Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 13
May 18, 2025
How Rabbis Became Experts - Social Circles and Donor Networks in Jewish Late Antiquity
Just finished reading "How Rabbis Became Experts - Social Circles and Donor Networks in Jewish Late Antiquity" by Krista N. Dalton, published by Princeton University Press.
Rabbis have a long tradition of being experts on not only everything Jewish, but in everyday life as well. Now keep in mind that this is only my opinion, but Rabbis are not omnipresent. Rabbis are human beings who make mistakes despite being trained to be experts in interactional social interactions. [I do have some personal experience when Rabbis eff up rather badly.]
Krista Dalton, who is an associate professor of religious studies at Kenyon College, is also a cultural historian of religion, working primarily with the texts and traditions of ancient Judaism within the Mediterranean context.
Now if you read this history of how Rabbis evolved to be the religious and cultural leaders during the heyday of ancient Rome, it will help if you have more than just passing knowledge. Casual Jews who just have a passing workable knowledge of Judaism are going to be more than a bit flummoxed by the subject matter. [Before hitting the roof over that above sentence, I am a Conservative Jew who has a pretty solid religious studies background in Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Zarathustrianism, and other religions.]
Dalton brings contemporary social theory -- about how expertise involves not just knowledge but communities (of experts and of those who acknowledge their expertise) -- to bear on a historical topic. The community of rabbis as Torah experts did not simply emerge fully formed in the post-temple period; the author uses clues from rabbinic documents as well as a deep knowledge of cultural history to trace the development of this community and its role.
Strongly Recommended, but if you just have a regular Hebrew School background, this is not the book for you.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Rabbis-Bec...
Rabbis have a long tradition of being experts on not only everything Jewish, but in everyday life as well. Now keep in mind that this is only my opinion, but Rabbis are not omnipresent. Rabbis are human beings who make mistakes despite being trained to be experts in interactional social interactions. [I do have some personal experience when Rabbis eff up rather badly.]
Krista Dalton, who is an associate professor of religious studies at Kenyon College, is also a cultural historian of religion, working primarily with the texts and traditions of ancient Judaism within the Mediterranean context.
Now if you read this history of how Rabbis evolved to be the religious and cultural leaders during the heyday of ancient Rome, it will help if you have more than just passing knowledge. Casual Jews who just have a passing workable knowledge of Judaism are going to be more than a bit flummoxed by the subject matter. [Before hitting the roof over that above sentence, I am a Conservative Jew who has a pretty solid religious studies background in Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Zarathustrianism, and other religions.]
Dalton brings contemporary social theory -- about how expertise involves not just knowledge but communities (of experts and of those who acknowledge their expertise) -- to bear on a historical topic. The community of rabbis as Torah experts did not simply emerge fully formed in the post-temple period; the author uses clues from rabbinic documents as well as a deep knowledge of cultural history to trace the development of this community and its role.
Strongly Recommended, but if you just have a regular Hebrew School background, this is not the book for you.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Rabbis-Bec...
May 12, 2025
The Dreams Inside
Just finished listening to "The Dreams Inside" by Paul Sills, released by Medwyn Goodall Music.
Now while I am friends with Paul Sills here on Facebook and other social media sites, while we may have exchanged a few emails back and forth to each other over the years, we have never met in person and are not great personal friends. Why this disclosure? Well, I have learned that if you fail to disclose a connection that you have with an artist, writer, and/or content creator in a review that someone will go off the deep end and accuse you of collusion for nefarious purposes. Social media isn't always social, if you get my meaning.
Set inside a mystical forest, "The Dreams Inside" is perhaps Paul Sills' most ethereal CD to date.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Infinite Paths," "Incarnation," "A Forest of Dreams," "Spirits Released," "Inner Voice," and "The Dreams Inside Part One and Part Two."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://medwyngoodall.com/paul-sills
Now while I am friends with Paul Sills here on Facebook and other social media sites, while we may have exchanged a few emails back and forth to each other over the years, we have never met in person and are not great personal friends. Why this disclosure? Well, I have learned that if you fail to disclose a connection that you have with an artist, writer, and/or content creator in a review that someone will go off the deep end and accuse you of collusion for nefarious purposes. Social media isn't always social, if you get my meaning.
Set inside a mystical forest, "The Dreams Inside" is perhaps Paul Sills' most ethereal CD to date.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Infinite Paths," "Incarnation," "A Forest of Dreams," "Spirits Released," "Inner Voice," and "The Dreams Inside Part One and Part Two."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://medwyngoodall.com/paul-sills
Who Do You Think You Are, Charlie Brown?
Just finished reading "Who Do You Think You Are, Charlie Brown" by Charles M. Schulz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1968.
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "Who Do You Think You Are, Charlie Brown?" appeared in Sunday newspapers from 1958-1961.
Now what sets this collection of Sunday Peanuts strips apart is that Schulz does tell continuing stories in several of the Sunday strips - especially the Linus - the Rain Stopper sequence.
https://www.amazon.com/Think-Charlie-...
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "Who Do You Think You Are, Charlie Brown?" appeared in Sunday newspapers from 1958-1961.
Now what sets this collection of Sunday Peanuts strips apart is that Schulz does tell continuing stories in several of the Sunday strips - especially the Linus - the Rain Stopper sequence.
https://www.amazon.com/Think-Charlie-...
Very Funny, Charlie Brown
Just finished reading "Very Funny, Charlie Brown" by Charles M. Schulz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1966.
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "Very Funny, Charlie Brown" originally appeared in daily and Sunday newspapers from 1956-1959 and centers around how his blanket addiction affects Linus' everyday life.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Very-funny-Cha...
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "Very Funny, Charlie Brown" originally appeared in daily and Sunday newspapers from 1956-1959 and centers around how his blanket addiction affects Linus' everyday life.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Very-funny-Cha...
Here Comes Charlie Bown!
Just finished reading "Here Comes Charlie Brown" by Charles M. Schulz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1966.
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "Here Comes Charlie Brown!" collect the daily Peanuts comic strips that appeared in newspapers throughout 1955-1957.
What perhaps is most noticeable about this collection is that it contains one of the rare instances where an adult, in this case Lucy's mother, speaks and is heard - granted though Lucy's mother is only heard, not seen. "Here Comes Charlie Brown!" highlights the younger years of the Peanuts gang with special emphasis on Lucy and her rather "unique" view of the world.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Comes-Charlie-...
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "Here Comes Charlie Brown!" collect the daily Peanuts comic strips that appeared in newspapers throughout 1955-1957.
What perhaps is most noticeable about this collection is that it contains one of the rare instances where an adult, in this case Lucy's mother, speaks and is heard - granted though Lucy's mother is only heard, not seen. "Here Comes Charlie Brown!" highlights the younger years of the Peanuts gang with special emphasis on Lucy and her rather "unique" view of the world.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Comes-Charlie-...
You're My Hero, Charlie Brown!
Just finished reading "You're My Hero, Charlie Brown" by Charles M. Schulz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1963.
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "You're My Hero, Charlie Brown" is a collection of original Peanuts strips which appeared in the Sunday edition of newspapers from 1958-1961. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this collection is that Schulz explores the stress of forcing children to participate in holiday programs - which used to be common place in elementary schools.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-hero-Cha...
Many frequent visitors to Barnes & Noble and other "big box" bookstores and independently owned bookstores with physical retail locations will find it hard to believe that once upon a time that bookstores did not have sections devoted entirely to graphic novels like they do nowadays.
Now the bookstores of old did have shelves/sections devoted to what I call "comic strip books" which essentially were collections of previously ran strips of a newspaper comic ran that were reprinted in paperback. It was really only later, at least here in the Untied States, where hardcover collections of comic strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Farside" were reprinted in hardcover and readily available to collectors and consumers here in the United States and across the world. [Sidenote: Just wait to Zack and Jeff when they find out who gets which collection in my will Bwahahahahahahaha].
While Michelle's Bookstore in the Brynn Marr shopping center in Jacksonville, North Carolina closed its doors for the last time in the mid-1990s, they did have a section that was ceiling-to-floor of shelves filled with comic strip books - a majority of which "Peanuts" books by Charles M. Schulz. Schulz, shared a similarity to Andre Norton in the 1970s because they completely dominated the shelves in their respective sections in bookstores.
Now a majority of my "Peanuts" books were lost in time due to when we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and I got my "replacement" copies at Chamblin's Bookmine out on Roosevelt Avenue.
The Peanuts comic strips collected in "You're My Hero, Charlie Brown" is a collection of original Peanuts strips which appeared in the Sunday edition of newspapers from 1958-1961. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this collection is that Schulz explores the stress of forcing children to participate in holiday programs - which used to be common place in elementary schools.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-hero-Cha...
Sunrise on The Reaping
Just finished reading "Sunrise On The Reaping" by Suzanne Collins, released by Scholastic Press.
"Sunrise On The Reaping" is the second sequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy and centers on the morning of the reaping ceremony where Haymitch becomes the tribute from District 12. What stands out most in this novel is the character development of Haymitch, allowing readers to understand the man who later mentors Katniss and Peeta.
The narrative structure follows a familiar path similar to the first Hunger Games book—progressing from the Reaping ceremony to training, then to the arena, and finally to the aftermath of the Second Quarter Quell - the 50th Hunger Games. As a follow-up to "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," this book effectively demonstrates President Snow's increasing brutality and offers insight into how he maintains his iron grip on power.
What's particularly noteworthy is how Collins reveals the origins of events that later unfold in "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." The author subtly illustrates how the seeds of a dictator's defeat are planted long before they bear fruit—a compelling theme throughout the series.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Reapin...
"Sunrise On The Reaping" is the second sequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy and centers on the morning of the reaping ceremony where Haymitch becomes the tribute from District 12. What stands out most in this novel is the character development of Haymitch, allowing readers to understand the man who later mentors Katniss and Peeta.
The narrative structure follows a familiar path similar to the first Hunger Games book—progressing from the Reaping ceremony to training, then to the arena, and finally to the aftermath of the Second Quarter Quell - the 50th Hunger Games. As a follow-up to "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," this book effectively demonstrates President Snow's increasing brutality and offers insight into how he maintains his iron grip on power.
What's particularly noteworthy is how Collins reveals the origins of events that later unfold in "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." The author subtly illustrates how the seeds of a dictator's defeat are planted long before they bear fruit—a compelling theme throughout the series.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Reapin...
Third Man Out
Just finished watching "Third Man Out" released on DVD by Genius Entertainment.
While the first movie of the popular Donald Strachey series of gritty PI novels written by Richard Stevenson the pen name for author and journalist Richard Lipez, who passed away in 2024.
Shavick Entertainment has adapted four of the novels ;“Third Man Out”, “Shock to the System”, “On the Other Hand, Death”, and “Ice Blues”, in the series for Here!, the LGBT television network. The movies star Chad Allen as Donald and Sebastian Spence as Tim.
“Third Man Out” is the fourth novel in the “Donald Strachey” series and was released in the year 1992 and deals with the issue of an activist who forcibly outs closeted men - which is still a hot button issue in LGBTQ+ culture.
"Third Man Out" was the first movie in the movie adaptations that first aired on Here! TV back in 2006.
John Rutka was the most hated man in New York State. He knew what people thought of him. That he was a liar and needed to die. His mission is to "OUT" the closeted bigots who he feels are working against gay rights. Rutka has spent a lifetime and a small fortune collecting "proof". These files were then used to inflict revenge. After surviving being shot in his own home, he turns to Albany's only gay detective, Don Strachey who wants nothing to do with his client either.
His life partner, Tim Callahan serves as a chief aide to Senator Dianne Glassman. Their home is not going to fix itself so Don is tempted by the money John Rutka has offered. Tim wants no part of it. He points out that Rutka and his files have destroyed people's lives. There are such things as absolute "Rights" and "Wrongs" and he doesn't want Strachey involved with a "wrong" in any way. Police detective "Bub" Bailey has known Rutka since they were kids. He wants Strachey to talk his client into leaving town. He even offers to "let certain things slide..."
Our hero's gut is telling him that he is being used. Then Rutka goes too far by threatening Strachey with knowledge of the detectives past. That does it and Strachey is out of there! In the morning, Don gets a call from Rutka's younger lover Eddie confirming the morning news: John Rutka's burned corpse was found overnight.
"Third Man Out" is a compelling mystery that has twists and turns that make for compelling viewing with an unexpected twist at the end.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Third-Man-Out-...
While the first movie of the popular Donald Strachey series of gritty PI novels written by Richard Stevenson the pen name for author and journalist Richard Lipez, who passed away in 2024.
Shavick Entertainment has adapted four of the novels ;“Third Man Out”, “Shock to the System”, “On the Other Hand, Death”, and “Ice Blues”, in the series for Here!, the LGBT television network. The movies star Chad Allen as Donald and Sebastian Spence as Tim.
“Third Man Out” is the fourth novel in the “Donald Strachey” series and was released in the year 1992 and deals with the issue of an activist who forcibly outs closeted men - which is still a hot button issue in LGBTQ+ culture.
"Third Man Out" was the first movie in the movie adaptations that first aired on Here! TV back in 2006.
John Rutka was the most hated man in New York State. He knew what people thought of him. That he was a liar and needed to die. His mission is to "OUT" the closeted bigots who he feels are working against gay rights. Rutka has spent a lifetime and a small fortune collecting "proof". These files were then used to inflict revenge. After surviving being shot in his own home, he turns to Albany's only gay detective, Don Strachey who wants nothing to do with his client either.
His life partner, Tim Callahan serves as a chief aide to Senator Dianne Glassman. Their home is not going to fix itself so Don is tempted by the money John Rutka has offered. Tim wants no part of it. He points out that Rutka and his files have destroyed people's lives. There are such things as absolute "Rights" and "Wrongs" and he doesn't want Strachey involved with a "wrong" in any way. Police detective "Bub" Bailey has known Rutka since they were kids. He wants Strachey to talk his client into leaving town. He even offers to "let certain things slide..."
Our hero's gut is telling him that he is being used. Then Rutka goes too far by threatening Strachey with knowledge of the detectives past. That does it and Strachey is out of there! In the morning, Don gets a call from Rutka's younger lover Eddie confirming the morning news: John Rutka's burned corpse was found overnight.
"Third Man Out" is a compelling mystery that has twists and turns that make for compelling viewing with an unexpected twist at the end.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Third-Man-Out-...
May 5, 2025
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One"
Just finished listening to "Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" released by Big Finish Productions.
As a fan of "The Sarah Jane Adventures," I was more than a bit reluctant to listen to this series which takes place about 15 years after the passing of Elizabeth Sladen - the actress who brilliantly brought the Doctor's companion Sarah Jane Smith to life. After all, there is an old saying, just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should do it.
Thankfully, the creative time behind "Rani Takes On the World" at Big Finish Productions have created an audio spinoff/continuation of "The Sarah Jane Adventures" that faithfully follows the original series and projects where Rani, Clyde, and Luke [portrayed by the original actors]are with their lives after the passing of Sarah Jane Smith.
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" sets the stage with Rani Chandra stepping into Sarah Jane's shoes with her own career as a success journalist/podcaster who brought down an unnamed London mayor by exposing him as an android by melting him on live television. [Good thing she was right, otherwise...]
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" consists of three interlocking stories: "Here Today," "Destination Wedding," and "The Witching Tree" written by Joseph Lidster, James Goss, and Lizzie Hopley.
In "Here Today," Rani is surprised by a visit from her best friend, Clyde Langer – who has an announcement of his own. But tonight Clyde isn’t the only visitor to Ealing… In the skies above, a flying saucer approaches – and soon Rani and Clyde are caught in a deadly time loop.
In "Destination Wedding" Rani and Gita Chandra have been invited to a dream wedding on a luxury island resort. But how did Tiff from school end up marrying a film star? And why has she asked all the worst people from her life alongside the Hollywood A-listers? While Gita samples the canapés and criticizes the flower arrangements, Rani senses something amiss… The perfect wedding comes at a price – but who will be paying?
And in the last story, "The Witching Tree," Rani is pursuing a podcast award and decides to chase after a podcast award, and investigate a ‘haunted’ restaurant built around a twisted tree after being tipped off by a secret source. The owners could be faking the spooky activity, but Rani soon realizes the tree is not what it seems. As a terrifying threat to planet Earth is revealed, Clyde and Phoenix are dragged into the fight. Rani is torn between revealing the truth, or keeping a secret too terrifying to broadcast as she and Clyde discover who Phoenix really is.
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" is a fitting continuation to "The Sarah Jane Adventures;" and I am looking forward to the second series.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Rani-Takes-Wor...
As a fan of "The Sarah Jane Adventures," I was more than a bit reluctant to listen to this series which takes place about 15 years after the passing of Elizabeth Sladen - the actress who brilliantly brought the Doctor's companion Sarah Jane Smith to life. After all, there is an old saying, just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should do it.
Thankfully, the creative time behind "Rani Takes On the World" at Big Finish Productions have created an audio spinoff/continuation of "The Sarah Jane Adventures" that faithfully follows the original series and projects where Rani, Clyde, and Luke [portrayed by the original actors]are with their lives after the passing of Sarah Jane Smith.
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" sets the stage with Rani Chandra stepping into Sarah Jane's shoes with her own career as a success journalist/podcaster who brought down an unnamed London mayor by exposing him as an android by melting him on live television. [Good thing she was right, otherwise...]
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" consists of three interlocking stories: "Here Today," "Destination Wedding," and "The Witching Tree" written by Joseph Lidster, James Goss, and Lizzie Hopley.
In "Here Today," Rani is surprised by a visit from her best friend, Clyde Langer – who has an announcement of his own. But tonight Clyde isn’t the only visitor to Ealing… In the skies above, a flying saucer approaches – and soon Rani and Clyde are caught in a deadly time loop.
In "Destination Wedding" Rani and Gita Chandra have been invited to a dream wedding on a luxury island resort. But how did Tiff from school end up marrying a film star? And why has she asked all the worst people from her life alongside the Hollywood A-listers? While Gita samples the canapés and criticizes the flower arrangements, Rani senses something amiss… The perfect wedding comes at a price – but who will be paying?
And in the last story, "The Witching Tree," Rani is pursuing a podcast award and decides to chase after a podcast award, and investigate a ‘haunted’ restaurant built around a twisted tree after being tipped off by a secret source. The owners could be faking the spooky activity, but Rani soon realizes the tree is not what it seems. As a terrifying threat to planet Earth is revealed, Clyde and Phoenix are dragged into the fight. Rani is torn between revealing the truth, or keeping a secret too terrifying to broadcast as she and Clyde discover who Phoenix really is.
"Rani Takes On The World - Beyond Bannerman Road - Series One" is a fitting continuation to "The Sarah Jane Adventures;" and I am looking forward to the second series.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Rani-Takes-Wor...
Rick and Morty: The Anime
Just stopped watching "Rick and Morty: The Anime" released by Adult Swim.
Spin-offs are always a hit and miss affair; though it might be a bit unfair to call this drek a "spin-off" since the main on-going plot line of "Rick and Morty" series is the multi-verse.
"Rick and Morty: The Anime" is set between the fifth and sixth season of the original animated series and is a convoluted mess of story telling and animation.
It seems to ignore all the continuity of the original series while trying to expand on it.
I watched it for about fifteen minutes before hitting the eject button on my Blu-ray button.
NOT RECCOMMENDED!
ZERO STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Morty-Blu...
Spin-offs are always a hit and miss affair; though it might be a bit unfair to call this drek a "spin-off" since the main on-going plot line of "Rick and Morty" series is the multi-verse.
"Rick and Morty: The Anime" is set between the fifth and sixth season of the original animated series and is a convoluted mess of story telling and animation.
It seems to ignore all the continuity of the original series while trying to expand on it.
I watched it for about fifteen minutes before hitting the eject button on my Blu-ray button.
NOT RECCOMMENDED!
ZERO STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Morty-Blu...
