Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 98
May 15, 2021
The Classic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Just finished listening to "The Classic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Red-Headed League & Other Mysteries" by Jim French Productions, released by Radio Spirits.
With his Imagination Theatre in Seattle, Washington, the late Jim French breathed new life into the classic medium of Golden Age Radio shows by creating original radio programs that introduced new characters like private investigator Harry Niles, while bringing back Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal detective Sherlock Holmes back to the radio waves in classic and new adventures.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I always am forthcoming when I know someone whose work I am reviewing. Although Lawrence Albert and I have never met in person, we are friends here on Facebook and have exchanged a few messages over the years. I do believe in honesty and full disclosure, and if I may be presumptuous, I think Lawrence agrees with me.
If memory serves me correctly, Radio Spirits had signed a five year agreement with the Jim French Productions to release it's radio shows a while back ago. How many years into this agreement the two companies are I don't know. What I do know is that for reasons which escape me, Radio Spirits is missing a great opportunity to preserve the history of the people involved with Jim French Productions by not including a booklet like it does with all its other releases of shows from the Golden Age of Radio. I for one would love to learn the behind-the-scenes history of Imagination Theatre and how it brought its shows to life.
Note: In my personal experience, Radio Spirits doesn't respond well to criticism of any kind.
Writer M.J. Elliot dramatized this collection of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story for radio, several of which have not been dramatized here in America before - to the best of my knowledge - like "The Valley of Fear." Please note, I said not dramatized by American radio; the BBC had dramatized these Sherlock Holmes stories previously for radio. [And yes, I did get that particular BBC Complete Sherlock Holmes CD set when it was on sale for half off plus my additional 10% discount at Barnes and Noble nearly 20 years ago.]
John Patrick Lowrie and Laurence Albert are absolutely brilliant with their portrayals as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This particular collection released by Radio Spirits contains seventeen of Doyle's original stories adapted for radio.
My favorite adaptations are "The Adventure of the Cooper Beeches," "The Solitary Cyclist," "The Reigate Squires," "His Last Bow," "The Blanched Soldier," and "The Sign of the Four."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://radiospirits.com/detailsv2.asp...
With his Imagination Theatre in Seattle, Washington, the late Jim French breathed new life into the classic medium of Golden Age Radio shows by creating original radio programs that introduced new characters like private investigator Harry Niles, while bringing back Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal detective Sherlock Holmes back to the radio waves in classic and new adventures.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I always am forthcoming when I know someone whose work I am reviewing. Although Lawrence Albert and I have never met in person, we are friends here on Facebook and have exchanged a few messages over the years. I do believe in honesty and full disclosure, and if I may be presumptuous, I think Lawrence agrees with me.
If memory serves me correctly, Radio Spirits had signed a five year agreement with the Jim French Productions to release it's radio shows a while back ago. How many years into this agreement the two companies are I don't know. What I do know is that for reasons which escape me, Radio Spirits is missing a great opportunity to preserve the history of the people involved with Jim French Productions by not including a booklet like it does with all its other releases of shows from the Golden Age of Radio. I for one would love to learn the behind-the-scenes history of Imagination Theatre and how it brought its shows to life.
Note: In my personal experience, Radio Spirits doesn't respond well to criticism of any kind.
Writer M.J. Elliot dramatized this collection of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story for radio, several of which have not been dramatized here in America before - to the best of my knowledge - like "The Valley of Fear." Please note, I said not dramatized by American radio; the BBC had dramatized these Sherlock Holmes stories previously for radio. [And yes, I did get that particular BBC Complete Sherlock Holmes CD set when it was on sale for half off plus my additional 10% discount at Barnes and Noble nearly 20 years ago.]
John Patrick Lowrie and Laurence Albert are absolutely brilliant with their portrayals as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This particular collection released by Radio Spirits contains seventeen of Doyle's original stories adapted for radio.
My favorite adaptations are "The Adventure of the Cooper Beeches," "The Solitary Cyclist," "The Reigate Squires," "His Last Bow," "The Blanched Soldier," and "The Sign of the Four."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://radiospirits.com/detailsv2.asp...
The People of the Crater
Just finished listening to "The People of the Crater" by Andre Norton, released by IDB Productions.
Originally published by Fantasy Book - a science fiction/fantasy magazne - back in 1947 under her pen name of Andrew North, "The People of the Crater" is I believe Andre Norton's first foray into science fiction/fantasy. She had previously written two other children's books and several short stories outside of the genre that made her famous as a writer.
"The People of the Crater," which Andre Norton later rewrote a bit and incorporated into her novel "Garan The Eternal" is a lost world adventure novel in the classical vein.
American hero and pilot Garin Featherstone finds himself unemployed after the United States has won the Third World War and is soon recruited by explorer Gregory Larson for an expedition to Antarctica to locate a possible temperate zone. Tragedy strikes the aerial expedition as the crater is in sight, leaving Garin the sole, but dying survivor. He is soon rescued by a strange lizard people and becomes involved in their quest to rescue the Daughter who he is betrothed to in an unending cycle of death and rebirth.
A peak of the classic Andre Norton that was yet to come.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/People-Crater-...
Originally published by Fantasy Book - a science fiction/fantasy magazne - back in 1947 under her pen name of Andrew North, "The People of the Crater" is I believe Andre Norton's first foray into science fiction/fantasy. She had previously written two other children's books and several short stories outside of the genre that made her famous as a writer.
"The People of the Crater," which Andre Norton later rewrote a bit and incorporated into her novel "Garan The Eternal" is a lost world adventure novel in the classical vein.
American hero and pilot Garin Featherstone finds himself unemployed after the United States has won the Third World War and is soon recruited by explorer Gregory Larson for an expedition to Antarctica to locate a possible temperate zone. Tragedy strikes the aerial expedition as the crater is in sight, leaving Garin the sole, but dying survivor. He is soon rescued by a strange lizard people and becomes involved in their quest to rescue the Daughter who he is betrothed to in an unending cycle of death and rebirth.
A peak of the classic Andre Norton that was yet to come.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/People-Crater-...
May 14, 2021
Spacefarers
Just finished reading "Spacefarers - How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond" by Christopher Wanjeck, released by Harvard University Press.
WOW! What a difference a few months make! When I originally bought this book on Amazon back in January 2021, it was just a little more than $20 - now Amazon has it listed for just five bucks - if only I had waited I could have gotten a good book on space exploration for cheaper! Oh, well....
Former NASA writer Christopher Wanjek takes a through look at the problems humanity will encounter when it begins to give serious thought to colonizing the Solar System and why micro-gravity makes sex a bit of impractical possibility for heterosexual couples and gay men, but lesbians might fare better because of the mechanics behind the act. Wanjek also explores the pros and cons of why gravity wells are going to be required if humanity is going to thrive and grow in space, as well as the dangers of going beyond Earth orbit for any length of time even just to the moon and back.
A through and thought provoking book.
Strongly recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Spacefarers-Hu...
WOW! What a difference a few months make! When I originally bought this book on Amazon back in January 2021, it was just a little more than $20 - now Amazon has it listed for just five bucks - if only I had waited I could have gotten a good book on space exploration for cheaper! Oh, well....
Former NASA writer Christopher Wanjek takes a through look at the problems humanity will encounter when it begins to give serious thought to colonizing the Solar System and why micro-gravity makes sex a bit of impractical possibility for heterosexual couples and gay men, but lesbians might fare better because of the mechanics behind the act. Wanjek also explores the pros and cons of why gravity wells are going to be required if humanity is going to thrive and grow in space, as well as the dangers of going beyond Earth orbit for any length of time even just to the moon and back.
A through and thought provoking book.
Strongly recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Spacefarers-Hu...
Horn Crown by Andre Norton
Just finished re-reading "Horn Crown" by Andre Norton, first released by DAW Books back in July 1981.
Andre Norton is my favorite author and though I never met her in person, I was fortunate to have corresponded with her during her final years. I only wish that I had began writing to her sooner, for she was truly a gracious lady.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I started a few years back with I call my "Great Re-Reading of My Favorite Books When I Was Young Project." "Horn Crown" falls into this project's category.
I always anxiously looked for new Andre Norton novels in the New Arrivals Section of the bookshelves at Michelle's Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and during my first summer break from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, I discovered that DAW Books had released Andre Norton's newest Witch World novel. Mom commented on how she liked the shiny gold lettering on the cover, which also had a painting by Michael Whelan - all major science fiction novels had cover art by Michael Whelan and it was seen as a status symbol by the Science Fiction community and still is I believe.
As always, I got my reading copy of "Horn Crown" from Chamblin's Bookmine, the greatest bookstore here in Florida and the Eastern United States.
Humanity's arrival to Witch World and it's fist encounter with the powers of the ancient beings, gods of light and darkness is told through the story of Elron, a foot soldier, and Gathea, an apprentice to a wise woman who are forced to combine their separate quests in order to prevent a dark lord from gaining access into the mortal realms of the Witch World through the foolish young woman he has seduced.
Every time your re-read a book, you see it in a different light - mainly because of the passage of time. What surprised me about "Horn Crown" is that I believe it's the most sexual of Andre Norton's novels -readers know what Elron and Gathea are about to get busy in a ritual to make Witch World fertile for generations to come - no pun intended, okay maybe it was...
"Horn Crown" is a very good origins story of Witch World, but as Andre Norton once said, not all of the Gates of the Witch World are closed once a story has been told.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Horn-Crown-And...
Andre Norton is my favorite author and though I never met her in person, I was fortunate to have corresponded with her during her final years. I only wish that I had began writing to her sooner, for she was truly a gracious lady.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I started a few years back with I call my "Great Re-Reading of My Favorite Books When I Was Young Project." "Horn Crown" falls into this project's category.
I always anxiously looked for new Andre Norton novels in the New Arrivals Section of the bookshelves at Michelle's Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and during my first summer break from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, I discovered that DAW Books had released Andre Norton's newest Witch World novel. Mom commented on how she liked the shiny gold lettering on the cover, which also had a painting by Michael Whelan - all major science fiction novels had cover art by Michael Whelan and it was seen as a status symbol by the Science Fiction community and still is I believe.
As always, I got my reading copy of "Horn Crown" from Chamblin's Bookmine, the greatest bookstore here in Florida and the Eastern United States.
Humanity's arrival to Witch World and it's fist encounter with the powers of the ancient beings, gods of light and darkness is told through the story of Elron, a foot soldier, and Gathea, an apprentice to a wise woman who are forced to combine their separate quests in order to prevent a dark lord from gaining access into the mortal realms of the Witch World through the foolish young woman he has seduced.
Every time your re-read a book, you see it in a different light - mainly because of the passage of time. What surprised me about "Horn Crown" is that I believe it's the most sexual of Andre Norton's novels -readers know what Elron and Gathea are about to get busy in a ritual to make Witch World fertile for generations to come - no pun intended, okay maybe it was...
"Horn Crown" is a very good origins story of Witch World, but as Andre Norton once said, not all of the Gates of the Witch World are closed once a story has been told.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Horn-Crown-And...
The Magick Of Camelot
Just finished reading "The Magick Of Camelot" by Arthur H. Landis by DAW Books released back in 1981.
"The Magick Of Camelot" is the third and final book in Landis' Camelot trilogy, and it was on the shelves of the New Arrival Section at Michelle's Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina after I had returned home from the University of Tennessee after completing my Freshman year. It is also not part of my "Great Re-Reading Favorite Books of My Youth" project.
I found this copy among the shelves of Chamblin's Bookmine, the greatest bookstore here in Florida and the Eastern United States.
Kyrie Fern has successfully introduced Camelot to the Terran Galactic Federation and is enjoying a reception with his beloved Princess Murie by his side as he is introducing the delegation from Camelot to Federation representatives when an invasion force from Hooli's home universe begins destroying Federation warships orbiting Camelot in search of Hooli - and they want him dead. Now in order to save Camelot and the Federation, Fern must undertake one more quest to unravel the mystery of Hooli's origin and combat beings who just might be more powerful than Hooli.
A satisfying conclusion to this popular and beloved science fantasy trilogy.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Magick-Camelot...
"The Magick Of Camelot" is the third and final book in Landis' Camelot trilogy, and it was on the shelves of the New Arrival Section at Michelle's Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina after I had returned home from the University of Tennessee after completing my Freshman year. It is also not part of my "Great Re-Reading Favorite Books of My Youth" project.
I found this copy among the shelves of Chamblin's Bookmine, the greatest bookstore here in Florida and the Eastern United States.
Kyrie Fern has successfully introduced Camelot to the Terran Galactic Federation and is enjoying a reception with his beloved Princess Murie by his side as he is introducing the delegation from Camelot to Federation representatives when an invasion force from Hooli's home universe begins destroying Federation warships orbiting Camelot in search of Hooli - and they want him dead. Now in order to save Camelot and the Federation, Fern must undertake one more quest to unravel the mystery of Hooli's origin and combat beings who just might be more powerful than Hooli.
A satisfying conclusion to this popular and beloved science fantasy trilogy.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Magick-Camelot...
Camelot In Orbit
Just finished reading "Camelot In Orbit' by Arthur H. Landis, released by DAW Books back in 1978.
"Camelot In Orbit" is not part of my "Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books From My Youth" project. While I do recall seeing "Camelot In Orbit" on the shelves in the New Arrivals Section at Michelle's Bookstore back in 1978, I did not buy it to read back then because if fell under the category of science fantasy and I wasn't fond of that particular genre back then. Sometimes a reader has to have age a few decades in order to appreciate a book and want to read it.
Galactic Adjuster Kyrie Fern is basking in the glory of his triumph. He had saved Camelot from the designs of the dark one and has one the love and hand of his beloved Princess Murie. Only now it seems Fern's victory was premature for the dark one has arisen again and has successfully attacked an outpost of the Galactic Watchers. Now Fern must destroy the dark one for once and for all if Camelot is to survive, but again, he must rely on help of the Hooli, who has an agenda of his own.
A great science fantasy romp.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Camelot-Orbit-...
"Camelot In Orbit" is not part of my "Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books From My Youth" project. While I do recall seeing "Camelot In Orbit" on the shelves in the New Arrivals Section at Michelle's Bookstore back in 1978, I did not buy it to read back then because if fell under the category of science fantasy and I wasn't fond of that particular genre back then. Sometimes a reader has to have age a few decades in order to appreciate a book and want to read it.
Galactic Adjuster Kyrie Fern is basking in the glory of his triumph. He had saved Camelot from the designs of the dark one and has one the love and hand of his beloved Princess Murie. Only now it seems Fern's victory was premature for the dark one has arisen again and has successfully attacked an outpost of the Galactic Watchers. Now Fern must destroy the dark one for once and for all if Camelot is to survive, but again, he must rely on help of the Hooli, who has an agenda of his own.
A great science fantasy romp.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Camelot-Orbit-...
A World Called Camelot
Just finished reading "A World Called Camelot" by Arthur H. Landis, released by DAW Books back in 1976.
"A World Called Camelot" is not part of "Great Re-Reading of My Favorite Books When I Was Young" Project. I do recall seeing this book on the New Arrivals Section at Michelle's Bookstore back in Jacksonville, North Carolina, but for some reason I did not buy it at the time. I suspect that it was because I wasn't fond at the particular moment of time of the science fantasy genre...times and tastes can and do change, and I always remembered this book and the other two books in the trilogy. So I decided to take a chance on reading it when I came across it on the shelves in Chamblin's Bookmine - the best bookstore in all of Florida and perhaps the entire Eastern Seaboard.
The basic premise is that on Fomalhaut II, or Fergis as it's called by the furred humanoids who have a peculiar medieval society and technology, magic actually works. And yes, I suspect that "A World Called Camelot" and it's subsequent sequels can be called the first ever published "furry" novels - at least the first that I know of here in the United States.
The Watchers - a group of super advanced humans, have nicknamed Fergis "Camelot" and they want to unravel the mysteries of the only world in the known universe where magic works. Enter Adjuster Kyrie Fern, a human who has volunteered to be surgically and genetically modified to resemble a Fergisian and figure out what is going on in Camelot. Yet, unknown to Fern and his fellow Watchers is an unknown entity who is pulling the strings and just may be the most powerful being in the universe - a small teddy bear like creature named Hooli.
"A World Called Camelot" can be best described as a science knight on a quest that isn't as predictable as he thought it would be, and Fern has forgotten Clarke's Basic Law - any sufficiently advanced technology is going to appear as magic and may even be though of as much by it's willing and unwilling users.
An enjoyable science fiction action adventure epic.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Called-C...
"A World Called Camelot" is not part of "Great Re-Reading of My Favorite Books When I Was Young" Project. I do recall seeing this book on the New Arrivals Section at Michelle's Bookstore back in Jacksonville, North Carolina, but for some reason I did not buy it at the time. I suspect that it was because I wasn't fond at the particular moment of time of the science fantasy genre...times and tastes can and do change, and I always remembered this book and the other two books in the trilogy. So I decided to take a chance on reading it when I came across it on the shelves in Chamblin's Bookmine - the best bookstore in all of Florida and perhaps the entire Eastern Seaboard.
The basic premise is that on Fomalhaut II, or Fergis as it's called by the furred humanoids who have a peculiar medieval society and technology, magic actually works. And yes, I suspect that "A World Called Camelot" and it's subsequent sequels can be called the first ever published "furry" novels - at least the first that I know of here in the United States.
The Watchers - a group of super advanced humans, have nicknamed Fergis "Camelot" and they want to unravel the mysteries of the only world in the known universe where magic works. Enter Adjuster Kyrie Fern, a human who has volunteered to be surgically and genetically modified to resemble a Fergisian and figure out what is going on in Camelot. Yet, unknown to Fern and his fellow Watchers is an unknown entity who is pulling the strings and just may be the most powerful being in the universe - a small teddy bear like creature named Hooli.
"A World Called Camelot" can be best described as a science knight on a quest that isn't as predictable as he thought it would be, and Fern has forgotten Clarke's Basic Law - any sufficiently advanced technology is going to appear as magic and may even be though of as much by it's willing and unwilling users.
An enjoyable science fiction action adventure epic.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Called-C...
May 5, 2020
"Are All The Giants Dead?" by Mary Norton; illustrated by Brian Froud
Just finished reading "Are All The Giants Dead?" by Mary Norton; illustrated by Brian Froud released by Voyager/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Books back in 1978.
For those who came in late, a couple of years ago I began what I've dubbed my "Great Re-Reading Of My Favorite Books From My Youth" program, and "Are All The Giants Dead?" is a perfect book to re-read again, not only because I enjoyed it and this lyrical fantasy has lingered in my mind for nearly 40 years, but because I had to fight the teachers and administrative staff at the hellhole known as Camp Lejeune High School to read this book.
My original copy of "Are All The Giants Dead?" is still in one of my many bookcases and I bought it when it was first released at Michelle's Bookstore in the Bryn Mar Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on the top shelves of the Science Fiction and Fantasy section of Michelle's - right near the front entrance.
I obtained my reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine - the best bookstore here in Florida and the East Coast - in my opinion.
What makes "Are All The Giants Dead?" a significant book for me - is not that it's simply a brilliant lyrical fantasy but that I had to fight the snobbery and prejudice of so-called adults who taught and worked at Camp Lejeune High School who tried to intimidate and threaten me all in order to stop reading this book - all for the simple reason because they thought it wasn't an age appropriate book. Several teachers, including the schmuck of an assistant principal, tried to force me into a special education class - I refused and stated that all tests I had taken showed that I was reading and comprehending at college level. Then they said my parents would be embarrassed if they knew what I was reading and they got angry when I told them that my parents were with me when I bought the book. Several teachers tried to take the book away from me and violently screamed at me for reading it during break and lunch times.
Teachers called me "worthless" and told me that I "would never amount to anything for reading this book and others like it."
Needless to say, I wasn't very popular for standing up for myself at the hellhole known as Camp Lejeune High School.
I'm a firm believer in sharing the memories behind an important book. [Note to LHS Alumni - If you don't like the memory, perhaps you shouldn't have had a hand in creating it.]
"Are All The Giants Dead?" is a lyrical fantasy that would make an excellent Studio Ghibli animated movie. James is a young boy who has the ability to visit the other realms of realities in his dreams and his mentor/guide/nanny is Mildred, a middle-aged and beguiling chronicler of what happens after the happily ever after, who also has the same ability and who is committed to her job and a bit awed by the subjects of the stories she loves.Despite Mildred's cautionary advice about never becoming too involved in the realms they visit, James decides to help Princess Dulcibel escape the fate the evil fairy Pinprick cursed her with when she was an infant. What follows is a tale of courage and daring-do, restored hopes, and oddly a sense of being out-of-sorts once the adventure ends.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Are-Giants-Dea...
For those who came in late, a couple of years ago I began what I've dubbed my "Great Re-Reading Of My Favorite Books From My Youth" program, and "Are All The Giants Dead?" is a perfect book to re-read again, not only because I enjoyed it and this lyrical fantasy has lingered in my mind for nearly 40 years, but because I had to fight the teachers and administrative staff at the hellhole known as Camp Lejeune High School to read this book.
My original copy of "Are All The Giants Dead?" is still in one of my many bookcases and I bought it when it was first released at Michelle's Bookstore in the Bryn Mar Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on the top shelves of the Science Fiction and Fantasy section of Michelle's - right near the front entrance.
I obtained my reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine - the best bookstore here in Florida and the East Coast - in my opinion.
What makes "Are All The Giants Dead?" a significant book for me - is not that it's simply a brilliant lyrical fantasy but that I had to fight the snobbery and prejudice of so-called adults who taught and worked at Camp Lejeune High School who tried to intimidate and threaten me all in order to stop reading this book - all for the simple reason because they thought it wasn't an age appropriate book. Several teachers, including the schmuck of an assistant principal, tried to force me into a special education class - I refused and stated that all tests I had taken showed that I was reading and comprehending at college level. Then they said my parents would be embarrassed if they knew what I was reading and they got angry when I told them that my parents were with me when I bought the book. Several teachers tried to take the book away from me and violently screamed at me for reading it during break and lunch times.
Teachers called me "worthless" and told me that I "would never amount to anything for reading this book and others like it."
Needless to say, I wasn't very popular for standing up for myself at the hellhole known as Camp Lejeune High School.
I'm a firm believer in sharing the memories behind an important book. [Note to LHS Alumni - If you don't like the memory, perhaps you shouldn't have had a hand in creating it.]
"Are All The Giants Dead?" is a lyrical fantasy that would make an excellent Studio Ghibli animated movie. James is a young boy who has the ability to visit the other realms of realities in his dreams and his mentor/guide/nanny is Mildred, a middle-aged and beguiling chronicler of what happens after the happily ever after, who also has the same ability and who is committed to her job and a bit awed by the subjects of the stories she loves.Despite Mildred's cautionary advice about never becoming too involved in the realms they visit, James decides to help Princess Dulcibel escape the fate the evil fairy Pinprick cursed her with when she was an infant. What follows is a tale of courage and daring-do, restored hopes, and oddly a sense of being out-of-sorts once the adventure ends.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Are-Giants-Dea...
March 3, 2020
Hurley Haywood
Just finished watching "Hurley" released by Passion River Studios.
A bit of a disclaimer - while Hurley Haywood and I live in the same city, our paths to the best of my knowledge have never crossed. Prior to watching this biographical dvd, I did have some fleeting knowledge that Hurley Haywood was a former race car driver and I have a vague recollection of the news stories from the 1970s of him winning the Le Mans several times. As Jeff, Zack, and Selma will attest to, I don't like watching sports on television - there's just nothing exciting about watching other people playing sports on the television - just doesn't do anything for me.
Yet Hurley Haywood was a pop culture icon in the 1970s that everyone knew about and this biography explores how he lead a double life - i.e. a quasi-closeted man who was known to be gay by a few people in a tight inner circle, but passed himself as a super straight man in order to participate in the sport he loved.
If Hurley's "truth" had been known in the 1970s-1990s, it would have undoubtedly destroyed his racing career and cost him endorsements.
Perhaps the most telling moment in this movie is how Hurley's husband must keep his distance when Hurley is on the track out of fear that it could have some impact on Hurley.
"Hurley" is an interesting biographical documentary of one athlete's journey towards peace and self-acceptance, though I'm not completely sure that Hurley has found that middle ground. I think it sill eludes him.
Strongly Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Hurley-Haywood...
A bit of a disclaimer - while Hurley Haywood and I live in the same city, our paths to the best of my knowledge have never crossed. Prior to watching this biographical dvd, I did have some fleeting knowledge that Hurley Haywood was a former race car driver and I have a vague recollection of the news stories from the 1970s of him winning the Le Mans several times. As Jeff, Zack, and Selma will attest to, I don't like watching sports on television - there's just nothing exciting about watching other people playing sports on the television - just doesn't do anything for me.
Yet Hurley Haywood was a pop culture icon in the 1970s that everyone knew about and this biography explores how he lead a double life - i.e. a quasi-closeted man who was known to be gay by a few people in a tight inner circle, but passed himself as a super straight man in order to participate in the sport he loved.
If Hurley's "truth" had been known in the 1970s-1990s, it would have undoubtedly destroyed his racing career and cost him endorsements.
Perhaps the most telling moment in this movie is how Hurley's husband must keep his distance when Hurley is on the track out of fear that it could have some impact on Hurley.
"Hurley" is an interesting biographical documentary of one athlete's journey towards peace and self-acceptance, though I'm not completely sure that Hurley has found that middle ground. I think it sill eludes him.
Strongly Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Hurley-Haywood...
February 17, 2020
"Ancient Aliens - Season 12 - Volume 1"
Just finished watching "Ancient Aliens - Season 12 - Volume 1"1 released by the History Channel.
I do enjoy watching "Ancient Aliens," and the series gets more outlandish with its theories, especially the ones it keep recycling - like aliens from Sirus, Element 115, ancient aliens visiting the Mayas, and secret hidden alien bases in Antarctica. Just when I thought the couldn't get any weirder, or is it desperate for looking for new ways to present old ideas, "Ancient Aliens" does manage to get credible scientists on board - 15 minutes of fame I suspect and anything to get tenure. The problem is you can only present old material in so many ways before you sound like a broken record and there is never any "Hard Scientific Evidence" to back up claims made. Still, it's a hoot-nanny.
I think my favorite episodes in this season so far are "The Star Gods of Sirus" "The Reptilian Agenda," and "The Alien Infection."
Great Unscientific Speculation and Fun.
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Aliens...
I do enjoy watching "Ancient Aliens," and the series gets more outlandish with its theories, especially the ones it keep recycling - like aliens from Sirus, Element 115, ancient aliens visiting the Mayas, and secret hidden alien bases in Antarctica. Just when I thought the couldn't get any weirder, or is it desperate for looking for new ways to present old ideas, "Ancient Aliens" does manage to get credible scientists on board - 15 minutes of fame I suspect and anything to get tenure. The problem is you can only present old material in so many ways before you sound like a broken record and there is never any "Hard Scientific Evidence" to back up claims made. Still, it's a hoot-nanny.
I think my favorite episodes in this season so far are "The Star Gods of Sirus" "The Reptilian Agenda," and "The Alien Infection."
Great Unscientific Speculation and Fun.
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Aliens...
