Tag: Reviews

Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom

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Jurassic-World-Fallen-KingdomI thought this was the fourth installment from the Flintstones age, so perhaps I missed a sequel to one of the other sequels, but this is number five. I believe I was confused because they all look the same – man messes with dinosaur DNA, good doctors play with their new creations, bad dinosaurs eat a few of the less important characters and finally the hunter villain.

So why bother going to see such a yawner? Cathryn likes the series and it is one of those movies that’s fun to see on the big screen. I think we all have to admit it’s amazing what they can do with computer generated special effects these days. The movie is good family entertainment, but I need a different plot to keep my interest.

I don’t have much more to say about the movie. If you’re a fan than I’m sure you’ll enjoy the film. If you’re looking for something different than don’t waste your time. Perhaps you can wait for number six, yes they tease you in the end, the next installment will no doubt be bad dinosaurs terrorizing a city like the old Godzilla movies.

Cathryn gave this flick a 7 and I a 6 out of 10.

Extreme Measures – Vince Flynn

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extreme measuresExtreme Measures (Mitch Rapp, #11) 
byVince Flynn

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jun 05, 2018  

 

This was the first Vince Flynn novel I read and have to admit it was pretty good. In some ways, as a political thriller, it was too predictable, but realistically I think it accurately portrayed the terrorist versus constitutional rights issues America is faced with today.
The characters too may be predictable, but the author easily gets the reader to cheer for the good guy, resent his adversaries, and want to wipe the bad guys off the face of the earth.
Extreme Measures is a fast-paced spy thriller that will easily keep you flipping pages.

Solo – A Star Wars Story

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Solo A Star Wars Stor_0I wouldn’t consider Cathryn or I Star Wars fanatics, but we usually get around to seeing the latest production. I was pleasantly surprised to see the film was directed by Ron Howard, and that Woody Harrelson was in it. The names of the leading actors didn’t ring any bells, but a couple looked familiar.

Solo is about Han Solo, not Hans Solo, the character made famous by Harrison Ford. The movie takes us back to destitute planet he grew up on, and eventually escaped. We get to see how me met Chewbacca, and how he came into possession of the Millenium Falcon – his supersonic spacecraft.

The movie is not part of the series, but gives us the usual dose of the familiar like rebellions and the empire. Its focus is on Solo and not The Force or the Jedi. As with past productions the creators have come up with exotic and creepy looking aliens who add color and a bit of humor to the film.

Alden Ehrenreich plays Solo, and although he’s no Ford, I thought he pulled it off well. Cathryn agreed when I mentioned he resembles a young DiCaprio. We both enjoyed the movie…she gave it a 9 and I a 7 out of 10.

The Murder House – James Patterson/ David Ellis

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23717678._SY475_The Murder House by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), David Ellis

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

May 24, 2018
Every once in a while I pick up a James Patterson book somewhere, mostly to check out what he and his stable of writers are up to. It’s not hard to find one, according to the Washington Post his publisher says that Patterson’s name is on the cover of one in every twenty-one books sold in the U.S.
Gee, I’d be happy having my name on the cover of one in every hundred thousand.The Murder House is a good story. It’s characters are easy to love and hate. They play off each other well, giving the plot plenty of suspense. I made the mistake of putting the book down for a couple months, and I’d forgotten what was going on, but it was easy to get back into and I wasn’t disappointed that I picked it back up. It’s good read with a respectable pace.

The Target – David Baldacci

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targetThe Target (Will Robie, #3) 
by David Baldacci (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 27, 2018  ·

 

I haven’t read a lot of Baldacci, but I can say this book was my least favorite so far. The two protagonists were cookie-cutter type American super spies who save the world with their every breath. I felt the story steered too far away from the main plot with the introduction of sub-plots that really didn’t add much depth to the overall story.
In my opinion the author went overboard in describing the miserable life the antagonist had in a North Korean prison. I’m not squeamish by any means, I just tired of the to-numerous descriptions of human torture and degradation.
The story moves along quickly and is not a bad read, if you’re into a mindless thriller.

Writing With Cold Feet – Kathrin Lake

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cold feetWriting with Cold Feet: The Secrets of How to Write When You Are NOT Writing 
by Kathrin Lake (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 17, 2018  

 

I had the pleasure of meeting this author at a her launch of another of her books, The Happy Hammock. My wife won a paperback copy of Writing With Cold Feet.
Being a fellow writer I read this book in which the author reveals her secrets of how to write when you are NOT writing.
I think the book was written more for beginners or those who are learning to write, but even as a seasoned author I picked up a few useful tips.
The book addresses various pitfalls aspiring writers run into such as judgement, feedback, muse, and simply telling your story.
The author has other teaching books and does writing retreats in two countries.

A Darkness More Than Night – Michael Connelly – Harry Bosch/Terry McCaleb

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darknessA Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch, #7; Terry McCaleb, #2; Harry Bosch Universe, #9) 
by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 14, 2018  

 

I didn’t plan on reading two of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch books back to back, but it was the next available title in the pile. I was surprised by this one and it took me a few chapters to realize it was another crossover book with one of the author’s other protagonists, Terry McCaleb, the FBI profiler. He was portrayed by Clint Eastwood in Bloodwork.
The story is mostly about McCaleb, who comes out of retirement to help police profile and track a new serial killer. Bosch appears later in the story, involved in a murder trial of his own where he says the killer confessed to him.
McCaleb and Bosch had worked together on a case in the past. Without giving away the story I can say their paths cross again in an unexpected way where one of them becomes subject of an investigation. There are a couple nice twists to keep you flipping pages.
My only disappointment was in how the ending left the two main characters, but in considering their individual personalities it was only fitting.

The Crossing – Michael Connelly

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the crossingThe Crossing (Harry Bosch, #18; Mickey Haller, #6; Harry Bosch Universe, #27) 
by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 10, 2018  

 

I have to say Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch are two of my favorite men, the author and one of his characters. In “The Crossing” Connnelly writes a crossover novel with one of his other characters, The Lincoln Lawyer, bringing the two series’ together in one great story.
Connelly is a master at building up the momentum to the point where you’re flipping pages faster than burgers at McDonald’s.
The Crossing is about the newly retired Bosch helping his half brother, lawyer Mickey Haller, get a suspected murderer out of jail. It is crossing the line for Bosch, who spent his career putting killers in jail.

The Race – Clive Cussler – Isaac Bell Series

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the raceThe Race (Isaac Bell, #4) 
by Clive Cussler, Justin Scott (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 07, 2018  

 

This makes two Clive Cussler novels in a row that I’ve read, but this one was the last book left in the pile that was left here at the apartment in Mexico. I like the Isaac Bell Detective series, but found this book was a cookie cutter version of the last one I read. The good guy chases the bad guy, almost catches his two or three times, gets a little banged up on the way, then gets the girl and lives happily ever after. The names of the characters have been changed.
Need I say more? Okay, in fairness it is a good read and a bit different than all the other crime fiction stuff out there in that the story is about the birth of aviation and a race across America to see who has the best machine.