Book Review...The Eye of God (James Rollins)

The Eye of God is a kick in the head on a frozen night. There's no comfortable way to enjoy this novel...you'll have to enjoy your recollections later, after the bullet wounds heal and your skull bones knit. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow The Eye of God from Doc (Triple X), and it scared me. But, it'll serve as a reference for future revelations about dark energy and the most intriguing physical phenomenon I've heard about in a long time...quantum entanglement.

Rollins' fictional tale spans the world with seat-edge action. There's so much going on, that I need to reread with more attention to the individual personalities. Character development Rollins-style is done in third person "she did that" and "he looked haggard" prose. I don't think I really knew the main characters deep down, but the last chapter rolled around despite my lack, and certain elements stuck.

As I read the epilogue for an explanation of sites and historical background, I thought it would have been better for me to have read that first. But, a re-read of the whole book will work, too.

I'm recommending The Eye of God for science minded readers, but save time in your schedule for a second pass.

Blockbuster TV Show Review...Under the Dome

Under the Dome is only a blockbuster at CBS's publicity office. Here in my civilian home, this Stephen King made for TV drama soap opera is just a curiosity grabber. I thought its "science" tag would make the show interesting enough it would overcome its "One Life to Live" drift. But, I'm done now with UtD. I could be watching the history channel.

Movie Review...August Rush

I've seen this wonderfully heartwarming movie before. I didn't remember it this morning when Bob L. told me this was his favorite number one movie, but my memory kicked in when I saw the DVD cover. I watched it again, and yes, this is an elegant example of incredible coincidences that befall beautiful people. Here's what makes August Rush a jackpot for film lovers: “feel good” is a real understatement. This movie is a “feel like a million dollars” example that probably has been fantasized by millions of people. There's no one who will not like August Rush. In addition to beauty, there's talent too. And, there's Robin Williams in his “three octaves of theatrics” mode. That's a plus. Give this film 8/10 for the professionally done feel-good experience, and for the music. It's a 99 cent five day rental at Blockbuster.

Movie Review...Now You See Me

Now You See Me is the entertainment surprise of 2013. I'm so impressed with the way this film whittled away at my defense mechanism...my natural shield against magic acts and psycho stories. And, this is no psycho tale. You're going to like your trip into the magician's world. Ha ha! You'll try to figure out what's going on, but you're going to be way off. You'll like characters who ooze confidence. You may not like films that put "kick me" signs on the Policia, but you'll get over it. You may be attracted to every Morgan Freeman movie just because he's so...well, you know...so Shawshanky. All the characters are perfect. And, that's a lot considering that I once put Woody on my "just an idiot bartender" list. He earned his lapel pin in "Rampart", and I'm high on his characters, now. In Now You See Me, all the cast fit amazingly, but the winner of the Admiral's platter is Mark Ruffalo. Go see.

Movie Review...World War Z

If I'd known this was a Zombie movie, I'd have run away to some haven safe from undead film makers. On the other hand, the definition of intensity gets its 5-minute pedigree in WWZ. At least, its first few minutes of excitement make this film look like a dozen sticks of dynamite. But, then there's the dreaded specter of a cred-killing Zombie theme. “Oh, tie me up and kidnap me to somewhere they don't have any Zombie movies”, I told myself while I tried to shake off unconsciousness from the disappointment. Really, my attention span drizzled away like orange blood, and I didn't care what the rest of this story had for me. Actually, WWZ is based on dud assumptions and slug science. That sums it up. This is a very large budget dud. Ok, there were a couple of highlights, but they didn't belong in a Zombie movie. I like persistence and courage, and some showed up. I like characters who keep their promises, and I like films that respect family role models. World War Z has a sub-theme that supports good role model behavior, but it's clear that neither the author nor the screenwriters took high school courses in science. The director succumbs to a temptation to overkill, and he makes mincemeat out of scenes that couldn't make it if they lasted more than a half second. I'm giving this movie 2 points simply because I was engaged for a minute or two. On a ten scale, it's 2/10. Run away before you're bitten.

World War Z...Point of View Review by one of the Zombies

I wasn't always a Zombie, but lately I've been feeling kinda “blah”. Why? Because I was that undead guy who was at the bottom of the pile at the Jerusalem wall. How would you like it if a thousand creepies all climbed up on your bod just to hike up to the top of the wall? Believe me, it's sweaty and super crushing in there. Did the movie make it in the realism department? Not for me! I didn't even see Brad Pitt. He was in those closeup scenes where it was cool and comfortable. I'll be darned if I'll pay 8 bucks to go see Brad Pitt in my own movie. And, who picked the Zombie who kept clicking his teeth. I could do that twice as good. If you read one of those big time professional reviews, see what they say about the Zombies...nothing good. We're people, too, Bud. Who yelled “Get a life”? Hey...where's the professional respect? I don't care how good or bad this film was for you, because it was a confidence killer for me. This was a demeaning role for me, and I'm not happy about just getting crushed and then burned by that helicopter with the flame thrower.

Movie Review...Life of Pi

Some young man aged 14 will watch Life of Pi, and he'll remember the film for the rest of his life. He'll remember the incredible fairy tale story about a teenager and a tiger. There will be the unforgettable sea adventure and fantasies only 14 year olds dream about.

It's a story about hope and persistence. God is in the heart of this tale, but a grown-up will remember Life of Pi is a conjured up, unbelievable box office story designed to attract youngsters bringing their parents to the theater. Seventy year olds will remember the possibility that understanding bonds between humans may take us into a new world, where we understand the psychologies of other living things (and live side by side with them).

Movie Review...Atlas Shrugged II

I'm disappointed Ayn Rand's story shoring up proponents of capitalism was so poorly made. The message is right on the money, but apparently the message isn't nearly enough to earn even a modest rating. Professional movie reviewers shrugged and tossed this film into the trash can. What would it take to lead a Spielberg to the Rand franchise? There's a possibility Ayn's novel isn't up to the challenge, but I really think the movie production deserves the punk. This one really tears me up because of the divide between message and production. I think Ayn would be on a rampage if she had seen this film. T.B. Scarpacci