Serenity - B+

I've never seen Firefly (the TV show on which Serenity is based) so I went in to the movie with few expectations. It’s a space western in the mold of the original Star Trek, but considerably more western/outlaw. From what I understand, the film’s budget was somewhat limited, but the special effects are quite good. If you’re a fan of the various Star Trek franchises, Star Wars, Tom Clancy, and/or cyberpunk, you’ll probably enjoy Serenity.

You, Me and Dupree - B

It had the potential to be as annoying as What about Bob, but somehow it comes of as quite a bit more likable. Michael Douglas does an Alec Baldwin-esq turn as an over the top father-in-law/boss. Molly's brief speech at the end of the movie was a tad counter-cultural (in a good way), even if it was not exactly consistent with Kate Hudson's real life.

Little Miss Sunshine - B+

Today nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, Little Miss Sunshine is good. But one of the best five movies of 2006? I'm not sure. The best original screenplay nomination makes sense. Check it out.

Lady in the Water - B

The least believable of the M. Night Shyamalan movies. While setup as a bedtime story for children, and indeed based on a book Shyamalan wrote, I tend to think some of the scenes are probably a bit intense for most young-uns. Self-deconstructing, and entertaining for the over 13 set, though.

Idiocracy - C

Well, given the derivation of the title and the fact that it was written and directed by the guy who brought us Bevis and Butthead, I don't know what I expected. But since he also brought us Office Space and King of the Hill, I guess I hoped for more.

The movie does include an interesting critique of declining fertility rates among the affluent and well-educated. It is also, on the whole, a sort-of commentary on the kind of entertainment in which Judge usually traffics. But it's mostly idiocy.

The Devil Wears Prada – B

So we’re supposed to believe that the former editor of the student newspaper at one of the top (if not the top) journalism schools can’t find a job in journalism? Well, maybe . . . suspending belief and all that (oh, and based on a true story, so . . .)

That said, it’s an interesting movie that shows the lengths one will go to in order to win the approval of another.

Here’s a review worth reading for its literary breadth as well as for the deeper implications the reviewer finds.

2007 Book Prediction

I predict that my favorite book of 2007 will be this tome, due out in March.

2006 Book #1

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell — Theodicy as science fiction. Really outstanding, highly recommended. Quite possibly my favorite novel of all time. I also read the sequel, Children of God, but found it much less satisfying.


My Favorite Books of 2006 Series
Intro and Worst Books
2006 Book #5
2006 Book #4
2006 Book #3
2006 Book #2

Book #2

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy is unlike anything I’d ever read (and not just because it’s a western). Yes, it is also a movie (which I’ve apparently failed to review here) but read the book; it’s better.

All the Pretty Horses is the first volume of McCarthy’s Border Trilogy, and I’m on the lookout for the other volumes as I visit used bookstores. McCarthy’s The Road is on a number of best books of 2006 lists, and it is also on my “to buy” list I’ve just purchased it. I finished McCarthy's No Country for Old Men in 2006 (at about 10:30 pm on December 31). Very good, but no Pretty Horse.

My Favorite Books of 2006 Series
Intro and Worst Books
2006 Book #5
2006 Book #4
2006 Book #3

Book #3

Back to the book business . . .

My #3 book for 2006 is David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, which may prove to have more long lasting effects on my life than any book I’ve read in a while. I certainly haven’t found productivity to be stress-free, but there is much in the book that has improved my work habits. And 43folders.com, which is based on but as far as I know not officially affiliated with the book, is lots of fun (if you're into all that GTD stuff).

My Favorite Books of 2006 Series
Intro and Worst Books
2006 Book #5
2006 Book #4

Mr. & Mrs. Potcallingkettle - 100%

The epic Mr. & Mrs. Potcallingkettle opened seven years ago today



John and Jane Potcallingkettle are an ordinary suburban couple with an extraordinary suburban marriage. But each of them has a secret: They are legendary assassins working for competing organizations. (21st Century Foxy)

What The Critics Said

The Hollywood Deporter —One swell couple!

USA Now — They convey a multi-faceted attraction, toss off clever repartee and dazzle audiences with their seemingly natural connection. And that's worth watching.

Chicago Moon-Vines — What makes it work is that they're able to find a rhythm that allows them to be understated and amused even during the most alarming developments.

The Bunion (A.V. Club) — An old-fashioned romantic comedy.

Scrubbington Post — A kicky, twisted thrill ride, with laughs.

Dreamiere —Features some of the best fight and chase footage you'll see.

Pillage Voice — Most entertaining!

Stone — Fluid and inventive. The stars are nimble enough to make their acrobatics credible.

Saloon.com — It's a lot like marriage.

Portly Oregonian — If the two most gorgeous people in the world alternately bantering and making out isn't enough to compel the attention of the average American moviegoer, then we are truly doomed.

Herald’s Miami — It’s perfect!

The Old Yarker — A triumph!

Rice-a-Roni Chronicle — The film is glossy!!!

2006 Book #4

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell is a book that everyone should read. I don’t know of a better way to explain my recommendation other than to say that it unpacks much about the way the world of sales/marketing/advertising works, and it has ramifications for the way that we communicate in many areas of our lives. I had actually listened to the book on tape in the summer of 2002, but I wanted a print copy for reference, and I wanted to refresh my mind on the content, so I read it again in the summer of ’06.

2006 Book #5

Caught up in the hype over the movie Capote, I read In Cold Blood (which someone very kindly loaned me). The book is excellent, and the movie makes a heck of a lot more sense once you’ve read the book. (It is also possible that the movie made no sense the first time I saw it because I was watching it on a red-eye flight at 2 AM).

and Other Stuff

I do have a list of movies I’m working on reviewing, but in the mean time, how about some book info?

I was able to read a number of very good books in 2006 (and I read some real stinkers, too). Doubtless, a trip to a certain city-state helped me get more reading done than I would have otherwise. Also, learning to let skimming suffice on a number of books, as well as letting myself skim/skip to the end of lame books both helped.

Over the next few days I’ll post my top five reads for 2006. For today, though, how about a list of bad books?

Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers — I know that Powers is a certified genius, and this book is probably a rare work of true greatness. But all of that escapes me when it’s so boring I can barely force myself to continue skimming.

Confessions of a Memory Eater by Pagan Kennedy — Similar to Galatea 2.2 in a number of ways (ploddingly slow), but with the advantage of being shorter. Kennedy tries very hard to write clever turns of phrase, but it simply doesn’t work (said the pot, calling the kettle black).

Finally, Michael Crichton’s Next. This Aussie review sums it up as well as I could, if I were to write a full review.

So, tomorrow, the top 5 countdown begins. And more movie reviews soon. Really, I mean it.