7.29.2004
The Boxer Rebellion
by Diana Preston, 360 pgs, hardcover
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B+
Although excellent like all of Preston's works I've read thus far, this one just seemed to drag on a little too long. Or maybe it was that I was sleepier. In any case, this is a non-fiction account of the Boxer Rebellion. What is that? you ask. Well, I hadn't heard much about it more either. Briefly, the Boxer Rebellion was a siege of various groups of foreigners within Peking during the summer of 1900. Very intriguing to read about such an event of the eve of modern history.
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B+
Although excellent like all of Preston's works I've read thus far, this one just seemed to drag on a little too long. Or maybe it was that I was sleepier. In any case, this is a non-fiction account of the Boxer Rebellion. What is that? you ask. Well, I hadn't heard much about it more either. Briefly, the Boxer Rebellion was a siege of various groups of foreigners within Peking during the summer of 1900. Very intriguing to read about such an event of the eve of modern history.
Labels: genre: historical, genre: non-fiction, media: book
Antony & Cleopatra
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: B
Pretty decent stuff from the Bard. You don't have to know as much history to make sense of this one. Probably you know this history anyway since ancient Rome is a favorite topic in just about every history class, although maybe you're purposefully forgotten. In that case, in summary, after Julius Caesar's death, the Roman Empire is divided up between 3 guys, Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar (JC's nephew or adopted son or something) and Pompey. Of course, these guys could never be happy. And Antony fall headlong in love with Cleopatra. Needless to say, for a Shakespearean tragedy, people die, though not is so great of numbers as you'd suspect. And there is of course fighting, yeah.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: B
Pretty decent stuff from the Bard. You don't have to know as much history to make sense of this one. Probably you know this history anyway since ancient Rome is a favorite topic in just about every history class, although maybe you're purposefully forgotten. In that case, in summary, after Julius Caesar's death, the Roman Empire is divided up between 3 guys, Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar (JC's nephew or adopted son or something) and Pompey. Of course, these guys could never be happy. And Antony fall headlong in love with Cleopatra. Needless to say, for a Shakespearean tragedy, people die, though not is so great of numbers as you'd suspect. And there is of course fighting, yeah.
Labels: genre: fiction, genre: historical, media: book, media: play
7.25.2004
Horatio Hornblower vol. 3 &4
unrated, ~100 min each
Amazon page
Overall Grade: A
Series: Horatio Hornblower
More great naval action. Like the first two volumes, these follow Horatio Hornblower (duh) through his naval exploits and build on his growing reputation. vol 3 sees Horatio's prize command captured & he & his men thrown in prison, after he entrusts top secret naval dispatches to the "duchess" he is transporting back to England. However Horatio has made a grave error and there is again another crewman opposing him. vol 4 sees Horatio sent forth into France in a bid to help the French royalists regain control. Horatio must come to terms with his emotions, both romantically and politically, that leave him quite jumbled.
Amazon page
Overall Grade: A
Series: Horatio Hornblower
More great naval action. Like the first two volumes, these follow Horatio Hornblower (duh) through his naval exploits and build on his growing reputation. vol 3 sees Horatio's prize command captured & he & his men thrown in prison, after he entrusts top secret naval dispatches to the "duchess" he is transporting back to England. However Horatio has made a grave error and there is again another crewman opposing him. vol 4 sees Horatio sent forth into France in a bid to help the French royalists regain control. Horatio must come to terms with his emotions, both romantically and politically, that leave him quite jumbled.
Labels: genre: historical, media: DVD, series: Horatio Hornblower
7.24.2004
Horatio Hornblower vol. 1 & 2
unrated, ~100 minutes each
Amazon page
Overall Grade: A+
Series: Horatio Hornblower
excellent, excellent! I love a good Napoleonic sea yarn, and this is the cornerstone of the genre! Since I haven't read the books, yet I'm not sure which ones these two draw from but vol. 1 deals with Horatio's beginnings as a midshipman in the British Royal Navy around the time of the French Revolution. Besides other trials, it pivots around his antagonistic relationship with a senior midshipman by the name of Simpson. Vol. 2 is about Horatio's trials as an acting-lieutenant. Learning how to command men, deal tackfully with superior officers and civilians, and how to become a strong, quick-thinking naval officer. Any more would be to give it away.
Amazon page
Overall Grade: A+
Series: Horatio Hornblower
excellent, excellent! I love a good Napoleonic sea yarn, and this is the cornerstone of the genre! Since I haven't read the books, yet I'm not sure which ones these two draw from but vol. 1 deals with Horatio's beginnings as a midshipman in the British Royal Navy around the time of the French Revolution. Besides other trials, it pivots around his antagonistic relationship with a senior midshipman by the name of Simpson. Vol. 2 is about Horatio's trials as an acting-lieutenant. Learning how to command men, deal tackfully with superior officers and civilians, and how to become a strong, quick-thinking naval officer. Any more would be to give it away.
Labels: genre: historical, media: DVD, series: Horatio Hornblower
A First Rate Tragedy
by Diana Preston, 237 pgs, hardcover
Amazon page
Overall Grade: A
Preston is a darn good author. In this, one of her shorter & earlier works, she neatly chronicles the South Polar expeditions of Robert Scott & his crew. Without diverging endlessly from the main story, she provides excellent background on the missions, Scott, his crew & his competition. Even though it ends tragically as you might guess from title, I'd still put this on the summer reading list.
Amazon page
Overall Grade: A
Preston is a darn good author. In this, one of her shorter & earlier works, she neatly chronicles the South Polar expeditions of Robert Scott & his crew. Without diverging endlessly from the main story, she provides excellent background on the missions, Scott, his crew & his competition. Even though it ends tragically as you might guess from title, I'd still put this on the summer reading list.
Labels: genre: historical, genre: non-fiction, media: book
7.23.2004
Henry IV part 2
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: B+
This was pretty dang good, except that I felt like I was missing some stuff for not knowing the British history. With 2 parts this is twice the length of a typical Shakespearean play. Basically about some people trying to rebel against King Henry IV of England. I'm not exactly sure on what their grievances were, but needless to say, you find out how they were put down & how Henry V assumes the throne.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: B+
This was pretty dang good, except that I felt like I was missing some stuff for not knowing the British history. With 2 parts this is twice the length of a typical Shakespearean play. Basically about some people trying to rebel against King Henry IV of England. I'm not exactly sure on what their grievances were, but needless to say, you find out how they were put down & how Henry V assumes the throne.
Labels: genre: fiction, genre: historical, media: book, media: play
7.16.2004
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams, 143pgs, hardcover
Amazon page
Overall Grade: B+
I don't know guys. There was some amusing stuff. But I didn't laugh outloud like I do with Pratchett, or even on the Dirk Gently novels. Mostly it just seemed to be striving for ridiculous, which he certainly pulled off, but he didn't set up any good gags or anything. We'll see if he improves over the course of the next books, otherwise I'll have to argue with my friend Aaron again. Basic plot: First Arthur Dent's house, then planet are demolished. Through inextricably improbably events, he winds up hitchhiking through space w/ unEarthly acquaintance Ford Prefect. This duo manages to fall in with another duo, Zaphod Beeblebrox (ex-President of the Galaxy, turned criminal, also Ford's cousin) and Trillian.
Amazon page
Overall Grade: B+
I don't know guys. There was some amusing stuff. But I didn't laugh outloud like I do with Pratchett, or even on the Dirk Gently novels. Mostly it just seemed to be striving for ridiculous, which he certainly pulled off, but he didn't set up any good gags or anything. We'll see if he improves over the course of the next books, otherwise I'll have to argue with my friend Aaron again. Basic plot: First Arthur Dent's house, then planet are demolished. Through inextricably improbably events, he winds up hitchhiking through space w/ unEarthly acquaintance Ford Prefect. This duo manages to fall in with another duo, Zaphod Beeblebrox (ex-President of the Galaxy, turned criminal, also Ford's cousin) and Trillian.
Labels: genre: fiction, genre: scifi, media: book, series: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
7.13.2004
Henry IV part 1
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare online
Overall Grade: B-
Pretty fair standard Shakespearean stuff. I can see why we didn't ever read any of the historical plays in school though. Pretty dry. Also, I have no idea why my grandma named her old cat after Falstaff. Was he already fat when she got him? This play is about King Henry IV of England putting down a rebellion of a faction of his noble people. And also how stupid & annoying then Prince Henry of Wales and Falstaff are.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare online
Overall Grade: B-
Pretty fair standard Shakespearean stuff. I can see why we didn't ever read any of the historical plays in school though. Pretty dry. Also, I have no idea why my grandma named her old cat after Falstaff. Was he already fat when she got him? This play is about King Henry IV of England putting down a rebellion of a faction of his noble people. And also how stupid & annoying then Prince Henry of Wales and Falstaff are.
Labels: genre: fiction, genre: historical, media: book, media: play
7.12.2004
Spiderman 2
PG-13, 1hr 40min
official website
Overall Grade: A
Series: Spiderman
I can't think of anything that displeased me about this movie. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I was especially able to sympathize with Peter's life becoming an absolute wreck; don't we all feel like that sometimes? Also, this one was much more satisfying & happy ending than the first one. More satisfying to fellow nerds anyway. Basic gist: Peter is fired from his job, behind on his rent, failing his classes, losing Mary Jane, alienating his best friends, and losing touch with his aunt (whose house is being foreclosed.) And to make his stress go over the top, one of his scientific idols (Dr. Octavius) becomes a monster via an experiment gone awry (how apropos).
official website
Overall Grade: A
Series: Spiderman
I can't think of anything that displeased me about this movie. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I was especially able to sympathize with Peter's life becoming an absolute wreck; don't we all feel like that sometimes? Also, this one was much more satisfying & happy ending than the first one. More satisfying to fellow nerds anyway. Basic gist: Peter is fired from his job, behind on his rent, failing his classes, losing Mary Jane, alienating his best friends, and losing touch with his aunt (whose house is being foreclosed.) And to make his stress go over the top, one of his scientific idols (Dr. Octavius) becomes a monster via an experiment gone awry (how apropos).
Labels: genre: superhero/villian, media: movie, series: Spiderman
7.10.2004
All's Well That Ends Well
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: C
All in all, a pretty decent comedic play from the Bard. The whole figuring-out-who-did-what at the end was a little hard to buy, but it served its purpose. Also, I did not know that this oft-used phrase was attributed to Shakespeare. Basic plot, daughter of dead physician uses father's medicine to cure the king, who in returns grants her request to pick her husband from his court. She, of course, picks the count she's been crushing on but who could never love a mere doctor's daughter. They are married, but he runs off to a war in Italy without consummating the marriage. Somehow, she gets to Italy too & manages to bed him with some trickery. In the end, she "miraculously" returns from the dead, pregnant with the Count's child, & he sudden becomes repentant. Hmm...
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: C
All in all, a pretty decent comedic play from the Bard. The whole figuring-out-who-did-what at the end was a little hard to buy, but it served its purpose. Also, I did not know that this oft-used phrase was attributed to Shakespeare. Basic plot, daughter of dead physician uses father's medicine to cure the king, who in returns grants her request to pick her husband from his court. She, of course, picks the count she's been crushing on but who could never love a mere doctor's daughter. They are married, but he runs off to a war in Italy without consummating the marriage. Somehow, she gets to Italy too & manages to bed him with some trickery. In the end, she "miraculously" returns from the dead, pregnant with the Count's child, & he sudden becomes repentant. Hmm...
Labels: genre: fiction, media: book, media: play
7.07.2004
Reviews!
Yes, there will be reviews here as soon as I finish reading something... or go see a movie, whichever happens first.
7.06.2004
testing
