Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 82
June 14, 2022
Uncharted
Just finished watching "Uncharted" released by Columbia.
Based on Playstation game, "Uncharted" chronicles the adventures of professional street thief Nathan Drake and billionaire treasure hunter Victor Sullivan as they team up to recover the lost treasure of Magellan.
How accurate is the movie version compared to the Playstation game? I honestly don't know. One of the many joys of having had three strokes in the past is that I am prone to seizures by watching certain video games - but I can still beat Zack when it comes to playing Mario Brothers on Nintendo. And I do get the higher scores than Zack when it comes to shooting games. Now the movie was true in part to the jumping on crates and trying to get back into a cargo plane scene from the video game. At least, if memory serves me correctly from the clips I've seen of the game.
It's a lite escapist movie that really doesn't break any new ground in the adventure genre.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Uncharted-Blu-...
Based on Playstation game, "Uncharted" chronicles the adventures of professional street thief Nathan Drake and billionaire treasure hunter Victor Sullivan as they team up to recover the lost treasure of Magellan.
How accurate is the movie version compared to the Playstation game? I honestly don't know. One of the many joys of having had three strokes in the past is that I am prone to seizures by watching certain video games - but I can still beat Zack when it comes to playing Mario Brothers on Nintendo. And I do get the higher scores than Zack when it comes to shooting games. Now the movie was true in part to the jumping on crates and trying to get back into a cargo plane scene from the video game. At least, if memory serves me correctly from the clips I've seen of the game.
It's a lite escapist movie that really doesn't break any new ground in the adventure genre.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Uncharted-Blu-...
June 13, 2022
The Batman
Just finished watching "The Batman" released by Warner Brothers.
I was greatly surprised by and enjoyed this highly effective realistic and gritty take on Batman's early crime fighting career in Gotham City.
Perhaps forever unfairly linked to his Twilight role as Edward the sparkly vampire, Robert Pattinson gives a masterful and highly believable performance as Bruce Wayne and his crime fighting alter ego Batman - who is used to taking on random street thugs and petty criminals until he becomes involved in a high profile case where a serial killer who is turning out to be the first real super villain that Batman has ever encountered. He also encounters Selina Kyle who is carving out her own identity as the Catwoman - a master thief. "The Batman" also pays homage to the original Batman television series by how effectively Batman is able to figure out each of The Riddler's riddles only to nearly fail at gasping the entire intent of his master plan to bring down Gotham City. There is also a wink and a nod to Buldhaven.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS.
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Blu-Ray...
I was greatly surprised by and enjoyed this highly effective realistic and gritty take on Batman's early crime fighting career in Gotham City.
Perhaps forever unfairly linked to his Twilight role as Edward the sparkly vampire, Robert Pattinson gives a masterful and highly believable performance as Bruce Wayne and his crime fighting alter ego Batman - who is used to taking on random street thugs and petty criminals until he becomes involved in a high profile case where a serial killer who is turning out to be the first real super villain that Batman has ever encountered. He also encounters Selina Kyle who is carving out her own identity as the Catwoman - a master thief. "The Batman" also pays homage to the original Batman television series by how effectively Batman is able to figure out each of The Riddler's riddles only to nearly fail at gasping the entire intent of his master plan to bring down Gotham City. There is also a wink and a nod to Buldhaven.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS.
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Blu-Ray...
Poupelle of Chimney Town
Just finished watching "Poupelle of Chimney Town," released by SHOUT!
"Poupelle Of Chimney Town" is an uplifting story of a young boy's, Lubicchi's, unwavering faith in his story his late father told him about the mythical stars in the sky and the arrival of the garbage man who he befriends and names Poupelle - the first real friend he ever made and how Poupelle finds the courage within him to make his father's dream of seeing the stars a reality, not only for himself, but for the others in Chimney Town - which is an interesting community that seeks to hide itself from the outside world with a curtain of smoke and a religious fever.
The animation is haunting and beautiful.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Poupelle-Chimn...
"Poupelle Of Chimney Town" is an uplifting story of a young boy's, Lubicchi's, unwavering faith in his story his late father told him about the mythical stars in the sky and the arrival of the garbage man who he befriends and names Poupelle - the first real friend he ever made and how Poupelle finds the courage within him to make his father's dream of seeing the stars a reality, not only for himself, but for the others in Chimney Town - which is an interesting community that seeks to hide itself from the outside world with a curtain of smoke and a religious fever.
The animation is haunting and beautiful.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Poupelle-Chimn...
Landshark
Just finished watching "Landshark," released by ITN.
I absolutely love schlocky B-rated science fiction movies and "Landshark" definitely falls into this category and checks all the right boxes - a somewhat badly dubbed Chinese movie with a somewhat mediocre budget and an over-the-top plot with a genetically modified shark - which was spliced with earthworm DNA - in a attempt to create a cure for cancer that escapes and goes on a killing rampage on land since it rapidly evolved legs and the capability to breath on land. Oh, and let's throw in the beautiful but foolishly naive scientist, a young child, and a shark trainer who somehow must outrun a pregnant Landshark that has all three of them in it's sight.
Great old-fashioned schlocky fun and yes, there is a set up for a sequel.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Land-Shark-Luo...
I absolutely love schlocky B-rated science fiction movies and "Landshark" definitely falls into this category and checks all the right boxes - a somewhat badly dubbed Chinese movie with a somewhat mediocre budget and an over-the-top plot with a genetically modified shark - which was spliced with earthworm DNA - in a attempt to create a cure for cancer that escapes and goes on a killing rampage on land since it rapidly evolved legs and the capability to breath on land. Oh, and let's throw in the beautiful but foolishly naive scientist, a young child, and a shark trainer who somehow must outrun a pregnant Landshark that has all three of them in it's sight.
Great old-fashioned schlocky fun and yes, there is a set up for a sequel.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Land-Shark-Luo...
The Place Promised In Our Early Days,
Just finished watching "The Place Promised In Our Early Days," a film by Makoto Shinkai, released by GKIDS.
"The Place Promised In Our Early Days" is a stunningly visual anime that explores the friendship between Hiroki, Takuya, and Sayuri, schoolmates who become involved in a project to build a plane to fly over the border to explore and discover the purpose of a mysterious sky-reaching tower. It turns out that the tower is a conduit to parallel universes and is effecting reality which in turn is causing harm to Sayuri. To save Sayuri and possibly their world, Hiroki and Takuya must finish building their plane and fly over to the tower with Sayuri in order to have any chance to save her.
A haunting story of the desperate power of love, longing, and friendship.
Stunning animation.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Place-Promised...
"The Place Promised In Our Early Days" is a stunningly visual anime that explores the friendship between Hiroki, Takuya, and Sayuri, schoolmates who become involved in a project to build a plane to fly over the border to explore and discover the purpose of a mysterious sky-reaching tower. It turns out that the tower is a conduit to parallel universes and is effecting reality which in turn is causing harm to Sayuri. To save Sayuri and possibly their world, Hiroki and Takuya must finish building their plane and fly over to the tower with Sayuri in order to have any chance to save her.
A haunting story of the desperate power of love, longing, and friendship.
Stunning animation.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Place-Promised...
June 12, 2022
"Super Volcanoes - What They Reveal about Earth and the Worlds Beyond" by Robin George Andrews
Just finished reading "Super Volcanoes - What They Reveal about Earth and the Worlds Beyond" by Robin George Andrews, published by Norton.
Science writer Robin George Andrews, who just happens to have a doctorate in volcanology, has written a sweeping story about volcanoes here on Earth and throughout the Solar System and how concepts about volcanoes and how they impact the environment on their respective planets and how the discover of active volcanoes changed how humanity thinks of the Solar System and the potential volcanic activity has for life. Oh yes, and for people who worry about a super volcano destroying humanity, Andrews dispels that notion quite effectively.
Strongly Recommended!
Four Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Volcanoe...
Science writer Robin George Andrews, who just happens to have a doctorate in volcanology, has written a sweeping story about volcanoes here on Earth and throughout the Solar System and how concepts about volcanoes and how they impact the environment on their respective planets and how the discover of active volcanoes changed how humanity thinks of the Solar System and the potential volcanic activity has for life. Oh yes, and for people who worry about a super volcano destroying humanity, Andrews dispels that notion quite effectively.
Strongly Recommended!
Four Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Volcanoe...
"The Telling Of Tales" by Andre Norton
Just finished reading "The Telling Of Tales" by Andre Norton, published by Andre-Norton-Books.com.
Now Jay P. Watts, who compiled and edited this anthology of stories that Andre Norton wrote during her lifetime, but did not publish does not like me. As frequent readers of my reviews on social media know, I'm always honest when I review the works of my friends. I try to apply the same level of honesty equally. As to why Jay P. Watts doesn't like me, I honestly don't know or care to know the reason why.
The unpublished stories in "The Telling of Tales" is actually a treasure trove of Andre's work that span from the 1940s till the time of her passing in 2005. The fifteen stories collected in this anthology have been previously published on the official Andre Norton website.
The first seven stories in this collection "The Hobyahs," "The Fat Troll," "The Cat Who Used His Wits," "Ully, the Piper," "Ring of Stone," "The Knights of the Fish," and "The Legend of the Fairy Stone," reminded me of the fairy tales I enjoyed when I was younger. I'm still surprised that these stories were never published. Actually, I'm still surprised that none of the stories were published during Andre's lifetime.
"Yankee Camels" shows why Andre could have given Louis L'Amour a run for the money if she had chosen to write Westerns.
"Fanus" pays homage to the stories of Thomas Bennet Swan, and this collection rounds out with "Who Dreams of Dragons" which Andre wrote for Anne McCaffrey, and the fragment of "Rusted Armor."
A very solid collection which would have benefited from commentary or even an introduction of how the stories were found after Andre's passing in 2005.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Tales-...
Now Jay P. Watts, who compiled and edited this anthology of stories that Andre Norton wrote during her lifetime, but did not publish does not like me. As frequent readers of my reviews on social media know, I'm always honest when I review the works of my friends. I try to apply the same level of honesty equally. As to why Jay P. Watts doesn't like me, I honestly don't know or care to know the reason why.
The unpublished stories in "The Telling of Tales" is actually a treasure trove of Andre's work that span from the 1940s till the time of her passing in 2005. The fifteen stories collected in this anthology have been previously published on the official Andre Norton website.
The first seven stories in this collection "The Hobyahs," "The Fat Troll," "The Cat Who Used His Wits," "Ully, the Piper," "Ring of Stone," "The Knights of the Fish," and "The Legend of the Fairy Stone," reminded me of the fairy tales I enjoyed when I was younger. I'm still surprised that these stories were never published. Actually, I'm still surprised that none of the stories were published during Andre's lifetime.
"Yankee Camels" shows why Andre could have given Louis L'Amour a run for the money if she had chosen to write Westerns.
"Fanus" pays homage to the stories of Thomas Bennet Swan, and this collection rounds out with "Who Dreams of Dragons" which Andre wrote for Anne McCaffrey, and the fragment of "Rusted Armor."
A very solid collection which would have benefited from commentary or even an introduction of how the stories were found after Andre's passing in 2005.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Tales-...
May 31, 2022
"The Invaders 2 - Enemies From Beyond" by Keith Laumer
Just finished reading "The Invaders 2 - Enemies From Beyond" by Keith Laumer, published by Pyramid Books back in October 1967.
Actually, this original novel based on the original "The Invaders" television series is not a part of my Great Rereading of My Favorite Books of My Youth project. I didn't realize that this book actually existed until a few months ago when I was doing some research on the first original "The Invaders" novel that was also written by Keith Laumer.
Sadly "The Invaders 2 - Enemies From Beyond" was not available at Chamblin's Book Mine where I usually get my reading copies for my rereading project. I had to buy my reading copy from eBay.
Like in his previous "The Invaders" novel, Laumer wrote a series of separate stories about David Vincent's encounters in his ongoing fight with the Invaders - the so-called "Great Race" from another star system that is intent on destroying humanity and taking over the Earth.
Perhaps the most intriguing story in this novel is "The Clairvoyant" where a human who has the ability to read minds tries to convince Vincent to change tactics and try to talk peace with the Invaders. The attempt fails of course, and results in the clairvoyant's death, but at least Vincent is willing to try to talk peace with his enemies and offer compromise. Also of interest is "The Allies" where David and a young woman are thrown into a life and death struggle with mutated rats and other creatures that have been genetically alerted by the Invaders.
"The Telescope" is also intriguing because it hints that David has a network that is dedicated to fighting the Invaders - something that happened in the second season of the original series.
Highly Recommended for fans of the original series.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Beyond...
Actually, this original novel based on the original "The Invaders" television series is not a part of my Great Rereading of My Favorite Books of My Youth project. I didn't realize that this book actually existed until a few months ago when I was doing some research on the first original "The Invaders" novel that was also written by Keith Laumer.
Sadly "The Invaders 2 - Enemies From Beyond" was not available at Chamblin's Book Mine where I usually get my reading copies for my rereading project. I had to buy my reading copy from eBay.
Like in his previous "The Invaders" novel, Laumer wrote a series of separate stories about David Vincent's encounters in his ongoing fight with the Invaders - the so-called "Great Race" from another star system that is intent on destroying humanity and taking over the Earth.
Perhaps the most intriguing story in this novel is "The Clairvoyant" where a human who has the ability to read minds tries to convince Vincent to change tactics and try to talk peace with the Invaders. The attempt fails of course, and results in the clairvoyant's death, but at least Vincent is willing to try to talk peace with his enemies and offer compromise. Also of interest is "The Allies" where David and a young woman are thrown into a life and death struggle with mutated rats and other creatures that have been genetically alerted by the Invaders.
"The Telescope" is also intriguing because it hints that David has a network that is dedicated to fighting the Invaders - something that happened in the second season of the original series.
Highly Recommended for fans of the original series.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Beyond...
May 26, 2022
Kingdom of Bones
Just finished reading "Kingdom of Bones" by James Rollins, published by William Morrow.
"Kingdom of Bones" is the 22nd thriller in Rollins' widely popular Sigma Force series of scientific thrillers. I remember picking up the first Sigma Force thriller "Sandstorm" that was on one of the new arrival tables in the Barnes & Noble near where I live in the late 1990s.
"Kingdom of Bones" finds the various members of Sigma Force in the Congo where they are trying to pinpoint the source of a deadly plague in the Congo while struggling to maintain it and finding a cure. Only standing in their way is a megalomaniac with dreams of creating a new colonial republic in the Congo.
A top notch thriller!
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Bones-...
"Kingdom of Bones" is the 22nd thriller in Rollins' widely popular Sigma Force series of scientific thrillers. I remember picking up the first Sigma Force thriller "Sandstorm" that was on one of the new arrival tables in the Barnes & Noble near where I live in the late 1990s.
"Kingdom of Bones" finds the various members of Sigma Force in the Congo where they are trying to pinpoint the source of a deadly plague in the Congo while struggling to maintain it and finding a cure. Only standing in their way is a megalomaniac with dreams of creating a new colonial republic in the Congo.
A top notch thriller!
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Bones-...
Otherlands
Just finished reading "Otherlands - A Journey Through Earth's Extinct Worlds" by Thomas Halliday, published by Random House.
Halliday, who is a paleontologist and scientific associate in the National History Museum in London,
Life is never static, Eons have shaped the various physical and biological landscapes here on Earth into unique worlds that existed in a blink of cosmological time and Halliday brings those lost worlds into vivid life from their beginnings to their final ends, and perhaps serves a a cautionary warning of potential futures to come on Earth.
Enthralling reading of Earth's entwined biological and geological histories.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Otherlands-Jou...
Halliday, who is a paleontologist and scientific associate in the National History Museum in London,
Life is never static, Eons have shaped the various physical and biological landscapes here on Earth into unique worlds that existed in a blink of cosmological time and Halliday brings those lost worlds into vivid life from their beginnings to their final ends, and perhaps serves a a cautionary warning of potential futures to come on Earth.
Enthralling reading of Earth's entwined biological and geological histories.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Otherlands-Jou...
