One of the things most often criticzed about the Obama presidency is his foreign policy. Even some of his strongest supporters offer up a vague mea culpa that mistakes were made and the half-hearted defense that Obama is “better than Bush.” Well I’d say that’s an understatement for the ages. Obama is not merely “better…
Category: Mindless Mondays
Book Reviews: The “Red Rising” Trilogy, “Golden Son,” and “Morning Star”
I’ve covered these books extensively before, but the final part of the trilogy came out recently, and it’s time to once again tell you about the best book series you’ve never heard of. I’m not sure why “Red Rising” hasn’t gotten the attention of “Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” “5th Wave,” “Legend,” or any of the other…
The Best Books of 2015…
What were the best books of 2015? Keep reading, and feel free to mention any you think I might’ve forgotten… Honorable Mentions: The Explorer’s Guild…I wouldn’t call it a particularly great book (I only gave it a “B” grade) but it is one of the most unusual and oddly old-fashioned books of last year, and…
Book Reviews: Under Tiberius, The Cartel, and The Winter Family
Three historical novels (well, kind-of in The Cartel’s case) that also happen to be among the very best novels of 2015. The periods depicted: the history of the drug war, the history of America’s war (Civil, Indian, and for Civilization itself), and the creation of the Jesus myth no less. Under Tiberius by Nick Tosches…Tosches…
Book Reviews: Badlands, Vanishing Games
Two great thrillers that might be dismissed because of their genre, but should be considered for any year end best lists… Badlands by C.J. Box…It’s technically a sequel to “The Highway” but deals only a little bit with the events of that book (and it’s still-at-large deadly serial killer) and I’m not sure why it…
Book Reviews: Explorer’s Guild, Zebulon Finch, Sword of Honor, Laurus, Man Who Spoke Snakish
I’ve got a certain soft spot for old-fashioned, epic adventure novels, although not all of them are created equal–as you’ll soon see… The Explorer’s Guild: Vol. 1 by John Baird and Kevin Costner…[Although who knows how much of it Costner actually wrote as this might be too long even for the director of notoriously overlong films.]…
Book Reviews: “Armada,” “Day Four,” “Slade House,” and “Two Years, Eight Months, and 28 Nights”
We now step firmly into genre work with two spooooky ghost stories, a rousing sci-fi adventure, and Salman Rushdie’s excellent meditation on Jinn as an allegory for terrorism. Two Years, Eight Months, and Twenty Eight Nights by Salman Rushdie…Terrific novel that starts a little slow, but builds up to a terrific conclusion as it becomes clear…
Book Reviews: Rogue Lawyer, Marauders, House of Wolfe, Other Son, and The Swimmer
It’s been way too long since I’ve done any book reviews, and—in keeping with a proud Alabama Liberal tradition of overkill—I’ve decided to do 24 of them in 24 hours. [Hey, why not clear 2015’s books out all in one day with a special promotion?] We begin with five “thrillers” (everything from spy to legal)…
Book Reviews: The Kind Worth Killing, The Hand That Feeds You, The Daylight Marriage
These are all domestic thrillers that had various tactics in exploring the age-old theme (well…since “Gone Girl” scored Harry Potter level sales anyway) of relationships gone bad. I’ll admit that some strategies work better than others. The Hand That Feeds You by A.J. Rich…Whereas “The Daylight Marriage” went for realism and “The Kind Worth Killing”…
Movie Review: Zootopia
The best of the lot, and that may not be saying much since I didn’t like any of the other movies reviewed today, but “Zootopia” actually is really good. What Works: Yet another example that the most quality big-studio films coming out these days are actually movies that are technically “for kids.” Between the simple pleasures…
Movie Review: Allegiant
The latest in the “Divergent” series is just killing time before the conclusion, and is yet another example in Hollywood’s questionable decision to keep splitting the final part of a Young Adult trilogy into two films. It’s never been necessary—from Twilight to Hunger Games—and it’s particularly obvious it’s not here, since we’re essentially watching half…
Movie Review: Gods of Egypt
Whew…this is just not the day for quality films. What Works: Egyptian mythology is a great jumping off point for a movie. We know too little about it and that should give it the thrill of the new if done right. Sadly, this is not an example of it being “done right.” I will say that every now…
Movie Review: The Brothers Grimsby
This movie is horrible. What Works…In Name Only: The magic of Sacha Baron Cohen mostly involves tricking unsuspecting people into revealing their prejudices (Borat, Bruno), and it actually works really well. But his scripted movies? Not so much. “The Dictator” was underwhelming but still worthy of your time. However, this spy comedy is nearly unwatchable. Most…