Taken Review (Part 3)

I talk about some minor discussion questions this movie brings up.

Taken Review (Part 2)

I talk about Liam Neeson in the movie Taken.

The Andromeda Strain: Oh, God, Why?

I will hopefully cover The Andromeda Strain (2008) in an actual review. Watching it will be a pain, however.

I am a big Michael Crichton fan and have loved every book of his I have read (not counting Pirate Latitudes) and have read the original novel The Andromeda Strain. The fact that Crichton was a doctor really helps sell this novel.

The 1971 movie adaption stayed very true to the source material.


However, I have heard of a 2008 re-imaging/remake that came out as a mini-series on A&E. The thing with remakes is that you walk a very fine line. Especially when the original source material is so well loved. The tone of the original movie and source material was very slow and scientific.

Here is the trailer for the mini-series:


As you can see, the tone is DRASTICALLY different. They seem to go more action heavy. Reading the plot synopsis I had to pause every few seconds to not lash out in rage. They added: government conspiracy, Andromeda is a virus from the future, a wormhole, and some other things.

They make a simple story so convoluted. The focus of the original movie and novel was the Andromeda Strain itself. I think changes on updating the equipment and such would be okay. But I don't feel that the story should've become so convoluted.

I plan to see this mini-series in the future and review it.

Silent Hill: Sinner's Reward (comic)

Writer: Tom Waltz

Illustrator: Steph Stamb

Published: 2008

This comic was suggested by Linkara (on his show Atop the Fourth Wall) as the only good Silent Hill comic. From the Silent Hill comics I have read, this is the only one that feels like it actually takes place in Silent Hill. Since this is a comic, I won't do a proper review.

So let's get started:

The Plot
Jack runs away with his boss' wife (Jill). They, of course, eventually get pulled into the town of Silent Hill. Jack meets this girl who he takes with him while looking for his wife.

The artwork for this comic adds to the atmosphere. Plus, the ending (and why it ends that way) is just breathtaking. Is it happy? Is it sad? I would say inbetween: bittersweet.

If you are looking for a proper Silent Hill comic: this is the one to check out.

The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

Title: The Hunger Games

Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy

Author: Suzanne Collins

Released: 2008

Rating: 5/5

Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen takes her sister's (Prim) place in the Hunger Games and now has to fight for her life.

Big, Bad Government Theme
I admit I have a very low opinion of government. This hasn't been helped by how the US Government is acting now (especially SOPA and Protect IP which effect me). And the big, bad government is a big part of the book. The Capitol (the Government) created The Hunger Games as a big fuck you to the 12 Districts of Panem (the old USA). What's especially great about The Capitol is that you feel its evil even without it being in the scene.

The Bloody Scenario
This book is for Young Adults and yet it has something that belongs in an adult novel. That something is children (12-18 year olds) killing other children because the Capitol finds it amusing. I loved when I was a teen when Young Adult authors would treat me like an adult. If you are a teen, and feel the same way I did when I was young, you'll love this aspect of the book. If you're an adult, this still might disturb you just because children are killing children.

The Bleak Future
This book has one of my favorite scenarios: the bleak future. I don't like happy futures but I like to see how the future can go wrong. This book's depiction of the future is so down and it gets worse as things go on.

Final Thoughts
This book made me want to read the other two books in the trilogy. I can't tell you how painful it is to wait to finish the trilogy. One mystery I want to find out is who the mutated wolves are. For a young teen this might be gritty. For an adult, it won't be as bad for you.