Some Quick Reviews

1. Bone Dance: A Fantasy for Technophiles by Emma Bull***** ... perhaps this is best described as cyberpunk fantasy. Sparrow is an expert at collecting old technology that has survived a near apocalypse, especially movies and music, for collectors who have enough money. This book flips premises three times, while continuing the story line as if the reader already understands all the cultural references that characters are making. Somewhat challenging to hang on during the flips but it is well worth while for the interested reader. Highly recommended.
   


2. In the Country of the Blind by Michael Flynn***** ... less science fiction than a thriller written around the premise that around the time of the Civil War, a secret society discovered an equation that predicts historical events. They still exist today and will go to any lengths to keep their identity a secret. Unfortunately for Sarah, who is merely trying to uncover a good name for a real estate development, her research uncovers them.
   


3. Lourdes: Font of Faith, Hope, and Charity by Elizabeth Ficocelli**** ... despite my complete lack of interest in Lourdes, Ficocelli's writing was compelling enough to draw me through the book to the end. A combination history of Lourdes and guide to how it is set up today, this is highly recommended for anyone who has any interest in this famous Marian site.


4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley**** ... discover the original behind the monster movies. Victor Frankenstein clearly shows mankind's shortsightedness in many ways (or as I said to Rose, "What a moron!"). The monster ironically is anything but monstrous as he shows the ideal of "tabla rasa" and what mankind could be if given the opportunity. As well as a study of how repeated rejection will sour the sweetest personality.


5. Helvetica***** ... are you a "typomaniac?" If you come out of this movie with a crush on Helvetica, as Hannah's friend Jenny did, then you know that the answer to that question should be yes! This documentary, done on the typeface Helvetica's 50th birthday, manages not only to tell us about this particular typeface but to remind the general viewer that type is now a design element that is all around us. In the various attitudes and feuds of the type designers that are interviewed, one also gets a glimpse of the passion that art arouses. Yes, even those who practice the art of graphic design. We had to wait for over a month to rent this documentary as it was always out every weekend. Which just goes to show how quirky our neighborhood is, full of designers and advertising people.


6. Moliere**** ... this movie is a la "Shakespeare in Love" but much better done. On the point of his triumphant return to Paris, Moliere flashes back thirteen years to remember a pivotal time in his life. This is a very funny movie on several levels and if one knows his plays it is undoubtedly even funnier. As someone who does not know Moliere's work, I can recommend the movie anyway.


7. 30Rock - The first season**** ... not a movie but surely logging in all these hours counts for something! Absolutely hilarious and we could kick ourselves for not having watched sooner. Set behind the scenes of a variety show a la Saturday Night Live, this focuses on the writers, actors, and management.


8. Extras - The first season**** ... again not a movie but a truly funny and sometimes poignant British television series. Focusing on an actor who seems doomed to always be an extra and desperately wants to get a line in a production, this character-driven comedy is funny on many levels. Not the least of that comedy is that each episode features a well-known actor who is shown "behind scenes" with humor deriving from the fact that they are playing against type of their well known public personas. This is when you realize what good sports Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, and Ben Stiller really are. Doubtless I would realize that about British actors Ross Kemp and Les Dennis except I never heard of them before.