The Last Policeman (2012) – Ben H. Winters

  This week’s perusal of the Book Shelf brought me this, the first in a trilogy, that combines a whodunnit with some light science fiction. Not too long from now, an asteroid, Maia, is discovered, way too late to do anything about it, on a direct collision with Earth. They have until the beginning of…

Mister B. Gone (2007) – Clive Barker

  Clive Barker’s books have always found a way to unnerve me, and keep me turning the pages at the same time, so I’m always happy to come across something by him that I haven’t read yet. This one opens with a plea. A begging for the reader to burn the book. Please. It seems…

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012) – Peter Lord

  Great sight gags, brilliant animation, a fun story and a talented voice cast make this one a treasure trove. I love the work of Aardman Studios, and this one did not fail to entertain. Based on his book, Gideon Defoe wrote the screenplay that brings this fun-filled story to life. The film features a captain…

Moneyball (2011) – Bennett Miller

  I finally got around to seeing this one. Based on the true story, and book by Michael Lewis with a script by Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane the General Manager of the Oakland A’s,  who with the help of statistical whiz kid, Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), uses statistics and…

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) – Orson Welles

  This is the first time I’d seen this one, and honestly, it was the first time I’d ever heard of it. That being said, I quite liked this film by Welles, which serves as one of the recommended follow-up titles to my viewing of Citizen Kane from the Great Movies – 100 Years of…

Eat Your Heart Out (2013) – Katie Boland

  I’ve been fortunate enough to chat with Katie Boland a number of times over the past couple of years. I’ve never met a more joyous and open soul who seems wise beyond her years. She’s gracious with everyone she meets, and made both Sue and I feel like friends straight from the off. So,…

Beware the Night (2001) – Ralph Sarchie

  Preachy. That’s the only word I can really use to describe this book. I’ve always been fascinated by the darker edges of existence, and have had my own ghostly experiences over the years. After screening the film, Deliver Us From Evil, I decided it might be fun to read the basis for the film…

Trailer Tracks: Jurassic Park (1993) – Steven Spielberg

  I remember ‘borrowing permanently’ the hardcover version of Michael Crichton’s book from my mom as soon as I heard Spielberg had bought the rights to it, and was totally pumped to see dinosaurs brought to life on the big screen, and even now, this movie fails to disappoint. I also love that this teaser trailer doesn’t…

Above All Things (2012) – Tanis Rideout

  This is going to be an interesting review. This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I wanted to wait to be in the right frame of mind to read it, as it’s a bit historical, a bit adventure, and a bit romantic. The book chronicles a single day in…

Deliver Us From Evil (2014) – Scott Derrickson

  It’s tough to find a good horror movie these days, one that gets under your skin and unnerves you, makes you anxious to look in dark corners, makes you wonder about that strange sound you don’t recognize in your home. And who doesn’t love a good story of the supernatural to share around that…