Archive for March 2011
Best Picture Nominees… #3
Posted on: March 31, 2011
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Movie 3… Toy Story 3
Summary: The third installment of Pixar’s groundbreaking trilogy. Andy, beloved child and toy-owner, is off to college. Only one question remains: what to do with Andy’s toys? The familiar characters – and many new ones to boot, set off on a whirlwind adventure to ensure they are never forgotten.
Appeal: Die-hard fans who have long-awaited the release of this third installment will not be disappointed by the sophisticated graphics and creative plot line. The pace is measured, but keeps the interest of viewers satisfactorily. Highlights of the movie include the deep emotional connection between the viewers and the toys; a pleasant surprise!
All-in-all, Toy Story 3 is a respectable continuation of a successful storyline, with plenty of heart and humor.
Three words that best describe this film: Character-centered, Evocative, Vivid
Watch-a-likes:
Review by Carlen
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Author: Goonan, Kathleen Ann
Title: In War Times
Genre: Science Fiction
Publication Date: 2007
Number of Pages: 348 p.
Geographical Setting: United States and various European countries
Time Period: 1941-1980
Series: Not Applicable
Plot Summary: Soldier Sam Dance, who enlists during WWII, receives mysterious plans from his professor one night. The captivating nature of her disappearance and the plans she provides result in Sam’s attempt to build her secret device, right under the nose of the military. The effects of this produce intriguing and surprising results in this alternate-reality novel. The plot-centered story creates a sophisticated, richly-detailed setting combined with both historical references and a healthy dose of physics.
Subject Headings: Science fiction; Alternative histories (Fiction); Time travel, Fiction; World War II; The Forties (20th century); Saxophonists; Time travel (Future); Technology; Jazz music; Jazz musicians; Soldiers; Brothers — death; Technology and civilization; Futurism; Women physicists; Men/women relations.
Appeal: Bleak, chilling, complex, contemplative, deliberate, densely written, detailed, detailed setting, elaborate, engaging, historic details, intriguing, investigative, issue-oriented, layered, measured, political, resolved ending, sophisticated, thought-provoking, unhurried, well-developed.
3 Terms that Best Describe this Book: Plot-centered, complex, unusual.
Similar Fiction Authors and Works:
Mark Alpert, The Omega Theory, follows the adventure of two prominent scientists to recover their autistic, genius son, a descendant of Einstein.
Neal Stephenson, Quicksilver, is set in the time of Isaac Newton and promises as much adventure as science and math.
John Connolloy, The Gates, watches 11-year old Samuel as he witnesses satanic goings-on while trick or treating. A light fantasy, with a swig of science.
Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Sam Kean, The Disappearing Spoon, provides a collection of tales revolving around the periodic table and scientific discoveries. The humorous tone of the book entices non-scientists as well.
Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, follows the engrossing history of the HeLa gene, DNA that was stolen from her at death for the benefits of science.
Annotation by Carlen
Summary: For Inspector O, the grandson of a hero of the revolution serving as an officer in the North Korean police force, the assignment seems simple. Be on a hill, at a certain time, and photograph a particular car as it travels north. Soon, however, he finds himself caught up in a byzantine plot to cover up a series of kidnappings and murders from decades before. Will O be able to find his way out of the ever tightening net? This is the first book in the Inspector O series.
Review: As any review of this book will tell you, James Church is a former intelligence officer with experience in East Asia. He uses that experience to good effect here, in drawing a vivid picture of a country closed to the outside world. The plot of the story, which won effusive praise from reviewers, did not grab this reader. Most of the plot struck me as so subtle that it bordered on the opaque, and left me feeling that I followed a man stumbling blindly from one random scenario into another. This type of spy thriller may appeal to some, but it did little for me. There are currently four books in the series.
Read-a-likes: This series is often compared to Martin Cruz Smith’s Arkady Renko series, which is set in Russia; in my opinion, most of what Church tries to do here is done better by Smith. Another story of an honest policeman struggling against the insanity of a totalitarian regime, also set in Stalinist Russia, is Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44. Those interested in reading more stories set in North Korea should check out The Ginseng Hunter by Jeff Talarigo.
Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book. Click here to check on the availability!
Review by Eric.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS
Posted on: March 5, 2011
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The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War (Nonfiction: James Bradley) c. 2009
Posted on: March 4, 2011
Summary: The United States is bogged down in a war of attrition, occupying a country where the people increasingly see the US soldiers that freed them from dictatorial rule as the source of their woes. Infuriated with American interference abroad and racial/religious profiling in US domestic policies, protests and boycotts aimed at the US flare up world-wide. Bent on turning the course of world events in the United States favor, the President sets out to manipulate the world’s nations through deception, bluster and Machiavellian back room dealing. The year is not 2003 or 1970, but 1905. The occupied nation is the Philippines, the protests focused across China and the President is Teddy Roosevelt. Through the lens of an epic diplomatic mission around the Pacific rim, James Bradley dissects the consequences of the imperial beliefs and actions of Roosevelt and others.
Review: Bradley has been a solid historical writer, but this is his first attempt at history on a large-scale. Both Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys were focused primarily on smaller scale, much more personal, history. And he does well for the most part, but the fundamental thesis of the book (that TR set the course for the disastrous events culminating in WWII) is imperfectly defended. The historical evidence and quotes that he provides to make his case are indeed nothing short of eye-opening and chilling (you’ll not think of American history quite the same way afterwards) but they don’t quite add up the way Bradley wants them to. While he certainly contributed extensively to the direction of future events, the amount of blame heaped on Teddy Roosevelt smacks of a too-simplistic analysis. In addition, the over emphasis on American actions has the ironic (in a book focused on exposing American misdeeds) effect of making many of the other players on the board feel a bit puppet-like. Surely, the leaders of Japan, Korea, China, Great Britain and France were just as responsible for the direction of their country’s as TR. Fortunately, the facts themselves are so hard-hitting they carry the book on their own.
Read-a-likes: If you enjoy this book, you’ll of course want to hunt down Bradley’s first two (Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys). For more information on the glamorous Alice Roosevelt, the biography Alice by Stacy Cordery is a good place to start. For more on Roosevelt’s wheeling and dealing, Bully Boy by Jim Powell and Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris are worth a peak.
Availability: The Lake Bluff Public Library owns this item as a book, eAudiobook, Audiobook and eBook. Click here to check on the availability!
Review by Eric.
Best Picture Nominees… #2
Posted on: March 4, 2011
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Movie #2… The Social Network
A glimpse into the glamorous and, at times, not so glamorous creation of Facebook.
Summary: Mark Zuckerberg, severly socially-challenged computer genius and student at Harvard (it’s 2003, by the way), decides to create a website that will display every woman on campus and allow the viewer to “rate” them by attractiveness. As a result, Zuckerberg hacks into the Harvard computer network. The insane popularity of this site causes the Harvard network to crash.
Following the incident, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss approach Zuckerberg regarding their desire to start the “Harvard Connection.” Zuckerberg instead decides to create “Thefacebook,” which was much broader in scope.
Appeal:
The movie is surprisingly fast-paced. Characters are introduced quickly, but develop over time. Though it seems “Thefacebook” is created easily, the viewer gets to see the degrees of math and structure that go into creating the complicated site. As a result, nerd stereotypes are plentiful.
The multiple plot lines and flashbacks create a layered plot. Conflict in the movie makes it issue-oriented. Though plot-centered, the movie is thought-provoking and authentic.
Overall, The Social Network presents an bittersweet, engaging, and frank representation of its plot and characters.
Three words that best describe this film: Contemporary, Smart, Dramatic
Watch-a-likes:
Scott Pilgrim Versus the World
Read-a-like:
The Accidental Billionaires (The book the movie is based on)
Review by Carlen
Best Picture Nominees… #1
Posted on: March 4, 2011
After watching the Academy Awards, I thought it would be a great idea to review all of the nominees for best picture. Look for the reviews as the library acquires the movies on video.
Movie #1… Inception
Being the science-fiction nerd that I am, I enjoyed nearly every aspect of this movie, so prepare yourself for a glowing review.
Summary:
The ever-talented Leonardo DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, a con artist who steals information from big-wigs. The catch: he infiltrates a person’s subconscious by going into his or her dreams and getting the “mark” to divulge secrets. After a failed infiltration, the “mark” hires Cobb and his associates to not steal information from a competitor for him, but rather plant an idea to benefit him financially.
Additionally, Cobb’s specialty is layers of dreams; dreams within dreams. Cobb takes on the challenge, and his team follows. The addition of a new team member allows the viewer to learn about dream manipulation as she does, which explains many technically confusing aspects of the movie.
Appeal:
The movie is initially fast-paced, though tapers toward the end to allow for the plot to complete. Character development is only as deep as the needs of the film require, though the actors are well-cast. The nature of the layered dreams allow a multi-layered storyline within a linear timeline. Inception is exciting, visually stimulating, and a testament to what 21st century visual effects can do for a movie. Those who abhor tacked-on romances in films will be glad to know there are none in this movie (a personal pet-peeve).
Whether or not the movie is open-ended varies, depending on the viewer’s perspective, though it was closed enough that I am not anticipating a sequel.
All in all, I found the effects beyond impressive (if you have a Blu-ray player, I highly suggest you watch the Blu-ray), the concept unique, and the execution nearly flawless. Truly an engaging film!
Three words that best describe this film: Exciting, Thought-Provoking, Engrossing
Watch-a-likes:
Iron Man (1 or 2)
Different titles:
Review by Carlen
Shanghai Girls (by Lisa See) c.2009
Posted on: March 2, 2011
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Author: See, Lisa
Title: Shanghai Girls
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 2009
Number of Pages: 314 p.
Geographical Setting: Shanghai, China and Los Angeles, United States
Time Period: 1937-1957
Series: Not Applicable
Plot Summary: Two sisters, Pearl and May Chin, are beautiful girls who live life to the fullest in 1937 Shanghai. Unfortunately for the girls, their father has arranged marriages for them to reconcile his debts. Additionally, the Japanese open fire on China. Under great difficulty, Pearl and May immigrate to the United States to meet up with their husbands, but suffer countless delays and tragedies. Many historical characters and events fill the book. The engaging narrative, with powerful descriptions, well-developed characters, and heart wrenching events, creates a richly detailed account.
Subject Headings: Sisters, Fiction ; Chinese, United States, Fiction; Immigrants, United States, Fiction; Family secrets, Fiction; Chinese, California, Los Angeles, Fiction; Arranged marriage, Fiction; Historical fiction.
Appeal: Engrossing, measured, deliberate; atmospheric, candid, dangerous, evocative, introspective, melancholy, moving, thoughtful, unsettling; detailed character development, detailed secondary character(s) development, realistic, sympathetic; family-centered, linear, resolved ending, thought-provoking; intimate; classic, unpretentious.
3 Terms that Best Describe this Book: Character-centered, bittersweet, detailed setting.
Similar Fiction Authors and Works:
Jamie Ford, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, examines a Chinese coming-of-age story during World War II. Similar theme, complete with family relationships, but with a multi-layered plot.
Jeannette Walls, Half Broke Horses, is a true-life novel set in the American West at the turn of the 20th century. Comparable with respect to character development and frame detail.
Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Rhoda Janzen, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress : A Memoir of Going Home, follows the introspective journey of a Mennonite who returns to her childhood roots.
Christopher Buckley, Losing Mum and Pup : A Memoir, examines Christopher’s self-discovery after losing his parents in his fifties.
Annotation by Carlen
