Snake Dreams - Book

The writing style of the book took me a little while to adjust to - the writing was not straightforward - it was a lot more random and talk-like. Which I grew to really like. Apparently there are a bunch of Charlie Moon books out there - I will keep my eyes open for them as I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The focus of this book was the murder of a man in his own house and subsequent unraveling of that mystery. Along the way, a lot of colorful characters are colorful. Good fun!

That 70s Show

I can't believe I watched the whole thing! :)

Well, I did. It took me a long, long, long time. Was it worth it? Well, it wasn't totally painful. There were some funny bits. And some poignant bits. And some really stupid bits. Overall, not terrible. And it did launch a few careers. Some which shouldn't probably have been launched...And I haven't seen Laura Prepon's new show yet. Well, the show isn't new, but it will be new to me when I eventually watch it: Orange is the New Black. Anyway, it was fun to see what the other half did in the 70s - I think I was the same age as Eric Foreman. I do know that we had the same dishes - like the cool flag glass and the brown plates. And my friends and I didn't have a basement, but we did make due with wherever we could find...

My Family and Other Animals - Book

Gerald Durrell was prolific! I have seen at least six books on our shelves so far. No idea which was his first, but this one started when he was 10, so I guess it was a good place to start. His writing is much different than James Herriot. And he wasn't a vet, but more of a Zoo keeper. I have only read the one book of his so far, about his families time on Corfu but I will read at least one more in the not too distant future. Worth a read if you like animals and people.

The same cover as on my copy, except mine was only $1.45.

The Sempster's Tale - Book

Working through the books in my room, I came upon the mystery by Margaret Frazer. Apparently she has a whole series of these books - set in 1400s, the "sleuth" is a nun named Frevisse. In this particular installment, a young man is found murdered in a church in London and Dame Frevisse is determined to find out whodunit. I like novels that are set in distinct historical periods. This one was quite interesting. I hope to find more of these books as I work through the books in the house. I can't say that I recall having seen any others, but my steel trap sieve of a brain might be missing something...Decent mystery and interesting book.

All Things Wise and Wonderful - Book

I vaguely recall seeing a couple of episodes of this on BBC at one point. Maybe not this book particularly, but a series based on the books. I have read the first two and this is the third - of four I believe. Or four is all that I have found in the house thus far. This one flips back and forth between James Herriot's stint in the RAF and his experiences with his vet practice. As usual, full of interesting stories, emotional heart string tuggers, funny stories. Etc. Worth a read if you are interested in animals or just want a nice easy read. Doesn't really matter if you have read any of the previous books.

Blade Runner

I think this was some final cut version or something. I saw it once long, long ago, and I remember there was some controversy over the use of a voice over or something. This one had no voice over. I thought it was interesting in many ways. The vision of the future was kinda cool, especially since it is supposed to take place next year (in 2019). Sadly, we don't have flying cars or replicants. Sigh. For those who don't know, Harrison Ford plays a person who hunts down replicants - artificial humans who are banned from being on Earth. There are four (or five) of them and he has a tough time "retiring" them. I got this movie partially so that I could watch the sequel with a clearer memory of the first movie. Definitely glad I saw it!

Black Notice - Book

I am working through the 86 books on the back of my bedroom door. Mostly mysteries. This was a police procedural, mostly. One of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series. Kay is suffering emotionally, has a female police chief trying to get Kay fired, and she is hunting for a very strange murderer. Ends a bit abruptly, but I think many of these books do. I wouldn't make this my first Kay Scarpetta story if I were you...

Maudie

Trailer rented movie: a bio pic of a painter from Nova Scotia named Maudie - back in the 30s through the 60s I think judging from the costumes and such. Good acting by Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins. Maudie has some physical issues and is not happy with her situation. When she takes advantage of an opportunity to work at a fishmonger's home, she also blossoms as an artist. Apparently based on a true story. There is a scene from the documentary at the end of the film.

The Book of the New Sun - Book

This book was in a list of fantasy books that would make good television - and I can see why the author of that article thought so. There are four books in the series which were collected in this one volume. The protagonist is a member of the Torturer's Guild. The story takes place way, way, way in the future, with an interesting combination of past, present and future all mixed into one. Toss in some science fiction, some philosophy, a good amount of action, a bit of mystery and overall you will have an enjoyable series. There were a few bits of mysticism that added in as well.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Yay Pirates. Fun outing in the series. A few appearances by older cast members, though the plot was kind of a retread. Still, always fun to see Captain Jack waffle his way through an adventure.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

I still don't buy Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. As an action film without taking into account the character of Jack Reacher, this was ok. Cobie Smulders (I think that was her name) was ok, just not my cup of cha. So, if you don't care about the character, like Tom Cruise and like action films, watch this one. Hero helps out heroine as she is framed for treason. A little too many coincidences, but such is life in a thriller/action movie!

The Italian Job (Remake)

I would like to find the original Italian Job. I remember two bits about it - first that there is a really long chase scene with Minis - maybe 15 minutes worth - in the remake it is about 10 I think. And the second is a scene towards the end that might be too much of a spoiler. Anyway, the remake has a great cast - Mark Wahlberg (meh), Charlize Theron (yay), Donald Sutherland (too small a part, but still), Jason Statham (yay), Seth Green (huzzuh)(I don't know why I like his snarkiness so much, but I do), Mos Def, and Edward Norton (who I have always enjoyed). Good scenery - ok story, good action. All around a fun movie! The original starred Michael Caine, though!

Miss Meadows

I watched this on Amazon Prime as there weren't any other movies that really appealed. Ok, Baby Boss looks amusing, but I can't bring myself to watch it. And this one had Katie Holmes in it - who despite being strange (or so she seems to me) is very attractive. This movie, though, seemed incomplete. One of those movies that really didn't decide for itself what the movie was about. It wasn't dark enough to be a dark comedy. It wasn't satirical enough to be a social commentary. It just wasn't enough of anything. Not terribly depressed that I watched it - still, unless you can't live without seeing Katie Holmes in something, pass this movie.

The End of the Tour

Basically a two person movie - Jason Segal and Jesse Eisenberg - so if you like any combination of those two actors, you will probably like this talk and contemplative drama. Joan Cusak (always interesting) has a small role as well.

The Details

Even though I try, I don't always keep up with my own media ingestion. I watched this movie a few weeks ago. It was on Netflix, which is part of the reason I didn't put it here - starring Toby Maguire - does anyone else get him confused with the Frodo? Just me. Oh well. This was a good dark comedy. Some interesting twists and worth a watch if you like Toby or Elizabeth Banks.

Live Free or Die Hard

The last of the Die Hard Movies. This co-starred Justin Long (?) I guess to get the younger generation on board. A crazy computer guy is taking the country down electronically and John has to save the world with a little bit of help from the young hacker who might just have helped to cause the whole thing. Some good bits and much more entertaining than the second one!

(I hope that actually says what it is supposed to...) I picked the image because it was the only one to have anyone other than Bruce Willis on it!)

Holiday Inn

What is there not to like about this movie?! I think it is way, way, way better than White Christmas. But that is my own very humble opinion. Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire at the hieght of their careers, it tells the story of one performer giving up the rat race and opting to be a farmer. Which doesn't turn out, so he turns his farm into a performance place - that is only open on holidays. There are lots of great songs, lots of great romances, a little in the way of farcical romance and of course, the Irving Berlin song, White Christmas. Awesome sauce!

She's Funny That Way

I liked this movie way more than I thought I would. I didn't like the lead actress's accent, but other than that, I enjoyed it. It is a farce about a man who hires a call girl and gives her $30k to change her life. Unfortunately the change she chooses brings her right smack dab into the middle of his life. Hilarity ensues! Good cast, good script, good fun!