Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 83
May 11, 2022
Postmarked The Stars
Just finished reading "Postmarked The Stars" by Andre Norton, published by ACE Books in 1970.
I read "Postmarked The Stars" as part of my Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books of my Youth project. I first discovered "Postmarked The Stars" on the shelves in the new arrivals of the Science Fiction section at Michelle's Book Store in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I obtained my reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine - the best bookstore on the Eastern United States - here in Jacksonville, Florida.
For those who came in late, Andre Norton is my favorite author. Andre's "Solar Queen" series is one of her popular series - with four of the original novels and the three novels she co-wrote nearly 30 years later after the last book of the original quartet was published back in 1969.
In "Postmarked the Stars," the Solar Queen is now making postal deliveries between two planets. All the familiar crew from previous books are here, but Dane almost gets left behind when the Queen lifts off, because he has been poisoned and replaced by a look-alike who promptly turns up dead. Someone has sabotaged the Queen's cargo - causing genetic regression aboard livestock they are transporting, and the trouble continues to escalate after the ship sets down again. With no way to explain the dead body and damaged cargo, the crew tries to avoid the law and solve a mystery that ultimately has them running from gigantic alien creatures and homicidal criminals.
A great classic Andre Norton novel!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Postmarked-Sta...
I read "Postmarked The Stars" as part of my Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books of my Youth project. I first discovered "Postmarked The Stars" on the shelves in the new arrivals of the Science Fiction section at Michelle's Book Store in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I obtained my reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine - the best bookstore on the Eastern United States - here in Jacksonville, Florida.
For those who came in late, Andre Norton is my favorite author. Andre's "Solar Queen" series is one of her popular series - with four of the original novels and the three novels she co-wrote nearly 30 years later after the last book of the original quartet was published back in 1969.
In "Postmarked the Stars," the Solar Queen is now making postal deliveries between two planets. All the familiar crew from previous books are here, but Dane almost gets left behind when the Queen lifts off, because he has been poisoned and replaced by a look-alike who promptly turns up dead. Someone has sabotaged the Queen's cargo - causing genetic regression aboard livestock they are transporting, and the trouble continues to escalate after the ship sets down again. With no way to explain the dead body and damaged cargo, the crew tries to avoid the law and solve a mystery that ultimately has them running from gigantic alien creatures and homicidal criminals.
A great classic Andre Norton novel!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Postmarked-Sta...
Lizzy and the Cloud
Just finished reading "Lizzy and the Cloud" by The Fan Brothers, published by Simon & Schuster.
I have long been a fan of The Fan Brothers when I discovered one of the books they illustrated "The Scarecrow" among the bookshelves at the Barnes & Noble near my house.
The Fan Brothers are wonderful illustrators and create lush and vibrant art alongside their stories.
In "Lizzy and the Cloud," Lizzy purchases a cloud from a cloud seller in the park during a family outing with her parents - even though clouds are no longer in fashion. Lizzy's new cloud comes with a list of dos and don'ts and Lizzy vows to follow the list strictly by naming her cloud Milo - the first rule of owning a cloud is giving it a name. Yet Lizzy's love for her cloud causes her to forget the very must important rule of cloud ownership.
A moving tale of loving and letting go.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/153...
I have long been a fan of The Fan Brothers when I discovered one of the books they illustrated "The Scarecrow" among the bookshelves at the Barnes & Noble near my house.
The Fan Brothers are wonderful illustrators and create lush and vibrant art alongside their stories.
In "Lizzy and the Cloud," Lizzy purchases a cloud from a cloud seller in the park during a family outing with her parents - even though clouds are no longer in fashion. Lizzy's new cloud comes with a list of dos and don'ts and Lizzy vows to follow the list strictly by naming her cloud Milo - the first rule of owning a cloud is giving it a name. Yet Lizzy's love for her cloud causes her to forget the very must important rule of cloud ownership.
A moving tale of loving and letting go.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/153...
May 10, 2022
Midnight Lace
Just finished watching "Midnight Lace" released by Universal.
Based on the stage play "Matilda Shouted Fire," "Midnight Lace" is a psychological thriller in the Alfred Hitchhock tradition where Kit Preston, as portrayed by Doris Day, is an American ex-pat and heiress newly married and living in London with her husband British financier Anthony Preston, as portrayed by Rex Harrison. Leaving the American Embassy after resolving an issue with her passport, Kit is stalked and harassed by an unseen stalker who informs her that he will kill her soon. Panicked, she flees home, but what follows is a cat and mouse game of hunter and prey, or is it? Is Kit suffering a psychotic break from reality or is she being gas-lighted by someone close to her? Also, who is the construction foreman who is suffering from PTSD? Is he a concerned stranger or a madman? A top-notch thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the end.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Lace-...
Based on the stage play "Matilda Shouted Fire," "Midnight Lace" is a psychological thriller in the Alfred Hitchhock tradition where Kit Preston, as portrayed by Doris Day, is an American ex-pat and heiress newly married and living in London with her husband British financier Anthony Preston, as portrayed by Rex Harrison. Leaving the American Embassy after resolving an issue with her passport, Kit is stalked and harassed by an unseen stalker who informs her that he will kill her soon. Panicked, she flees home, but what follows is a cat and mouse game of hunter and prey, or is it? Is Kit suffering a psychotic break from reality or is she being gas-lighted by someone close to her? Also, who is the construction foreman who is suffering from PTSD? Is he a concerned stranger or a madman? A top-notch thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the end.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Lace-...
May 9, 2022
Josie and the Pussy Cats In Outer Space
Just watching "Josie And The Pussy Cats In Outer Space" released by Warner Brothers.
Now I'm really dating myself here, but I was about 10 years old when "Josie And The Pussy Cars In Outer Space" first debuted as part of CBS' Saturday Morning Line Up. Now perhaps as an additional shocker, my family didn't get a color television until 1980 when cable finally was permitted on Camp Lejeune. I honestly don't think you could buy a black and white television here in America anymore, unless it was being sold on eBay or in a flea market.
The basic premise of "Josie And The Pussy Cats in Outer Space" was simple: while posing for a publicity shot in front of a space ship - which goes unnamed in the series - Alexandra pulls a stunt that knocks everyone in the group into the space ship while causing it to accidentally launch into space.
Comics legend Alex Toth was actually responsible for the design and look of the television show, which borrowed elements of the Gold Key Comics "Lost In Space" comic book. Yet, I think there was a schism in the production/writer's room because while it's implied that the crew is lost in interstellar space in the first eight episodes, the second eight episodes imply that it's actually our Solar System that Josie and the Pussy Cats are lost in. Oh yes, and in every episode, Josie and the Pussy Cats find time to sing a song after changing into their customs. Oddly it works. Oh yes, and every space villain wants to take over Earth and use the Pussy Cats' spaceship as part of the evil plan.
A word of warning; the episode titled "Outer Space Ark" can cause seizures. Trust me on that - an no Zack, you're not removing this from my DVD collection.
A great trip down memory lane.
Highly Recommended for sheer silliness.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Josie-Pussycat...
Now I'm really dating myself here, but I was about 10 years old when "Josie And The Pussy Cars In Outer Space" first debuted as part of CBS' Saturday Morning Line Up. Now perhaps as an additional shocker, my family didn't get a color television until 1980 when cable finally was permitted on Camp Lejeune. I honestly don't think you could buy a black and white television here in America anymore, unless it was being sold on eBay or in a flea market.
The basic premise of "Josie And The Pussy Cats in Outer Space" was simple: while posing for a publicity shot in front of a space ship - which goes unnamed in the series - Alexandra pulls a stunt that knocks everyone in the group into the space ship while causing it to accidentally launch into space.
Comics legend Alex Toth was actually responsible for the design and look of the television show, which borrowed elements of the Gold Key Comics "Lost In Space" comic book. Yet, I think there was a schism in the production/writer's room because while it's implied that the crew is lost in interstellar space in the first eight episodes, the second eight episodes imply that it's actually our Solar System that Josie and the Pussy Cats are lost in. Oh yes, and in every episode, Josie and the Pussy Cats find time to sing a song after changing into their customs. Oddly it works. Oh yes, and every space villain wants to take over Earth and use the Pussy Cats' spaceship as part of the evil plan.
A word of warning; the episode titled "Outer Space Ark" can cause seizures. Trust me on that - an no Zack, you're not removing this from my DVD collection.
A great trip down memory lane.
Highly Recommended for sheer silliness.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Josie-Pussycat...
May 4, 2022
Minyan
Just finished watching "Minyan" released by Strand Releasing.
"Minyan" is a rather intriguing movie which chronicles the experiences of a young Russian Jewish immigrant who is trying to discover his own sense of self in Brighton Beach during the late 1980s while trying to reconcile his own sexual desires within the strict confines of his Yeshiva and expectations of his family to follow their wishes, and not their own. [I do know a thing or two about parents who think your own personal happiness is going to be dependent on marriage - something I never wanted, and it frustrated Mom and Dad to no end because they couldn't understand that the only family I ever wanted was the one I already had. Besides, when I was five years old, I told my parents and relatives that I wasn't going to get married, and I do keep my word. LOL.]
Based on the short story of the same title by David Bezmozgis, "Minyan" is a grittly realistic portrayal of the Russian Jewish immigrant experience as David struggles to find his voice and own path and it mirrors at times the American Jewish Experience. Spoilers Zack, I dropped out of Hebrew School and told my parents that I wasn't going back to it because I did not like Mr. Charnorf - I stopped calling him a Rabbi because of the way he acted and kept telling the class that we and our parents were bad Jews. Now I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that dropping out was also the perfect way in enforcing my decision of not getting Bar Mitzvah since by the age of 8 I had been long tired of being the perfect Family Jew because of the "sin" of Dad having converted to Judaism. Also, you can't get married if you're not an "adult" man. Yes, my logic was twisted and warped way back then. Like David's parents when he announced he was going to regular school and not the Yeshiva, Mom and Dad yelled, threatened, begged bribed, and pleaded, but I refused to go.
David, who is helping his Grandfather get into a low-rent apartment that caters to Jews by being part of the Minyan there - Trigger Warning - if the accurate depiction of the separation of genders is going to offend you in the worship scenes, don't watch this movie; enters into a sexual relationship with a bartender at a gay nightclub who literally rapes him during their first encounter. David is also an alcoholic.
Minyan is not an easy movie to watch. It's a compelling and realistic portrayal of the Russian Jewish Immigrant experience in America with the background of the early AIDS crisis.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Minyan-Samuel-...
"Minyan" is a rather intriguing movie which chronicles the experiences of a young Russian Jewish immigrant who is trying to discover his own sense of self in Brighton Beach during the late 1980s while trying to reconcile his own sexual desires within the strict confines of his Yeshiva and expectations of his family to follow their wishes, and not their own. [I do know a thing or two about parents who think your own personal happiness is going to be dependent on marriage - something I never wanted, and it frustrated Mom and Dad to no end because they couldn't understand that the only family I ever wanted was the one I already had. Besides, when I was five years old, I told my parents and relatives that I wasn't going to get married, and I do keep my word. LOL.]
Based on the short story of the same title by David Bezmozgis, "Minyan" is a grittly realistic portrayal of the Russian Jewish immigrant experience as David struggles to find his voice and own path and it mirrors at times the American Jewish Experience. Spoilers Zack, I dropped out of Hebrew School and told my parents that I wasn't going back to it because I did not like Mr. Charnorf - I stopped calling him a Rabbi because of the way he acted and kept telling the class that we and our parents were bad Jews. Now I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that dropping out was also the perfect way in enforcing my decision of not getting Bar Mitzvah since by the age of 8 I had been long tired of being the perfect Family Jew because of the "sin" of Dad having converted to Judaism. Also, you can't get married if you're not an "adult" man. Yes, my logic was twisted and warped way back then. Like David's parents when he announced he was going to regular school and not the Yeshiva, Mom and Dad yelled, threatened, begged bribed, and pleaded, but I refused to go.
David, who is helping his Grandfather get into a low-rent apartment that caters to Jews by being part of the Minyan there - Trigger Warning - if the accurate depiction of the separation of genders is going to offend you in the worship scenes, don't watch this movie; enters into a sexual relationship with a bartender at a gay nightclub who literally rapes him during their first encounter. David is also an alcoholic.
Minyan is not an easy movie to watch. It's a compelling and realistic portrayal of the Russian Jewish Immigrant experience in America with the background of the early AIDS crisis.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Minyan-Samuel-...
April 25, 2022
Doctor Who #246 - The Hunting Ground
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #246 - The Hunting Ground" released by Big Finish Productions.
When the Sixth Doctor arrives in present day Iceland, he immediately stumbles upon a dead body of a man whose murder suggests that there are other forces at work instead of a mundane homicidal maniac of the typical human variety. And when the Sixth Doctor inserts himself into Inspector Yrsa Kristjansdottir's investigation, the two soon uncover a deadly conspiracy that spans decades and involves government corruption at the highest of levels. The Sixth Doctor and Inspector Yrsa make an intriguing Doctor/Companion team and I would enjoy listening to more of their adventures, especially since - spoilers - the episode does end with the pair going off to look for trolls.
Great Classic Doctor Who fun!
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-246...
When the Sixth Doctor arrives in present day Iceland, he immediately stumbles upon a dead body of a man whose murder suggests that there are other forces at work instead of a mundane homicidal maniac of the typical human variety. And when the Sixth Doctor inserts himself into Inspector Yrsa Kristjansdottir's investigation, the two soon uncover a deadly conspiracy that spans decades and involves government corruption at the highest of levels. The Sixth Doctor and Inspector Yrsa make an intriguing Doctor/Companion team and I would enjoy listening to more of their adventures, especially since - spoilers - the episode does end with the pair going off to look for trolls.
Great Classic Doctor Who fun!
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-246...
April 24, 2022
The Darkest Dark
Just finished reading "The Darkest Dark" by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, and illustrated by the Fan Brothers, published by Little, Brown, and Company.
Chris Hadfield has written an inspiring picture book about how his childhood fear of the dark and how he turned it around when he realized that his dreams of exploring space centered around his overcoming the fear of the dark. It may be hard to believe, but once upon a time owning televisions were an expensive luxury item and not every home had them. I still recall when we finally bought a color television in 1980 because Camp Lejeune finally allowed cable television on the base. And of course, the artwork by Fan Brothers is simply amazing and captures a simpler time.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Dark-C...
Chris Hadfield has written an inspiring picture book about how his childhood fear of the dark and how he turned it around when he realized that his dreams of exploring space centered around his overcoming the fear of the dark. It may be hard to believe, but once upon a time owning televisions were an expensive luxury item and not every home had them. I still recall when we finally bought a color television in 1980 because Camp Lejeune finally allowed cable television on the base. And of course, the artwork by Fan Brothers is simply amazing and captures a simpler time.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Dark-C...
"Doctor Who #245 - Muse of Fire"
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #245 - Muse of Fire" released by Big Finish Productions.
Popular companion Hex, who was originally introduced in the Classic Doctor Who Main Range of Big Finish Productions audio dramas, returns in this outing for an adventure that wasn't told during his original story arc during his travels with the Seventh Doctor and Ace. Also on hand is the crafty and delightful Time Lady Iris Wildthyme and her companion Panda who are enmeshed a scheme to save the artistic fire of humanity's greatest 20th Century artists in 1920s Paris that unfortunately while being done with the best of intentions, is messing up the established timeline, so it's up to the Seventh Doctor and his companions to set history back on course, only Hex is enamored by Iris, who finds herself at war with the Seventh Doctor who doesn't trust her.
Great fun with the Seventh Doctor, Ace, Hex, Iris, and Panda set in the Classic Doctor Who Universe.
Strongly Recommended for fans of Classic Doctor Who!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-245...
Popular companion Hex, who was originally introduced in the Classic Doctor Who Main Range of Big Finish Productions audio dramas, returns in this outing for an adventure that wasn't told during his original story arc during his travels with the Seventh Doctor and Ace. Also on hand is the crafty and delightful Time Lady Iris Wildthyme and her companion Panda who are enmeshed a scheme to save the artistic fire of humanity's greatest 20th Century artists in 1920s Paris that unfortunately while being done with the best of intentions, is messing up the established timeline, so it's up to the Seventh Doctor and his companions to set history back on course, only Hex is enamored by Iris, who finds herself at war with the Seventh Doctor who doesn't trust her.
Great fun with the Seventh Doctor, Ace, Hex, Iris, and Panda set in the Classic Doctor Who Universe.
Strongly Recommended for fans of Classic Doctor Who!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-245...
"Doctor Who #244 - Warlock's Cross"
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #244 - Warlock's Cross" released by Big Finish Productions.
A stand-alone adventure of the Seventh Doctor finds him crossing paths with former companion and scientific advisor Dr. Elizabeth Klein - who was a brilliant NAZI scientist in an alternative timeline - as the sins of what happened during a Cybermen invasion at Warlock's Cross come home to roost at UNIT's door - only with an inexperienced commander and Daniel - a former friend of the Doctor's who attempted to betray humanity as revenge for his family's brutal murder by the Cybermen, may lead to the total destruction of Earth by a stranded alien spaceship who will use any means in it's power to complete it's mission and return home, despite its crew being dead for decades. Elizabeth also must face her self-doubts and fears because she only exists because the Umbrella Man as she calls the Seventh Doctor believes in her, despite of who she was in another timeline now lost.
Another great stand-alone outing with the Seventh Doctor that shows the aftermath of good deeds and how they can go awry, despite the best of intentions.
Strongly recommended for fans of Classic Doctor Who.
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Mai...
A stand-alone adventure of the Seventh Doctor finds him crossing paths with former companion and scientific advisor Dr. Elizabeth Klein - who was a brilliant NAZI scientist in an alternative timeline - as the sins of what happened during a Cybermen invasion at Warlock's Cross come home to roost at UNIT's door - only with an inexperienced commander and Daniel - a former friend of the Doctor's who attempted to betray humanity as revenge for his family's brutal murder by the Cybermen, may lead to the total destruction of Earth by a stranded alien spaceship who will use any means in it's power to complete it's mission and return home, despite its crew being dead for decades. Elizabeth also must face her self-doubts and fears because she only exists because the Umbrella Man as she calls the Seventh Doctor believes in her, despite of who she was in another timeline now lost.
Another great stand-alone outing with the Seventh Doctor that shows the aftermath of good deeds and how they can go awry, despite the best of intentions.
Strongly recommended for fans of Classic Doctor Who.
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Mai...
"Doctor Who #243 - The Quantum Possibility Engine"
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #243 - The Quantum Possibility Engine" released by Big Finish Productions.
The last in this particular trilogy of stories featuring the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and an older Mel that they have reunited with on their travels, finds the Seventh Doctor and Ace betrayed by Mel, who has been forced by Narvin to deliver the TARDIS and her fellow crew mates up on a silver platter in an attempt to save her life. Yet Mel, who is acting entirely on her own, manages to out scheme the Seventh Doctor who is a notorious schemer and finds a way to save them all - though at what price to her friendship with the Seventh Doctor and Ace?
Great Classic Doctor Who Fun and Adventure.
Highly Recommended for fans of Classic Doctor Who!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-243...
The last in this particular trilogy of stories featuring the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and an older Mel that they have reunited with on their travels, finds the Seventh Doctor and Ace betrayed by Mel, who has been forced by Narvin to deliver the TARDIS and her fellow crew mates up on a silver platter in an attempt to save her life. Yet Mel, who is acting entirely on her own, manages to out scheme the Seventh Doctor who is a notorious schemer and finds a way to save them all - though at what price to her friendship with the Seventh Doctor and Ace?
Great Classic Doctor Who Fun and Adventure.
Highly Recommended for fans of Classic Doctor Who!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-243...
