Sunday, September 27, 2026

Pottymouth and Stoopid: Book Review

 

                                                                  


Jim's Review

Two guys with one crazy story!

8 out of 10 stars





Book 
In this "superwonderrific" New York Times bestseller (Jerry Spinelli), two bullied middle-school boys finally fight back with the power of funny.
David and his best friend Michael were tagged with awful nicknames way back in preschool when
everyone did silly things. Fast-forward to seventh grade: "Pottymouth" and "Stoopid" are still stuck with the names -- and everyone in school, including the teachers and their principal, believe the labels are true.
So how do they go about changing everyone's minds? By turning their misery into megastardom on TV, of course! And this important story delivers more than just laughs -- it shows that the worst bullying isn't always physical . . . and that things
will get better. A great conversation starter for parents to read alongside their kids!
Official Notice to Parents:There is no actual pottymouthing or stupidity in this entire book!
(Psst, kids: that second part might not be entirely true.)  buy book

A House in the Sky: Book Review

                                                                


Jim's Review

Amanda Lindhout journey was a definitely exciting in the beginning and quick became terryfing!

10 out of 10 stars


About book
Amanda Lindhout wrote about her fifteen month abduction in Somalia in A House in the Sky. It is the New York Times bestselling memoir of a woman whose curiosity led her to the world’s most remote places and then into captivity: “Exquisitely told…A young woman’s harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph” (The New York Times Book Review).

As a child, Amanda Lindhout escaped a violent household by paging through issues of
National Geographic and imagining herself visiting its exotic locales. At the age of nineteen, working as a cocktail waitress, she began saving her tips so she could travel the globe. Aspiring to understand the world and live a significant life, she backpacked through Latin America, Laos, Bangladesh, and India, and emboldened by each adventure, went on to Sudan, Syria, and Pakistan. In war-ridden Afghanistan and Iraq she carved out a fledgling career as a television reporter. And then, in August 2008, she traveled to Somalia—“the most dangerous place on earth.” On her fourth day, she was abducted by a group of masked men along a dusty road.

Held hostage for 460 days, Amanda survives on memory—every lush detail of the world she experienced in her life before captivity—and on strategy, fortitude, and hope. When she is most desperate, she visits a house in the sky, high above the woman kept in chains, in the dark.

Vivid and suspenseful, as artfully written as the finest novel,
A House in the Sky is “a searingly unsentimental account. Ultimately it is compassion—for her naïve younger self, for her kidnappers—that becomes the key to Lindhout’s survival” (O, The Oprah Magazine).

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

What Every Body is Saying - An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People: Book Review

                              



Jim's Review

Insightful book on body language and other characteristics to be aware of.

8 out of 10 stars


About Book
Read this book and send your nonverbal intelligence soaring. Joe Navarro, a former FBI counterintelligence officer and a recognized expert on nonverbal behavior, explains how to "speed-read" people: decode sentiments and behaviors, avoid hidden pitfalls, and look for deceptive behaviors. You'll also learn how your body language can influence what your boss, family, friends, and strangers think of you. You will discover:

  • The ancient survival instincts that drive body language
  • Why the face is the least likely place to gauge a person's true feelings
  • What thumbs, feet, and eyelids reveal about moods and motives
  • The most powerful behaviors that reveal our confidence and true sentiments
  • Simple nonverbals that instantly establish trust
  • Simple nonverbals that instantly communicate authority

Filled with examples from Navarro's professional experience, this definitive book offers a powerful new way to navigate your world...

He says that's his best offer. Is it? She says she agrees. Does she? The interview went great—or did it? He said he'd never do it again. But he did.


Speaking as a Leader- How to lead every time you speak: Book Review

                                                           



                                                                              Jim's review

                                      Simply an amazing book from beginning all the way to the end!

                                                                              10 out of 10 stars


                                                                           About book

Make every communication count—with a simple, four-step speaking model

Whether it's among colleagues at lunch or an audience of a thousand, a leader's role is to move and inspire others. It's not only the big occasions that test a leader's mettle, but the little ones as well—in a casual conversation in the elevator, in phone calls, or one of many incidental, seemingly "insignificant" interactions in everyday work life. Written by one of the world's leading communications coaches, Speaking as a Leader shows you how to make the most of your daily communications, creating a presence on the job as a genuine and constant leader.

In this eye-opening guide, aspiring (and established) leaders can enhance their reputations and influence by following a few simple steps. Speaking as a Leader:

  • Shows how to structure your thoughts and message in any situation using a four-step model
  • Offers tips on listening effectively, in three dimensions
  • Details why you are the best visual and how to avoid "Death by PowerPoint"
  • Offers guidance on taking the "numb" out of numbers
  • Includes tips on moving from subject to message

With Speaking as a Leader, you'll learn to tap into your innate leadership skills at every occasion—whether small or large—and earn the sort of respect that creates devoted friends and passionate supporters.

The Exceptional Presenter - A Proven Formula to Open Up! and own the room: Book Review

 


                                                   



                                                                    Jim's Review

                               We want to evolve and get better as a professional. As soon as I finished this book reviewed and adjusted coupe of presentations and had massive results! Highly recommend this book!!!

                                                                                10 out of 10 stars


                                                                About book

It’s often reported that the number one fear among American adults is public speaking. But in today’s competitive business world, effective communication is a crucial skill, and the cost of being less than effective is quite high. From the White House to boardrooms worldwide, Tim Koegel has strengthened presentations, media relations and communications skills of CEOs and world leaders alike with his renowned coaching abilities. His new book, The Exceptional Presenter lays out his techniques in a format perfectly suited to today’s busy world.

Let the Elephants Run- Unlock Your Creativity and Change everything; Book Review

                                                     



                                                                       Book review

                          I was a huge fan of David Usher the musician until I came across his book and read it cover to cover and realized that he had lots of lessons to share from his journey as a musician and personal development. Every chapter is full of strategies tips and expert advise.

                                                              10 out of 10 stars




                                                                         About book

A national bestseller, Let the Elephants Run is the essential guidebook for anyone looking to reignite their creativity.

Creativity is in everyone’s DNA, not a select few. Award-winning musician and founder of CloudID Creativity Lab David Usher believes we just need the right tools to help us reconnect with our imaginations in our day-to-day lives, whether in the head office, the home office, or the artist’s studio. Using a mix of personal anecdotes and professional examples from the worlds of industry, technology, science, music, and art, he shows us that creativity is not magic; it is a learnable skill that any person or business can master. The dynamic full-colour design includes photographs, artwork, and illustrations, as well as action pages to help readers start cultivating the habit of documenting their ideas for future execution. Based on his wildly popular speaking engagements, Let the Elephants Run is the essential guidebook to reigniting and nurturing our creativity in accessible and productive ways.


Thursday, April 23, 2026

Olympic fun at the CBC Olympic pad in Toronto: Event Review

 


It was lots of fun attending the CBC Olympic pad in downtown Toronto with Jon Gauthier. Watch video to the very end to see my spectacular announcing skills!



                                             

Canadian International Auto Show: Event Review

 




                                     










Jim Pagiamtzis and Jon Gauthier at Hot Wheel Activation




                                                        Jim Pagiamtizs and Jon Gauthier with our Subaru Hats


Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Jim Pagiamtzis at Canada Job Expo sharing on Networking and Interview strategies and much more!

 

March 2026

It was great experience to share at the Canada Job Expo at the North York Memorial Hall in uptown Toronto.

more to come

                                             

Friday, January 9, 2026

Treating People not Patients: Book Review

 



                                                                


                                                                         Jim's Review

           This was a powerful book to read from the beginning to the end. Michael Sonick talked about networking (my favorite subject) Mentorship and his mentors Dan Sullivan ( who I also have met!) and his powerful personal stories.

     There are so many strategies, tips in this book that propel your business to a new level very quickly, some can be done quickly and others will take time to start, yet in the end will yield the results.

                                                                         10 out of 10 stars


                                                                  About book

YOUR PRACTICE (BUSINESS) IS MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER PROCEDURE

In Treating People Not Patients, Dr. Michael Sonick provides an invaluable look into the principles that have allowed him to create a state-of-the-art patient centric practice. His back and front stage processes are not only applicable to the practice of dentistry, but to any business that serves people. His insights will empower you to grow your practice or business by changing how you view the people you serve and your role as a professional. You will . . .

• Discover the role hospitality plays to make people feel better

• Understand the power of great service through human connection

• Learn how to create a first-class impeccable office environment

• Build a servant hearted team that provides a WOW experience

• Value mentorship to build excellence into your practice

• Establish and exercise integrity in all of your work.

Alleviate Fears and Establish Trust to Relate Better with Your Patients and Customers Today!



Jim Pagiamtzis and Michael Sonick at conference in Toronto (November 2025)





                                                                                

Happy New Year and New You for 2023




  Be

Below are a few Youtube videos of Jim Pagiamtzis sharing on networking, mentorship and interviewed on other shows!

Also included is insight into my movie career I started in  2014 and clips from The Girl Without A Song movie directed by Aveek Mansur.







 Rethinking the Art of Networking with Jim Pagiamtzis 

                                           





Jim Pagiamtzis speaking at the Canada Job Expo on Networking and Interview Skills that work!



                                               








                                           







                                                 




                                       





Episode 05: Authentic, Teachable, Open, People ft. Jim Pagiamtzis

                                 
 


Jim Pagiamtzis sharing insights on his acting journey October and November 2014

                               



                               




Jim Pagiamtzis sharing Becoming a Brand Ambassador

                                                       





Jim Pagiamtzis sizzle reel from The Girl Without A Song (2016)

                                       


Wednesday, October 1, 2025

The Napa Boys (2025): Movie Review

                                                                                  


Jim's review

The Napa Boys had potential yet was wasted for disgusting gags and stupid jokes!

1 out of 10 stars



Movie plot:
In the tradition of American Pie, Lord of the Rings, and Wet Hot American Summer comes a new installment in a beloved IP franchise: The Napa Boys are back - and for the first time, in this anarchic alt-comedy spoof.







Swiped (2025) Movie Review

      Toronto International Film Festival Selection 2025                                         


Jim's Review

Whitney Wolf ( Lily James) goes on journey to self reflection and success and finds herself in a difficult position herself as an innovator in a male dominated social media world.

She gets her big break as co founder of Tinder which quickly almost destroys her mentally. 

She ends up starting successful app Bumble which leads to her success and lesson she learned along the way to make changes in the dating app world

8 out of 10 stars

Movie plot

"Swiped" is a 2025 biographical drama that chronicles the life of Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, highlighting her journey through the male dominated tech industry and her experiences with dating apps like TInder.






Captain America Brave New World (2025): Movie Review

                                                                    



Jim's Review

Captain America Sam Wilson has the shield and the responsibility and this is not easy for him to handle at times.

Samuel Sterns is back for more devious plan that will affect President Ross (Harrison Ford)

The epic battle in the end is interesting and mostly revealed in the trailer.

6 out of 10 stars


Movie plot:



"Captain America: Brave New World" follows Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, navigating international incidents and an assassination attempt on President Ross. The plot involves a global power struggle over a new material called Adamantium, stolen from a Celestial hatching. Sam must uncover a nefarious plot involving the material and a mind-controlling villain named Samuel Sterns (who is also connected to President Ross's transformation into Red Hulk). 




Fantastic Four First Steps (2025): Movie Review

            Marvellous, Mystical and Mesmerizing!                                          



Jim's Review

Fantastic Four is back with a new characters and storyline that is simply marvelous!

9 out of 10 stars




Movie plot
Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer.






Jurassic World Rebirth (2025): Movie Review

                                                                              


Jim's Review

Jurassic World is back with a new vision and more dangerous dinosaurs on the loose.

9 out of 10 stars





Movie plot:
A new era is born. This summer, three years after the Jurassic World trilogy concluded with each film surpassing $1 billion at the global box office, the enduring Jurassic series evolves in an ingenious new direction with Jurassic World Rebirth. Anchored by iconic action superstar Scarlett Johansson, Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey and two-time Oscar® winner Mahershala Ali, this action-packed new chapter sees an extraction team race to the most dangerous place on Earth, an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park, inhabited by the worst of the worst that were left behind. Also starring acclaimed international stars Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, the film is directed by dynamic visualist Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) from a script by original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp. Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold, in their DNA, the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Academy Award® nominee Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure the genetic material. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on a forbidden island that had once housed an undisclosed research facility for Jurassic Park. There, in a terrain populated by dinosaurs of vastly different species, they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that has been hidden from the world for decades. Ali is Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s most trusted team member; Critics Choice and Olivier Award winner Jonathan Bailey (Wicked, Bridgerton) plays paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis; Emmy nominee Rupert Friend (Homeland, Obi-Wan Kenobi) appears as Big Pharma representative Martin Krebs and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Lincoln Lawyer, Murder on the Orient Express) plays Reuben Delgado, the father of the shipwrecked civilian family. The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool). Jurassic World Rebirth is directed by BAFTA winner Edwards from a script by Koepp (War of the Worlds), based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The film is produced by Oscar® nominee Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley, both longtime Jurassic franchise producers and of last summer’s blockbuster, Twisters. The film is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Denis L. Stewart and Jim Spencer.







Thunderbolts* (2025) Movie Review

                                                                    




Jim's Review

A ragtag team is formed with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Buck Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian ( David Harbour ), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen ), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko  ) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell  ) are brought together by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine ( Julia Luis Dryfuss) to fight each other or for other more interesting reasons! more on that later.

The are an unlikely team in the beginning fighting each other then band together to fight Valentina and the Sentry (Lewis Pullman) which is an ongoing battle. In the end the * is explained.

8 out of 10 stars




Movie plot





The movie "Thunderbolts*" centers on a team of reformed antiheroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker – brought together by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. They are tasked with dangerous missions, but find themselves entangled in a death trap orchestrated by Valentina, forcing them to confront their pasts. The team must decide if they will succumb to their dysfunctional nature or find redemption and unite as a team. 








 

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Behind The Mask: Book Review

                                                                     


Jim's Review

Tremendous insight in goaltenders between the pipes who led their teams to success and dealt with their own issue and demons in times where the help was not available as it is now.

10 out of 10 stars


About book

A dozen incredible stories about hockey’s legendary goalies, on and off the ice—including Carey Price, Marc-André Fleury, Roberto Luongo, and Henrik Lundqvist.

“Hockey goaltenders have forever been thought of as unique, eccentric, weird and wacky. Also misunderstood. Randi Druzin’s Behind the Mask is a fascinating examination of a dozen of those who have played the position at the highest levels. This well-researched and well-written book is revealing and delightful at the same time.”—Roy MacGregor

While his teammates rush up the ice in a coordinated attack, the goalie is alone in his net. And when the play turns back toward him, he's prepared to step in front of a frozen rubber disc traveling 100 miles an hour. He's the last line of defense in a pitched battle. The goalie stands apart, on and off the ice. Like the relief pitcher in baseball and the place kicker in football, he is a maverick.

Behind the Mask profiles 12 legendary NHL goalies, emphasizing the traits that make each one unique. It blends accounts of the goalies on-ice exploits with anecdotes about their lives off the ice information gleaned from archival research as well as interviews with teammates, family members and the goalies themselves.

The careers here cover the last half-century of professional hockey from the personal struggles of Roger Crozier and Ed Giacomin on their way to stardom in the 1960s, to the recent brilliance of Carey Price, whose character blends stoicism with a deep warmth and pride in his Indigenous background.

Told with author Randi Druzin’s trademark mix of knowledge and wit, Behind the Mask has all the insight and color to make it a bestseller like her previous book on NHL goalies, Between the Pipes.

Hockey goalies profiled include:

  • Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings / Buffalo Sabres
  • Rogie Vachon, Los Angeles Kings
  • Gerry Cheevers, Boston Bruins
  • Ed Giacomin, New York Rangers
  • Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks
  • Vladislav Tretiak, Soviet Red Army
  • Mike Palmateer, Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers
  • Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
  • Marc-André Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins / Vegas Golden Knights
  • Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
  • Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

F1 (2025): Movie Review

                                                                     


Jim's Review

                                                                Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) want to redeem himself in the F1 circuit and Ruben Cervantes ( Javier Bardem) give him that chance to do just that.
 
                      The movie make you twist and turn and enjoy the action and drama all the way to the end!

                                                                     8 out of 10 stars
                                                    
                                                                            Movie plot

Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team's hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.




                                                               

Inner Excellence Train your mind for extraordinary performance and the best possible life: Book Review

                                                                       


                                                                           Jim's Review

 This book made international headline as player of the Philadelphia Eagles was reading it on the sidelines during the Superbowl of 2025.

                                             A master piece of personal development!


                                                                            9 out of 10 stars



                                                                           About book;

The #1 New York Times bestseller. 200,000+ copies sold in three weeks.

Discover the life guide that has developed world champions, empowered athletes to become world #1, and most importantly, transformed their hearts and minds. This step-by-step training manual from one of the world's top mental skills coaches will teach you how to train your mind like the very best.

My #1 tip for success: Read Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy. 
- Stewart Cink, British Open Champion, 8-time PGA Tour Winner

Whether you’re an athlete or entrepreneur, single mother or father of five, you’ll find exercises, techniques and tools in this book that will improve every area of your life. Your life will take on new meaning as you move beyond the pursuit of happiness to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Jim Murphy's complete program of proven mental techniques is based on the powerful principles of love, wisdom, and courage, that came from over six years of full-time research and writing (after his masters degree in Coaching Science).

“I read the first version of Inner Excellence six times. I recommend all my clients read it.” – Matt Killen, PGA Tour coach to Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods and many others

INNER EXCELLENCE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO:

  • DEVELOP SELF-MASTERY—and let go of what you can’t control
  • OVERCOME ANXIETY—and build powerful mental habits
  • REMOVE MENTAL BLOCKS—and get out of your own way
  • TRAIN YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND—and release limiting beliefs


As a professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization, Jim’s sense of worth and identity revolved around his performance. He was obsessed with fame but also afraid of failure, and that fear made him struggle under the pressure to perform.