#14 in the Inspector Gamache series.
Not nearly my favourite.
The plot highly unlikely. That’s often the case for Gamache books, actually.
I did enjoy the book starting -35C in a fierce blizzard. Readers should understand how difficult life is in rural Canada during the winter.
Bossypants (2011) is an autobiographical comedy book written by comedian Tina Fey
It’s been called “sketch comedy in book form”.
Only 3.8 on Rotten Tomatoes.
But I enjoyed it. Brad Pitt is always good.
I’d call this one an ultra-violent cartoon comedy. Something in the long line of similar concepts going back — for me — to Clockwork Orange (1971).
Pitt is a professional hitman who’s trying to quit.
Unfortunately he accidentally replaced a sick coworker (another hitman) on a Japanese train. And everyone wants to kill him.
It’s fast paced. Never boring. Often entertaining. Good dialogue.
Silly. For sure.
Read a positive review.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Breaking – ‘Shantaram’ Canceled By Apple TV+ After One Season
When I first read Shantaram in 2007, I felt it was my favourite book ever.
The book sequel was poor.
Still — I was psyched to watch a streaming TV adaptation on Apple TV+.
I’ve been waiting for this since 2006. Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, and Johnny Depp were all lined up at one time or another to play Lin.
Actually, I feel they did a very good job in adapting the novel. Though the book is better than the TV series, for sure.
Charlie Hunnam was good casting as the lead.
My favourite character in the book is Prabhu. And actor Shubham Saraf does convey the joy of that character.
Vincent Perez is good as Didier. Antonia Desplat very good as Karla Saaranen
Reviews have been mixed.
Some concede it is an ambitious mess.
I would say it was a little too slow for me.
I was sad to hear there will be no season 2.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Fantastic. 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
It’s based on the book Slow Horses (2010) by Mick Herron, which I read, as well.
The TV show has already been green-lit for 3 more seasons.
Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House, is one of the most interesting characters on TV.
Slovenly, farting and apparently drunk most of the time. There’s a super experienced intelligence officer under the rumpled facade — with a lot of baggage.
Slow Horses is a spy thriller television series based on the “Slough House” series of novels by Mick Herron. …
Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 service rejects who have bungled their job but somehow have not been outright fired.
Those consigned there are known as “Slow Horses”.
They are expected to endure dull, paper pushing tasks, along with occasional mental abuse from their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb, who expects them to quit out of boredom or frustration. …
Wikipedia
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
A typical Hercule Poirot tale set in Jerusalem and Petra.
Not her best.
But Christie did keep me guessing on the killer in Appointment with Death.
The city of Biloxi, Mississippi beachfront lies directly on the Mississippi Sound,
We heard about it during Hurricane Katrina. Biloxi was one of the places most devastated. 53 died there during that storm.
It’s the setting of Grisham’s 2022 book, the Boys of Biloxi.
Classic Grisham, I’d say. Long. It spans decades. Legal wrangling.
I enjoyed the book though some feel it’s not quite up to his highest standards.
Grisham was born in Mississippi. He was a lawyer. Once again, he writes what he knows.
In this one two good friends from Biloxi, both baseball all-stars, become enemies for the rest of their lives.
One goes into the law. The other into crime.
During prohibition, Biloxi had plenty of illegal booze. Prostitution. Gambling. It was called the “poor man’s Riviera.”
Grisham is a Baptist. And a Democrat. He opposes Capital Punishment, which is a theme in this book.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. A very entertaining interview.
Most of the personalities in House of the Dragon are horrible people.
There’s no Arya nor Jon Snow to cheer.
Closest to someone I might like in the first episodes is Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong.
My favourite character is Milly Alcock as the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
I found her very believable.
Emma D’Arcy is perhaps equally believable as the adult Rhaenyra. But life has gone to crap by this point.
It’s difficult to end entertainments. I’d say the ending of season 1 was about as good as any TV series or film I can recall. The highlight moment.
Film students will be studying that scene.
At times I liked Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen even more. But that role confuses me.
Similar to his turn as Prince Philip in ‘The Crown’, he’s got the look. Charismatic? Evil? Both?
Perhaps the most impressive performance is Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen.
What a complex and nuanced role.
Produced for a fraction of the cost / episode of Games of Thrones or Rings of Power, this TV series is pushing limits for television. Sex. Violence. The dangers of childbirth before modern medicine.
Not always easy to watch, but #respect for the creators.
Also — the dragons are cool.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This is the 3rd book (2020) in the Kings Lake Investigation series.
Nothing written by Grainger is bad, but for me these books are lacklustre because DC Smith — the lead character — is not in them much.
I can’t say anything really stuck with me from this one.
Rick McCharles 