Books Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban I remember this book being my least favorite as a kid and after going through it this time, it isn't as bad as I remember it. I think as an adult I can see the growth and the importance of the character interactions. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ...
Movies Darkest Hour This is part of an unintended trilogy that all cover the same event, the evacuation of Dunkirk. I recently saw and old Graham Norton Show interview were Hugh Jackman gushed over Gary Oldman's performance on this movie and having never seen it, I felt I had to
Books Ghost Station This book was a crazy ride of knowing there was more to the story, but learning about it feels natural for the characters as well as the readers. With a crescendo of action, this book does a great job of pulling you in and encouraging you to continue
Movies Transformers: Rise of the Beast I thought this was going to be on the same level as the newer ones and while those are bad, this one somehow manages to dig itself lower. The voice acting is probably the best thing, where the writing basically written by a 6 year old telling you a story.
Books The Last Viking This book was nowhere near as interesting as I thought it was going to be. There is a heavy reliance on dates and people that override the narrative that I think was meant to be told. While Harold led an intriguing life, it is lost in the multitudes of historical details.
Movies Lessons for the Living Within 3 weeks of each other, two movies came out about the 90 year old Bernie Jordan who escaped his nursing home to go to a D-Day remembrance. One told the true story, the other fabricating plot points, but both telling the same story of guilt and responsibility.
Movies The Last Rifleman I have so much to say and at the same time so little to say. The long and short is that Pierce Brosnan is outstanding in his role and tells a wonderful story. I am honestly not sure what to say other than watch it.
Movies The Great Escaper This movie is a testament to love, courage, and the lessons that never leave us. Showing you the beauty of 70 years of love and knowing each other can bring out the best in you, even when you don't know it still needs to be pulled out.
Books Star Wars The Fallen Star I am honestly not sure if this series is written for young adults, but it feels like it. The plot is set before you and the book never deviates from it. No real surprises, but there is some decent character growth. It might be forced, but it isn't bad.
TV The Continental This miniseries is full of amazing fight scenes that make no sense, weapon damage that is beyond the realm of normality, and slower than the snail that has finally catching up to you.
Books Lay Them to Rest This was an outstanding book and I applaud Laurah Norton for her ability to bring a lay mans understanding to an extremely technical process. Follow her as she works with her friend to solve a cold case from 30 years ago where the only item they have of the decedent is a head.
Movies Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom I am so mad at how dumb this movie is. Scene stolen from Star Wars, the Cantina line and the Jabba the Hut intro scene, the characters from Street Sharks, and lastly "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids". It was corny, bro-y, and just over the top stupid.
Books Die Trying I read this and honestly was more surprised by how plausible it could be with some notable exceptions as compared to others. There are a lot of things that would stop someone like Jack from helping with an investigation like in the first book, but not much would stop someone from trying to escape.
Movies The Courier You can’t mess up a true-life spy story and they sure did not. No gun fights, not war stories, just 2 men who changed the world and stopped the Cuban Missile Crisis. Benedict Cumberbatch is a superb actor and I love watching his movies. I can’t think of anything that he has done that he hasn’t fit
Books Bind, Torture, Kill This story is so much more than the history of serial killer and his victims. In fact, it is more about the police who investigated and the city the suffered under his terror. You do learn more than enough about his acts of evil, it focuses on those that put in the work to capture him.
Books Red Notice Bill Browder tells an excellent story about how his passion for Eastern Europe lead him to learn about exceptional opportunities in the newly independent Russia. However, his money making leads to corrupt government individuals working to take him down which includes the death of Sergei Magnitsky.
TV Reacher Where I think this show did a disservice to the books and character is not continuing the idea of the loner that he is. In the books, what makes him a what he is just a guy doing the Lord's work because he is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Movies Self Reliance I am not sure what I was thinking I'd get from this movie after watching the trailer, but it is not the movie I got. I am happy for Jake Johnson getting to write this and being in more things, but I don't think he ever plays a different character from the same character as in New Girl.
Books The Art of War The Art of War was on the Commandant's reading list, when it still existed when I was in the Marine Corps, however I never read it. Figured I should, and I finished another book while on my run within the first half hour, I needed a short book.
Movies The Marvels This movie was ok, but so full of plot holes that even to the most enamored, it doesn't make sense. The fight scenes are lazy and short, the story is half complete, and it just feels rushed and CGI heavy.
Books Assassin's Apprentice My "Book in 1 Sentence" is dead on. I have never been so looking forward to something to happen, and it never did. This kid grows up in a keep where half the family hates him, the other half is ok with him or loved his dad, and so he is given a modicum of freedom and support.
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TV Echo Alaqua Cox has done an outstanding job on this character and her stunt work was fantastic. The inclusion of the Choctaw people and their heritage was so well done to provide history and depth without being forceful, overbearing, or dragging it out.
Movies Aliens Newt is the best character in my opinion from the thumbs up, the empty look in the beginning, and finally the salute. She was great. Also, I think Ripley was a true heroine in this movie with intention rather than just being lucky and in the right place at the right time.
Movies Alien This movie may be a classic, but in 2024, it feels slow and overly quiet. The story and practical effects hold up, but the lack of engaging sound design makes it feel lifeless. While it's iconic for the genre, the pacing and suspense don't hit as hard as they once did.
