Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, is a far more filmable piece of work than his larger work, The Lord of the Rings. It has a more simple narrative, its plot is contained to one volume, and its themes remain focused on the character of Bilbo Baggins and how he deals with his adventures. Yet, according… Continue reading Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Book Review: Cold Days

“Turns out your friend here is only mostly dead.” – Miracle Max, The Princess Bride It certainly seemed that Harry Dresden, Chicago’s sole professional wizard, was as dead as dead could be. He was shot at the end of Changes and spent almost the entire length of Ghost Story haunting his friends and watching them… Continue reading Book Review: Cold Days

Movie Review: Wreck-It Ralph

It’s only recently that video games have come into their own in terms of storytelling. Certainly there have been some diamonds in the rough, but back when that form of entertainment was just getting started, story would at times extend only as far as the mechanics of the game. “Shoot the invaders.” “Defend the cities… Continue reading Movie Review: Wreck-It Ralph

Movie Review: Skyfall

James Bond, now 50 years old as a franchise, has struggled to find his place in the modern cinematic scene. Both in his own universe and next to towering transforming robots and lush worlds of dragons and hobbits, the question is raised: is there still room for an aging but still spry warhorse like Bond?… Continue reading Movie Review: Skyfall