Entrapment

Quite possibly one of the worst movies ever made. And there really isn't much more I have to say about this film. But I will because I believe that if you're going to say you didn't like something that you then have to provide a few reasons for it. Only children can get away with explaining their dislike of something with a comment of "Because!". 

So I will admit that I'm a bit biased against the movie because I'm not a Sean Connery fan. I think he's awful. I believe a part of it is that people are still over wowed by his work as James Bond, and they allow that fact to cover their eyes with rose-colored glasses that the man is still a sexy and virile man whom any woman of any age would still find attractive and desirable. Can we admit that the only reason it was even a believable premise that Catherine Zeta-Jones would fall for Sean Connery is because she's already in love with a man over twice her age? Had they cast a different actress in the role I think it would have been even less of a success than it was (not that you can truly consider the following of the film to be a success as it's almost a completely forgotten movie at this point in time). 

But getting on to the film itself, the basic idea is that a man who is a professional thief is propositioned to take on a job of the highest difficulty. The two work together in training to see if the job is even a viable one. Through their time together and all their differences they manage to build a friendship and love that ultimately leads to a morally questionable situation at the end that doesn't even make complete sense. 

I won't spoil the end because I know I'm kind of alone in my opinion of Sean Connery and his non-existent acting chops. The final vote for me is that this movie isn't even worth the brain cells you'd use to watch it. It isn't worth the 2 hours of your time it would take to watch it. In my opinion sitting on the toilet for 2 hours is a better way to spend your evening than having to sit through this film. 

If I Stay

I'll admit before getting into this review that I have a weakness for Chloe Grace Moretz. Since she was Hit Girl I've been a fan. I think she's pretty awesome and that nothing she does can be bad. And I will say to start that I thought her performance in this film was just as good if not better than her performance in other films where I've also found her to be extraordinary.

Aside from her performance however I am stopped at the fact that this is a chick flick. And as such it does follow a basic formula of plot. One that was rather predictable and pulled at the heart strings in just the right places and times. This isn't to say that it wasn't enjoyable. I did find myself tearing up for the characters at certain times through the movie, but there was never a moment when I didn't see it coming. I simply teared up because their performances were so convincing and emotional that I felt along with them, despite knowing what was going to happen in the end, and what was going to be said and done in the scenes leading up to the conclusion.

The Equalizer

  

Recently went to see this in theaters and was quite impressed with the film as a whole.

The basic plot line is that we are following the story of a man who used to be the top man in government espionage. He has managed to carve out a little niche of life for himself, a standard 9-5 job, a nice little apartment. He keeps to himself and makes no waves. He at the start of the film has some severe trouble sleeping so it becomes a regular habit that he spends his late evenings at a local diner. There are some other regulars that over time he becomes friendly with. One of them being a young prostitute and they develop a friendship (which bears no romantic entanglements which I appreciated because too many films present the young girl in over her head only to be rescued by the big man and fall into his arms thankfully when all is said and done, and this is not the case with this film). The more he learns of this young prostitute and her situation the more he wants to help her.

His attempt to help her is a small one and when things go amiss it's not of any real concern, until he discovers just how big the organization really is. Turns out it's not just a bad pimp with an accent, but a branch of a much larger and meaner organization who will stop at nothing for revenge after our hero takes down the pimp.

The plot is believable without being too out there. Often times the plot is too convoluted and too out there to really follow, but not this time. The plot is simple and straightforward. Man meets girl whose hurt and in need of protection. He attempts to help her only to discover that it's a much bigger problem than he originally thought but faces the problem admirably. No massive spins and twists and other confusing plot points. Just simple good story.

The action sequences are entertaining and very well shot while also being bloody and gory without crossing the line into 'just plain disgusting'. I happen to be a big fan of action movies, I think they're good fun and easy to lose yourself in for a couple of hours. And this stands up to the tradition of great action flicks that are just past the line of believable while still being funny and awesome.

Overall this movie gets a major A from me. I think it hit every good point of a action flick while avoiding some of the standard boring pitfalls of plot and managing to finely walk the line between good action and cheesy action.

Korean Noodles House - Cheltenham Ave.

This restaurant is in Cheltenham PA and is the best I've found in the area when you're in the mood for Korean noodles. There are plenty of restaurants in the area for Vietnamese food, and Korean BBQ, which are some of my favorites. But if you want a bowl of noodles, spiced and seasoned in a traditional Korean way then you can do no better than this wonderful little Dive sitting at a corner of Cheltenham Ave.

A few years back I ventured here after a Google search on a whim for something new to try and eat, and luckily for me Google brought this restaurant to my attention. I first went with a friend to meet up for dinner one night because it was a great halfway point between our two homes. I have made it a point to go back to this restaurant regularly.

 It is now at the point where the owners who run the restaurant recognize me and greet me with a warm welcome. Which in my opinion only adds to the good experience and memories I associate with this restaurant. Walking into a place where they know you and smile to see you only makes your experience far more enjoyable and pleasant.

The food itself is amazing in my opinion, and considering that they provide you with a few small bowls of items like pickled radishes and others (traditionally known as Banchan in Korean cuisine which translates loosely to 'side dish') you'll never walk away still hungry. And more often than not I find that I have plenty of leftovers to bring for lunch at work the next day (Major side note on that issue: When reheating the dishes in the microwave because of some of the spices they can 'stink up' a room - I work in a large building and have access to a large break room so in that environment the smell fades before my lunch break is over. In a smaller environment you should be aware of this potential. I love the smell personally, but I know my willingness to try new foods and spices doesn't extend to all my co-workers).

I recommend this place to all my friends regularly and bring people there whenever I can. I strongly I encourage anyone and everyone to give this Dive a chance as you will not regret it.

Deep Blue Sea

This goes down in history for me as being one of the better movies I've gotten to watch in a long time. I continuously pull this movie off the shelf and watch it when I'm in the mood for a shark movie (which is often as I'm totally fascinated by water monster movies......sharks/piranhas/kraken). I suppose part of my fascination with this film stems from how awesome it is as a shark movie (no continuous stock shark footage shown over and over, well done CGI so it doesn't feel too fake at any one time [though it has it's moments] and solid horror movie acting [which will never be blockbuster standard but is what the fans expect and desire of their horror movies]) and how wonderful it is as a horror movie. It breaks down all the stereotypical moments we've come to know and love and expect and trashes them to bits.

I will point out that there is no way for me to do a honest review of this film without filling this review with spoilers galore, so keep that in mind if you continue to read beyond this point.

The first and hardfast rule of almost all horror films is that there will always be a member of the 'survival' group whose got all the answers. Who is the hero so to speak. He's the leader, he knows what's going on, and how to lead people out to safety and freedom. Whether he has this knowledge at the beginning, or whether he learns as he goes along. Often enough he/she is reluctant to pick up the reigns of leadership and doesn't view themself as being a leader or the person to follow, but none-the-less the authoritative air around them will draw the other characters in and they will stick like glue to the power and confidence of this person. The mentor character of this film is clearly the amazing actor known by most as only Samuel L. Adding his last name is almost an insult that you don't know who I'm referring to already, but Jackson. Who is actually the second victim of the shark attacks (I do not consider the helicoptor or tower as victims of shark attack as they were simply a casualty of an explosion indirectly related to the sharks plan). So the character we expect and are ready to follow, are certain will lead the haphazard crew to safety.....is dead shortly after the attacks begin.

More examples of this film throwing caution to the wind of consistency and saying "Screw the Formula" are in the ending of the film. We expect that the burgeoning love between the lead male and female will be the ultimate love story of survival when all the sharks are dead and they're all in the clear. Only the lead female is dead moments before the end because she sacrifices herself, and not to save another character, but to prevent the sharks from escaping the environment and breaking free into the world.

But honestly, one of my favorites is the condemned black man. While it has become far more common for black men to survive until the end of a horror film, at the release of this movie (1999), there are very few examples of this. And not only does he survive to the end, but he's a cook, which begs the HOW question. No matter who he was (actor and race wise) the fact that the cook survives til the end of a shark movie is already a wonderful surprise. But actually watching how he figures things out and manages to keep his head above water (pun intended) is really quite amusing. And for the record LL Cool J is just all kinds of awesome in my book. I'm not normally attracted to black men but man does he make a girl go all atwitter. 

Final statement is that no matter how you cut this film it's an awesome shark movie. Surprising and often backwards. But then again, in my experience, the very best movies are the ones the so called 'critics' didn't give much of a chance to. I say give this one a chance, but watch it with open eyes. 

Hannibal Rising

Easily the worst book in the entire Hannibal Universe. Which was highly disappointing because I'd read all the others. I thought Highly of Silence of the Lambs, and Red Dragon, and even Hannibal - despite how the films changed each of the books around in ways I didn't agree with.

The entire book felt as though Thomas Harris was writing a fuck you letter to the fans. Apparently the publisher said "we can make a ton more money off this series, so write us a new one and we'll do all the work" And Thomas Harris replied "There is no more story, anything I write in that universe from this point on will be drivel". Sad part is the publisher's still didn't care and said "Write it anyways!"

Put aside all the inconsistencies between this book about Hannibal's youth and what we know about it through his other novels for a moment and just look at what exactly it was that sparked his murderous desire to begin with. A Woman. The Hannibal from canon would never have been influenced so easily and manipulated like this. Hannibal sees himself as a god, and only murders for 2 reasons. 1 - For his own survival and protection. 2 - Because he feels as though this person contributes nothing to the human race and has no manners or class worth saving.

This book doesn't even honor the most important physical feature of Hannibal - his sixth finger. Hannibal Lecter has six fingers on one hand. It is this that gets him caught twice, and the surgery to remove his sixth finger doesn't happen until he's well past his youth. But where was it throughout this book? Hell, where was it in the film - not that I'm using the film in this criticism, but let's state the obvious - the film was a failure. But when you create a film based of a failure of a book, what can you expect?

The godlike character that we grow to know and even in some bizarre way care about is non-existent in this book. His youth painted so horribly in this book leaves fans feeling truly abandoned.

This was a failure. Utter and complete. The book was horrid, and I'm ashamed that I sat through and read every last horrifying detail.

Pumpkin - A movie from 2002

To be honest I'm not entirely sure I know what to make of this film. I waited until a few weeks after I watched it to write this review. And despite letting it roll around in my head for a few weeks, and trying to really figure it out I'm still not entirely sure I understand the film in it's entirety.

It's a basic love story at it's core, but beyond that things fall apart. The star (Christina Ricci) is a fore member of a sorority that takes part in a program teaching handicapped individuals sports. Coaching and training them in preparation for their fictional version of the Special Olympics. Despite her disgust with this task at first she begins to care for her charge - Pumpkin - and over time even falls in love with him. This premise itself wasn't so far reaching, except that she was so wildly disgusted by him and the idea at first that the first time he says her name she actually screams.......horror movie screams. She's a member of a top ranking Sorority (even though not deemed number 1 by the school) and has a boyfriend who is a leader in athletics at the school, making him Captain Popular. Not that I'm questioning a girl in this life wanting another, and I believe one of the points of the movie was to highlight that just because life seems perfect doesn't mean it is.

The problem here wasn't with WHAT the movie presented for you to think about, but HOW it did this. It's supposed to be a black comedy, but in the end there was almost nothing comedic about it as it never once presented the material as actually being comical. No laughter from the cast, no musical interlude to indicate a lightness of emotion, not even a smile or wink from the person saying the thing, nothing, just empty silence leaving you questioning if this was an intended joke or one of the movies serious moments. Was that over-acting for comical effect, or is the actor just that bad at doing a scene like this? Too many questions, and while I don't hate movies that make you think, I believe there should be one pillar standing for analyzation. Perhaps other smaller columns can be surrounding this one pillar, but there should be a focus point for it all. This movie simply has no focus point.

This movie is too disjointed to be truly enjoyed, but I will say that your fascination with trying to understand it and make sense of everything will keep you watching til the very end, so perhaps that's more of a selling point then I want to give it credit for.

I will say that it is listed as a dark comedy, and I suppose those that can see humor in a situation that is more disturbing to most means that this movie is right up your alley, though I am one of those people and I didn't feel very much like laughing throughout the movie. Yes it was over the top, and by costume and set design alone you knew that's what they were going for. But it feels a bit forced throughout most of the film, like the over the top acting/plot were in some way making all those on set uncomfortable. Not that they'll ever admit it. Many of the actors and actresses still stand by the film saying it was one of the best movies they've ever done. But in retrospect, it took a few years before Elizabeth Berkley to admit that Showgirls may not have been the smartest move of her career. Perhaps in a few more years Christina Ricci will say the same about this one.

The Poisonwood Bible

The worst book in recorded history! I truly wish I had more to say. I had to read this book in college one year and all my friends were aware of just how disappointing a read this was because I was very vocal about it. Every time I got to a point where it made no sense (characters were switching roles and acting not at all like the beginning of the book wrote them to) I'd throw up my arms in exasperation.

The characters were very flat and 2-dimensional to begin with, but upon further dissection you realize they barely even had that. They're introduced and they have their roles to play, and not one of them seems to be any more than the stereotypical design of that character mold (which had been done to death for every archetype here). And yet, the end of the book in a sum up it's clear that not a single one does what their characters actually would do. Which isn't to say that they surprised you by being unpredictable and 3-dimensional, but that they acted so against how their characters were written and designed to that it drives you even further away from the book and any attempt you could have had at enjoying the very bad storyline that attempts to support these characters.

And the story...a WAY overly done and overexposed storyline about a family attempting to bring religion and society to a world they deem to be beneath them and without culture of any kind. And what a shock, being in this world that isn't their own changes them and makes them all see the world in a different way then they might have originally ever gotten a chance to if they hadn't gone.

Truly in my life I have never read a book that was this abysmal - and I've read hundreds upon hundreds of books in my life. Never have I had to force myself to get through a book as much as this one. Never once have I wanted to tear my flesh and scratch out my eyes because the writing style/story was so bad it actually caused me physical pain to continue reading.

I was devoted to my studies and I did well in school, but I've always remembered this book as if it were a personal vendetta my teacher had against me monopolizing the classroom conversation during discussion.

Hunger Games Book 3 - Mockingjay

Thankfully the ending of the second book wasn't AS MUCH of a cliffhanger as the ending of the first book, so I was able to get a good night's sleep in between finishing the second book and picking up the third.

I read a bunch of other reviews of this book and I don't agree with what the consensus seems to be - that there were far too many loose ends left open at the end of this book. I felt it helped tie up any and all loose ends rather well.

Everything makes perfect sense by the end of the book, but of course....that's getting ahead of ourselves. The Questions we have at the beginning of the book about District 13 and what goes on there are quickly answered. There's even mention of the runaways we meet in Book 2 and whether or not they ever made it all the way to 13 with the rest of the exiles who have run away over the years.

A friend who was into the series as I was posed a question that Katniss posed as well about why 13 wasn't as involved as it had been throughout the other two books and how if they have the resources they appear to have why they weren't more well known throughout the other districts other than the source of myth and legend that they've become. I don't agree with my friend on this point, I think the books offer up a very valid explanation of these things and there really isn't anything left to question on that front. But I suppose I would be considered a very Coin like thinker in that sense. I happen to agree with the leadership of 13 in their belief that making themselves known too soon, despite how much it may have helped others throughout the districts would have only led to more trouble and suffering for the rest of the districts, and sadly the residents before anything could be done to help them, and despite their resources, if they don't have the people to hold the weapons and plan the attacks then there is no point in acting at all. They would be crushed immediately and then any advantage they may have had would be gone.

This was the biggest point for me, as almost everytime the conversation comes around to these books between me and friends and family they all seem to make this statement about how 13 should have been involved more throughout the series and throughout the years leading up to the series but it's one that I'm in complete defense of Coin on. I don't agree with all of her decisions and choices, but on this particular issue I think she acted exactly as she had to and had no other choice but to act as. But apparently, I'm one of the few people who see it this way. I think she did good.

And overall, now that I've finished the series, I'm eagerly anticipating the movies. But as my friend stated after reading only the first half of the first book "I'm already fearing the differences the movies will make to the story I am already madly in love with".

Warheads Sour Chewy Cubes

Possibly one of the worst chewy candies out there. The flavors aren't bad or anything, but the actual chewy texture is more caramel like than gummi. You expect to bite into these and find the consistency of most chewy candies, a bit firm, but giving. And like most chewies, it'll stick to your teeth a little bit, but only for a few seconds, that isn't the case with these.

They don't really stick to your teeth or gums at all, which is half the fun of a chewy candy. And the "Sour" quality is highly lacking. I understand that the Warheads brand has a few degress of "Sour" and this is considered one of the milder ones, but honestly - there was more sour packed flavor in a Sour Patch Kid (which by most standards isn't even all that sour).

The actual flavors are nice though - the Green Apple actually tastes like Green Apple, and so on. But that's about the only nice thing I can state about these candies.

Hunger Games Book 2 - Catching Fire

The continuation of a story that if you read the first book you already love. I was honestly surprised by this book in truth. Before I continue I will point out that this review will have no choice but to contain spoilers of the first book, so if you haven't read the first book yet go back and read it. 

This book was not only a great continuation of the first, but expanded on the story in a way I truly didn't see coming. There was fantastic foreshadowing throughout the series so you always had an inkling of what was to come, but like the lead character there is one twist we simply didn't see coming, and when it does it makes absolute sense that that is the only way it could possibly be. The Quarter Quell. The idea behind the Hunger Games that happen on the 25th year anniversaries. 25/50/and 75. Since the first book puts Katniss into the 74th Hunger Gaes, we know the following year is the 75th. And for ever Quarter Quell there is a special treat from the Capital for the districts.

Watching everything through Katniss's eyes like the first book is enjoyable. The questions you have and want answered can't be until Katniss knows the answers. It's a nice touch, because just as something is occuring to you to ask, it's ocurring to her as well. And while some of her decisions aren't ones you would have made if given the same options, you can understand entirely WHY she makes those decisions. Her characterization stays true, she never seems to falter from the person she is. The other characters are also true to themselves. Peeta for example stays the good and wonderful boy/man he is, going along with Katniss's plan of appearing like lovers despite it breaking his heart to do so.

New characters are introduced, and despite being abrasive and misleading characters I assure you that all motives are revealed, either in this or in the next book, so keep in mind that while first impressions last, they're often the most misleading.

Zombie Strippers

A truly over looked movie! A lot of people see the B movie quality of this film and that's the end of their interest in it. Even those that like B movies don't seem to see this film for all it's really worth. It's an exploitation film. Designed to make you think not only about the potential of a zombie apocalypse, but also about the government in which we have put our faith. The marines in this film operate blindly, following orders and doing their jobs, as a good military faction would.

The strippers represent all kinds of strippers, from those that do it because they actually enjoy it and are good at it, to the strippers who are doing it for that surgery their grandparents needed. Even down to the stripper who is so cynical and pessimistic about life that they just see no other point but to admit it's all they're good for.

The amusing twist to this film is that the strippers who turn into zombies become better strippers for being zombies, and apparently the audience enjoys the show that much more.

A nice deviation of the standard zombie is that in this film the mutation of the disease bonds with the X Chromosome. When it can bond with BOTH (meaning women) they actually retain not just motor functions, but brain functions. They can still think and speak and react emotionally, though not physically as they no longer feel pain. When the disease bonds only with one X Chromosome motor functions continue, but all brain functions are lost.

Unlike many films this one actually does do a decent job of following up on loose ends. No questions are left at the end of this film. Every character accounted for, every body accounted for - everything explained. Which is nice because so many films (not just the zombie ones) leave too many questions unanswered.

Another fantastic thing about this film is Robert Englund. A god amongst men in my opinion. His legacy of horror films is astounding, but a review of him as a man for another time.

This film constantly makes fun of itself. Often referencing older films and other B movies in amusing ways. It also does a great job of stereotyping it's cast. The janitor being a Latino (his exact origins are never stated though heavily hinted at Mexico), the club boss being (Robert Englund) a sleazy guy interested in only making as much money as he possibly can despite the dead and dying around him, the stripper manager being a foreign who assimilates herself into the American culture, but gets most of it wrong having only learned from other strippers because she was once one herself. Stereotypes abound in this film, and it not only points them out but often goes out of the way to highlight the stereotype, just in case you may have missed it.

And unlike other zombie films, there is actually an evolution of the zombie. Considering that despite the brain continuing to be active, the flesh would continue to decompose, wounds would not heal, and so over time they strippers do look worse and worse. Which is a major compliment for the makeup artists, seeing as how too often zombies in films look the same the first and last time you see them, no decomposing whatsoever.

I realize this review is quite long for such a B film, but it really is a fantastic movie if you give it half a chance. It was litereally designed to be watched by a group with a pizza and few beers making fun of the movie - and the creators would have no problem with that!

Morganville Vampires

With all of the Vampire series currently on the market it's no wonder that so many of the better written stories take the sidelines for not following the formula of today's popular Vampire Fiction (ie: Romanticized view of Vampire life and how sexualized they are with us mere mortals. And also the virtuous Vampire who doesn't feed on humans, and is constantly saving the lives of the defenseless).

This series does not follow the norm.

A basic overview of the series (and this may be considered a spoiler for some so keep that in mind if you continue reading) is to follow a young girl named Claire. She skipped a few grades in school and is going off to college now at 16. Because her overprotective parents are not comfortable with the idea of her going too far away they stipulate that she must stay in the state and be within a few hours driving distance. So she ends up Morganville. What she doesn't know is that this city is run by Vampires - the last in the world in fact. The knowledge to create a new vampire has been lost in time. Only one Vampire still has the knowledge and she isn't talking. In fact, she runs the whole town. Claire is simply trying to survive a bully when the world is opened to her in a ways he never thought the college experience would do.

I personally enjoyed the read very much. I thought it was cute and well written and the stories are interesting without being too over the top. The situations are highly unlikely, but not so much so that you find yourself frustrated with the plot. The characters are well written and the more of the series you read the clearer the character developments become. All of the characters are easily found in your own life. The young girl who always seems to know too much and be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The over zealous guy in way over his head. The guys in charge who always seem to be vying for the top most position on the tower of success.

We fall in love with the characters and unlike other reads we don't fall back out of love with them because they are not true to themselves. The characters have their main concerns and goals and you can really feel them struggle with their decisions when they are not what they would want to do.

They're easy and fun reads, and each book ends on a cliffhanger leading directly into the first line of the next book. I didn't get into the series until 8 of the books were already written. But even still, I kick myself every time I read one because I know the next one is still a few months away at least.

If you like Vampire stories (especially the ones where the Vampire isn't romanticized and sexualized) then you're going to genuinely enjoy this read. 

Hunger Games Book 1

I read a lot. Because I'm very often found with a book in my hands/bag/car it's easy for me to be able to put the book down. I always find time to read, and it's rare for a book to absorb me so much that I find myself enraptured to the point where I simply can't put the thing down and feel no choice but to sacrifice just to keep reading. Whatever the sacrifice may be, sleep/food/work (and yes, I've been known to call out of work on one of those abnormally rare occasions that a book pulled me in so much I just had to keep reading).

This book......had me up for hours past my normal bed time just to reach the end where a strangled cry escaped my lips as I realized that this book ends on a cliffhanger. And I beat myself up for not having purchased the second in the series yet. After I got 50 pages in I already knew I'd want to read the whole series. And I did make a special errand run the following day to pick up not only the second book, but the third as well in the series. It was a read I honestly couldn't pull myself away from.

The story is intriguing - basic plot line is a future/alternate world where all of North America is divided in 14 sections. The Capitol city at the center and the 13 outlying districts that produce goods for the Capitol. After a few years of this life the outlying districts stood up to the Capitol and a revolution began. Only it ended as soon as it began and all but one district was defeated by the Capitol. The last wasn't defeated, it was obliterated off the map. Ever since then the Capitol has flaunted their power and control over the districts with the 'Games'. Designed as a way to control the public. Every district must send two 'tributes' to the games (one girl and one boy) who will be placed in a arena with the other tributes from each district and fight to the death. The last one standing is the Victor who will win money and food and safety for their entire family for the rest of their lives. But of course - 24 children will go in, and only one will return home.

The books follow Katniss Everdeen. But I'm going to concentrate on this book alone. The story is amazing, from the moment she wakes up on the first page to the reaping (when the names of the tributes are chosen) to the actual Games, the arena they're set in....I'm trying not to give away too much, but it's so hard not to launch into the details I found to be the most important and the ones that I thought were the sweetest.

There are characters you love, and characters you learn to love. And they're all written so wonderfully. I've read many books where a character acts completely against their nature because it's convenient and adds a good plot twist, but lets be honest, that's not very entertaining and instead turns us off to the read. Nothing like that occurs in this book. Each character is exactly who they are, with no one acting differently than you would expect or hope - which I know sounds like this makes it predictable, but not at all. Especially with the sadistic gamemakers creating new and dangerous obstacles for the tributes to survive while still hunting each other.

Keep in mind, if you make it to the middle of the book and are as caught up as I was....there is a series, and this ends on a cliffhanger with many questions dying for answers...so go out and buy the next two if this is the case. If you're easily putting the book down and walking away then perhaps this read wasn't for you.

A noteworthy point: This book is sometimes found in children's sections because like many other miss-labeled titles the star is a child. However, because of the blood and gore and violence that is not just suggested but witnessed and often times perpetrated by the characters we're following I would not normally recommend the title to a child. Though there are many titles for children that contain these themes of violence and blood, so this is nothing new. I suppose this is up to the parents, I wouldn't put this book in the hands of my child if he/she wasn't at least in high school.

Heroes - Season 2

Aside from how much the writer's strike ruined this show.....I'll side step that point and just get into the season itself.

A good story arc begins with Hiro in 1671 Japan. A wonderful story that I think fans would agree didn't play out at all as we expected. Personally I thought that after the first time he had to step in, Hiro would realize that Adam wasn't the one, but he was. (I am trying to avoid spoilers for those who will read this prior to watching).

The arc however continues in another direction than the writing would have suggested, which was a nice twist, but is rather disappointing overall when we discover that the villian we don't even like to hate - we just don't like - is still around. And the story seems to be focusing on him at points which makes no sense as his role in the season is minimal at best. At the end of the season it makes no difference anyways as our favorite characters are written out almost as quickly as they were written in......I will try not to point out how much the writer's strike is a thorn in my side that will not go away....oops, just did.

Connections between characters seem even more far-fetched then ever before and because of the strike when they came back had only 2-3 episodes to close up all the loose ends with....which they did poorly as some of them they don't even close up, we simply never hear from the characters again. The beginning starts strong, but by the end of the season you're left reminding yourself that the first season was so impressive and they just had a hiccup it will get better.....but it never does.

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

The writer's strike. :(

It ruined television. I understand where some of the writers were coming from when they went on strike in the first place, but honestly - they did themselves a major disservice - and us the viewers as well. Most production houses and channels are doing more and more 'reality' TV and remakes of old movies, and sequels and prequels then ever before because they don't want to hire writers. They don't want to have to pay through the nose and they don't want to have to do this for the next few decades because of intellectual property rights. It's ridiculous is what it is. What of all those people posting on Youtube? Are they receiving anything? Well they're writers....it's their material....they came up with it....where's their share huh? Jackasses.

All of you are jackasses. All you did was prove like Metallica did when they filed suit against Napster that you don't write because you enjoy it, because you like the fans, because you respect that without our love and devotion to your writing you wouldn't even have a job.....nope. You proved that you write for money and so long as it's not enough to keep a mansion like the rest of the actors you're working with (who yes, do in fact deserve WAY more than you for being on camera and for being the only ones who can do the job. Do you have to come in when sick? Can someone else fill in for a day? Do they get these same options? NO.) then it's simply not enough for you. So you went on strike and ruined all the good shows out there, got a large number cancelled before they'd even gained enough momentum, and showed the fans you don't give a shit about us.

You're all assholes for doing it. You were making enough money, and you were working in a good field with degrees that in most of the rest of the country are toilet paper. And you weren't happy, well boo-fucking-who for you. Get therapy, don't go on strike like the bastards you all proved yourself to be.

Go crawl in a hole and die and bring back the true integrity of writing and art. The work is it's own reward, you were lucky enough to be doing work that you got paid for that you were able to make a living off of. So many of us cannot say the same. I hope you're happy with the results. Most of you can't even get hired now since so many studios aren't willing to hire writers because you've all proven yourselves to be little bitches.

Heroes - Season 1

Sometimes I will review things as a group - or series, but in certain cases things must be reviewed separately as they are simply too different to be viewed as a whole.

Season 1 was arguably the best season this show ever had. But the writer's strike during their second season is to blame for that, and that's a critique for another time. As for the season itself - some of the acting is well below par with people taking certain scenes far more dramatically than is necessary. I understand the purpose of the drama but I do wish that some of the characters had been instructed to play their roles a bit more like the actor playing Hiro Nakamura did. With a light edge of "Saving the world is important, but why not smile and take pride in the little victories and have a little fun while doing it?"His scenes are easily the most enjoyable because of the little jokes and ease with which his character embraces what's happening. Unlike most of the other characters Hiro is one who does not question his abilities.

I understand the need to question those abilities from other characters, and I understand that so many would either rebel against it or allow such power to go to their heads and demand to be treated and seen as Gods. This happens without abilities when someone gets too much money and power NOW - a person need not have a special ability above and beyond those of a normal human being in order to be corrupt and lost. But this is of course why this season was so good. The discovery of these abilities and what they did and how they affected a person, were identifiable, if you replaced the ability with a mental disease, or someone having won the lottery you could see it as a human aspect.

We as humans have always been fascinated with the idea of Superheroes among us. This show makes the concept even more real. Much closer to home than the idea of an alien race among us. These are regular everyday kind of people. Dealing with life on a 'higher level' because of their abilities that no normal human could do.

The basic story arc is that of these people finding each other in our world and learning about what it is they do and discovering what a true villain is. The real fun of the season is learning all the different abilities that the writers and FX department could come up with. Seeing both how these powers can go to their heads, and how they can make them into amazingly wonderful people. Some characters are easier to love than others - though I doubt this has as much to do with the writing than it does with the acting. The same lines delivered in a different way can change how you feel about the character. I want to love certain characters because of their inherit goodness, but the actors playing the roles do it so poorly it's hard to love them. However, there are only a small handful of actors that make the show not worth it. I would say 85% of the cast and crew make you love this show, or love to hate it as it is for some.

Over all - the show itself (if based alone on this season) was quite good.

Lamb - The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

It should be noted that I'm very biased in favor of Christopher Moore, as both an author and a man. I find his writing style to be akin to the likes of Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury. His ideas as outstanding and outlandish as his contemporaries of a time long gone, but his prose as easy and lively to read as a children's book should be. Unlike many authors of this time Christopher Moore has a way with words that shows he's not writing in an attempt to feed his ego and make himself feel better, but because he truly enjoys the act.

Speaking of this particular book alone it should be noted that the dialogue itself is enough of a selling point for this novel, but that wasn't what drew me into the story nor what kept me reading to the last page to find myself disappointed there wasn't more of a story to continue. The simple idea - the story of Christ as told by someone who knew him well and was witness to all his wonderful acts. Seems like a religious tome that should find it's way into the religious fiction section of any library or bookstore, but that isn't what this book is. I've heard some people state when I've recommended this to them that "I don't like reading about religious figures" and if there were a book that idolized Christ, or anyone associated with him - or for that matter tore him down and made his 'history' into a farce I would agree. But as this book does neither I see no conflict of interest.

The book itself is the story of the life of Christ for most of the portion of the bible where we do not know him. In the bible Christ goes from being a young child to a young 30 something man who is ready to take on his duty as the son of God. But what of all those years in between? What did he do, how did he come to terms with who and what he was? And this is where Christopher Moore comes in.

It's a very humorous book full of jokes and jabs aimed not at religion, or even at Christ, but at everything else that surrounded him. His upbringing as a Jew, and how that affected his world view. His decisions and trials that turned him from a naive boy into a man. The people that flocked to him and around him and what their roles and purposes were.

I truly enjoyed this read. If you're not a fan of humorous books that can enlighten you and provide you a new view of things in your own world, then this is not likely to be the same case for you. If you enjoyed Kurt Vonnegut, or Ray Bradbury, or the short stories of Issac Asimov and the like then you'll likely become a fan of Christopher Moore. This isn't to say his writings are Science Fiction related, but that they (like the other authors I've mentioned) can take you away to a new time and place, create an overlay of this world onto your own and in the end make you a better person for simply being open to it.

Nothing is Safe

The main purpose of this blog will be to review and criticize EVERYTHING. Nothing is safe. From the restaurants I eat in - to the men I date - to the women I meet. I will not give away names of specific people, but will rather generalize their types - which is rather bigoted I admit, but hiding behind a keyboard makes bigots of us all.

I will review books I read and movies I see. The first review being of the book I most recently finished reading. And from there it will go. I will not hesitate to say how I truly feel, or how much something disgusted/empowered/belittled/enlightened me. This blog is essentially an opinion - MY opinion. I do not feel as though my opinion should supersede your own, but I do feel as though it should be heeded. I do not criticize for the simple joy of doing it, but because I do feel that my opinion is worth something. I will never say that I hated something without a full explanation why. I do not believe in the word "because" if it is not followed with explanation.

I will try not to include spoilers but to give an overview of something. If in a comment you wish to include spoilers please note that at the beginning.

I will take recommendations for books to read and movies to see as the blog gains momentum and followers. Keep in mind though that sometimes I will simply not be able to locate that book or movie to review them, so for now I suggest that all requests be made of things you know to be easily accessible.