Movie and Book Log 2015
Wow, the first month of the year is over already. We're under a 'winter storm warning' for this area with about a foot of snow expected, so maybe I'll get more reading and watching done tonight. :)
01. Formula 51 (2001) - starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer
Sam Jackson and Bobby Carlyle? It's gotta be great, right? Wellll… not so much. POS 51 is a super-drug created by a disgruntled chemist (Jackson). He's trying to sell the formula to various shady characters for multi-millions so he can retire. Carlyle is assigned to bring him to the meet - of course, something goes wrong and hijinx ensue. It's almost like Jackson and Carlyle thought they were signing on for a buddy comedy, but everybody else is doing over-the-top slapstick to a juvenile script written by a twelve year old. Put it this way - if seeing a room full of men suddenly get explosive diarrhea is your idea of a hilarious good time, you may love this movie.
02. Class of '76 (2005) - starring Robert Carlyle, Daniel Mays, Claire Skinner
Well this one was significantly better. A made for British TV movie, Carlyle plays a detective investigating a string of mysterious fatal accidents befalling the now-adult classmates of a little girl who was murdered at the age of ten. There's a bit of a supernatural element and it kept me guessing about the identity of the murderer until a bit near the end. I also enjoyed that all of the pieces of the puzzle weren't fully explained even after the movie ended. I like that little bit of intrigue.
03. Human Trafficking (2005) - starring Mira Sorvina, Donald Sutherland, Robert Carlyle
Another one for TV, this was a 2-part movie/mini-series following three separate women of various ages (12, 16 and mid-20's) who are kidnapped, brought into foreign countries, and forced into the sex trade. Carlyle stars as the head of the organization whose legitimate businesses hide a lucrative human trafficking trade that stretches from Eastern Europe to the Phillipines, Mexico, and the USA. It's really a harrowing story and the movie is sometimes difficult to watch because the performances and scenes feel so real. I definitely won't be forgetting this one.
I've decided to add a reading challenge to my list of goals this year, so the goal is to read 30 New-To-Me Books in 2015.
01. Revival -- by Stephen King
I have been a King fan for literally as long as I can remember, and it's rare that he ever truly disappoints. This one? I am on the fence. And it's hard to describe without giving anything away. There is a boy - who grows into a man with a heroin addiction -- and a preacher, who dabbles in the elements of electricity and who may be able to heal people. The 'real life' moments are for the most part beautifully written (except that - has anyone noticed that King no longer seems able to write realistic women?) and easily transported me into the world of the story. The supernatural elements worked less well for me. Still, Stephen King's grocery list is better writing than most of what's out there, IMO, so it was still an enjoyable read.
02 to 03. Among The Living and Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price
First two of a series, recommended by brianswalk on her book log. Vic and Jacob are cops - except that Vic is also a level 5 medium, because in this world psychic powers are widely recognized and developed, and Vic happens to be able to talk to the dead. Even if often he doesn't really want to, and the murdered prostitute near his apartment building just won't shut up. I love this world! It's not overexplained; the reader is just dropped into the start of a new case. I'm sticking with the series because the world is awesome and I like Vic a lot. I don't really love Vic and Jacob as a couple - the relationship feels really rushed, and the sex is… well, it's boring. These novels are written in 1st person but when the relationship gets physical the writer tends to lean toward physical descriptions instead of emotional, which is weird.
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01. Formula 51 (2001) - starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer
Sam Jackson and Bobby Carlyle? It's gotta be great, right? Wellll… not so much. POS 51 is a super-drug created by a disgruntled chemist (Jackson). He's trying to sell the formula to various shady characters for multi-millions so he can retire. Carlyle is assigned to bring him to the meet - of course, something goes wrong and hijinx ensue. It's almost like Jackson and Carlyle thought they were signing on for a buddy comedy, but everybody else is doing over-the-top slapstick to a juvenile script written by a twelve year old. Put it this way - if seeing a room full of men suddenly get explosive diarrhea is your idea of a hilarious good time, you may love this movie.
02. Class of '76 (2005) - starring Robert Carlyle, Daniel Mays, Claire Skinner
Well this one was significantly better. A made for British TV movie, Carlyle plays a detective investigating a string of mysterious fatal accidents befalling the now-adult classmates of a little girl who was murdered at the age of ten. There's a bit of a supernatural element and it kept me guessing about the identity of the murderer until a bit near the end. I also enjoyed that all of the pieces of the puzzle weren't fully explained even after the movie ended. I like that little bit of intrigue.
03. Human Trafficking (2005) - starring Mira Sorvina, Donald Sutherland, Robert Carlyle
Another one for TV, this was a 2-part movie/mini-series following three separate women of various ages (12, 16 and mid-20's) who are kidnapped, brought into foreign countries, and forced into the sex trade. Carlyle stars as the head of the organization whose legitimate businesses hide a lucrative human trafficking trade that stretches from Eastern Europe to the Phillipines, Mexico, and the USA. It's really a harrowing story and the movie is sometimes difficult to watch because the performances and scenes feel so real. I definitely won't be forgetting this one.
I've decided to add a reading challenge to my list of goals this year, so the goal is to read 30 New-To-Me Books in 2015.
01. Revival -- by Stephen King
I have been a King fan for literally as long as I can remember, and it's rare that he ever truly disappoints. This one? I am on the fence. And it's hard to describe without giving anything away. There is a boy - who grows into a man with a heroin addiction -- and a preacher, who dabbles in the elements of electricity and who may be able to heal people. The 'real life' moments are for the most part beautifully written (except that - has anyone noticed that King no longer seems able to write realistic women?) and easily transported me into the world of the story. The supernatural elements worked less well for me. Still, Stephen King's grocery list is better writing than most of what's out there, IMO, so it was still an enjoyable read.
02 to 03. Among The Living and Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price
First two of a series, recommended by brianswalk on her book log. Vic and Jacob are cops - except that Vic is also a level 5 medium, because in this world psychic powers are widely recognized and developed, and Vic happens to be able to talk to the dead. Even if often he doesn't really want to, and the murdered prostitute near his apartment building just won't shut up. I love this world! It's not overexplained; the reader is just dropped into the start of a new case. I'm sticking with the series because the world is awesome and I like Vic a lot. I don't really love Vic and Jacob as a couple - the relationship feels really rushed, and the sex is… well, it's boring. These novels are written in 1st person but when the relationship gets physical the writer tends to lean toward physical descriptions instead of emotional, which is weird.
.