Pacific Rim

     Ok, I have a critic's remark to get off my chest. Star Wars of this generation is soooo wrong. Star Wars is an off world, alien epic tale, not alien invasion of Earth. Should have said The Independence Day of this generation.
     The previews made me think not a bad alien invasion film, probably. I really liked it. It has the right balance of emotion, story, and action. Not to mention interesting alien monsters. Character connection is just as important to any story, even if its a lot of action. Not all alien invasion movies, are well balanced. Pacific Rim has great characters, great monsters, enough action, and a actual story line. A very pleasant and enjoyed surprise. Worth seeing in the theater.
   

Twice Tempted by Jeanine Frost

     This is a spin off from the Night Huntress Series. It is also the second of The Dark Prince Trilogy. The first book is Once Burned. You could read this one without the first, without being too lost, but I would suggest reading Once Burned first. The first book in The Night Huntress series is Halfway to the Grave.

     I will be honest, I probably would have not read the next installment but that it is a cliff hanger type ending. At the end of Once Burned, I had hope Leila would grow up. But I was sadly disappointed. I had hoped she’d change for the better. No such luck. Leila still gets on my nerves.

     I have like the other women from the Night Huntress Series and The Night Huntress World spin offs. Cat, Denise, and Kyra, are well balanced, feeling like real people. Leila seems to be unbalanced to me. At times, she feels real, like a character should. Relatable even if I haven’t been in that situation. At times it seems that she is another person entirely. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde. Leila is the only heroine in a series that has gotten on my nerves, I want to slap her at times. Is it too much to hope that now she has transitioned to a vampire that maybe she’ll crush her rose colored glasses, and stay in reality? I hope so. The next installment will tell.

     Overall, an alright story, though at times it felt a bit too close to Once Burned with a few changes to it. An above average story, she’s written better. Not a bad read.

The Lone Ranger

It is a rare occasion that I see a movie trailer and think, I’m not sure if I should see this or not. The Lone Ranger was one of these films. I think part of it was Johnny Depp playing Tonto.

     This film wasn't bad. Maybe a tad too long. I’ll admit Johnny Depp didn't do a bad Tonto.  The story line wasn't bad, though I didn't like the way the story was introduced and told. It would have run better without the reminisces of Tonto to tell the story.

     A pleasant surprise, but not sure if it’s worth paying theater money to go see.

World War Z

To be honest, I really wasn't interested in this film.

     It was a lot better than I thought, but I do agree with critic comments on the lack of emotional connection in this film. Any story has to have a balance. Action can only carry a tale so far. To truly grab a reader or audience, connection has to be made with the characters. I need to care if they live or die. I really didn't care for the most part.

     It did have its tense moments. I will admit gripping the cup holder of the chair and not realizing it for a while. It also had those predictable moments, when you knew that person was going to get it. The zombies over all wasn't bad, and at times could be creepy, in a Hannibal Lector way. Not bad, 3-D added to it, probably made it a bit better.

     I don’t if I would pay to see this, except for the 3-D with it, which might make it worth the money. Not a bad watch, but worth the cash, not so sure of that.

    There have been better zombie films: 28 Days Later, is one. This was mediocre for a zombie film.

Into the Woods by Kim Harrison (story collection)

If you have not read The Hollows or also known as Rachel Morgan series, I would suggest that before reading this book. The first book is Dead Witch Walking. The stories about The Hollows, are more enjoyable and make more sense if you are already familiar with that world. But if, not, they wouldn't make a bad read and Harrison has introductions to all the tales, so you get the background information on the story. The tales focus on Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, and Trent.
     The other tales cover two versions of Dryads, or tree spirits, fairy's who are bit more bloodthirsty, and people who can gather and manipulate energy.
     This is one of the best short story anthology's I have read. Definitely worth checking out.
   

Ear Congestion Due to Allergy

I suffer from allergies, year around. I use the generic Allegera-D. I have had ear congestion issues off and on for a long time now. I have tried a variety of ways to relieve ear congestion. I discovered something I had missed in my previous searches on relieving ear congestion. I was skeptical at first, but it helps, a lot.

     A Neti Pot. Not just good for the nose, but after a few days or so of using it, I noticed that my ears were getting better, and continue use, once before bed, has helped keep them clearer. I have also notice, that I don't blow my nose as often in the morning as I used to. So the pot is working. Worth the time and money.

Man of Steel : Soars

     As a kid, I watched a lot of the Christopher Reeves Superman. I never read the comics. Watched some of Smallville, so when Superman Returns came along, I wanted to see it. What a disappointment. Then one day at the theater, I saw a movie poster for Man of Steel, and I was excited. Even more so when I found out Henry Cavill, who I first came to know in The Tudors, and I was more hopeful of a good film.

     I am glad to say that I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the way that they weaved the present and the past to tell the story. A good villain, portrayed well too. I nice upgrade to the Superman suit. A Lois Lane who can handle herself, and yet still need to be rescued from time to time. A Superman, who acts like Superman. Morals, gentleman, not like Superman Returns. Plus, a Superman who has that good looking but soft complexion and can pull off the slightly nerdy news geek look. About time someone did it right. The only issues I had issues with was lack of creative fight scenes, that were a tad too long. How many buildings and structures can one crash through? Plus, a wasted opportunity too relive a little tension in the big fight scene when Superman smacks into the Work Site Accident Sign, the two numbers could have fallen laving the zero on the sign when he stood up. I have a feeling that was edited out. When used right, humor can be a good thing, take Shakespeare for example. Still, I really enjoyed it. Well done, and the 3-D was a nice and well used plus. Worth seeing in the theater.