7.21.2005
Boss Tweed
by Kenneth Ackerman, 362 pgs, hardcover
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B
This is a very interesting biography, given the fact that I only had a vague notion of who Boss Tweed was from high school textbooks. For the most part it reads well, like fiction because of its complexity and keeps the interest moving along. There are some spots where the text gets slowed down by Ackerman investigating various players motivations and thoughts about particular events and actions. And it also seem quite skimpy on the early life of Tweed. But it gives a good view of the most important time span of Tweed's career, and how he was brought down.
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B
This is a very interesting biography, given the fact that I only had a vague notion of who Boss Tweed was from high school textbooks. For the most part it reads well, like fiction because of its complexity and keeps the interest moving along. There are some spots where the text gets slowed down by Ackerman investigating various players motivations and thoughts about particular events and actions. And it also seem quite skimpy on the early life of Tweed. But it gives a good view of the most important time span of Tweed's career, and how he was brought down.
Labels: genre: historical, genre: non-fiction, media: book
Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of Shakespeare online
Overall Grade: B
This is a little hokey, but better than some of the comedies I've been working my way through. I particularly like the mistaken identity twist that gets one of the main characters arrested. I'm still not sure exactly what happened to the brother, that story line was confusing. In fact, if you are one of the characters in the play, most everything is probably confusing. Twins separated in a shipwreck, a girl dressing up as a boy, multiple suitors falling for the same women and she falling in love with girl dressed up as a boy. The trickery of the lady's maid and the two drunken men is particularly funny since it makes one of the suitors look stark-raving-mad. Teehehe.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare online
Overall Grade: B
This is a little hokey, but better than some of the comedies I've been working my way through. I particularly like the mistaken identity twist that gets one of the main characters arrested. I'm still not sure exactly what happened to the brother, that story line was confusing. In fact, if you are one of the characters in the play, most everything is probably confusing. Twins separated in a shipwreck, a girl dressing up as a boy, multiple suitors falling for the same women and she falling in love with girl dressed up as a boy. The trickery of the lady's maid and the two drunken men is particularly funny since it makes one of the suitors look stark-raving-mad. Teehehe.
Labels: genre: fiction, media: book, media: play
War of the Worlds
PG-13, 112 min
Official website
Overall Grade: C-
At least this movie cleaved to the original ending from the book. But the book is still better. I definitely won't pay the full-price ticket for this one, but it might eke by as a matinee. Tom Cruise does not make a very convincing parent, divorced or otherwise. The kids are very annoying, and there really is no good explanations throughout, its just us watching people run for their lives. Zzzzzz
Official website
Overall Grade: C-
At least this movie cleaved to the original ending from the book. But the book is still better. I definitely won't pay the full-price ticket for this one, but it might eke by as a matinee. Tom Cruise does not make a very convincing parent, divorced or otherwise. The kids are very annoying, and there really is no good explanations throughout, its just us watching people run for their lives. Zzzzzz
Labels: genre: scifi, media: movie
Babylon 5 season 2: The Coming of Shadows
6 discs
Amazon site
Overall Grade: A
Another excellent season of Babylon 5 brought to DVD. This season has some of my favorite episodes, like 'Comes the Inquisitor'. oooh, I get chills just thinking about that one. Of course, this season starts with the introduction of Captain John Sheridan as the new commander of Babylon 5, and Delenn's transformation. And don't forget all the other goodies, Narn/Centauri war, Night Watch, the telepath underground, Talia's hidden personality, Dr. Franklin's growing addiction to stims, the revelation of Kosh's true identity, and of course for all the romantics...the first buds of the relationship between Sheridan and Delenn. The commentaries on some episodes are especially awesome, even in JMS keeps repeating himself, the cast commentaries are beyond funny.
Amazon site
Overall Grade: A
Another excellent season of Babylon 5 brought to DVD. This season has some of my favorite episodes, like 'Comes the Inquisitor'. oooh, I get chills just thinking about that one. Of course, this season starts with the introduction of Captain John Sheridan as the new commander of Babylon 5, and Delenn's transformation. And don't forget all the other goodies, Narn/Centauri war, Night Watch, the telepath underground, Talia's hidden personality, Dr. Franklin's growing addiction to stims, the revelation of Kosh's true identity, and of course for all the romantics...the first buds of the relationship between Sheridan and Delenn. The commentaries on some episodes are especially awesome, even in JMS keeps repeating himself, the cast commentaries are beyond funny.
Labels: genre: scifi, media: DVD
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling, 652pgs, hardcover
Amazon site
Overall Grade: A-
Series: Harry Potter
Okay, okay, I did give in and buy this book because I could wait till I got home & I was tired of hushing up my friend on the phone. I read it in like 1.5 days. It would have taken less time but that tedious thing called work which got in the way. Anyway, this time around wasn't nearly as frustrating as the last. Harry is definitely acting like a love-crazed teenager, but at least he's not half as stupid as he was the last time around.
With the war on, Hogwarts is just a little bit different. Classes are harder, everyone is more love-struck, and you will just love to hate the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (you already know who it is). Mostly though, the plot doesn't revolve around classes, but more around relationships, and Harry's meetings with Dumbledore. I shall shut up down before I give more away. But I will definitely say that the Half-Blood Prince is not who you may obviously think he is, and also that someone dies...
Amazon site
Overall Grade: A-
Series: Harry Potter
Okay, okay, I did give in and buy this book because I could wait till I got home & I was tired of hushing up my friend on the phone. I read it in like 1.5 days. It would have taken less time but that tedious thing called work which got in the way. Anyway, this time around wasn't nearly as frustrating as the last. Harry is definitely acting like a love-crazed teenager, but at least he's not half as stupid as he was the last time around.
With the war on, Hogwarts is just a little bit different. Classes are harder, everyone is more love-struck, and you will just love to hate the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (you already know who it is). Mostly though, the plot doesn't revolve around classes, but more around relationships, and Harry's meetings with Dumbledore. I shall shut up down before I give more away. But I will definitely say that the Half-Blood Prince is not who you may obviously think he is, and also that someone dies...
Labels: genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: YA, media: book, series: Harry Potter
7.14.2005
Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
by Eoin Colfer, 352 pgs, hardcover
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B
Series: Artemis Fowl
These books are usually pretty good, as I continue my bent on reading YA books that are too good for kids. This book starts out pretty tragically with one of the integral characters from the previous books being killed off in a not particularly pretty fashion (again, this is for kids?) anyway. Our favorite LEP officer Holly Short is then implicated in the murder, and is on the run for her life, but also that of Artemis Fowl, who must be saved in order to help her once again defeat their evil nemesis Opal Koboi. Ah, if only Artemis could remember all the fairy information he used to know before the mind wipe...
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B
Series: Artemis Fowl
These books are usually pretty good, as I continue my bent on reading YA books that are too good for kids. This book starts out pretty tragically with one of the integral characters from the previous books being killed off in a not particularly pretty fashion (again, this is for kids?) anyway. Our favorite LEP officer Holly Short is then implicated in the murder, and is on the run for her life, but also that of Artemis Fowl, who must be saved in order to help her once again defeat their evil nemesis Opal Koboi. Ah, if only Artemis could remember all the fairy information he used to know before the mind wipe...
Labels: genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: YA, media: book, series: Artemis Fowl
Timeline
by Michael Crichton, 512 pgs, paperback
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B+
This was a fairly good read, after I skimmed over the parts with a skeptical glance at their quantum foam explanation for "time travel." The book moves really fast like most Crichton novels I've read and constantly has things going wrong so you'll be saying "How are they going to get out of this now?" As usual, this book is much better than the movie, and has believably human characters. I would say that this is definitely a good book to pack along to the beach or pool (as long as you're got a bit of stomach for gore) because it is entertaining, and has LOTS of places to stop if you know that you'll be somewhere where you'll keep being interrupted (so annoying!)
Anyway, the gist of the story: a company has developed a form of quantum technology that allows them to transport people back to what is essentially the past. However, when the professor for one their archaeological digs does not return from his trip back, several of his grad students are set back to retrieve. But it would just happen that things are never hunky-dory or simple as they sound..
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B+
This was a fairly good read, after I skimmed over the parts with a skeptical glance at their quantum foam explanation for "time travel." The book moves really fast like most Crichton novels I've read and constantly has things going wrong so you'll be saying "How are they going to get out of this now?" As usual, this book is much better than the movie, and has believably human characters. I would say that this is definitely a good book to pack along to the beach or pool (as long as you're got a bit of stomach for gore) because it is entertaining, and has LOTS of places to stop if you know that you'll be somewhere where you'll keep being interrupted (so annoying!)
Anyway, the gist of the story: a company has developed a form of quantum technology that allows them to transport people back to what is essentially the past. However, when the professor for one their archaeological digs does not return from his trip back, several of his grad students are set back to retrieve. But it would just happen that things are never hunky-dory or simple as they sound..
Labels: genre: fiction, genre: historical, genre: scifi, media: book
7.12.2005
Two Gentlemen of Verona
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: C+
This one gets a plus for its sheer convolutedness. Take two friends from Verona, Proteus and Valentine. Valentine is sent off to the Duke's court to learn some etiquette, he also manages to fall head over heels in love with the Duke's daughter Silvia, who is supposed to be married to some other guy. Proteus meanwhile, has this beautiful girlfriend Julia who really loves him. BUt then Proteus goes off to visit Valentine and also becomes enamored with Silvia. So he betrays Valentine and gets him banished from the city. Julia comes to the city a bit later to be with Proteus, and there, dressed up as a boy, has to act the servant to helping Proteus try to win Silvia's heart. Ay carumba!
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: C+
This one gets a plus for its sheer convolutedness. Take two friends from Verona, Proteus and Valentine. Valentine is sent off to the Duke's court to learn some etiquette, he also manages to fall head over heels in love with the Duke's daughter Silvia, who is supposed to be married to some other guy. Proteus meanwhile, has this beautiful girlfriend Julia who really loves him. BUt then Proteus goes off to visit Valentine and also becomes enamored with Silvia. So he betrays Valentine and gets him banished from the city. Julia comes to the city a bit later to be with Proteus, and there, dressed up as a boy, has to act the servant to helping Proteus try to win Silvia's heart. Ay carumba!
Labels: genre: fiction, media: book, media: play
Winter's Tale
by William Shakespeare
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: C
Well, I don't really see how this story was all that original or all that tragic. Basically two kings grew up as boyhood friends, and then later in life when one is visiting the other, the host goes nuts and thinks that his wife is committing adultery with his friend. Which would imply that his beloved son is not really his son at all. And neither is the daughter which is just born. The son kills himself, the wife dies too and the daughter is abandoned in some desolate place, where...surprise, surprise, she is found and raised by shepherds. And not only that, but guess who she falls in love with? The son of the friend of her father. Whoa. Anyway, add the usual Shakespearean dunce characters, and you pretty much know what this play is about.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Overall Grade: C
Well, I don't really see how this story was all that original or all that tragic. Basically two kings grew up as boyhood friends, and then later in life when one is visiting the other, the host goes nuts and thinks that his wife is committing adultery with his friend. Which would imply that his beloved son is not really his son at all. And neither is the daughter which is just born. The son kills himself, the wife dies too and the daughter is abandoned in some desolate place, where...surprise, surprise, she is found and raised by shepherds. And not only that, but guess who she falls in love with? The son of the friend of her father. Whoa. Anyway, add the usual Shakespearean dunce characters, and you pretty much know what this play is about.
Labels: genre: fiction, media: book, media: play
7.11.2005
Fantastic Four
PG-13, 106 minutes
Official Website
Overall Grade: B
I won't rant and rave about this movie because there isn't much to say about it. I mean, the plot is pretty much self-explanatory even if the science is cheesy and made-up. I really don't have much to say. It beats a kick in the pants anyway.
Official Website
Overall Grade: B
I won't rant and rave about this movie because there isn't much to say about it. I mean, the plot is pretty much self-explanatory even if the science is cheesy and made-up. I really don't have much to say. It beats a kick in the pants anyway.
Labels: genre: superhero/villian, media: movie
The Oxford History of the Crusades
edited by Jonathan Riley-Smith, 389 pgs, paperback
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B
Trust me to mess up even when my friend gives me straight-up advice on which Crusade books to start out with. And I manage to get a book that is edited, but for the most part, not written, by the right author.
Anyway, this book does give a decent overview of different aspects of crusading history and culture. Set up in sort of short essay format, you could probably skim over the less relevant chapters on, say, how the Crusades have appeared in later art and literary works. pffft. Overall a good introduction, if long-winded and more detailed than you probably want.
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B
Trust me to mess up even when my friend gives me straight-up advice on which Crusade books to start out with. And I manage to get a book that is edited, but for the most part, not written, by the right author.
Anyway, this book does give a decent overview of different aspects of crusading history and culture. Set up in sort of short essay format, you could probably skim over the less relevant chapters on, say, how the Crusades have appeared in later art and literary works. pffft. Overall a good introduction, if long-winded and more detailed than you probably want.
Labels: genre: historical, genre: non-fiction, media: book
7.07.2005
Augustine
by James, J. O'Donnell, 336 pgs, hardcover
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B-
While this book had some interesting incites, and definitely made me want to read a whole bunch of Augustine's works now, I really didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. It was very good analysis from what his life was actually like to his interactions with other religious types to development of his own beliefs. It just seemed kinda choppy (O'Donnell was continually saying...we'll come back to this later) that was so annoying. I think he could have structured the book better so he could avoid most of that. Anyway, this was biography about St. Augustine or just Augustine as O'Donnell prefers (bleh)
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B-
While this book had some interesting incites, and definitely made me want to read a whole bunch of Augustine's works now, I really didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. It was very good analysis from what his life was actually like to his interactions with other religious types to development of his own beliefs. It just seemed kinda choppy (O'Donnell was continually saying...we'll come back to this later) that was so annoying. I think he could have structured the book better so he could avoid most of that. Anyway, this was biography about St. Augustine or just Augustine as O'Donnell prefers (bleh)
Labels: genre: historical, genre: non-fiction, media: book
Batman Begins
PG-13, 141 minutes
Official Website
Overall Grade: B+
This is probably one of the better movies I've seen this year. It definitely brings back the proper feel of Batman, dark, dismal, a dirty, broken Gotham city. And none of the crazy, over-the-top feel of the last few Batman movies. This one, as you can guess from the title, is about how Batman became Batman. And while not continuous, we get flashbacks throughout the movie about Bruce Wayne's childhood at explain, you know, the stuff about bats and his parents and stuff. Thank goodness for the almost complete lack of a love-interest in this one. That always makes heros weak.
Official Website
Overall Grade: B+
This is probably one of the better movies I've seen this year. It definitely brings back the proper feel of Batman, dark, dismal, a dirty, broken Gotham city. And none of the crazy, over-the-top feel of the last few Batman movies. This one, as you can guess from the title, is about how Batman became Batman. And while not continuous, we get flashbacks throughout the movie about Bruce Wayne's childhood at explain, you know, the stuff about bats and his parents and stuff. Thank goodness for the almost complete lack of a love-interest in this one. That always makes heros weak.
Labels: genre: superhero/villian, media: movie, series: Batman reboot
The Seven Hills
by John Maddox Roberts, 362pgs, hardcover
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B+
This one was surprisingly good, but didn't quite make it into the A-range. It needed a little more character development. Though it felt very accurate history-wise, and the text moved along pretty quickly. It certainly didn't feel like a 300+ page book. And it obviously has no conclusion because I can see that Roberts is setting up for whole sequence of books here.
Story: In an alternative history where Hannibal defeated the Romans and Carthage conquers Italy, the Romans have re-emerged from hiding in the north, and set out to reclaim their republic. It's interesting to watch how new technological developments might have been made in this course of history, and of course, how things turn out the same, just different people.
Amazon site
Overall Grade: B+
This one was surprisingly good, but didn't quite make it into the A-range. It needed a little more character development. Though it felt very accurate history-wise, and the text moved along pretty quickly. It certainly didn't feel like a 300+ page book. And it obviously has no conclusion because I can see that Roberts is setting up for whole sequence of books here.
Story: In an alternative history where Hannibal defeated the Romans and Carthage conquers Italy, the Romans have re-emerged from hiding in the north, and set out to reclaim their republic. It's interesting to watch how new technological developments might have been made in this course of history, and of course, how things turn out the same, just different people.
Labels: genre: fiction, genre: historical, media: book
