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Quick Review: Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane |
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Reviews -
Books
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Written by Brion Salazar
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Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:29 |
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After having watched the film adaptation of this book as well as Mystic River, I was very interested to read some of Dennis Lehane's work. I was not disappointing.
This book is very similar to the film, but as with most novel's much deeper in it's content. While working on the very familiar basis of the crime genre, Lehane is able to weave something unique with his very human and faulty characters as they trespass through the dark and untidy underbelly of Boston.
At times this was actually a difficult book to continue reading because of the terrible and horrific events that are at once both a complete mystery in how they could be allowed to happen, yet all-too-familiar to anyone that reads the paper or watches their local news.
Dealing with the all too common occurrence of a child's kidnapping, Lehane delves deep into the questions of what it means to be a parent from both a societal and personal level.
Afterward I was left questioning my beliefs on both how we treat our children as a society as well as how I raise my own children to ensure that they are strong enough to deal with the world I have brought them into. |
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Quick Review: A Study In Scarlet |
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Reviews -
Books
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Written by Brion Salazar
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Tuesday, 29 December 2009 14:47 |
A classic in the genre of detective fiction. After watching the new movie, I wanted to go back and compare what I saw on film with what I hadn't read in a long time. I was surprised at how much the 2009 film version portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. was similar to my take on Doyle's legendary character. While it isn't an exact replica, I truly feel that the spirit of the character was there more than many of the other film versions.
As far as this story, my favorite part is the middle act where we discover the history and motive of the killer. It made me want to find out if Doyle had written any westerns.
I think the weakest part of this story is the ending. Some of the leaps in logic made for storytelling purposes and in order for the author to show us how amazing Holes' abilities are, turn out to be as weak as those made by the bumbling Scotland Yard detectives while chasing a case that Holmes has already solved. |
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Reviews -
Movies & TV
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Written by Brion Salazar
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Saturday, 03 October 2009 12:52 |
My Rating:  
Patton Oswalt is a funny, charming and intelligent performer. The character Paul he portrays in the Robert D. Siegel written and directed film “Big Fan” is not designed to be any of those things.
Paul is an obsessed NY Giants fan who spends most of his time, when not working on his “career” as a parking lot attendant, daydreaming about his favorite team the NY Giants and his favorite player Linebacker Quantrell Bishop. He leads a simple and pathetic life with his mother, being patronized by his family, and calling local sports talk radio shows as “Staten Island Paul”. His biggest concern in life, outside of the football season, is how best to battle with his on-air adversary “Philadelphia Phil” who as his name implies is the world’s biggest Eagles fan.
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You should be watching: GLEE |
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Reviews -
Movies & TV
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Written by Brion Salazar
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Wednesday, 23 September 2009 09:43 |
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If you are not watching the new FOX show GLEE, you are missing out on some hilarious, and even slightly inspiring and touching entertainment. The show's creator Ryan Murphy has had a stroke of genius with his latest creation. GLEE combines some of the most popular forms of television entertainment today and mashes it together in a twisted blend of high school angst, fueled by class war, awkward relationships, inspiration and some pretty damn good music. Take one part "Fame", one part "American Idol", two parts from just about any John Hughes movie and mix in some "Freaks & Geeks" and "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and you have a slightly fruity coctail that will catch up to you after two or three.
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Reviews -
Movies & TV
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Written by Brion Salazar
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Tuesday, 08 September 2009 11:22 |
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My Rating:
This is not a documentary.
If you are expecting historical accuracy or a sober account of actions during World War II, I would suggest you watch the dreadfully faithful and even more boring Valkyrie with Tom Cruise. This is not what you are looking for.
If on the other had you are looking to be completely entertained, go buy a ticket and some popcorn and enjoy.
This movie is an alternate reality vision from what I consider to be one of the most creative and visionary directors in the business.
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