Book Review: LEWSER!

G.B. Trudeau, LEWSER! More Doonesbury in the Time of Trump. Kansas City, MO: Andrew McMeel, 2020. ISBN: 9781524859503.

Genre: comics and graphic novels, humor

Subgenre: politics and current events

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library. I did get an e-galley via Netgalley I was unable to access, so was not able to read it at that time. 

This is a collection of Doonesbury comics during the time of Trump.; many of the strips feature Trump as the protagonist. The volume then also looks at the regular Doonesbury characters living their lives and trying to cope and live in these Hard Times. 

This book is part of a Doonesbury Trump trilogy. I read the first volume, Yuge! (link to my review). The second volume is #Sad, and this book is the third volume.

On the one hand, there are some amusing moments in this volume. When the humor works, it works well. On the other hand, it can be painful to go read about the Trump administration. Those times may seem like a dark joke at times, but by now this book is a painful reminder of what was (and what could be again if Americans don't get their act together). To be honest, the best parts are the strips with the regular characters. A strength of the book is that it really captures the essence and mood of the time. 

Overall I liked this one. It is an easy read, relatively quick getting through it. I do always like the art in this series, especially when the author turns objects into people like the cigarette and now the Juul vape stick. Doonesbury does have a way to keep up with the times, but it does not always age well though.

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Short book review: Infernal Parade

Clive Barker, with illustrations by Bob Eggleton, Infernal Parade. Burton, MI: Subterranean Press, 2017. ISBN: 9781596068070.
 

Genre: horror and fantasy

Subgenre: short stories

Format: hardback

Source: Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library

 

This is a small collection of stories that make up a novella. Clive Barker introduces Tom Requiem, who is spared from death and given a mission. His task is to bring back fear and awe to a complacent world. To do so, he leads the Infernal Parade. He goes around finding various characters who will be the entertainments of the parade. Each character gets a story. The book includes six stories. 

The stories are short and relatively easy reads. The settings range from the U.S. to fantastical long gone cities. The stories are a bit macabre but on the light side. They often feature some twist at the end. Overall, I liked the book, and it makes for an easy read during the Halloween season. Of course, you can read it at any time. 

3 out of 5 stars.

Media Notes: Roundup for April 2024

 

  

 

This is a somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during  April 2024.

Movies and films (links to IMDB.com for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available):

• The Batman (2022. Action. Crime. Drama. Comic books adaptation). Plot description: "When a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement." The latest, as of this post, take on the Batman character. The reviews I've seen of this have been mixed, so going in with low expectations. This is another story of Batman's early days, where he is still learning the ropes. We get a reference this is his second year on the job. Anyhow this is one seriously slow movie. In a nutshell, you could consider it as Emo Batman; to be honest, Pattison, who portrays Bruce Wayne/Batman is just as mopey as his character in the Twilight films, and not in a good way. One thing the movie does is pay some service to some of the comic book elements. Fans will recognize the details such as Bruce's father saving Falcone's life. In addition, it does play a bit more on Batman as a detective rather than just a larger than life hero. Also some of Batman's tech, such as the contact lens thing, is pretty cool, but otherwise the movie does not have much other than trying to be dark, edgy, and seriously moody. So it does a couple of things right, but overall, the movie just seriously drags. The film has some good ideas, but the execution is just too long, too pretentious. Not to mention at times the acting is just stiff, especially Pattison. An emerging pattern seems to be over time Hollywood tries to make Batman even darker and edgier, and the films keep getting worse as a result. This movie could have been better, but it just falls so very short. Not the worst I've seen, but gets close to one of the worst. You are definitely better off reading the comics. On a side note, the casting of Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman was nice, but not enough to make this film worth it. By the way, this is an almost 3 hours movie (clocks in at 2:56), and the story does not really justify the long running time. The melodrama is seriously excessive. On a side note, given all the plots they are trying to squeeze into the movie, this could have been two separate movies easily, at least, but that is another story. Naturally, they give hints for possible sequel, but I am not sure we will get one, and if we do, I am likely to skip it based on this mess. It feels barely OK, so 1.5 out of 5 stars barely. Via TubiTv. Watched 4/6.
• Mars Attacks! (1996. Comedy. Science Fiction. Spoof). Plot description: "Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor." I saw this around the time it came out, and I thought it was amusing. It has been a while, so decided to revisit.   I will say upfront part of the reason the film works well is the casting. It has some very serious actors doing some very funny things including Jack Nicholson (who does a double role, the president and briefly the character of Art Land in Las Vegas), Glenn Close, Rod Steiger, Michael J. Fox and others. The movie as a whole is amusing,  but it is not a big deal. It has some good humor, and some fairly slow parts. It is OK to watch late at night on cable. 2 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 4/6.
  
• The film is based on a trading cards series, Mars Attacks! 
• The Delta Force (1986. Action. Adventure. Drama). Plot description: "After a plane is hijacked by terrorists, The Delta Force is sent in to resolve the crisis." Chuck Norris along with Lee Marvin, always good in a movie, lead the Delta Force to the rescue along with a pretty good cast including George Kennedy, Robert Vaughn, and Susan Strasberg. Oh, Steve James is also in this, which adds another good reason to watch this. This is a Cannon film made by Golan Globus, so if you are a fan or familiar with Cannon, you have an idea what we are getting. A detail I find interesting in these 80s movies is the serious lack of security in airports and aircraft; such an innocent time when if anything the worse you had to worry about was being hijacked, the fear this movie plays on. Boy have things gotten worse. Also, there are only two hijackers on the plane initially; today the passengers would have rushed them (and no need for Delta Force, but if they did, no movie). The movie is a pretty good action film, though a bit slow initially, then really picks up the pace. In addition, they do play up the melodrama quite a bit. A pretty good feature of the film is the soundtrack; they do a good job using music for certain moments and moods. An issue is, at least for this print, when they talk in Arabic there are no English subtitles. You can sort of tell from context but no subtitles. Via TubiTv. Watched 4/13.
  

 Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:

• C.O.P.S. (1988-1989. Animated series. Police. Action. Humor. Children and Young Adult).  See my comment on this in the May 2019 roundup. I've been watching this in and out. I start this month on episode 52 (out of 65) as I continue catching up on watching the series this month.  
• This stage in the series there are some new cops in the rotation including Taser (a cop that flies with a flight pack) and Inferno (a fire specialist).
  
• Ice Road Truckers (2007-2017. Reality. Documentary). Plot description: "It features the activities of drivers who operate trucks on ice roads crossing frozen lakes and rivers, in remote territories in Canada and Alaska. Seasons three to six also featured Alaska's improved but still remote Dalton Highway, which is mainly snow-covered solid ground." Tubi brought in the History Channel series, all 11 seasons, and I started watching this month. Often what I find fascinating is not so much the drivers but the other details such as how the ice roads are built and maintained or other elements of the trade such as the diamond mining in Canada. Still, it can be entertaining overall. Started this month on Season 1. Finished Seasons 1 and 2.
  
• In Season 1, Episode 7, TJ, one of the truckers, has to be med-evacuated out of the ice road due to an injury that basically inflamed causing serious pain. As if that was not bad enough though, later as he is released from the local hospital, they explain how he lacks insurance, and now has a $12,000 medical bill, including the emergency air ambulance, so he is anxious to get back on the road to make up some of the money. That detail of lacking insurance really caught my eye. 
• Season 1 has 13 episodes, though the story of the season really takes 10 episodes. The last three episodes are a bit of filler looking at the history of the ice roads in episode 11 and then the truckers looking back in episodes 12 and 13. Episode 11 for me was interesting being a history episode; kind of television episode makes me want to find a book or two on the topic. 
• Had forgotten how this show at times likes a little navel gazing. Aside from the two last episodes of Season 1, which were looking back, Season 2 starts with another "let's look back at our first season." It is OK, but I am wanting to get on with it. After the looking back time, season 2 starts. They are further north than the first season now, so more dangerous. They are up in the Arctic Ocean now hauling supplies for energy exploration and natural gas drilling operations, and it is even colder; they were supplying diamond mines in the first season. 
• Hugh, Alex, Rick, and Drew return in the second season. Eric and Jerry are the two new guys this season. In Season 2 they are now up in the Canadian Arctic supplying oil and natural gas rigs while driving over parts of a frozen Arctic Ocean. 
• In Season 3, Alex and Hugh return to take on Alaska's North Slope with four new drivers. One of the new drivers is Lisa, introducing a female trucker to the regular cast. The show briefly highlighted a female trucker in the previous season for an episode, but Lisa is the first woman to be a regular on the show.
  
• NYPD Blue (1995-2003. Police procedural. Drama). I finished Season 5 and started Season 6.
• In Season 6 is when Detective Simone gets sick (spoiler: Simone dies), and Sipowicz gets another loss in the series that refuses to cut the man a break. Sipowicz will be getting now a third partner. The dream sequences others have of Simone when he is in the hospital, I realized the others are basically being prepared for the coming loss. A bit surreal and mystical even. Simone passes on at end of Season 6 Episode 5.
  
• Rick Schroeder (no longer Ricky) joins the squad in Season 6, Episode 6 as Detective Danny Sorenson to replace Detective Simone.
  
• Once more, in actors you may know from somewhere else. Danny Trejo makes an appearance as a suspect in Season 6, Episode 3.
  

 

 

Book Review: The Soul Drinkers Omnibus

Ben Counter, The Soul Drinkers Omnibus. Nottingham, UK: Black Library, 2006. ISBN: 9781844164165.

Genre: science fiction, dystopia

Subgenre: Warhammer 40,000

Series: Soul Drinkers (Space Marines) 

Format: paperback omnibus

Source: I own this one, bought secondhand 

This book collects the first three novels of the Soul Drinkers novels. The Soul Drinkers are one of the most loyal Space Marines in the Imperium of Man. When a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus steals a valuable artifact from the Soul Drinkers, the chapter decides to get it back at all costs. In the process, they go astray from the Imperium and even get excommunicated by the Inquisition. Despite this, they view themselves are loyal to the Emperor even as they despise the Imperium's corruption. 

The story's premise is good, and it has potential. The execution leaves a lot to be desired. The story often meanders, and the reader may wonder why the Soul Drinkers do certain actions. This is especially an issue after the first novel, which really goes all over the place. 

In the series, characters are not sympathetic. Sarpedon, who ends up leading the Soul Drinkers after what is basically an internal coup, is way too obsessive. The Inquisition does not come across better, though the new inquisitor introduced in the second novel is a better character. Given how soon the Imperium turns against them, i.e. tosses them under the bus after their artifact was stolen, and the Inquisition's persecution, we can appreciate the Imperium's overall corruption. At the end of the day, no faction looks good in this series. Granted, Warhammer 40,000 is a dark dystopia, but it is pretty bad in this series. 

The novels' pacing often drags. This was a book I had to make myself read to finish it. I probably should've dropped the volume after the first novel. Things start getting seriously convoluted from the second novel onward. The motivations of characters are not always clear. Also there are parts that are a bit too long; a bit of editing may have helped. 

This series is just OK. Fans will like it regardless, but this may be one for casual readers to skip. I am aware there are more novels in the series, but I am not seeking them out. The Space Wolf Omnibus in contrast was a fun read (link to my review). The Soul Drinkers Omnibus is just a messy drag. This is one I'd say is optional, for completists. 

2 out of 5 stars, barely. 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Deck Review: The Unfolding Path Tarot

Athene Noctua, The Unfolding Path Tarot.Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2023.  ISBN: 9781401973148.  (Link to publisher.)

Genre: Tarot and divination decks

Subgenre: fantasy, contemporary

Format: 78-card deck with small book in box

Source: I bought and own this one

I first used this deck in February 2024. This deck kit includes the 78-card deck and a small companion book. 

The guidebook is 115 pages, and it is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction. This is a creator's statement describing the deck's concept and how it originated. 
• Tarot Basics. Some brief and basic instruction on how to read the cards. It describes the Minor Arcana suits, and it gives some advice on reading reversals. 
• Using the Unfolding Path Tarot. Some brief guidance on using the deck and making a practice. 
• Card Spreads. Five spreads you can try out. 
• Major Arcana. Each card entry includes card name and number, keywords, and a paragraph or two of interpretation. It does not include card illustrations. 
• Minor Arcana. Entries are arranged by suit-- wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. The court cards are included with their suit. Card entries are the same as the Major Arcana. 

The book is a very easy read. The esoterica is very minimal. It is grounded in Rider Waite Smith (RWS), but the interpretations are updated, expanded, and reimagined for our times.  I found the meanings to be plain, honest, and insightful. If you want to learn Tarot in a welcoming way with modern insights, this is a good guidebook for a great deck. 

As for the deck, the art is within the RWS tradition, but envisioned for our times. It blends a bit of fantasy with contemporary realism. The images are beautiful, colorful, and clear. The cards are great to look at for meditation. It can also be a great deck for personal readings as well as public readings. The art shows great attention to detail, and the deck is easy to read and interpret. You can use the deck intuitively with ease. I always advise folks to read the book, which I found useful, but the art is so clear, expressive, and well made you could read the cards without the book as an intuitive and/or if you have a basic Tarot foundation. Heck, I think beginners can grab this deck and start reading with ease. This deck speaks clearly and beautifully. It can be very nurturing. 

For folks looking for representation, this deck has it in terms of color, gender, age, body shape, etc. This is another reason this can be a good deck to read for others. It can also work for folks who are not as much into fantasy art. 

I fell in love with this deck right away. I found it very easy to use and read. The images and art are great, expressive, very responsive for questions. I started using it, and I felt a bond forming right away. I enjoy looking at the images as well as sharing the deck with others. The deck is on point for readings. I would definitely use this deck to read for others. I would not want to be without this deck. It is one I would buy a back up deck. 

The cards measure about 4 3/4 inches by 2 3/4 inches. The card stock is on the thick side, so the deck can be a little heavy. It has a soft matte finish, and the cards slide with ease. The flower art on the card back is reversible. 

Overall, a great deck I am glad to own, and I highly recommend it. 

5 out of 5 stars.

This deck kit qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

 

Note of decks that may share similar appeal factors: 

• The Light Seer's Tarot (link to my review; to the deck interview spread).
• The Gaian Tarot (link to my review; to the deck interview spread).