MOVIE REVIEW: Rise of the Guardians

 

Jack Frost, an immortal spirit of winter, is called upon to help save the world from being victimized by the Boogeyman. A loner who cannot remember his past, Jack must work with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman to restore belief and wonder to children before their nightmares become reality.

This is a CGI animated film that stars Chris Pine (of Star Trek fame) as the voice of Jack Frost. The cast also includes Jude Law (Dr. Watson in the new Sherlock Holmes movies), Hugh Jackman (best known as Wolverine in the X-Men films), and Alec Baldwin (with a totally hilarious Russian accent). Full of action and comedy, this is a great movie for families that teaches how important it is to keep a young mind and heart no matter what your age.

BOOK REVIEW: The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

 

This novel, the fourth of the series, follows the adventures of the son of the Lord of the Apes as he runs away to live in the same way as his father, with two exceptions. First, while his savage life is voluntary, he does not become the king of the beasts that his father did. Second, he finds himself guardian of a young girl that he saves from an abusive Arab and teaches the ways of the jungle. The adventures of these two young people make for a convoluted and entertaining story, though a little dated in its views of indigenous peoples, and written in a 19^th century prose that tends to be a little wordy. But it is a good read, all the same.

MOVIE REVIEW: Cell

After an electronic pulse over cell phones turns almost everyone into programmed homicidal zombies, a graphic artist goes in search of his wife and son. Along the way he meets various survivors, and watches the evolution of what could be a new race.

This is based on a novel by master author Stephen King, who also co-wrote the screenplay. Due to this, the main characters and events are basically true to the book. John Cusack stars in the main role, and his style of acting is actually well suited to the part of a sensitive man thrown into a nightmare. There is strong language and quite a bit of violence, including one extreme scene of suicide. However, this is a film that will keep the attention and gives good surprises.

 

BOOK REVIEW: Master of the Night by Angela Knight

 

Erin Greyson is an ex-FBI agent who watched the man she loved kill himself. Bent on revenge, she finds herself in the path of forces greater than anything she could ever imagine, unwitting partner of a vampire. Now she must face a world where everything she has always believed was sheer myth has come true, and prays that she can convince these powers not to kill her before they can help her.

While this book is really good in the areas of worldbuilding and action, it is also what can only be described as porn with a twist. There are several extremely erotic scenes, many of them lasting for two chapters or more. Since the story has only about twenty chapters in it, there can be little doubt about where the characters spend the majority of their time, and this actually ends up taking away from the action as they fall into bed yet again. If the sex was taken out, or at least pared down to a minimum, this would be an excellent adventure. As it is, this is something that definitely should not fall into the hands of children or young adults.

MOVIE REVIEW: Jack's Back

 

A young medical student is accused of a series of murders after he himself is killed. The police believe they have an open and shut case, until his identical twin brother shows up claiming that he saw the truth of what happened in a dream.

This movie is actually a pretty good one starring James Spader in a duel role as both brothers. His style of acting is superbly fitted to the role of the surviving brother trying to clear his twin’s name. This is not only a murder mystery but also a thriller that incorporates the psychic link between twins. One of the really nice surprises of this one is the appearance of Robert Picardo (of Star Trek: Voyager fame) as the psychiatrist working with the police on the murder investigation. A great little 80s gem.

BOOK REVIEW: Dolphin Island by Arthur C. Clarke

Sixteen-year-old Johnny has always felt like a stranger in his aunt’s house, where he has lived since the untimely deaths of his parents. So, when a large freighter makes an unscheduled stop near his home, he seizes his chance and stows away on it, only to find himself caught in a series of events that brings him to a small piece of land off the Australian coast called Dolphin Island. It is here, while working with the researchers stationed there, that Johnny finds his future.

This is a story written primarily for young adults that takes place sometime in the future. It bases its premise not only on a young man finding his way, but also on the research into interspecies communication, mainly between man and dolphins. First published in 1963, this is still an excellent book for young readers who love the sea and the creatures in it.

MOVIE REVIEW: Alien Apocalypse

 

A group of astronauts return to Earth to find that aliens have captured the planet and enslaved the human race. It is up to the doctor of the group to lead the slaves in a revolt against their extraterrestrial masters and the humans that have conspired against their own kind.

The star of this is Bruce Campbell, best known for the Evil Dead film series. Though usually presenting a quirky, sarcastic persona, Campbell actually carries this off rather well as he portrays a man who, initially interested only in his own survival, evolves into the leader of Earth's only hope for freedom. The aliens are well done, though the script is a little weak, and there is quite a bit of gore, both human and alien. However, originally written for television, there are no erotic scenes and very little strong language. Recommended for older children and sci-fi enthusiasts.