DVD
What Just Happened? starring Robert DeNiro, [other big names]. Comedy of a twice divorced Hollywood producer trying to save two of his movies. "A bitingly sharp comedy about what it takes to survive a treacherous world of backstabbing, greed, and runaway egos."
Cat Dancers. Ron and Joy Holiday move from ballet dancers into training and performing with lions, tigers and jaguars. Their marriage dynamic changes when a young male performer joins the business. A new Bengal tiger makes things fatal.
Quantum of Solace starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko. James Bond is out for justice. I think.
Slumdog Millionaire starring [Indian actors you never heard of until the Oscar ceremony]. Kid makes it rich on Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Has to show he was not cheating.
Dear Zachary: letters to a son about his father. Andrew Bagby was murdered by his crazy girlfriend in Nov, 2001. Crazy girlfriend flees to Canada and fights extradition. When crazy girlfriend announces pregnancy best friend decides to do a movie about Bagby for his unborn son and starts to follow the legal efforts of Bagby's parents to get legal custody of child.
Leftover from popular titles ordered for the MWFLS DVD group purchase.
Mad Money starring Stephen Root, Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes, Ted Danson. Three women conspire to steal worn paper money from the shredder at a Federal Reserve bank.
Definitely, Maybe starring Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Derek Luke. Chick movie about a widower of something.
Jumper starring Darth Vader, Michael Rooker. David is able to teleport himself anywhere in the world. He discovers others like himself and is "thrust into the midst of an ancient war while being hunted by a bloodthirsty band of zealots sworn to destroy all Jumpers."
The Hulk starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth. Scientist gets angry and turns green.
10,000 B.C. starring [people I never heard of]. Guy with dreadlocks fights animals and people to rescue his girlfriend.
Love Guru starring Mike Meyers, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Vern Troyer. Guru has to help hockey player win back wife and Stanley Cup.
Mr. Woodcock starring Billy Bob Thornton, Sean William Scott, Susan Sarandon. Seventh grader is tormented by his PE teacher. Years later he visits home and the teacher is not dating his mom.
Good Luck Chuck starring Dane Cook, Jessica Alba. [some stupid plot].
No Reservations starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart. Remake of some French movie. Chefs in fancy restaurant hook-up.
The back cover has a photo of Eckhart and Zeta-Jones about to liplock. Do you think Eckhart kept thinking he was about to suck face with a woman who smooches Michael Douglas? Yeesh.
Kid Movies
Bolt voiced by John travolta and Miley Cyrus. Action hero acting dog Bolt and his hamster side-kick are stranded in New York and have to make way back to Hollywood.
Ballet Shoes starring Lucy Boynton, Emma Watson. "Three orphans, raised as sisters, leave their sheltered lives and embark on an exhilarating journey that takes them to the heights of the stage, screen, and sky!"
City of Ember starring Bill Murray. The underground city of Ember is losing it's generator. Teens travel to find their way out before everything goes dark.
Return from Witch Mountain starring [interchangeable Disney kids plus that weird looking kid], Christopher Lee, and Bette Davis. Two evil adults use a boy's supernatural powers for evil.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
One Music CD: Raul Malo is sad and lonely - check out his CD to make him happy
Music CD
Lucky One by Raul Malo. Malo was the lead singer and songwriter for The Mavericks. Now he does his own stuff.
Lucky One by Raul Malo. Malo was the lead singer and songwriter for The Mavericks. Now he does his own stuff.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
One Local Poet, One on Catholicism, 11 Novels
Poetry
Falling Brick Kills Local Man by Mark Kraushaar. Kraushaar is the winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry and has had his work published in multiple poetry and literary magazines.
EDIT: Kraushaar just googled his way over here. If you would like to meet the man himself come to the Men's Book Club on April 29th, 7 PM. We will be meeting at the tasting room in Tyranena Brewery. We will discuss The Poet of Tolstoy Park.
NonFiction
Practicing Catholic by James Carroll. Carroll "shows how Roman Catholic struggles illuminate spiritual quests in all faiths...charts the Church's transformation from a reactionary monolith to a vital institution in which the deepest aspects of faith are being called into question."
Fiction
No Survivors by Tom Cain. Samuel Carver, trained assassin, lies hospitalized. His Russian girlfriend has to leave him to go back to her job as a spy. Samuel slowly recovers to follow her and gets entangled in a billionaire's scheme to buy a Russian suitcase nuke.
Blood and Bone by William Lashner. 26 year old Kyle spends his time playing video games, drinking in Philadelphia bars, and scoring chicks. When a former legal partner of his dead father is killed the police look at Kyle as a suspect. Police questioning makes Kyle wonder about what really happened to his father.
Long Lost by Harlan Coben. Myron Bolitar heads to Paris to help a former girlfriend, Terese, who dumped him 10 years ago. She is accused of killing her ex-husband but soon Molitar and Terese are on the run from the police, Homeland Security and the Mossad.
True Detectives by Jonathan Kellerman. Hey, a new author photo of Kellerman. He does not have any make-up on and his hair is combed back from his forehead.
Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. Continuing tales of the detective agency Spellman Inc. Popular and funny mystery series of the Spellman family and the family business of private detecting.
Mixed Blood by Roger Smith. American bank robber Jack is hiding out in Cape Town, South Africa. When he bloodily repulses a home invasion two local cops and a neighboring security guard find out about Jack's profession and are hot after the three million US dollars he last stole.
Supposed to be really good with a great setting in Cape Town where the country's black versus white problems still linger.
The Dakota Cipher by William Dietrich. A french rogue and his Norwegian pal flee France to search the American frontier for a mythic Viking settlement that is supposed to hold Thor's hammer.
Execution Dock by Anne Perry. Monstrous pimp Jericho Phillips is suspected of murdering a thirteen year old boy prostitute. Commander William Monk attempts to catch and hang the monstrous Phillips but the wily crook and his wealthy clients won't make it easy.
Loser's Town by Daniel Depp. Former stuntman David Spandau works as a PI in Hollywood. Depp gets a job to help a blackmailed actor under pressure from a local drug dealer anxious to become a movie producer. "Crackling dialogue, fast-paced plot, and seedy, jaded characters...a gruesomely hilarious, occasionally wistful depiction of what goes on beneath those white letters on the mountainside."
Spade and Archer by Joe Gores. A prequel to The Maltese Falcon.
Shannon by Frank Delaney. Boston priest Robert Shannon travels to Ireland in 1922. Still suffering shell shock from WWI Shannon was sent there to both recover and shut him up about corruption in the Boston archdiocese. He is "thrust headlong into the maelstrom of Irish politics."
Falling Brick Kills Local Man by Mark Kraushaar. Kraushaar is the winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry and has had his work published in multiple poetry and literary magazines.
EDIT: Kraushaar just googled his way over here. If you would like to meet the man himself come to the Men's Book Club on April 29th, 7 PM. We will be meeting at the tasting room in Tyranena Brewery. We will discuss The Poet of Tolstoy Park.
NonFiction
Practicing Catholic by James Carroll. Carroll "shows how Roman Catholic struggles illuminate spiritual quests in all faiths...charts the Church's transformation from a reactionary monolith to a vital institution in which the deepest aspects of faith are being called into question."
Fiction
No Survivors by Tom Cain. Samuel Carver, trained assassin, lies hospitalized. His Russian girlfriend has to leave him to go back to her job as a spy. Samuel slowly recovers to follow her and gets entangled in a billionaire's scheme to buy a Russian suitcase nuke.
Blood and Bone by William Lashner. 26 year old Kyle spends his time playing video games, drinking in Philadelphia bars, and scoring chicks. When a former legal partner of his dead father is killed the police look at Kyle as a suspect. Police questioning makes Kyle wonder about what really happened to his father.
Long Lost by Harlan Coben. Myron Bolitar heads to Paris to help a former girlfriend, Terese, who dumped him 10 years ago. She is accused of killing her ex-husband but soon Molitar and Terese are on the run from the police, Homeland Security and the Mossad.
True Detectives by Jonathan Kellerman. Hey, a new author photo of Kellerman. He does not have any make-up on and his hair is combed back from his forehead.
Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. Continuing tales of the detective agency Spellman Inc. Popular and funny mystery series of the Spellman family and the family business of private detecting.
Mixed Blood by Roger Smith. American bank robber Jack is hiding out in Cape Town, South Africa. When he bloodily repulses a home invasion two local cops and a neighboring security guard find out about Jack's profession and are hot after the three million US dollars he last stole.
Supposed to be really good with a great setting in Cape Town where the country's black versus white problems still linger.
The Dakota Cipher by William Dietrich. A french rogue and his Norwegian pal flee France to search the American frontier for a mythic Viking settlement that is supposed to hold Thor's hammer.
Execution Dock by Anne Perry. Monstrous pimp Jericho Phillips is suspected of murdering a thirteen year old boy prostitute. Commander William Monk attempts to catch and hang the monstrous Phillips but the wily crook and his wealthy clients won't make it easy.
Loser's Town by Daniel Depp. Former stuntman David Spandau works as a PI in Hollywood. Depp gets a job to help a blackmailed actor under pressure from a local drug dealer anxious to become a movie producer. "Crackling dialogue, fast-paced plot, and seedy, jaded characters...a gruesomely hilarious, occasionally wistful depiction of what goes on beneath those white letters on the mountainside."
Spade and Archer by Joe Gores. A prequel to The Maltese Falcon.
Shannon by Frank Delaney. Boston priest Robert Shannon travels to Ireland in 1922. Still suffering shell shock from WWI Shannon was sent there to both recover and shut him up about corruption in the Boston archdiocese. He is "thrust headlong into the maelstrom of Irish politics."
Eight Large Print from Ruth the Page
Large Print
Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery.
That Went Well: adventures in caring for my sister by Terrell Harris Dougan. Terrell's retarded sister Irene is "a woman in her sixties who still believes in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny - and who also enjoys playing those characters for the children at the local hospital."
Luke's Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.
True Colors by Kristin Hannah. Cover photo: Three girls walk through the water at low tide.
Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush. Twenty years after their classmate disappeared the surviving women gather when her body is possibly found. Then the women start being killed.
Whisper to the Blood by Dana Stabenow. Another Alaska novel featuring cop Kate Shugak. I've never read any of these by Stabenow keeps writing them so they must be pretty decent.
Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockman. One of those "Navy SEALs fight evil" novels.
Two Rivers by T. Greenwood. Mourning widower Harper lives in Two Rivers, VT and takes in a pregnant teen who survives a train crash.
Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery.
That Went Well: adventures in caring for my sister by Terrell Harris Dougan. Terrell's retarded sister Irene is "a woman in her sixties who still believes in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny - and who also enjoys playing those characters for the children at the local hospital."
Luke's Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.
True Colors by Kristin Hannah. Cover photo: Three girls walk through the water at low tide.
Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush. Twenty years after their classmate disappeared the surviving women gather when her body is possibly found. Then the women start being killed.
Whisper to the Blood by Dana Stabenow. Another Alaska novel featuring cop Kate Shugak. I've never read any of these by Stabenow keeps writing them so they must be pretty decent.
Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockman. One of those "Navy SEALs fight evil" novels.
Two Rivers by T. Greenwood. Mourning widower Harper lives in Two Rivers, VT and takes in a pregnant teen who survives a train crash.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Four AudioBooks with Joe Lansdale and Charlie Huston
AudioBooks
Claimed by Shadows by Karen Chance. 11 CDs at 13.5 hours. "In this second entry in the popular Cassaandra Palmer series, Cassie finds herself in possession of more power than she dares to use and at odds with a master vampire."
Mucho Mojo by Joe R. Lansdale. 7 CDs at 8 hours. "Hap and Leonard return in this incredible, mad-dash thriller, loaded with crack addicts, a serial killer, and a body count." Leonard takes along best pal Hap to clean up the house of Leonard's dead uncle. Under the house's rotting floorboards they find a small skeleton in a trunk. Time to investigate.
The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston. 8 CDs at 10 hours. A another novel by the great Charlie Huston. Webster has find a part-time job with a crime scene clean-up company in Los Angeles County. When a hot Malibu girl asks Webster to help her cleanup her brother's trouble Webster knows he should not say yes. But, she is hot.
The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff. 8 CDs at 10 hours. Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr told off a two star general after a mission. Now Korin has been separated from her platoon and sent to protect a scientific expedition on a derelict spaceship and under command of an officer "who might prove more of a menace to the mission's success than anything they encountered."
Claimed by Shadows by Karen Chance. 11 CDs at 13.5 hours. "In this second entry in the popular Cassaandra Palmer series, Cassie finds herself in possession of more power than she dares to use and at odds with a master vampire."
Mucho Mojo by Joe R. Lansdale. 7 CDs at 8 hours. "Hap and Leonard return in this incredible, mad-dash thriller, loaded with crack addicts, a serial killer, and a body count." Leonard takes along best pal Hap to clean up the house of Leonard's dead uncle. Under the house's rotting floorboards they find a small skeleton in a trunk. Time to investigate.
The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston. 8 CDs at 10 hours. A another novel by the great Charlie Huston. Webster has find a part-time job with a crime scene clean-up company in Los Angeles County. When a hot Malibu girl asks Webster to help her cleanup her brother's trouble Webster knows he should not say yes. But, she is hot.
The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff. 8 CDs at 10 hours. Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr told off a two star general after a mission. Now Korin has been separated from her platoon and sent to protect a scientific expedition on a derelict spaceship and under command of an officer "who might prove more of a menace to the mission's success than anything they encountered."
What to Read 22 Barry Eisler's "Fault Line"
What to Read 22
A brief talk with Barry Eisler at the Mystery One Bookstore in Milwaukee. Eisler was worn out at the end of the day but gracious enough to spend ten minutes to talk about Fault Line. Mystery One regularly schedules visiting authors for book signings. Visit them in Milwaukee. But, first visit us in Lake Mills.
A brief talk with Barry Eisler at the Mystery One Bookstore in Milwaukee. Eisler was worn out at the end of the day but gracious enough to spend ten minutes to talk about Fault Line. Mystery One regularly schedules visiting authors for book signings. Visit them in Milwaukee. But, first visit us in Lake Mills.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Piccirilli's Sequel, Bernard Cornwell, Limey Convict, Gal from Minnesota
Fiction
Coldest Mile by Tom Piccirilli. Sequel to Piccirilli's brilliant novel Cold Spot. Chase left the criminal life when he married his cop wife. When his wife was murdered Chase called on his lifetime crook grandfather, Jonah, to help him out. Sociopathic Jonah helped Chase out on condition of payment, meanwhile Chase found out his soul-less grandfather had a pregnant girlfriend. Now, Chase plans to rescue the child from Jonah by making a score as a driver with dysfunctional crime family.
Shatter by Michael Robotham. Psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is trying to save a nude, suicidal woman from jumping into a gorge. Instead of listening to Joe the woman listens to the unknown voice on her cell phone and jumps. Joe is distraught until the woman's daughter convinces him she never would have jumped. Who convinced her to jump? Joe tries to find out.
Sea of Poppies by Amitay Ghosh. Pirates! A mix of Western and Indian sailors man a pirate ship into China's Opium Wars.
Pursuit by Karen Robards. Young lawyer Jessica gets sent by a senior law partner to meet the First Lady as a personal lawyer. When Jessica and the First Lady are in a horrific car crash only Jessica survives. Jessica cannot remember what happened but Secret Service Agent Mark thinks she is hiding something.
Large Print
Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer.
NonFiction
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. "A provocative tale that's one part hard-boiled crime story, one part paranoid espionage thriller, all served in a highball with a Vertigo twist - shaken, not stirred!"
The Unforgiving Minute: a soldier's education by Craig M. Mullaney. Army Captain Mullaney went to West Point, Ranger School, and was a Rhodes Scholar. Combat in Afghanistan and the death of his men show how the seemingly disparate sides, Army vs. scholar, fit together and his Oxford history proves amazingly relevant.
I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: the astonishing but true story of a daughter, sister, slut, wife, mother, and friend to man and dog by Diana Joseph. Humorous tales of life including her retired auto body shop owning father, her NRA supporting son, her common-law-husband professor, and her weird dog.
Joseph teaches creative writing at Mankota State (or whatever it is called now). I wonder if she knows that Anthony Neil Smith guy. He teaches the same thing at a state school in southwestern Minnesota.
AudioBooks
Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell. 13 CDs at 16 hours. Cornwell continues to document the history of Englishmen killing Frenchmen.
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. Armand Gamache investigates a murder at a Quebec resort.
Coldest Mile by Tom Piccirilli. Sequel to Piccirilli's brilliant novel Cold Spot. Chase left the criminal life when he married his cop wife. When his wife was murdered Chase called on his lifetime crook grandfather, Jonah, to help him out. Sociopathic Jonah helped Chase out on condition of payment, meanwhile Chase found out his soul-less grandfather had a pregnant girlfriend. Now, Chase plans to rescue the child from Jonah by making a score as a driver with dysfunctional crime family.
Shatter by Michael Robotham. Psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is trying to save a nude, suicidal woman from jumping into a gorge. Instead of listening to Joe the woman listens to the unknown voice on her cell phone and jumps. Joe is distraught until the woman's daughter convinces him she never would have jumped. Who convinced her to jump? Joe tries to find out.
Sea of Poppies by Amitay Ghosh. Pirates! A mix of Western and Indian sailors man a pirate ship into China's Opium Wars.
Pursuit by Karen Robards. Young lawyer Jessica gets sent by a senior law partner to meet the First Lady as a personal lawyer. When Jessica and the First Lady are in a horrific car crash only Jessica survives. Jessica cannot remember what happened but Secret Service Agent Mark thinks she is hiding something.
Large Print
Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer.
NonFiction
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. "A provocative tale that's one part hard-boiled crime story, one part paranoid espionage thriller, all served in a highball with a Vertigo twist - shaken, not stirred!"
The Unforgiving Minute: a soldier's education by Craig M. Mullaney. Army Captain Mullaney went to West Point, Ranger School, and was a Rhodes Scholar. Combat in Afghanistan and the death of his men show how the seemingly disparate sides, Army vs. scholar, fit together and his Oxford history proves amazingly relevant.
I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: the astonishing but true story of a daughter, sister, slut, wife, mother, and friend to man and dog by Diana Joseph. Humorous tales of life including her retired auto body shop owning father, her NRA supporting son, her common-law-husband professor, and her weird dog.
Joseph teaches creative writing at Mankota State (or whatever it is called now). I wonder if she knows that Anthony Neil Smith guy. He teaches the same thing at a state school in southwestern Minnesota.
AudioBooks
Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell. 13 CDs at 16 hours. Cornwell continues to document the history of Englishmen killing Frenchmen.
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. Armand Gamache investigates a murder at a Quebec resort.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tommy Lee Jones as Dave Robicheaux
DVD
In the Electric Mist starring Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman. Deputy Sheriff dave Robicheaux investigates some murders while dealing with a visiting film crew and a New Orleans gangster visiting town.
What can I say? The book, In the Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke, is quite good. Tommy Lee Jones is probably good casting. John Goodman is always good, although I imagine the book's fleet-footed character would have to change a bit for the movie. I usually do not get uptight about when a film based on a novel changes things around. I reckon the film makers have to do that to keep the story flowing and cap it at two hours or less.
Bill Crider watched this but I did not read his comments; I did not want his observations to color my own viewing.
Kid Movies
Escape to Witch Mountain starring [interchangeable Disney kids] and Eddie Albert. A new DVD release of the original flick to coincide with remake's release.
Wizards of Waverly Place starring [interchangeable Disney kids].
Ella Enchanted starring Anne Hathaway. A replacement for a lost or broken copy.
In the Electric Mist starring Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman. Deputy Sheriff dave Robicheaux investigates some murders while dealing with a visiting film crew and a New Orleans gangster visiting town.
What can I say? The book, In the Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke, is quite good. Tommy Lee Jones is probably good casting. John Goodman is always good, although I imagine the book's fleet-footed character would have to change a bit for the movie. I usually do not get uptight about when a film based on a novel changes things around. I reckon the film makers have to do that to keep the story flowing and cap it at two hours or less.
Bill Crider watched this but I did not read his comments; I did not want his observations to color my own viewing.
Kid Movies
Escape to Witch Mountain starring [interchangeable Disney kids] and Eddie Albert. A new DVD release of the original flick to coincide with remake's release.
Wizards of Waverly Place starring [interchangeable Disney kids].
Ella Enchanted starring Anne Hathaway. A replacement for a lost or broken copy.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Glenn's CD Plus Four More
Music CDs
Middle Cyclone by Neko Case. Snap judgment from album cover: Redhead sings songs while roaming the wastelands on a muscle car and getting into swordfights.
No Line on the Horizon by U2. Snap judgment from album art: U2 tries for another Joshua Tree but instead poses on some mud at low tide instead of the desert.
Orange Blossoms by JJ Grey and Mofro. Album art judgment: Blue-eyed soul with a Florida swamp vibe.
Goodnight Oslo by Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3. Cover art snap judgment: Robyn Hitchcock should move to Austin, he's already kept himself weird.
Modernity Killed Every Night by The Wolfmen. Snap judgement from album artwork: Marco Pirroni chubbed out on ale and chips.
Middle Cyclone by Neko Case. Snap judgment from album cover: Redhead sings songs while roaming the wastelands on a muscle car and getting into swordfights.
No Line on the Horizon by U2. Snap judgment from album art: U2 tries for another Joshua Tree but instead poses on some mud at low tide instead of the desert.
Orange Blossoms by JJ Grey and Mofro. Album art judgment: Blue-eyed soul with a Florida swamp vibe.
Goodnight Oslo by Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3. Cover art snap judgment: Robyn Hitchcock should move to Austin, he's already kept himself weird.
Modernity Killed Every Night by The Wolfmen. Snap judgement from album artwork: Marco Pirroni chubbed out on ale and chips.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Four Flicks
DVD
Milk starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, that guy from Alias. Biopic of San Francisco politician.
This is supposed to be a real good flick, I've enjoyed Van Sant's previous movies, Milk seems like he was a good dude, but this movie just doesn't not sound very interesting to me. Watch the preview.
Six String Samurai starring [guy in Buddy Holly glasses]. Kung-Fu dude fights his way through post-apacolyptic Nevada on his way to Las Vegas to become the next king or rock and roll.
I got suckered in by Bill Crider's blog. Again. But, can you blame me? Look at the preview.
Transporter 3 starring Jason Statham and crashing cars. Frank Martin is hired to drive a new passenger. "The stakes are bigger, the enemy is deadlier, and the action has never been hotter."
Watch the preview or catch one of the umpteen television commercials selling the DVD.
Madagascar: escape 2 Africa starring [animated animals]. Watch the preview.
Milk starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, that guy from Alias. Biopic of San Francisco politician.
This is supposed to be a real good flick, I've enjoyed Van Sant's previous movies, Milk seems like he was a good dude, but this movie just doesn't not sound very interesting to me. Watch the preview.
Six String Samurai starring [guy in Buddy Holly glasses]. Kung-Fu dude fights his way through post-apacolyptic Nevada on his way to Las Vegas to become the next king or rock and roll.
I got suckered in by Bill Crider's blog. Again. But, can you blame me? Look at the preview.
Transporter 3 starring Jason Statham and crashing cars. Frank Martin is hired to drive a new passenger. "The stakes are bigger, the enemy is deadlier, and the action has never been hotter."
Watch the preview or catch one of the umpteen television commercials selling the DVD.
Madagascar: escape 2 Africa starring [animated animals]. Watch the preview.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
ZOMBIES! and Three Thrillers (including Barry Eisler)
ZOMBIES!
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry. Baltimore cop turned Joe Ledger has been assigned to a counter terrorist task force. Ledger is assigned to the Department of Military Science to stop terrorists from releasing a bio-weapon against the U.S. A bio-weapon that turns people into ZOMBIES!
Cover blurbs by Joe R. Lansdale and Victor Gischler.
Fiction
The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer. Former undercover CIA agent Milo is now working as a manager at the CIA's New York location. When an assassin is arrested his story attracts questions about Milo's colleague and Milo's old cases. Milo goes back undercover to uncover some undercover shenanigans.
Fault Line by Barry Eisler. Silicon Valley attorney Alex has a software inventor client whose invention could promote Alex from mid-level lawyer goon to law firm parterner - or more. When the inventor is found dead Alex is suspicious. When Alex's patent office pal is killed Alex is worried. When someone sneaks into ALex's house at 3 AM and tries to kill him Alex is terrified. Enter Alex's estranged older brother, Ben. Ben has been in Army special forces for years and his specialty as an assassin puts him in perfect position to help his brother. If they can stand each other.
I read an advice copy of this novel and it is excellent.
Corsair by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul. Boat sinks. People look for it. Intrigue and adventure ensue.
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry. Baltimore cop turned Joe Ledger has been assigned to a counter terrorist task force. Ledger is assigned to the Department of Military Science to stop terrorists from releasing a bio-weapon against the U.S. A bio-weapon that turns people into ZOMBIES!
Cover blurbs by Joe R. Lansdale and Victor Gischler.
Fiction
The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer. Former undercover CIA agent Milo is now working as a manager at the CIA's New York location. When an assassin is arrested his story attracts questions about Milo's colleague and Milo's old cases. Milo goes back undercover to uncover some undercover shenanigans.
Fault Line by Barry Eisler. Silicon Valley attorney Alex has a software inventor client whose invention could promote Alex from mid-level lawyer goon to law firm parterner - or more. When the inventor is found dead Alex is suspicious. When Alex's patent office pal is killed Alex is worried. When someone sneaks into ALex's house at 3 AM and tries to kill him Alex is terrified. Enter Alex's estranged older brother, Ben. Ben has been in Army special forces for years and his specialty as an assassin puts him in perfect position to help his brother. If they can stand each other.
I read an advice copy of this novel and it is excellent.
Corsair by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul. Boat sinks. People look for it. Intrigue and adventure ensue.
Monday, March 09, 2009
What to Read 21 "Leather Maiden" and "Child 44"
Two thrillers to read: Leather Maiden by Joe R. Lansdale and Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The Usual Authors and Four DVDs
DVD
Body of Lies starring Angry Australian and Leonardo DiCaprio. Spy thriller with on the ground CIA agent being guided by his handler back in the U.S.
Choke starring Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston. Another bizarre tale by Chuck Palahniuk. Sex addict Victor cons restaurants by choking during dinner an deals with his "dying, delusional mother."
The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice starring Noah Wyle, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtin. The Librarian, Flynn, is sent to recover the Judas Chalice, is saved by good-looking French woman, gets ambushed by someone else, Flynn's life is in danger, the world is threatened, blah, blah, blah.
The Changeling starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich. Single mom in 1928 Los Angeles has son go missing. Police show up with different kid, say mom is crazy and stick her in an asylum. I think. That's what I remember hearing anyway.
Fortunately Jolie does not look like usual in this picture. Meaning she is not all skanky looking.
Fiction
Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke. The typical mystery with recipes.
Dead Silence by Randy Wayne White. Doc Ford is in New York when his girlfriend, a Senator, drives up and is almost abducted. Instead a fourteen year old in town on a prize vacation is snatched. Ford looks for him.
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult. Latest from Picoult. Judging from the cover I am guessing that some kid falls through ice and drowns.
Large Print
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb.
Night and Day by Robert B. Parker.
Body of Lies starring Angry Australian and Leonardo DiCaprio. Spy thriller with on the ground CIA agent being guided by his handler back in the U.S.
Choke starring Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston. Another bizarre tale by Chuck Palahniuk. Sex addict Victor cons restaurants by choking during dinner an deals with his "dying, delusional mother."
The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice starring Noah Wyle, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtin. The Librarian, Flynn, is sent to recover the Judas Chalice, is saved by good-looking French woman, gets ambushed by someone else, Flynn's life is in danger, the world is threatened, blah, blah, blah.
The Changeling starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich. Single mom in 1928 Los Angeles has son go missing. Police show up with different kid, say mom is crazy and stick her in an asylum. I think. That's what I remember hearing anyway.
Fortunately Jolie does not look like usual in this picture. Meaning she is not all skanky looking.
Fiction
Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke. The typical mystery with recipes.
Dead Silence by Randy Wayne White. Doc Ford is in New York when his girlfriend, a Senator, drives up and is almost abducted. Instead a fourteen year old in town on a prize vacation is snatched. Ford looks for him.
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult. Latest from Picoult. Judging from the cover I am guessing that some kid falls through ice and drowns.
Large Print
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb.
Night and Day by Robert B. Parker.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Books: Donations, an Englishman in L.A., Large Print
Fiction
Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer. What if you did a deed so magnificent you would be remembered for years? Something that would put you the level of LIndbergh, Armstrong, Lewis and Clark? What if you completed the task but had no way to prove it?
Love Mercy by Earlene Fowler. What an awful cover.
Star Bright by Catherine Anderson. Paperback romance.
Turning Point by Peter Turnbull. "A Hennessey and Yellich Mystery". Rural English policeman Hennessey is aging and he needs to accept it train his young team better. But, his experience becomes most vaulable when two murders, committed twenty years apart, are connected.
NonFiction
Death by Leisure: a cautionary tale by Chris Ayres. English journalist gets assigned to Los Angeles and decides to live the big life. He takes advantage of easy credit and, "those idiots you keep hearing about? The ones who brought down the economy by maxing out on easy cash?...Yes, that was Ayres."
Blue Ribbon Quilts by Linda Causee and Rita Weiss.
Arranging Flowers: how to create beautiful bouquets in every season by Martha Stewart.
Large Print
The Second Opinion by Michael Palmer. Thriller with doctors in Africa and Boston.
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy.
The Renegades by T. Jefferson Parker.
Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer. What if you did a deed so magnificent you would be remembered for years? Something that would put you the level of LIndbergh, Armstrong, Lewis and Clark? What if you completed the task but had no way to prove it?
Love Mercy by Earlene Fowler. What an awful cover.
Star Bright by Catherine Anderson. Paperback romance.
Turning Point by Peter Turnbull. "A Hennessey and Yellich Mystery". Rural English policeman Hennessey is aging and he needs to accept it train his young team better. But, his experience becomes most vaulable when two murders, committed twenty years apart, are connected.
NonFiction
Death by Leisure: a cautionary tale by Chris Ayres. English journalist gets assigned to Los Angeles and decides to live the big life. He takes advantage of easy credit and, "those idiots you keep hearing about? The ones who brought down the economy by maxing out on easy cash?...Yes, that was Ayres."
Blue Ribbon Quilts by Linda Causee and Rita Weiss.
Arranging Flowers: how to create beautiful bouquets in every season by Martha Stewart.
Large Print
The Second Opinion by Michael Palmer. Thriller with doctors in Africa and Boston.
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy.
The Renegades by T. Jefferson Parker.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Seven CDs Including a Gal I Heard on Radio Australia
Music CDs
Awkward Annie by Kate Rusby. I was listening to an archived episode of The Music Show on the ABC website a while ago and heard the title track to this album. It was a good song and I figured some of you Library nerds might like it. So, I ordered it. It's folkish.
Theater of the Mind by Ludacris. Rapper guy raps. I do not know anything about this guy but I'll bet he has been a motion picture or two. Big name rap guys are always getting cast in the movies.
Rentacrowd by The Len Price 3. Greatness from Great Britain. Music with an early sixties, British Invasion vibe. See their website to listen to some songs.
The Len Price 3 are frequently heard on Little Steven's Underground Garage. Does their popularity on that show have anything to do with being signed to Little Steven's record label?
I, Flathead: the songs of Kash Buk and the Klowns by Ry Cooder. Cooder is been around for quite a while and most likely known for the Buena Vista Social Club album of a few years ago.
His last few albums have been built on themes. My Name is Buddy was written from the perspective of a cat during the Depression. Chavez Ravine was about the barrio in Los Angeles demolished in the 1950s to build Dodger Stadium. I, Flathead is about...something. Look it up yourself, I'm busy.
Already Free by The Derek Trucks Band. I think this guy had a profile in the Madison newspaper. He is married to Susan Tedeschi who is a good singer and whose albums are available here at Lake Mills and elsewhere in the system. Trucks has been a professional musician since his mid-teens and his band plays soul.
Hey Ma by James. We received this CD quite a while ago but it got waylaid on the cataloging cart. Here it is.
The Empyrean by John Frusciante. Frusciante was a rock guitar prodigy who played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers then started using heroin and ended up a strung-out junkie on the streets of Hollywood. Frusciante then cleaned up and started playing again. I ran across a - post-strung-out-junkie - solo tune of his a few years ago and thought it was great. Hopefully this is good too.
Awkward Annie by Kate Rusby. I was listening to an archived episode of The Music Show on the ABC website a while ago and heard the title track to this album. It was a good song and I figured some of you Library nerds might like it. So, I ordered it. It's folkish.
Theater of the Mind by Ludacris. Rapper guy raps. I do not know anything about this guy but I'll bet he has been a motion picture or two. Big name rap guys are always getting cast in the movies.
Rentacrowd by The Len Price 3. Greatness from Great Britain. Music with an early sixties, British Invasion vibe. See their website to listen to some songs.
The Len Price 3 are frequently heard on Little Steven's Underground Garage. Does their popularity on that show have anything to do with being signed to Little Steven's record label?
I, Flathead: the songs of Kash Buk and the Klowns by Ry Cooder. Cooder is been around for quite a while and most likely known for the Buena Vista Social Club album of a few years ago.
His last few albums have been built on themes. My Name is Buddy was written from the perspective of a cat during the Depression. Chavez Ravine was about the barrio in Los Angeles demolished in the 1950s to build Dodger Stadium. I, Flathead is about...something. Look it up yourself, I'm busy.
Already Free by The Derek Trucks Band. I think this guy had a profile in the Madison newspaper. He is married to Susan Tedeschi who is a good singer and whose albums are available here at Lake Mills and elsewhere in the system. Trucks has been a professional musician since his mid-teens and his band plays soul.
Hey Ma by James. We received this CD quite a while ago but it got waylaid on the cataloging cart. Here it is.
The Empyrean by John Frusciante. Frusciante was a rock guitar prodigy who played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers then started using heroin and ended up a strung-out junkie on the streets of Hollywood. Frusciante then cleaned up and started playing again. I ran across a - post-strung-out-junkie - solo tune of his a few years ago and thought it was great. Hopefully this is good too.
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Bill Crider Edition: Sheriff Dan Rhodes and Paris Hilton
Fiction
Murder in Four Parts by Bill Crider. Sheriff Dan Rhodes of Blacklin County, TX is fairly easy going. He has to be to put up with the local idiots and blowhards. Now Rhodes has another murder investigation complicated by a rogue alligator, a dog food thief, and barbershop quartets.
Night and Day by Robert B. Parker. Another Jesse Stone novel. Police Chief Stone investigates accusations against the local middle school principal and tries to catch a voyeur who has turned into an aggressive home invader.
There is no doubt that Parker is a great writer. But, why not wait for a movie version with Tom Selleck? Those have been dang good as well. We have all or most of those movies here at the Library on DVD. Either way, you win.
One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel. Does Steel use ghostwriters?
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb. Eve Dallas investigates a a fellow New York policewoman's murder.
NonFiction
Six Degrees of Paris Hilton: inside the sex tapes, scandals, and shakedowns of the new Hollywood by Mark Ebner. From the cover: The shocking true tale of Darnell Riley, a well-mannered middle-class kid from Los Angeles who reinvented himself as a stone-cold gangster in the boxing gyms and bruising streets of Sotuh Central, before serving seven years for a double homicide at fifteen. Released at age twenty-three, he infiltrated a far more decadent crowd whose privileged lifestyle is familiar to most only in weekly magazines. During his six-year stab at Hollywood, Darnell ran with it It girls and bully boys: He befriended Paris Hilton; was associated with multiple sex tapes; held Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis at gunpoint and humiliated him on camera; dated models; ran numbers; trafficked in drugs; carried out contract beatings; and 'possibly' staged a daring series of home-invasion robberies, many of which were attributed to the infamous Bel-Air Burglar.
The Wicked Wit of the West by Irving Brecher and Hank Rosenfeld. Brecher wrote TWO Marx Brothers films, wrote for Milton Berle, "punched up The Wizard of Oz", created The Life of Riley, wrote Bye Bye Birdie, gave Jackie Gleason his first tv series.
Brecher says, "I don't like to quote myself but unfortunately everybody I know who should be quoting me is dead."
Murder in Four Parts by Bill Crider. Sheriff Dan Rhodes of Blacklin County, TX is fairly easy going. He has to be to put up with the local idiots and blowhards. Now Rhodes has another murder investigation complicated by a rogue alligator, a dog food thief, and barbershop quartets.
Night and Day by Robert B. Parker. Another Jesse Stone novel. Police Chief Stone investigates accusations against the local middle school principal and tries to catch a voyeur who has turned into an aggressive home invader.
There is no doubt that Parker is a great writer. But, why not wait for a movie version with Tom Selleck? Those have been dang good as well. We have all or most of those movies here at the Library on DVD. Either way, you win.
One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel. Does Steel use ghostwriters?
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb. Eve Dallas investigates a a fellow New York policewoman's murder.
NonFiction
Six Degrees of Paris Hilton: inside the sex tapes, scandals, and shakedowns of the new Hollywood by Mark Ebner. From the cover: The shocking true tale of Darnell Riley, a well-mannered middle-class kid from Los Angeles who reinvented himself as a stone-cold gangster in the boxing gyms and bruising streets of Sotuh Central, before serving seven years for a double homicide at fifteen. Released at age twenty-three, he infiltrated a far more decadent crowd whose privileged lifestyle is familiar to most only in weekly magazines. During his six-year stab at Hollywood, Darnell ran with it It girls and bully boys: He befriended Paris Hilton; was associated with multiple sex tapes; held Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis at gunpoint and humiliated him on camera; dated models; ran numbers; trafficked in drugs; carried out contract beatings; and 'possibly' staged a daring series of home-invasion robberies, many of which were attributed to the infamous Bel-Air Burglar.
The Wicked Wit of the West by Irving Brecher and Hank Rosenfeld. Brecher wrote TWO Marx Brothers films, wrote for Milton Berle, "punched up The Wizard of Oz", created The Life of Riley, wrote Bye Bye Birdie, gave Jackie Gleason his first tv series.
Brecher says, "I don't like to quote myself but unfortunately everybody I know who should be quoting me is dead."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What to Read 20, Interview With Emily Maguire
Emily Maguire is the author of Taming the Beast. Ms. Maguire's other work has not yet been published in the U.S. but the UK and Australian editions are available online.
This has been edited to fit YouTube's ten minute time limit.
This has been edited to fit YouTube's ten minute time limit.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Three Mysteries and One Greeley
Fiction
Irish Weed by Andrew M. Greeley.
Whisper to the Blood by Dana Stabenow. "A Kate Shugak novel."
Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear. "A Maisie Dobbs novel."
Death of a Witch by M.C. Beaton. "A Hamish Macbeth mystery."
Irish Weed by Andrew M. Greeley.
Whisper to the Blood by Dana Stabenow. "A Kate Shugak novel."
Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear. "A Maisie Dobbs novel."
Death of a Witch by M.C. Beaton. "A Hamish Macbeth mystery."
Monday, February 16, 2009
Four Films
DVD
Frozen River starring Some Lady Who Got An Oscar Nomination. Poor single mom in rural New York State works with single Mohawk mom in Ontario to run illegal immigrants over from Canada.
Nights in Rodanthe starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane. Chick movie with single dude Gere and divorced mom Lane hooking up at some resort.
Miracle at St. Anna starring Derek Luke. Black soldiers in World War II.
Please tell me, why don't some people learn when to shut up? Talk, talk, talk, talk. I'm trying to get work done and do not have the time to chat all afternoon.
W. starring Josh Brolin and others. Looks like Thandie Newton plays Condaleeza Rice - there must be a 20 or 30 year age difference there. Richard Dreyfuss as Darth Vader - that could be real good. I'm guessing James Cromwell is George, Sr. - I can see that too. Scott Glenn as Rumsfeld - that could be a stretch.
Frozen River starring Some Lady Who Got An Oscar Nomination. Poor single mom in rural New York State works with single Mohawk mom in Ontario to run illegal immigrants over from Canada.
Nights in Rodanthe starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane. Chick movie with single dude Gere and divorced mom Lane hooking up at some resort.
Miracle at St. Anna starring Derek Luke. Black soldiers in World War II.
Please tell me, why don't some people learn when to shut up? Talk, talk, talk, talk. I'm trying to get work done and do not have the time to chat all afternoon.
W. starring Josh Brolin and others. Looks like Thandie Newton plays Condaleeza Rice - there must be a 20 or 30 year age difference there. Richard Dreyfuss as Darth Vader - that could be real good. I'm guessing James Cromwell is George, Sr. - I can see that too. Scott Glenn as Rumsfeld - that could be a stretch.
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