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.