MOVIE REVIEW: Rampage

 

This is a 2008 film regarding an illegal pathogen being tested on a space station which falls to earth when the station is destroyed. Engineered to give its victims increased size and aggression, it effects three animals upon landing. One is a wolf, another an alligator, and the third is a gorilla in a zoo that is capable of communicating in sign language. The gorilla's keeper, an ex-Special Forces Marine, together with a geneticist who used to work for the company responsible for the pathogen, team up to find the other animals and destroy them before they kill thousands of people in the heart of a major city.

Starring Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as the Rock), this is a thrilling action fest that never fails to delight with twists and surprises. The special effects are outstanding, featuring motion capture for the gorilla, and CGI for the other monster animals. The cast is superb, including Naomie Harris as the geneticist, and Malin Akerman as the CEO of the pathogen's creators. There is also a guest appearance by Jack Quaid, at a time before his voice was used to great effect in the animated comedy of Star Trek's Lower Decks. There is quite a large amount of violence, in the form of monsters destroying buildings, but very little strong language and no erotic scenes. This is definitely one that will be fun for family night.

BOOK REVIEW: The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

 

Maria Merryweather is a young orphan girl who comes to live with her cousin at Moonacre Manor, a beautiful and mysterious old house near a village with the picturesque name of Silverydew. Upon her arrival, Maria notices several things about the house and its occupants that seem almost magical, and also finds herself thrust into the middle of an ancient story of love, loss, and betrayal. Can Maria find a way to mend the lives she finds here, or is she doomed to repeat the history of this incredibly nuanced place that she now calls home?
This is a story that takes place in the 1800s, at a time when the expectations of a woman were very different from what they are now. Maria has been raised by her governess to be a lady, and she adheres to customs and attitudes that seem old-fashioned by today's standards. However, the crux of the story is not in its austerity, but in its premise that love, patience, and understanding can mend even the most broken of hearts. Written in a descriptive, lyrical style, this is a tale that speaks of memory and legend, but it also holds within it a lesson of courage and kindness. A book that will be treasured with many of the great stories of the past.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

 

This is the sequel to the original two Mummy films starring Brendon Fraser, that were the reboot of the Mummy series of movies that began in the 1930s with Boris Karloff playing the iconic character of an undead priest searching for his lost love. This one takes place many years after the first two, and is located in China rather than Egypt. Alex O'Connell, now a young man of 21 years, has ditched his schooling to pursue an archeological dig of a Chinese emperor whose reputation is of an evil man looking for immortality. Rick and Evelyn O'Connell, still married but having their romance turned a little lackluster for want of the adventures that brought them together, are commissioned by British Intelligence, for which they did missions during World War II, to bring a priceless relic back to the Chinese people. Add to this a rogue Chinese general who wants to bring the entombed emperor back to life in a bid to lead a world revolution, and Evelyn's brother Jonathan, who now runs a nightclub in Shanghai, and you've got the makings for an adventure that is both thrilling and highly entertaining.

While getting less than stellar reviews when it was in the theaters, this film earned more than enough to make it a box office success. I believe that part of the problem was that the critics did not like the fact that Rachel Weisz did not reprise her role of Evelyn due to contract disputes, so the part when to Maria Bello (Assault on Precinct 13). While a good actress, she does not achieve the chemistry with Brendon Fraser that was so instrumental to the other movies, and thus leaves the character of Evie as kind of a sidekick to the others. That being said, the rest of the cast is phenomenal. As well as Fraser and John Hannah, Jet Li (Fearless) plays the undead emperor, brought back to life to take his revenge on the witch that cursed him. Isabella Leong (Missing) is stunning as the daughter of the now immortal witch. Luke Ford (The Black Balloon) takes on the role of Alex with great success. And there is a surprise appearance by the now Academy Award winning Michelle Yeoh as the witch that curses the emperor to his fate. All in all, this is a movie that is a complete joy ride from start to finish, and that I would highly recommend for family night.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Omega Code

Inspired by the book The Bible Code, this is the story of a famous life coach who finds himself in a position to team up with an influential politician, and, through a complex series of events, ends up running for his life from an accusation of attempted murder. Involved in and complicating all of this is the efforts of an unnamed organization to bring about the prophecies that are found in the Torah, or Old Testament, of the Bible, and some strange and unexplainable events.

This film has a stellar cast, which includes Casper Van Diem, Michael York, and Michael Ironside. Though panned by the critics when it was first released, it managed to become a hit during its theatrical run, and has remained a cult classic since. It brings together mythology in the form of the mysterious prophecies that are purportedly found in the Old Testament, and the eschatology of the book of Revelations to make a very involving story that will keep the viewer interested right up until the end. Highly recommended.

 

BOOK REVIEW: Since the Sirens by E.E. Isherwood

 

I normally don't go in for zombie stories, but this one is actually really good. It follows a 15-year-old boy named Liam as he tries to save his 104-year-old great-grandmother, who he has been spending the summer with, from a looming disaster of undead attackers, made that way by an Ebola-like virus. As the unlikely pair attempt to flee from the murderous hordes, they meet many different kinds of people. Some become friends, some allies, and others enemies, but none of that changes Liam's determination to get his elderly charge to some kind of safety.

This not only has the horror of zombies, it also delves a little into faith and mysticism, as the old woman starts having visions of what is apparently a guardian angel, and many of their new acquaintances begin to invite the young hero to find his way of belief as well. The spirit of the older woman that has not been depleted by her age or circumstances, the devotion of her young protector, and the interplay between the two is enough to keep the reader enthralled up to the end. Something of a warning: This is quite a large series of books, and the end of this one comes in what seems like the middle of the action, so be prepared to left hanging. But, if all the installments are as good as this one, it's well worth the time.

MOVIE REVIEW: Star Trek: Into Darkness

 

A 2013 production, this is the second in the reboot series of Star Trek films. Beginning a couple of years after the first, the Enterprise crew has been together for a little while, but not long enough to truly meld into a team. The relationship between Kirk and Spock is still rocky, and is strained further by a misunderstanding between the two, which also unsettles the romance between Spock and Uhura. Add to this the unexplained attack by what appears to be a rogue Federation agent on Starfleet headquarters, which leads Kirk to the discovery that not even the higher echelons of Starfleet are immune from conspiracy. Only with his now estranged friends at his side can Kirk find a way to stop an intergalactic war before it starts.

All of the original actors reprise their roles in this, with a wonderfully engaging addition of Benedict Cumberbatch as the mysterious cause of Kirk's dilemma. There is also a guest appearance by Leonard Nimoy, which would be his final appearance on screen before his death. This movie is exciting, taking many twists and turns, and aludes back to the original series in great ways. A must see for any Star Trek fan.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Secret: Dare to Dream

 

This is a 2020 film that follows a young widow named Miranda, who is struggling to raise three children after the death of her husband a few years before. Since the only things that seem to happen to her are terrible, Miranda has lost faith in hope. Then, on the eve of a hurricane hitting their town, a mysterious man suddenly appears in Miranda's life. Named Bray, he is an engineering professor at Vanderbilt University, and he has come to deliver something that is tied to her future as well as her past. However, when the storm causes a tree branch to punch a hole in Miranda's roof, Bray takes it upon himself to help her fix the damage. While doing this, he, Miranda, and her children grow close, causing Miranda to take a step back and reevaluate her life.

This was originally scheduled to be released into theaters but was relegated to video due to the Covid pandemic. Starring Katie Holmes, Josh Lucas, and Jerry O'Connell, it not only has a great cast, but is also well written, and is a feel-good story that can't fail to raise your spirits and leave you with a smile on your face. With no sexual scenes, no strong language, and no violence, this is completely fine for children and a wonderful movie for family night.