not seen since Tony Stark donned his Iron Man armor and changed the blockbuster landscape for decades, Twisters is a must-see at your local theater.

About our Admit One Author

Isaac Frankel is a freelance writer and content creator specializing in reviews and analysis of cinema, interactive media, and mythological storytelling. He was raised in Prescott, AZ, wrote his first non-fiction book in 2013 after graduating from Tribeca Flashpoint College with a degree in Game & Interactive Media Design, and currently produces content for the YouTube channel: Off Screen.

More of his work and current projects can be found at www.isaacafrankel.com.

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