BOOK REVIEW: Jungle Tales by Edgar Rice Burroughs

 

This is a collection of short stories about Burroughs’ iconic character Tarzan that chronologically takes place during the time of the first book, between the chapters. They follow the Lord of the Apes through his teenage years and young adulthood. There is the story of his first love, his longing for a person to lavish his human affections on, and his efforts to teach the troop of apes he thinks of as his people some humanlike attributes. Reading these gives additional insight into Tarzan’s background and an idea of the events that would lead to the man that fell in love with a young American woman who was shipwrecked on the shore of his home territory. I enjoyed these stories immensely. Being written in 19th century prose, they are rather wordy in their descriptions, but the stories are incredibly entertaining and interesting, especially for a fan of Tarzan. Recommended for those who love classical adventure.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Rift

 

When an experimental submarine is lost, the designer joins the rescue mission looking for it. What they find is a secret that boggles the mind. This film, made in 1990, was the product of a Spanish studio that made it to the US under the title Endless Descent. It stars Jack Scalia, Deborah Adair, and Ray Wise. Though the production value is low and the script is sometimes a little repetitive, this movie has everything in it that makes for a excellent sci-fi/horror flick. There are mutant monsters, a secret government lab, and a conspiracy of silence that someone will kill to keep intact. The cast is great at making due with what little they have in dialogue, and the action is enough to overlook the rubber monsters that jump out at every turn. With no gore, no erotica, and very little strong language, this is an entertaining enough feature that even young children will like it for family night.

BOOK REVIEW: The Bhagavad Gita by Anonymous

 

This is classic Hindu literature that is actually part of a larger work called Mahabharata. It is the narrative of a conversation between an Indian prince and the god Krishna, and is written in poetic form. It puts forward the duality of the individual self and the god self within each being, and the concept of reincarnation. It also asks its adherents to meditate solely to lose their individuality and embody only the god self, with absence of all emotion or desire.

While I respect this book as being extremely important to the Hindu religion and its followers, I have a problem with the idea of paradise being premised on the total loss of the individual. In my opinion, how can one look forward to a time of bliss when all ability to enjoy it has been taken away? Isn’t paradise supposed to be the one place where someone can be happy and contented, not an emotionless lump that simply sits and accepts their surroundings or is merely an infinitely small part of a greater whole? The individual has to be whole and complete to be able to fully appreciate a state of being where conflict and suffering are absent. For this reason, I still prefer a God that accepts the full individual and loves them just as they are without any meditation or work on their part needed.

MOVIE REVIEW: Behemoth

 

This is a 2011 film about a monster that lives in a mountain and the people from the small town nearby that find themselves in a fight to stop it from destroying the world. Concentrated on one family in particular, this has strong mythological links, including a man who, like the legendary Cassandra, tries to warn those around him that something terrible is about to happen but is largely ignored. The special effects are really good and the screenplay, especially building up to the first complete sighting of the monster, is very well done. But the real gem of this is William B. Davis, who made his mark playing the Cancer Man in the television series X-Files, as the pathetic, haunted college professor who is the only one who believes that horrible things are about to happen and is not listened to, even by his own family, because of his recent bout with depression following his wife's death. Made for the small screen, this has no erotica, very little strong language, and no gore. For anyone looking for a decent monster movie to show the kids on family night, this is it.

BOOK REVIEW: The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

 

This is the fifth book of the Narnia series of books about a magical land where a huge Lion presides over talking animals and mythological creatures. Into this land four brothers and sisters have been taken to rid the land of evil and become its royalty. This story, however, takes place in the land of Calormen, which is to the south of Narnia, and involves a young boy who runs away from the fisherman who raised him rather than be sold as a slave. With him is a Talking Horse that was stolen from Narnia when it was young, and together they find themselves the only ones who can warn the Narnians that Calormen is about to attack them. In the process they learn their own worth and a little humility.

Though fifth to be published, this is chronologically the third story in the timeframe of Narnia. The author was best known as one of the leading Christian apologists in the 20th century and this novel has definite Christian overtones. However, it is also a great adventure story as a boy who has never had anything in his life, not even love, finds he is more than he ever dreamed he could be. With enough action and tense moments to keep the reader spellbound, this is a definite must for fantasy fans and young people of all ages.

MOVIE REVIEW: Stardust

 

In the town of Wall there is a border protecting entrance to a magical world. A young man dares to enter that world and meets a beautiful girl. They spend a night together and, nine months later, the baby he fathered is left for him at the portal. Fast forward 18 years, and the child has now grown into a young man. He also dares to enter the magical kingdom to retrieve a fallen star for the girl he wants to marry. Unknown to him, the king of the magical land has decreed that the one of his three sons that can find a lost ruby will be the one to inherit the throne. The fallen star, now a beautiful young woman, holds the ruby, and thus becomes the target for the murderous trio of brothers. Add to this an evil witch who wants to eat the heart of the star to obtain eternal youth, and a gay pirate who captains a ship that sails through the clouds, and you have one great romp of a movie.

Claire Dane stars as the fallen star and Charlie Cox plays the young man, but the real treasure of this film is the supporting cast, which includes Michelle Pfeiffer as the evil witch and Robert De Niro as the gay pirate. While there is plenty of sword and sorcery action in this, as would be expected in a fantasy, there is no erotica (unless you count De Niro dancing around in a tutu) and very little strong language. This is highly recommended for family night, or anyone who just loves a wonderful time at the movies.

BOOK REVIEW: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do by David Jeremiah

 

The author of this book is a staple on many Christian radio stations and broadcasting networks. Head pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, and president of a Christian college connected to the church, David Jeremiah is known as a man who faced the reality of his own mortality when, in 1994, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to undergo stem cell transplant surgery to save his life. That experience is one he draws on in many of his sermons and his broadcast ministry, Turning Point.

In this book the reader is taken through the book of James, using the scriptures to teach things like what to do when a person is not feeling confident, when even small decisions seem overwhelming, when we are being pressured to do the wrong thing, and other dilemmas that life always seems to put in our paths. I do have to warn anyone who listens to Jeremiah’s radio or television programs on an ongoing basis that this might seem like simply reading a series of his sermons. However, for those who are not familiar with Dr. Jeremiah and are looking for answers to help them through difficult times, this is an excellent read.

MOVIE REVIEW: He Went That Way

 

This is a low-key thriller based on the true story of an animal trainer who had a run in with a serial killer while on a cross country drive.

Starring Zachary Quinto (of Star Trek fame) as Jim and Jacob Elordi as Bobby, the story follows the two on their drive across country after Jim picks up Bobby, who is hitchhiking, only to learn that his young passenger is a homicidal maniac that has already murdered two men. Jim is transporting a trained chimpanzee named Spanky and is able to strike up an uneasy truce with Bobby that will allow Jim to stay alive until they part ways in Chicago. Quinto's character runs a gamut of emotions from stunned terror to grudging respect while Elordi maintains the tension of a seething volcano about to erupt at any moment. While not recommended for children due to some violent hostage scenes, this is still worth the watch, and all the more chilling to know that it actually happened.

BOOK REVIEW: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

 

This is a classic horror novel by what was then a young and surprising author. It concerns a scientist who, consumed with the lust for knowledge, delves into questions that are perhaps best left alone. The result is that, through means left undescribed in the book, he achieves the creation of a being resembling a man. Whether or not this thing has a soul is still debatable even in this century, but the result is a phenomenon that is endowed with reason, speech, and all the emotional aspects of a human. Having been abandoned in horror by its creator, it finds its way to the haunts of mankind and, indirectly, manages to learn about the laws of civilization, only to find that its appearance is so terrifying that it is shunned and abhorred. So, it approaches its creator with the proposition that he create again, but this time the product of the creation will be a companion for the monster. When the scientist refuses, the monster goes on a rampage of vengeance that ends up costing the lives of those dearest to the man who made it.

Told mainly in the first person, and changing points of view from the erstwhile scientist to the monster itself, this is written in the romantic style of early 20th century story telling. The author was a young woman (a novelty at that period in history) who was known for her romantic involvement with a poet and nobleman of the time. The novel was originally turned down by several publishers as being too shocking and violent for the reading public but was eventually put into print. It was an instant success, and it has been told and elaborated upon by everything from Hollywood to other authors writing their own versions of different viewpoints of the story. But the best is still the first. This book holds a hypnotic effect that is difficult to pin down, except to say that it is a moral tale about what may happen when man becomes willing to sacrifice anything to attain his own desires.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Wall

 

This is a 2012 Austrian film about one woman’s struggle to survive when an inexplicable phenomenon isolates her from the rest of the world. It stars Martina Gedeck as the woman and follows the events of her efforts to first find a way out of her predicament, and then her acceptance of it and the fight to provide herself and several animals with the means to live. This is narrated in English with very little actual dialogue, which is in German and supplied with subtitles when it does occur. It has exceptional cinematography and Gedeck supplies a stunning performance. There is no strong language and no erotica, with only one truly violent scene. There are instances of hunting and butchery, but both are only shown as ways of obtaining food. A story of stamina and determination in the face of hopelessness and despair, this one will stay with you long after it is over.

BOOK REVIEW: Dragon Tears by Dean Koontz

 

*This review contains spoilers*

During a typical day on the police force, Harry and Connie, partner detectives, are forced to kill a man who shoots up the diner where they are having lunch. Shortly after, they find themselves in some inexplicable circumstances when a man who can change shape, throw fireballs, and freeze time targets them for death. With no one to depend on but each other, they must find this maniac who uses his psychic powers to destroy.

Koontz has a way of weaving several different points of view, including that of a dog’s, to keep this story moving quite effectively. However, putting a face on evil is another of Koontz’s gifts, and he does a remarkable job in this. I found myself feeling a bit sorry for this villain. Is he a monster? Yes. Is there any other way to stop him than to kill him? No. But this antagonist also turns out to be a 20-year-old young man who was born to a woman who first abused her child invitro by trying all kinds of alternative measures to abort him, and then subjected herself to self-mutilation rather than being faced with the responsibility of raising him. He ends up living with his grandmother, an older woman who might have had some mental issues of her own and growing up in an atmosphere where the only way he could gain attention was to use his unique powers to cause pain. Given that he never had the chance to learn that fear and love are not the same thing, I found this to be a rather tragic bad guy. A good, if somewhat predictable, story is the result. 

MOVIE REVIEW: The Hunters

 

After their parents go missing two brothers find out that their dull, archeologist mom and dad are really warrior scientists, who travel the world searching for mythological artifacts that have to be protected to keep their supernatural powers from falling into the hands of people who would use them for evil. Together with the oldest brother’s ex-girlfriend they set out to find the next one before a man set on world domination can.

This is a made-for-TV movie that stars mostly actors from the small screen, who are all excellent in their parts. Due to its family-oriented origins, there are no erotic scenes and no strong language. There is quite a bit of action violence, but no gore. The script, cinematography, and editing are all first rate, as is the storyline. This is a really good film that seems to set the stage for a sequel, or even a series, and is perfect for family viewing. Highly recommended.

BOOK REVIEW: The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah

 

Vaughn Orr is a successful author with a dark secret. Riley Mays is a college student with an equally turbulent past. When the two meet, they are instantly drawn to each other. But can they find a way to get past their emotional scars and trust the magic of love?

I have been a fan of this author since I read her debut novel, and she definitely does not disappoint in this one. A story of two people who have been drawn together by both their histories and the darkness they unknowingly share, this is a book full of twists, turns, and unexpected consequences of previous choices. But it is also about the power of love, and its ability to look past flaws and mistakes to the heart. A beautiful story and a powerful read, this is one that any romance fan will instantly call one of their favorites.

MOVIE REVIEW: 4 Horsemen: Apocalypse

 

A small team of scientists and their military protectors race against time to stop the eruption of the largest volcano that has ever been discovered. If they fail, it will mean the end of life on Earth. Working against them are strange weather phenomena caused by gases venting into the atmosphere, swarms of locusts driven wild by the same gases, and a new type of fungus that releases spores that drive the victims they infect into murderous frenzies.

The title of this is a little misleading. It could really have been named anything and still been a decent movie. The only appearance that the supernatural horsemen of biblical reference make are during the hallucinations of an infected soldier. The rest is the typical disaster film, a little choppy in the editing department and using voice overs to fill in what was obviously scenes that the independent studio did not have the budget to shoot. The cast consists of actors that have made their careers mainly on the small screen, and this is no exception seeing as how it was sent straight to video upon release. The only thing of note in this is the gender of some of the main characters. The general in charge of the military operation, as well as two of the three scientists, are all women, which is unusual in most movies of this sort but also highly refreshing. There is no eroticism, very little strong language, and, surprisingly, hardly any gore. Good for preteens and up.

BOOK REVIEW: Star Trek: Time Trap by David Dvorkin

 

*This review contains spoilers*

After receiving a distress call, the Enterprise attempts to assist a Klingon vessel that has become stranded in a strange storm in space. Upon beaming over to the ship, Captain Kirk finds himself suddenly thrust into what seems to be the future and under the control of the race that has been his mortal enemies for most of his career. Can he trust his senses and help these New Klingons achieve peace with the Federation?

In the original Star Trek universe, I would put this at a time between the movies Star Trek: The Voyage Home and Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country. Though there is no mention of the original Enterprise’s destruction, there is a reference to Kirk’s memories of being relegated to a desk job and vowing that he would never go back. Though this was published in 1988 (before the sixth film in the franchise was released), it is also somewhat problematic in that it has Kirk having a close relationship with a Klingon woman, a member of a race that the sixth film had him absolutely detesting due to the death of his son. Even though it is later revealed that he is under the influence of some pretty powerful drugs at the time, this is still somewhat unbelievable knowing the character’s obtuseness in such matters.

However, this is a well written and entertaining read. The author is obviously a fan, shown by the references that he makes to episodes of the original series, and he weaves a complex and exciting story. Any Star Trek fan will like this, even with the continuum issues.

MOVIE REVIEW: X

 

In 1979, at the beginning of the home video era, a group of amateur filmmakers rent out a farmhouse on the property of an elderly couple to shoot a pornographic movie. Unfortunately, they fail to inform their erstwhile landlords what they are doing, and when the oldsters find out there is hell to pay.

This stars Mia Goth, a British actress known for her erotic movies, as both the heroine Maxine and the female half of the homicidal couple, Pearl. The storyline in this touches on such things as beauty, aging, and self-worth. However, for everything else it is basically the porno version of the slasher films that were the rage in the last century. In fact, if not for the horror aspects of it, this movie could very well have the same rating as its name. There are multiple scenes of nudity and/or sexual activity, and there is hardly a sentence in it that does not have strong language permeating it. Definitely only for adults, it does provide a certain amount of suspense and speculation as to what is going to happen next. But the moral of the entire thing seems to be that, even if their hair is gray, their eyesight may be failing, and they may have trouble moving around, never, ever underestimate the older generation.

BOOK REVIEW: Planet Z by Kristen Middleton

 

Alex, her parents, and her brother Jimmy all embark on an interstellar mission to find a planet where what is left of the human race can live after their native planet's resources are depleted. Alex is not thrilled about the prospect of going to another world, but she tries to be a sport and accept her fate. What she does not know is that the people around her are not to be trusted, not even the ones she loves the most, and the revelations she discovers on the voyage plunge her into a reality of intrigue and danger.

This is a book told from the perspective of a teenage girl and so obviously targeted at that audience. The chapters are short and some of the details are confusing, but no more so than they would normally be for a person of that age. The premise of the story is good and keeps the interest, with a happy if surprising ending. Good for younger readers who are just getting into the sci-fi genre and looking for a heroine they can relate to.

MOVIE REVIEW: Everything Everywhere All At Once

 

Evelyn Wang is not having a good day. Her business is being audited, her husband has filed for divorce, and she is trying to keep her aged father from finding out that her daughter has just declared herself lesbian. Then, she is approached by a man who looks just like her husband but claims to come from a different reality and tells her that she is the key to fighting off a great evil that is trying to destroy all the worlds in the multiverse of time. The only way Evelyn can fight this evil and save the multiverse, including herself and her family, is to visit the different realities and bring their experiences and talents back into her own. Can she succeed?

This movie swept the 2022 Academy Awards, including a Best Actress award for Michelle Yeoh who plays Evelyn, Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan who plays her husband and the lookalike from the alternate reality, and Best Supporting Actress for Jamie Lee Curtis who, completely unrecognizable in wig and makeup, plays the IRS auditor who is in charge of overseeing the Wangs’ tax investigation. While this film was touted as a complete masterpiece by many, I have trouble seeing what makes it so wonderful. While the cast is completely enchanting (and let’s not forget Stephanie Hsu as Evelyn’s daughter Joy or James Hong has her father) I found the storyline extremely hard to follow. There were so many alternate realities coming and going for everyone that it was difficult to ascertain which one was which. (The Academy Award the editing team won for this was well deserved.) In addition, there were many moments of what was supposedly labeled as humor that were utterly profane (Joy beating up some men using giant penises as nunchucks comes to mind). Granted, I am not really a fan of comedy and only watched this to see Yeoh in her award-winning role, but the whole thing left me rather flat. If this is what is being labeled as high art now, I think I’ll be more than happy to continue watching movies from previous years. Do not let the kids see this one. 

BOOK REVIEW: God's Provision for Your Every Need by T.D. Jakes

 

For those of you who do not know this author, T.D. Jakes is an African-American preacher who is the founder of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational megachurch in Dallas, Texas. Born and raised in Charleston, West Virgina, he became a minister at the age of 25 and started a storefront church in 1982. After a few years and a continually growing congregation, he moved to Dallas, where he now resides and pastors an organization that boasts 30,000 members. His sermons are televised on such networks as Trinity Broadcasting Network and Black Entertainment Television as The Potter’s Touch. He also has a production company that publishes his many books and has produced several movies.

Though claiming to be non-denominational, his teachings are actively conservative, and he has been targeted by LBGTQ+ activists as being hostile to transgender rights. This book, however, does not reflect that attitude. It is a book heavy on symbolism, most of which anyone who is not versed in the Christian lexicon will have trouble understanding. Basically, it talks about God putting water (help and encouragement) into our deserts (problems and circumstances). Though the sheer volume of this symbology can get monotonous, this is a relatively short book and so readable in spite of the repetitiveness of its theme. One thing that I did appreciate is the way that Jakes writes. He does not use large multisyllable words or theological arguments to get his point across. He writes as if he were simply sitting in front of the reader attempting to explain something, though, as previously stated, heavy in Christian terminology. This is a good book for a Christian who is going through tough times and looking for something to tell them it will get better. For anyone else, it may be something of a confusing read.

MOVIE REVIEW: Risen

 

This movie should not be confused with one of the same title that was released in 2016, and was a Christian based film. This one is a pure sci-fi flick from 2021 starring Nicole Schalmo as an astrobiologist named Lauren Stone who has hit rock bottom emotionally and has lost her job and reputation as a result. When a meteor hits outside a small town, turning the air toxic and killing everyone there, Stone is called upon to solve the mystery behind the phenomenon. A problem that only gets stranger when some of the dead residents rise and begin living again.

This is actually the first film that Schalmo has been known for. She was both the star and the assistant producer, and, in spite of her relatively unknown status, this has received nine awards from various film festivals and independent critics from around the world. The cinematography is excellent as well as the acting, though the script is rather slow and confusing in spots, with a lot of technical jargon about quantum physics thrown in. However, the end is so completely unexpected and astounding that it makes this totally worth watching. There is no erotica, very little violence, and an equally small amount of strong language, so this would be suitable for older children, provided they have the intellect to understand it.