Dune on IMAX

On October 30, 2021October 30, 2021 By Rick McIn books, moviesLeave a comment

I’ve always been a big fan of the original Dune published 1965.

Such a fan that I even loved the 1984 film adaptation by David Lynch. Recall Sting was Feyd-Rautha, Baron Harkonnen’s younger nephew. It was widely panned.

I booked an IMAX ticket online. Sat in the second row so the screen would fill my vision. I wanted to be engulfed by sand.

And I was not disappointed.

Denis Villeneuve was the right person to remake this story.

Dune is BIG. Dark. Gritty. Dusty. Beautiful.

I hiked that area of Jordan. Fond memories.

Though the cast was all excellent, Timothée Chalamet makes this film. He’s perfect as Paul Atreides. In contrast, Kyle MacLachlan was not believable in the 1984 version.

Villeneuve stated that Chalamet was his first and only choice to play the role.

Stellan Skarsgård was intimidating as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. He reminded me of Marlon Brando when he reached 300 lbs.

Zendaya as Chani is excellent too, but doesn’t have much screen time. She’ll be a central character in Dune part 2.

The only casting I’d question is Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Dr. Liet-Kynes. Not sure that worked.

Great soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Hell or High Water by Peter Heller

On October 28, 2021October 25, 2021 By Rick McIn books, kayakingLeave a comment

Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet is likely the deepest canyon in the world. And at 504.6 kilometres (313.5 mi) is slightly longer than the Grand Canyon.

In 2002 a group of the best kayakers in the world led by Scott Lindgren set out to “paddle” the gorge.

That’s nearly impossible. But they did accomplish some first descents. And surprisingly none of the party died.

It was the most dangerous water they’d ever tried.

This is one intense book.

Peter Heller was assigned to cover the expedition for Outside and, despite having completely worn out the cartilage in one hip, he decided to go for it.
… Heller is unflinchingly honest about the hostility he faced from Lindgren and his companions, who openly attack the journalist for “getting rich” from their story, as well as the resentment that begins to well inside him at their condescension.
Meanwhile, the locals hired to carry the equipment realize they have the upper hand and start extorting more money for their services.
The drama on shore, however, is easily matched—sometimes surpassed—by the action on the river, which includes a few chilling brushes with death.
Heller nimbly blends the history of the region into his gripping modern trek, as the crew lives up to the legacy of the great explorers before them. …
Amazon

China plans to build the world’s largest hydroelectric project there.

The Shadow by Patterson & Sitts

On October 26, 2021October 25, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in 1930s pulp novels and later in a variety of media. …

The introductory line from the radio adaptation of The Shadow – “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” – spoken by actor Frank Readick, has earned a place in the American idiom.

Click PLAY or listen on YouTube.

A good idea. The Shadow is reawakened in 2087 New York City dystopia.

Only two people know that 1930s society man Lamont Cranston has a secret identity as the Shadow, a crusader for justice. One is his greatest love, Margo Lane, and the other is fiercest enemy, Shiwan Khan. When Khan ambushes the couple, they must risk everything for the slimmest chance of survival . . . in the future.

A century and a half later, Lamont awakens in a world both unknown and disturbingly familiar. The first person he meets is Maddy Gomes, a teenager with her own mysterious secrets, including a knowledge of the legend of the Shadow. …
Amazon

Still, I’m quite lukewarm on this book as I am with a lot of Patterson.

Can’t particularly recommend it.

Fear Nothing by Dean Koontz

On October 25, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

Christopher Snow is different from all the other residents of Moonlight Bay, different from anyone you’ve ever met. For Christopher Snow has made his peace with a very rare genetic disorder shared by only one thousand other Americans, a disorder that leaves him dangerously vulnerable to light.
His life is filled with the fascinating rituals of one who must embrace the dark. He knows the night as no one else ever will, ever can—the mystery, the beauty, the many terrors, and the eerie, silken rhythms of the night—for it is only at night that he is free. …
Amazon

Quite good.

Koontz does have a knack for coming up with interesting and original characters.

Body of Lies by Iris Johansen

On October 21, 2021October 20, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

I liked the first in a series of 28 Eve Duncan novels – Face of Deception.

So tried #2 – Body of Lies. But didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. It dragged.

Eve Duncan … is a forensic sculptor driven by a need to liberate innocence from the shroud of death.
… at the weird behest of a shady senator, Eve rebuilds the visage of the politician’s late rival, a challenge that nearly results in her murder, strains her romance with a hard-bitten detective, and uncovers a fantastic global conspiracy over energy profits and much else. …

Doors Open by Ian Rankin (2008)

On October 19, 2021October 15, 2021 By Rick McIn books, movies, TVLeave a comment

I’ve read all 23 of Rankin‘s Rebus novels.

Doors Open is a stand-alone thriller. No Rebus or Fox.

The plot is good.

With a vast collection but limited wall space, the National Gallery (on the TV adaptation, a Scottish bank) has many more valuable works of art in storage than it could ever display.
The plan is to stage a heist at the Granton storage depot on “Doors Open Day” during which a selected group of paintings will be “stolen”.
The gang will then give the appearance of having panicked and fled without the works of art, but will have switched the real paintings with high quality forgeries good enough to convince anyone investigating the matter that no theft has been committed. …

Like many Rebus fans, I found the book lacking.

The screen version looks to be more entertaining.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Target by David Baldacci

On October 17, 2021October 15, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

Book 4 in the Will Robie series.

I’d hoped Robie partnering with another American black ops assassin, Jessica Reel, would make for the BEST book in the series, so far.

BUT this book is everything I don’t like about Baldacci.

Unbelievable. Predictable. Jingoistic. North Korea evil but redeemable by the USA, USA, USA.

The subplot with Reel’s father, Earl Fontaine, was the one section well done. I wish the rest of the book was that good.

Though there are two more books in the series, I’m OUT.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The River by Peter Heller

On October 15, 2021October 14, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

An excellent book. Wilderness survival.

Two best friends together on a long, remote canoe trip to Hudson’s Bay. Their friendship tested by forest fire, white water, and violence.

Heller knows the outdoors intimately. And writes skillfully.

He traveled the world as an expedition kayaker. Worked as a logger, offshore fisherman, river guide.

Highly recommended.

Amazon

Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin

On October 13, 2021October 10, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

I’d not read this one Rebus book … or had I?

Happily, my memory is so BAD that it seemed vaguely familiar, but not uninteresting.

Naming of the Dead is a crime novel by Ian Rankin.
… the 16th of the Inspector Rebus novels. Set in Edinburgh in July 2005, in the week of the G8 summit in Gleneagles. …
… Rebus is nearing retirement (“nobody would blame you for coasting”), and becomes sidelined until the apparent suicide of MP Ben Webster occurs at a high-level meeting in Edinburgh Castle. …
At the same time, a serial killer seems to be killing former offenders, helped by a website set up by the family of a victim. …