Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 80
August 9, 2022
"River of the Gods - Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile" by Candice Millard
Just finished reading "River of the Gods - Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile" by Candice Millard, published by Doubleday Books.
It's hard to believe that it was only just about two centuries ago when vast portions of the world were still unknown and the location of the source of the Nile was a mystery waiting to be solved by adventurous Englishmen.
Millard has spun an intriguing biography of the quest for the Nile's source by two friends, who would later turn out to be bitter rivals - isn't that the way it usually ends up? - Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke. While Millard focuses on the more popularly historical Burton, it's interesting to see how Speke's initial triumph in beating Burton to the source of the Nile ultimately led to his own suicidal downfall that has tainted his legacy since it's Burton who is remembered for his achievements and not Speke.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/River-Gods-Gen...
It's hard to believe that it was only just about two centuries ago when vast portions of the world were still unknown and the location of the source of the Nile was a mystery waiting to be solved by adventurous Englishmen.
Millard has spun an intriguing biography of the quest for the Nile's source by two friends, who would later turn out to be bitter rivals - isn't that the way it usually ends up? - Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke. While Millard focuses on the more popularly historical Burton, it's interesting to see how Speke's initial triumph in beating Burton to the source of the Nile ultimately led to his own suicidal downfall that has tainted his legacy since it's Burton who is remembered for his achievements and not Speke.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/River-Gods-Gen...
August 6, 2022
"Army of the Undead" by Rafe Bernard
Just finished reading "Army of the Undead" by Rafe Bernard, published by Pyramid Books back in 1967.
The third book in the original novelizations of "The Invaders" television series was a huge let down. Written by UK author Reginald Alec Martin - not Keith Laumer, who is sometimes incorrectly identified as author of this dread tome.
Reginald Alec Martin used the pseudonym of E.C. Eliot when he wrote science fiction novels for children.
While Laumer's previous original novelizations of "The Invaders"stayed true to the television show, "Army of the Undead," which as also published as "The Halo Highway," reads like it was written by someone who absolutely no idea about the television show they were creating a story for.
In "Army of the Undead," David Vincent is portrayed as a crank with a radio show and some sort of undercover agent who is fighting "The Invaders" who are inhabiting dead bodies of men who are deliberately killed in defective automobiles manufactured in Auto City.
"Army of the Undead" is a nightmarish mess of a novel that doesn't seem to know where it's going.
Sadly not recommended.
Zero Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Undead-Invader...
The third book in the original novelizations of "The Invaders" television series was a huge let down. Written by UK author Reginald Alec Martin - not Keith Laumer, who is sometimes incorrectly identified as author of this dread tome.
Reginald Alec Martin used the pseudonym of E.C. Eliot when he wrote science fiction novels for children.
While Laumer's previous original novelizations of "The Invaders"stayed true to the television show, "Army of the Undead," which as also published as "The Halo Highway," reads like it was written by someone who absolutely no idea about the television show they were creating a story for.
In "Army of the Undead," David Vincent is portrayed as a crank with a radio show and some sort of undercover agent who is fighting "The Invaders" who are inhabiting dead bodies of men who are deliberately killed in defective automobiles manufactured in Auto City.
"Army of the Undead" is a nightmarish mess of a novel that doesn't seem to know where it's going.
Sadly not recommended.
Zero Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Undead-Invader...
July 30, 2022
Chrysalis by Lincoln Child
Just finished reading "Chrysalis" by Lincoln Child, released by Doubleday Books.
When a series of mysterious deaths linked to a new product by the Chrysalis Corporation that promises to revolutionize virtual reality, enigmalogist and empath Jeremy Logan comes to their corporate headquarters/city to find out how and why the technology malfunctioned just before the day of the big launch and who, if anyone, is behind it. It turns out to be deliberate sabotage by a small group of individuals inside the company who are looking for a really big payout and it soon becomes a race against a deadline to catch the culprit while time remains to save thousands who will perish if the Chrysalis virtual reality system is launched.
A highly charged and taut thriller about the potential dangers of virtual reality.
Sadly, there is a suggestion by Lincoln Child that this may be Jeremy Logan's last outing since he does hint at a reunion of sorts and Logan's possible retirement. I would be sad if this was the case.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Chrysalis-Thri...
When a series of mysterious deaths linked to a new product by the Chrysalis Corporation that promises to revolutionize virtual reality, enigmalogist and empath Jeremy Logan comes to their corporate headquarters/city to find out how and why the technology malfunctioned just before the day of the big launch and who, if anyone, is behind it. It turns out to be deliberate sabotage by a small group of individuals inside the company who are looking for a really big payout and it soon becomes a race against a deadline to catch the culprit while time remains to save thousands who will perish if the Chrysalis virtual reality system is launched.
A highly charged and taut thriller about the potential dangers of virtual reality.
Sadly, there is a suggestion by Lincoln Child that this may be Jeremy Logan's last outing since he does hint at a reunion of sorts and Logan's possible retirement. I would be sad if this was the case.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Chrysalis-Thri...
Ancient Aliens - Season 15
Just finished watching "Ancient Aliens - Season 15" released by Lionsgate.
Gone is the glitzy, high-tech, yet somewhat traditional library slash war room that dominated the last season of Ancient Aliens where everyone gathered rather uncomfortably to talk about the potential evidence for the presence of aliens in history and current day.
Much-a-do is made about the recent release by the U.S. Government of UFO videos or should I say unidentified aerial phenomenon.
Nothing really new is revealed in the fifteen season of Ancient Aliens. It makes use of previous episodes and tries to twist them new pathways to prove that as Giogio A. Tsoukailos will say, "it's aliens!"
Nothing really new is explored in season fifteen of "Ancient Aliens" and perhaps it's time to let the series just fade away to that great television in the sky where re-runs of past popular shows go. Or at least to go the complete box set route like the original "In Search Of" went.
Still, "Ancient Aliens" does make money for the History Channel and Lionsgate, and the sixteenth season already has aired - remember I am a heathen who doesn't have cable and/or a streaming service - gasp!
While recommended perhaps for the true die-hard and devoted fans of the series, I can not recommend this series.
Two Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Aliens...
Gone is the glitzy, high-tech, yet somewhat traditional library slash war room that dominated the last season of Ancient Aliens where everyone gathered rather uncomfortably to talk about the potential evidence for the presence of aliens in history and current day.
Much-a-do is made about the recent release by the U.S. Government of UFO videos or should I say unidentified aerial phenomenon.
Nothing really new is revealed in the fifteen season of Ancient Aliens. It makes use of previous episodes and tries to twist them new pathways to prove that as Giogio A. Tsoukailos will say, "it's aliens!"
Nothing really new is explored in season fifteen of "Ancient Aliens" and perhaps it's time to let the series just fade away to that great television in the sky where re-runs of past popular shows go. Or at least to go the complete box set route like the original "In Search Of" went.
Still, "Ancient Aliens" does make money for the History Channel and Lionsgate, and the sixteenth season already has aired - remember I am a heathen who doesn't have cable and/or a streaming service - gasp!
While recommended perhaps for the true die-hard and devoted fans of the series, I can not recommend this series.
Two Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Aliens...
Doctor Who - Devil In The Mist
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #247 - Devil In The Mist" released by Big Finish Productions.
Kamelion was one of the most intriguing and underused companions of the classic Doctor Who television series during the Peter Davidson's era, a.k.a. the Fifth Doctor. Kamelion was a shape-shifting android who originally appeared in the episodes "The King's Daemons" where he was under the influence of The Master. He only appeared in one other episode with the Fifth Doctor. because as a companion, he was just too expensive to use and CGI technology wasn't as advanced as it is today.
Sadly, the original actor who gave voice to Kamelion has passed away, to the torch was passed by Big Finish Productions to Jon Culshaw to take on the role. I'm not really a fan of recasting the original actors for the Doctor Who audios produced by Big Finish Productions. There is something to be sad for not being too greedy.
"Devil In The Mist" takes place immediately after "The King's Daemons." While Turlough is willing to accept Kamelion as a new traveling companion, Tegan has her doubts - even though she's forgiven and moved on from the fact the Turlough freed himself from the influence of the Black Guardian. She doesn't trust Kamelion and finds him creepy. And being a telepathic shape-shifter, Kamelion can link directly to the TARDIS - something not even the Doctor is entirely comfortable with because of the information the android can access.
So when the TARDIS materializes in a crippled prison ship, the Fifth Doctor and his companions, they are greeted with suspicion by the crew because they are viewed hostile because the prison ship is carrying Nustanu, the last warlord of the Zamglitti. A collision causes the ship to crash into a nearby planet, and the Doctor and his companions injured and fight for survival on a world whose wildlife has suddenly turned against them.
A classic adventure of the Fifth Doctor and his companions.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Mai...
Kamelion was one of the most intriguing and underused companions of the classic Doctor Who television series during the Peter Davidson's era, a.k.a. the Fifth Doctor. Kamelion was a shape-shifting android who originally appeared in the episodes "The King's Daemons" where he was under the influence of The Master. He only appeared in one other episode with the Fifth Doctor. because as a companion, he was just too expensive to use and CGI technology wasn't as advanced as it is today.
Sadly, the original actor who gave voice to Kamelion has passed away, to the torch was passed by Big Finish Productions to Jon Culshaw to take on the role. I'm not really a fan of recasting the original actors for the Doctor Who audios produced by Big Finish Productions. There is something to be sad for not being too greedy.
"Devil In The Mist" takes place immediately after "The King's Daemons." While Turlough is willing to accept Kamelion as a new traveling companion, Tegan has her doubts - even though she's forgiven and moved on from the fact the Turlough freed himself from the influence of the Black Guardian. She doesn't trust Kamelion and finds him creepy. And being a telepathic shape-shifter, Kamelion can link directly to the TARDIS - something not even the Doctor is entirely comfortable with because of the information the android can access.
So when the TARDIS materializes in a crippled prison ship, the Fifth Doctor and his companions, they are greeted with suspicion by the crew because they are viewed hostile because the prison ship is carrying Nustanu, the last warlord of the Zamglitti. A collision causes the ship to crash into a nearby planet, and the Doctor and his companions injured and fight for survival on a world whose wildlife has suddenly turned against them.
A classic adventure of the Fifth Doctor and his companions.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Mai...
July 26, 2022
The Bob's Burgers Movie
Just finished watching "The Bob's Burgers Movie" released by 20th Century Studios.
I have been a long time fan of "Bob's Burgers." It's a quirky animated show that features eccentric parents Bob and Linda Belcher and their three socially awkward children and their lives in and out of their restaurant "Bob's Burgers."
Unfortunately, while I had actually considered going to the movie theater to see "The Bob's Burgers Movie" when it first came out, I'm glad I didn't. "The Bob's Burgers Movie" is actually a bad rendition of somebody's version of the television show.
The animation style doesn't mesh with the actual television show. Also, there are no musical numbers in the television show. To make the movie into a musical didn't make sense. There is truth to the saying keep to the continuity of the show.
The plot is simple, though it does involve a flashback to a murder that happened six years ago in the show's universe. Which is odd, considering that while crime does exist in the Bob's Burgers universe, murder doesn't, at least until this movie. Flash forward to the present where a water main in front of the restaurant bursts, causing a sinkhole and effectively shutting down the restaurant causing a financial crisis, because Bob and Linda are behind in their loan payments. Cue the accidental discovery of the murdered man's skeleton and the kid's quest to solve the murder mystery and save the restaurant.
I love "Bob's Burgers," the show. I didn't enjoy "The Bob's Burgers Movie." It should have take a page from "The Simpson's Movie."
Sadly Not Recommended.
Two Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Burgers-Movie-...
I have been a long time fan of "Bob's Burgers." It's a quirky animated show that features eccentric parents Bob and Linda Belcher and their three socially awkward children and their lives in and out of their restaurant "Bob's Burgers."
Unfortunately, while I had actually considered going to the movie theater to see "The Bob's Burgers Movie" when it first came out, I'm glad I didn't. "The Bob's Burgers Movie" is actually a bad rendition of somebody's version of the television show.
The animation style doesn't mesh with the actual television show. Also, there are no musical numbers in the television show. To make the movie into a musical didn't make sense. There is truth to the saying keep to the continuity of the show.
The plot is simple, though it does involve a flashback to a murder that happened six years ago in the show's universe. Which is odd, considering that while crime does exist in the Bob's Burgers universe, murder doesn't, at least until this movie. Flash forward to the present where a water main in front of the restaurant bursts, causing a sinkhole and effectively shutting down the restaurant causing a financial crisis, because Bob and Linda are behind in their loan payments. Cue the accidental discovery of the murdered man's skeleton and the kid's quest to solve the murder mystery and save the restaurant.
I love "Bob's Burgers," the show. I didn't enjoy "The Bob's Burgers Movie." It should have take a page from "The Simpson's Movie."
Sadly Not Recommended.
Two Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Burgers-Movie-...
July 16, 2022
The Omega Factor
Just finished reading "The Omega Factor" by Steve Berry, published by Grand Central Publishing.
"The Omega Factor" is Berry's fifth stand-a-lone novel and it possibly launches a new series featuring UNESCO investigator Nicholas Lee, whose day-to-day job is to protect historical treasures.
"The Omega Factor" has too much in common with Berry's first book in his Cotton Malone series "The Templar Legacy." In fact there are two many similarities between the two novels with secret religious orders hiding for centuries within the Catholic Church, and lost loved ones ultimately joining the secret religious order out of devotion to duty and G_D.
I'm not going to recommend "The Omega Factor" because it doesn't offer anything new and it even fails to offer an intriguing new character. Nicholas Lee in a carbon copy of Cotton Malone, just with a less self-induced tragic back story and an odd aversion to guns due to a tragic accident when he was a child when one of his boyhood friends died. I couldn't help but feel that there was some box checking here.
Oh yes, and perhaps of interest. Amazon dropped the price of "The Omega Factor" by half - never a good sign for a book by a bestselling author.
Die hard Steve Berry fans will devour this book.
Sadly not recommended.
One Star.
https://www.amazon.com/Omega-Factor-S...
"The Omega Factor" is Berry's fifth stand-a-lone novel and it possibly launches a new series featuring UNESCO investigator Nicholas Lee, whose day-to-day job is to protect historical treasures.
"The Omega Factor" has too much in common with Berry's first book in his Cotton Malone series "The Templar Legacy." In fact there are two many similarities between the two novels with secret religious orders hiding for centuries within the Catholic Church, and lost loved ones ultimately joining the secret religious order out of devotion to duty and G_D.
I'm not going to recommend "The Omega Factor" because it doesn't offer anything new and it even fails to offer an intriguing new character. Nicholas Lee in a carbon copy of Cotton Malone, just with a less self-induced tragic back story and an odd aversion to guns due to a tragic accident when he was a child when one of his boyhood friends died. I couldn't help but feel that there was some box checking here.
Oh yes, and perhaps of interest. Amazon dropped the price of "The Omega Factor" by half - never a good sign for a book by a bestselling author.
Die hard Steve Berry fans will devour this book.
Sadly not recommended.
One Star.
https://www.amazon.com/Omega-Factor-S...
The Avengers - Steed and Tara King - The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume Five
Just finished listening to "The Avengers - Steed and Tara King - The Comic Strip Adaptations - Volume Five," released by Big Finish Productions.
While Studio Canal, the owners of the copyright of the original "The Avengers" series has yet to grant Big Finish Productions permission to create original audio dramas set in the universe of "The Avengers," Big Finish Productions were able to obtain the necessary permissions to adapt the various original comic strip adventures of Steed, Mrs. Peel, and Tara King that appeared in Diana Comics and TV Comic Strips annuals into original audio dramas.
"The Avengers - Steed and Tara King - The Comic Strip Adaptations - Volume Five," consists of "Whatever Next?," "How Does Your Garden Grow?," "A Very Civil War," and "Mother's Day," all of which capture the great sense of fun and adventure of the original television series.
Now do keep in mind that these are adaptations which means that they went beyond the original comic strip and like in the case of "Whatever Next?," changed a bit to keep in nature with the original series - Steed and Tara in the comic strip went to another planet on a flying saucer for instance, which was left out of the audio adaptation. "Mother's Day" also is embellished a bit and gives a bit more background into the character of Mother, who was introduced in the Tara King years.
What makes this collection unique is that Lina Thorson, the actress who played Tara King in the television series, plays a character in "Mother's Day."
Great nostalgic fun!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Avengers-Comic...
While Studio Canal, the owners of the copyright of the original "The Avengers" series has yet to grant Big Finish Productions permission to create original audio dramas set in the universe of "The Avengers," Big Finish Productions were able to obtain the necessary permissions to adapt the various original comic strip adventures of Steed, Mrs. Peel, and Tara King that appeared in Diana Comics and TV Comic Strips annuals into original audio dramas.
"The Avengers - Steed and Tara King - The Comic Strip Adaptations - Volume Five," consists of "Whatever Next?," "How Does Your Garden Grow?," "A Very Civil War," and "Mother's Day," all of which capture the great sense of fun and adventure of the original television series.
Now do keep in mind that these are adaptations which means that they went beyond the original comic strip and like in the case of "Whatever Next?," changed a bit to keep in nature with the original series - Steed and Tara in the comic strip went to another planet on a flying saucer for instance, which was left out of the audio adaptation. "Mother's Day" also is embellished a bit and gives a bit more background into the character of Mother, who was introduced in the Tara King years.
What makes this collection unique is that Lina Thorson, the actress who played Tara King in the television series, plays a character in "Mother's Day."
Great nostalgic fun!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Avengers-Comic...
July 4, 2022
The Telling - How Judaism's Essential Book Reveals the Meaning of Life
Just finished reading "The Telling - How Judaism's Essential Book Reveals the Meaning of Life" by Mark Gerson, published by St. Martin's Essentials.
Host of the popular podcast "The Rabbi's Husband," Mark Gerson has written perhaps the most definitive history of the Haggadah, the prayer book of Pesach and how its teachings impact daily life throughout the year. Gerson examines each of the significant passages of the Haggadah and explains their meaning while providing new insights into the plagues, the four questions, and even the meaning of dayenu.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Judais...
Host of the popular podcast "The Rabbi's Husband," Mark Gerson has written perhaps the most definitive history of the Haggadah, the prayer book of Pesach and how its teachings impact daily life throughout the year. Gerson examines each of the significant passages of the Haggadah and explains their meaning while providing new insights into the plagues, the four questions, and even the meaning of dayenu.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Judais...
July 2, 2022
Morbius
Just stopped watching "Morbius" released by Sony Pictures.
Now I had been looking forward to seeing "Morbius" and I had hoped that it wasn't the cluster bomb - okay, I subsisted the word to I wanted to use due to Facebook standards - that it was reported to be.
While I wasn't a fan of Marvel Comic Books - still not really, sorry Zack and Cory Walter Balinski - when I was growing up, I preferred Gold Key, Harvey, Vamperilla, the Rook, and Eerie comics because they were not certified by the Comics Code Authority - my wasn't I the little rebel back the - I did like Morbius the Living Vampire Comics early on because Marvel skirted around the Comics Code Authority rules about featuring undead characters. Classic Vamperilla started out as an alien who happened to drink blood and ultimately was able to adapt to drinking an artificial blood substitute, yet of course her rather skimpy outfit wasn't approved by the censor happy Comics Code Authority. While DC and Marvel have great characters, the comics they're featured in today, well suck and are WOKE as all getup - okay, I subsisted the word to I wanted to use due to Facebook standards
"Morbius" is a total cluster bomb of a movie. Spoiler Alert - for some reason the movie is fixated on Matt Smith dancing shirtless. Okay, he's buff and he's an evil vampire.
As a rule of thumb, it's always good to stay true to the source material. "Morbius" had a rich history to draw upon, yet Sony choose to ignore that and reshape "Morbius" into a modern day mess. Dr. Morbius is cool because he turned down a Nobel Prize in medicine for inventing artificial blood. He's cool for breaking the rules regarding human experimentation because he's trying to not only save himself, but others as well. And he's cool because he's trying to not kill bad guys even though he's not above hurting and crippling them.
NOT RECOMMENDED!
ZERO STARS!
STRAIGHT TO EBAY!
https://www.amazon.com/Morbius-Blu-ra...
Now I had been looking forward to seeing "Morbius" and I had hoped that it wasn't the cluster bomb - okay, I subsisted the word to I wanted to use due to Facebook standards - that it was reported to be.
While I wasn't a fan of Marvel Comic Books - still not really, sorry Zack and Cory Walter Balinski - when I was growing up, I preferred Gold Key, Harvey, Vamperilla, the Rook, and Eerie comics because they were not certified by the Comics Code Authority - my wasn't I the little rebel back the - I did like Morbius the Living Vampire Comics early on because Marvel skirted around the Comics Code Authority rules about featuring undead characters. Classic Vamperilla started out as an alien who happened to drink blood and ultimately was able to adapt to drinking an artificial blood substitute, yet of course her rather skimpy outfit wasn't approved by the censor happy Comics Code Authority. While DC and Marvel have great characters, the comics they're featured in today, well suck and are WOKE as all getup - okay, I subsisted the word to I wanted to use due to Facebook standards
"Morbius" is a total cluster bomb of a movie. Spoiler Alert - for some reason the movie is fixated on Matt Smith dancing shirtless. Okay, he's buff and he's an evil vampire.
As a rule of thumb, it's always good to stay true to the source material. "Morbius" had a rich history to draw upon, yet Sony choose to ignore that and reshape "Morbius" into a modern day mess. Dr. Morbius is cool because he turned down a Nobel Prize in medicine for inventing artificial blood. He's cool for breaking the rules regarding human experimentation because he's trying to not only save himself, but others as well. And he's cool because he's trying to not kill bad guys even though he's not above hurting and crippling them.
NOT RECOMMENDED!
ZERO STARS!
STRAIGHT TO EBAY!
https://www.amazon.com/Morbius-Blu-ra...
