Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 4: Unstoppable by Joss Whedon (Author) & John Cassaday (Illustrator)

Astonishing X-Men Vol. 4: Unstoppable by Joss Whedon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This wraps up Joss Whedon's take on the X-Men and I could really see his hand in it. John Cassaday's art is very good, but seems to have lost some punch from the earlier volumes. Whedon's philosophy, of enjoying the happy now because it's all you've really got, has never been so clearly put to page. Also Whedon's penchant for immediately following a moment of happiness with tragic loss was very present too.

It made me smile, laugh, and enjoy myself... what more could I ask for?

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The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Maybe I've lost my taste for C.S. Lewis' style, or maybe I've been reading far too many Terry Pratchett works which make this look so shabby by comparison. I've enjoyed other Narnia books... Wardrobe, Last Battle, and the Magician's Nephew were fun reads. I abandoned A Horse and His Boy... so maybe I shouldn't be surprised that Dawn Treader wasn't a thrill for me.

The simplistic narrative was overly dull this time round. The characters barely developed during the course of the story... except for the annoying kid who learns to be less annoying. No huge conflicts that can't be taken care of in less than a page or two.

Here's the interesting bit... I can see how this will make a good movie in the right hands. The only reason I decided to read it now was to refresh my memory of the plot before the film comes out this winter. Being simplistic, the screenplay writer will have ample room to expand it. The book itself is basically an outline to a grander tale. I can already see which scenes they'll turn into action fodder and also I've got a good idea which parts will be cut completely (mono-footed dwarves anyone).

Anyway, it was a quick read so it has that going for it.

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Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Death's granddaughter, Susan, gets wrapped up in more crazy metaphysical hi-jinks. The best part, as always, is Death himself and how he interacts with the world. His attempts to play the role of the Hogfather and views of just rewards for those he comes in contact with are simply humorously satisfying.

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The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked the way this series wrapped up. What made it amazing for me was this is an audio recording read by the author and complimented with a full cast of voice actors. On a side note it was directed by the actor who played Biggs Darklighter in Star Wars, Garrick Hagon.

You can tell the author is poking fun at mainstream religion even more in this installment of his tale. Many times there were subtle tongue in cheek moments that caused me to chuckle. BUT, everything fit into the worlds and tale he was creating.

As far as good storytelling goes, I think this book and the whole series was very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

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Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another City Watch story set on the Discworld. This one I really liked a lot. Had plenty of threads running along to the end. The actual whodunnit isn't nearly as important as how it'll all play out.

The golems were an interesting storyline as well. Love the mix of characters being added to the Watch. Should be great to see where the menagerie goes in the later books.

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Avatar

Saw Avatar last night with my Dad and Uncle Ron. Great film, like everyone has been saying. I really think this is the first time that you can believe all the CG is fully real. I only caught a couple places where there was a CG quirk... usually involving the live action guys inside the CG battle mechs.

The story isn't anything amazing, mostly a collection of classic story telling ideas rolled into a bewilderingly beautiful canvas. "Dances with Wolves in space" is what I've heard repeated. Thing is James Cameron still makes the telling of the story incredibly entertaining even if at no point are you surprised by what happens next. Which honestly is the makings of a film that can be watched over and over again.

The acting shines through the blue cat CG masks. I particularly like Zoe Saldana's job as the Pocahontas princess of the cat people. Zoe Saldana also played Uhura in J. J. Abrams' Star Trek film from last year. So she seems to know where good films are being made.

Sam Worthington's performance as our jarhead turned native was outstanding as well. Funny enough my brain keeps wanting to compare his job to the guy playing the lead in the G.I. Joe movie from last year. I know that's not a fair comparison to the old Joe, but the difference is so starkly defined that it makes for good contrast. In Joe the jughead has so much trouble delivering his lines that you can't help but wonder if they're holding cue cards up for him, while in Avatar it all seems natural even when coming from the lips of a blue cat.

Again, great film. No, I didn't see it in 3D... but I may go again just for that experience. Figured it best to enjoy it one time through before risking throwing up all over the place. My experience with 3D to date has been hit or miss. Not nauseating yet, but fraught with calamity, i.e., broken glasses.

It was great to get back to the theater... I miss going to the movies.

Strata by Terry Pratchett

Strata by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What I learned from this book is... that even an author you love and think is a literary genius started from humbler beginnings. I've been devouring Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels faster than any other series to date. That even includes the Harry Potter books which I devoured rather quickly. So as a scholarly pursuit, I decided to read one of his pre-discworld novels.

Strata is a pure science fiction novel, which I've come to discover I don't have much taste for. The whole travel to some strange place for the purpose of describing a strange place doesn't always enthrall me. Strata has a similar taste for me, but the wit and humor of Pratchett still peaks through.

This book isn't as silly, but it was fun to see how some of the ideas in this book were used in the creation of the Discworld. This book tries to describe in science fiction terms of advanced technology how a flat world could work... the Discworld skates around such frivolities by having "magic" to take care of them. While in Strata you think about how a system could work with vast machines and the meaning of it all... when the Discworld comes on to the scene riding on the back of the World Turtle you just take the details and grand meaning for granted.

So, to sum up... I like the Discworld better than the flat Earth of Strata... BUT, the ending of Strata is a hoot. The ending was a great payoff for finally finishing. It made me smile and that's what it's all about after all.


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