MOVIE REVIEW: Carriers

 

In a world where a pandemic has devastated the population, two brothers attempt to get a small group of friends to the place where they were happy as children. Along the way, they find a world of militant survivalists and infected victims.

Released in 2009, the producers of this film had no way of knowing that ten years later their predictions would come true, though to a lesser extent. Starring Chris Pine as the older of the brothers, this is a story of hopelessness and how different personalities react to it. As the movie travels through a landscape of despair, the effect finally ends up turning the people against each other, including the two brothers. Not a happy film with a happy ending, this is not recommended for family viewing, especially by young children. It is, however, a very good character study of how different philosophies can dictate who lives and who dies in nightmarish circumstances.

BOOK REVIEW: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

 

Owen Meany, son of the owner of a granite quarry, is a small, underdeveloped boy whose voice has never changed, but who ends up having a profound effect on, not only his best friend, who is the narrator of this tale, but on the entire town he grows up in. A child with an adult's understanding and perhaps the ability to see his own future, Owen's story is told with tender, and sometimes brash, honesty that is wonderful to behold. Intermixed with this is the soul of a town, a small, interwoven community that is largely gone in our day and age.

This is the story of a man's memories of his boyhood friend. Hilarious at times, tragic at others, it will draw you in and make you a part of the events in a way that other books fail to. A beautiful and poetic novel that will live on for years to come.

MOVIE REVIEW: Hitman: Agent 47

 

A young woman who has been on the run for most of her life is approached by two men. One is there to protect her and the other to kill her. But which one can she trust?

Though given a low reception by some critics upon its release, if one simply approaches this film as a pure action delight, it does not disappoint. While there is only enough background to justify the next scenes, and very little character development, it is extremely entertaining. Starring Rupert Friend (Homeland), Hannah Ware (Betrayal), and Zachary Quinto (Spock in the new Star Trek movies), this has excellent action sequences, some strong language, and plenty of violence. Though probably not a good idea for young children, this is fantastic for those seeking an extraordinarily well done action performance.

BOOK REVIEW: Heartbreak Bay by Rachel Caine

 

The fifth book in the Stillwater Lake series, this follows Gwen Proctor as she fights to protect her family from a brilliant and sadistic serial killer who has targeted them. With her friend Kezia, she travels to the very den of the maniac for a showdown that will decide who among them will survive.

This was the last novel that this author wrote before her untimely death from cancer. Though just a touch predictable, it is a great conclusion to this series, and a wonderful tribute to an extremely talented writer.

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.