Book Review: A Farewell to Arms

A story about love and war. Or the senselessness of war… and love. As at the end the main character Lieutenant Fred Henry loses both.

I’ve always heard rave reviews of Hemingway’s writing, and decided I would try to squeeze one of his novels into my reading list if I could find one. Eventually I found ‘A Farewell to Arms’. I was surprised to discover this book was first published in 1929, thinking Hemingway was more a contemporary, maybe just a generation older. However the paperback edition I found was even older than me, published in 1955 (only 35 cents cover price).

I researched a bit and this story really is a reflection of Ernest Hemingway’s experiences from World War I. Like the main character, he was an ambulance driver in the Italian army. He was seriously wounded in the legs, received medals, and while recovering a few months in a field hospital fell in love with a lovely nurse.

The story varies (I think) a bit from there, as a retreat, the loss of his ambulances, almost being shot for being at by the Italians during the retreat for being an officer, he gives up on the war, after only escaping during a moment of confusion by diving into the river.

It was interesting to read about all of the soldiers together talking about wishing the war was over, and debating the merits of just giving up to end it all. It was refreshing to see that even in WWI there was opposition to war and other than the leaders no one wanted to be there.

The narrative style was very interesting. At one point I noticed that I was reading a paragraph where at least five people were talking, yet I could make sense of it all and knew exactly who was saying what. I’m sure if I’d written a paragraph like that someone would crit that I’d lost my point of view. Also a lot of short sharp to the point sentences in dialogs.

I’m glad I read this book, and will be on the lookout for more Hemingway’s - even though I‘ve heard there‘s not much chance they are going to be any more cheerful.

Grade: C+

McDoogle

Your challenge:  Sneak behind enemy lines.  Defuse a bomb.  Return to home base via the sea.

Movie Review: Green Lantern

It was a cloudy Saturday afternoon as I paid for our tickets to 'Green Lantern'.  I was expected it to be a little more for the 3D showing, but $10.25 per ticket?  For the matinee?!    That said, if you're going to shell out a few extra bucks for a movie, Green Lantern is an excellent environment for 3D.  Space scenes, fighter jets, and a large space villain.  Also, I thought the Guardians of Oa, looked realistic is 3D.  In the closing credits, as the galaxy was spinning behind the credits, I really did feel a little dizzy.

Acting wise, I've never liked Ryan Reynolds in anything he's even been in (2 Guys, A Girl, and A Pizza, etc.).  Always seemed like a real hack of a cornball.  But, surprisingly, he really did a decent job as Hal Jordan.  Fearless and cocky when necessary, yet authentically humble at the right times.  Reynolds made a believer out of me - good choice for GL!

The performance that really stood out was Peter Sarsgaard's performance as Hector Hammond.  Yes, he turned out to be a villain, but Saragaard, really had me pulling for the poor guy, to the bitter end.  Misunderstood genius.  A little off the norm, so not one of the 'in' crowd.  Not handsome, slightly hunch backed, but a decent guy trying to make something out of life's many lemons.  Just SO believable.  Excellent work Peter Sarsgaard!

None of the other performances really stood out.  Well, perhaps Mark Strong as Sinestro.  He did had a strong performance too as the GL who seemed to be the elder leader, and the strength and determination to never give in to fear of all of the GL's, standing up to the Guardians.

 

Story wise:  I did know the origins of Green Lantern, having collected his comics from as early on as issue #9.  The movie did an accurate and interesting portrayal of Hal Jordan becoming the next GL for Space Sector #2814 (of 3600).  I don't recall the villain Parallax.  The broken pillar in the sphere of Guardians was a nice effect to represent the wayward Oa Guardian.  I liked the story tying in Hal's indecisiveness and inexperience with being a Lantern, with evolving of the character Hector Hammond to evil, with the threat of Parallax to the whole earth.   I don't think the movie tried to pull off too much.  It seemed 'just right'.  And I loved Hal's solution in defeating Parallax.  Great creativity with his new skills as a GL, and nice effects too!  Liked it very much.

As we roll the credits, stay seated, and learn the secret of Sinestro.  I already known the secret having been a fan, as mentioned earlier in the classic Green Lantern #9.  But J was not aware of the storyline and was heard to exclaim: 'No!'.  Don't miss it.

My recommendation is to go and see Green Lantern.  And the extra $3.50 for the 3D is worth it in this case.

Grade: B+

McDoogle

Your Challenge:  Create your own power ring out of string, pop tops, egg shells, or orange peels.  Then use your will power to create a small poodle, and perhaps a can of Alpo.

Book Review: Brisingr

Brisingr was this year's novel for the annual reading race with my nephew. He really enjoys this series. I was not enamored by this latest edition however.

 Intersting beginning and ending but the middle seemed long and really dragged. And in a novel of 748 pages. It's a very long middle. Paolini may have thought it gave more freedom for character developement to streach of the story and add a fourth novel to the series. But I think it really bogged down the storyline.

The first hundred pages may be the most interesting. Eragon, his blue dragon Saphira, and his cousin Roran make a rescue mission into Empire territory to save his fiancee Katrina.

In the last hundred pages I didn't find the battle for the city of Feinster which Eragon, Saphira, Arya, and the army of the Varden against the Empire, as I liked the concurrent battle taking place in the skies over the forest of Du Weldenvarden. In this battle, Eragon's half brother Murtagh and the new red dragon Thorn battle his mentor the elf Oromis and the golden dragon Gleadr. Oromis and Gleadr are the last of the surviving draginriders, unknown to all that they had actually survived King Galbatrox's attacks of all riders previously.

There is a lot of foreshadowing in this story which leads me to believe that Eragon is going to suffer a devastating defeat that will require him to flee to some mysterious 'hidden' place. Ultimately we all know Eragon will somehow defeat Galbatrox in the end. But the storylines also allude that while Eragon may win the battle, he will also be forced to leave the land of Alagaesia forever.

I found it frustrating how naive Eragon was made to be. In the battle with the Shade Ra'zor to free Katrina in the caves, Ra'zor realizes he is doomed and attempts to deal for his life with Eragon. Ra'zor reveals an Empire secret: "Galbatrox has almost found the name!" But Eragon, not sure what the name is, refuses to deal and kills Ra'zor anyway. Not only does Eragon not take this seriously, he doesn't even inform the Varden, who might realize what the secret means, and take appropiate action. Surely this is going to be a big mistake.

Also odd... on the way back from freeing Katrina, Eragon finds an abandoned elven outpost. Exploring the inside, not only does Eragon find many old books and scrolls. But he also finds a strange man named Tenga. Tenga is reseaching the scrolls looking for 'the answer' although he doesn't know 'the question'. Eragon assumes the old man is nuts and leaves him be. Also not informing anyone who might find this information useful. I'm Tenga will show up again in Book IV at some point.

My final thought is about the character called Sloan. This might turn into an intersting storyline. We'll see. Sloan is Katrina's father and was also captured, tortured and trapped in the same cave dungeons as Katrina. Eragon finds Sloan, but reports to Katrina and Roran that he didn't survive. Sloan is a bitter, and now blind, old man who blames Eragon for all of the ills of the current world. Once they are alone Eragon sets him free. But knowing that a blind old man could not survive long in the wilderness, Eragon installs a mental compass in Sloan, always pointing in the direction of the elven forest Du Weldenvarden, if Sloan chooses to follow that path, he may survive. Later, Eragon finds that Sloan has found the forest and survived, but he is still bitter and ungrateful. Will Sloan's make-up change in Book IV? Hopefully Paolini will make good use of this character.

If you are not a fan of the first 2 book in this series, I would not recommend Brisingr. But you you liked the story so far, I would endure the muddling middle of this book and hope the fourth and final of the series rewards us all for our patience as the original 'Eragon' did.

Grade: C-

McDoogle

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

We went to see Sherlock Holmes on Christmas day, not realizing it was Opening Day. The theatre was packed. No wonder.

But I don't think anyone was disappointed. Sherlock Holmes was a great film. Not too cheesy. Not too corny. Not over the top in violence and unnecessary fight scenes.

The musical score for perfect for the setting and tone of this film.

I don't think it's a spoiler alert to say that the movie starts out with Sherlock outracing the police to the scene of a crime, to save a young lady from being an unwanted sacrifice for the evil villain Lord Blackwood. The staging of the opening appears as if Sherlock is on the run from the police and they are racing to capture him.

The villain is mysterious and appears to return from the dead to haunt Sherlock, Watson, and everyone else who caused him trouble while 'he was alive'. It becomes a bit of a magic vs. science theme, with Sherlock and Dr. Watson on the side of 1890's science.

The 1890's setting, played out with the London Bridge being built in the background and later in the foreground was excellent.

Robert Downey Jr was excellent portraying a more moody, gritty, not your Grandmother's kind of Sherlock Holmes. But more along the lines of what I thought Sir Conan Doyle intended with his character. Still amazingly intelligent, quick thinking, observant, and logical. This Holmes is also, moody, a fighter, and a bit smelly and unkempt - especially when bored and in-between cases.

Dr. Watson by Jude Law was also well done. Not the usual pastie we've grown accustomed by some who does have his own strength of convictions, is intelligent, and can stand up to Sherlock.

I was unfamiliar with the character of Irene Adler, having read one set of Sherlock Holmes stories previously in the 'Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes', but don't remember running into her character as the women who once bested Sherlock Holmes... twice! Irene was well played by Rachel McAdams.

The aforementioned villain is Lord Blackwood, played by Mark Strong. He was very believable, and had the right mixture of creepy and evil glint in his eye.

Of course, the real mastermind, Professor Moriarity.... we do not see! Not his face anyway. And of course he always gets away to test Sherlock Holmes again in future movies (sequels!).

I really enjoyed this movie.

Grade: A-

Book Review: Four Came Back

An interesting little book by Martin Caiden that I found in a used paperback book store. Interesting because the book was written just before the Apollo 11 moon landing, but is about an international space station. Mr. Caiden saw the future, 30 years ago!

I added this book to my stack because it sounded so intriguing. Some alien infection/disease/bad space air(?) attacks a mission in space wiping out nearly the entire crew, only a scant four lucky survivors barely make it back alive. How many dies in the devastation in the confined quarters of the space station? 70? 100? More? After reading the book it turned out that the entire crew was only eight! So that was a little disappointing. The back cover had built it up to be a bit more dramatic.

The story starts (as all good short stories start, or so I am told... in the middle). The infection has hit the station. Deaths have occurred. Earth will not allow the crew to return with with unknown space virus which could wipeout the entire population. They are trapped in space. What will the Captian do?

Then Caiden goes into the backstory. Of the mission, the history, and the characters. Every character. And their relationships to each other. Finally after 100 pages we finally get back to a story line. I thought it was a bit much, and didn't care for THAT much backstory.

Based on the title don't think I'm giving anything away by saying that indeed, the crew does figure 'something' out, and four members of the members do successfully return to Earth.

Overall, I would have to say this one was not a classic tale.

Grade: D

McDoogle

Your mission: Sign up with the Cosmonauts to visit the current International Space Station. Look for discrepancies in the kitchen facilities. Missing sets of dinner plates, etc. File a report with NASA when you return.

Book Review: Neverwhere

An interesting story by one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman. I have been a fan, since my comic book reading days, and had discovered the Sandman series.

Gaiman's writing skills are awesome. The descriptions used are entertainment in and of themselves. Interesting use of and selection of words - yet not so high brow you can't understand the text, or so wordy that you get so bored you don't notice. Concise, yet cool. I realized in reading, that writing like this reveals why my scribbles fall far short.

The story of Neverwhere, reminded me somewhat (especially in think of the main characters), of the novel Gaimen writes next (Anansi Boys), but which I had already read. I found the mysterious underworld of London's unseen people living in the tunnels, sewers, and abandoned underground war zones fascinating. I found the history of London's sewer network interesting, including the 'Big Stink'.

The characters themselves I did not find all that interesting, and in general lacking in compassion. With the notable exception of Rat Girl... whose name sounds a little like Anaesthesia. In the chapter and a half she inhibited I grew quite fond of her. I liked the relationship that was growing between her and Richard (the main character), and wondered if anything could develop from it, as she explained this strange new alternate world to him. Also, she show a true vulnerability that I found refreshing, and an honesty about her fears. When she disappears - apparently not surviving a perilous bridge walk... I was devastated! And I was shocked at effect of the loss of a minor character had on me. That's pretty strong writing. However, after the loss of Rat Girl, I found none of the remaining main characters very compassionate, and didn't really care what happened to any of them.

As to the plot itself, other than the shock of losing Rat Girl, I found the story fairly predictable. Usually guessing the outcomes, and twists before they were revealed. Even the identity of the surprise villain of the piece.

Still, I would highly recommend 'Neverwhere' to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy tales.

Grade: B

McDoogle

Your Challenge: Get dirty! Worm your way into your local sewer system, and map it out. Be sure to highlight points of interest for visitors: Uneaten candy, discarded fax machines, alligators, baseball cards, etc.

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

The new Dark Knight has dawned.

As a devoted Batman fan since I started reading comic books at age 6, I've felt compelled to watch every Batman movie version that gets plastered to the silver screen no matter how bad (i.e. the George Clooney Batman). The movies had been on a downward spiral. So, I didn't expect much when we went to see the new version, 'Batman Begins' a few years ago. But it was surprisingly the best Batman of them all to date. Christian Bale is an excellent Batman. And Ras Al' Ghul, while unknown to the novice Batman viewer, was a classic villain for veteran Batman fans.

Now the long awaited 'Dark Knight' with the Heath Ledger version of the Joker has arrived.

The acting in excellent. Take the back seat Jack Nickleson, a new Joker is in town. Also great acting from Aaron Eckart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face. I enjoyed the aspect of the storyline that Batman is waiting for another hero in Gothom - someone Gotham can look up to - so he can step down. And Harvey Dent as the tough District Attorney is that man.

The gangsters teaming up and becoming more desperate due to the arrival of Batman and the impact it had on their 'business' was also realistic.

Batman's new high tech toys (the sonar glasses, the cell phone matrix, and the bat-cycle) were great. My favorite scene is when Batman retrieves the crime lord from Laos from the high rise building by blowing out the windows, jettisoning a weather balloon, and getting hooked by an aircraft that resembled a white C-140 carrier. The bat gliding scene previous was also pretty cool.

What I didn't enjoy about the movie was the typical Hollywood influence of most movies. The fight scenes were fast, furious, and overblown. I can never tell what's going on in those. Wake me when they are over.

<* Spoiler Alert! *> The movie was also somewhat predictable. Who really believed the passengers in either ship would blow the other up? And Commissioner Gordon dead? Never! No surprise when he shows up again.

Overall Rating: B

McDoogle

PS. Your Challenge: Make your own Batsignal by pasting shapes to a flashlight. At midnight turn the flashlight on and wave it in the night sky (cloudy nights work best). Wait for 10 minutes. See who shows up.

Book Review: Blood Rites

My cover looks different. But it is Book Six of the Dresden Files. After this book the publishing company did away with the numbering system which I disagree with. I enjoy reading the series in order. Relationships change. Characters grow. References to previous cases and stoylines make more sense.

As to this book in the Dresden series. It's not my favorite. Book 1 Storm Front was my favorite. I also enjoyed the previous book 5: Death Masks .

I liked how this novel started. Dresden is drawn into a bit of a magical murder mystery as a favor for his 'friend' Thomas - a vampire of the White Court and a snappy dresser. Women in life of Thomas' friend Arthro are dying is very bizarre unlikely ways. Who? Why? How? Dresden quickly determines that someone is throwing killer entropy curses. But who has it out the maverick film maker?

I thought this was a solid interesting plot and had enough steam to hold its own for the whole novel. But Butcher decides (once again) to add a second major stoyline, running simultaneously with Dresden's magic murder mystery. It's Marva the female vampire of Red Court gunning for Dresden with curses of her own. While Book 5 also had two major storylines running through the same timeline, I could handle that once. But twice? This is getting a little irritating. Everyone loves action packed stories, but planning one major battle for noon, and then assuming you'll survive that one, schedule another at dinnertime.... it's a bit much.

I enjoyed the revelations of Dresden's family tree, and the new branch that was added. learning more about Dresden's mother was an added bonus, since his abilities are obviously not from his showman father's side of the family.

Overall, it was a good book, but not one of Butcher's best efforts.

Grade: B-

McDoogle

PS. Your challenge: Find a branch in the backyard. Whittle it into a staff. Use it to scare the mailman on bill days.

Review of Anansi Boys

Enjoyed this Gaiman novel quite a bit. But not as much as 'American Gods', which I felt had more mystery and suspense. Both books have the same concept. You have a regular guy as your main character who discovers he's related to god-like beings. The novels revolve around those revelations and how the main characters adjust to their new founds 'roots'.

In Anansi Boys, Charlie discovers his father is actually the spider god - Anansi. Anansi who is a trickster, and whom all the other animal gods have found themselves as the butt of his devilish pranks from time to time. Anansi also owns all of the stories, due to weaving more creative upbeat yarns than Tiger, which creates conflict for Charlie further down the road. Anansi also enjoys singing and Karioke.

Alas! Anansi is no more. Charlie makes these discoveries after his father's funeral, at the home of some eldery old women still haunting Charlie's old neighborhood.

The crux of the story however is when they reveal to Charlie, that unbeknowst to him, he also has a brother - Spider, who apparently inheriated all of the Godlike genes of the family. Spider comes to pay his long lost brother a visit, and doesn't leave. Not only has Spider attached his monsterously large dream room to Charlie's closet for the long haul, but he's also stolen Charlie's fiance - Rosie (who can't tell the two apart).

It's a fun globel romp romp from there, as Charlie tries to put back the pieces of his former life.

One thing I liked about the ending <* spoiler alert - close your eyes! *> was that Charlie decided to remain his current self and not to merge back with Spider. Both 'Charlies' had grown in positive ways through the story and it was nice to see continue on in their separate ways.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Grade: B