Since the beginning of 2021, I found myself waking up at night with a dry mouth. At first, I thought my dry mouth was caused by our furnace running during the night because of the cold temperatures. But when milder weather arrived in March, my dry mouth problem persisted. Fortunately, I had my bi-annual dentist appoint in mid-March and I asked my dentist what I should do.

He recommended XyliMelts and gave me some free samples. I tried the XyliMelts tablets and they banished my dry mouth at night and made my mouth feel normal again. I questioned my dentist on the cause of my dry mouth problem. He said, “Dry mouth can be caused by the aging process and by medications you might be taking. Or both.”

My healthcare provider, Independent Health, “encouraged” (by saying they wouldn’t pay anymore) me to change from Invokana to JARDIANCE. My dry mouth problem started around the time I started taking JARDIANCE, but I don’t have enough evidence to prove JARDIANCE is the culprit. No matter, the XyliMelts solved my dry mouth problem. If you have a dry mouth problem like I did, XyliMelts might help you, too.

My favorite part (so far) of MARVEL’s six-episode series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is a scene in a banker’s office where the Falcon (aka, Sam Wilson; played by Anthony Mackie) and his sister (played by Adepero Oduye) are turned down for a small business loan because of their low income. The Falcon, an Avenger, discovers being a super-hero does not pay very well. Racism and economic inequity proves to be systemic even in the MARVEL Universe.

I’ve only watched two episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier but I can safely say the production values are high. The fight scenes are well choreographed and eye-popping. There’s friction between the Falcon and the Winter Soldier (aka, Bucky Barnes; played by Sebastian Stan). Bucky Barnes, who was brainwashed by HYDRA into becoming a killing machine, is dealing with extreme PTSD and trying to integrate into “normal” society. But, both men are drawn into an attempt to stop a group of Super Soldiers who plan to level society into “One World.” So far, so good. Tentative GRADE: B

The 1956 edition of The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces had NO women among its 73 authors. Only in the 1976 Third Edition did the editors finally include a woman writer: Sappho–two whole pages. Even though I found David Damrosch’s Comparing the Literatures: Literary Studies in a Global Age a bit of a hodgepodge, it had its entertaining moments. I particularly liked Damrosch’s chapter on “Politics” where he devotes many pages to one of my favorite literary critics, Northrop Frye. Frye consistently promoted Canadian writers and the close reading of Literature.

Damrosch jumps around from writer to writer. Nabokov to Tolkien. Joseph Conrad to Boris Akunin. No matter. Damrosch manages to come up with interesting stories and obscure facts about writers around the world. I found Comparing the Literatures compelling and entertaining. Are you interested in World Literature? GRADE: B

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1 Origins 12

2 Emigrations 50

3 Politics 84

4 Theories 122

5 Languages 165

6 Literatures 207

7 Worlds 253

8 Comparisons 303

Conclusion: Rebirth of a Discipline 334

Bibliography 349

Index 375

Genius: Aretha consists of eight episodes that capture the life of Aretha Franklin. The series follows Franklin, played by Cynthia Erivo, from her early days in Detroit to global stardom with plenty of problems and drama to overcome along the way.

Diane was surprised to learn that Aretha Franklin gave birth to her first child at age 12. Franklin’s father was a charismatic preacher who travelled the country–and had relationships with many women other than his wife. Aretha Franklin’s father grooms young Aretha (played by Shaian Jordan) an early age to sing during his church events. But Aretha wants to be more than a gospel singer.

Cynthia Erivo delivers a terrific performance as Aretha Franklin, both acting and singing. Courtney B. Vance as Aretha’s father, C.L. Franklin, captures the complexity and talent of the preacher. I really liked David Cross as record producer Jerry Wexler who saves Aretha Franklin’s career.

I have been a Aretha Franklin fan since the 1960s. When I first heard “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” I was completely blown away. Of course, Aretha Franklin produced 20 Number One hits and was the first woman to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If you’re a fan of Aretha Franklin, you’ll love this series! Even if you’re a casual Aretha Franklin fan, Genius: Aretha has plenty to keep you entertained. GRADE: A

At a running time of four hours and 2 minutes, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is way too long. It has six “Parts” and an Epilogue (which is essentially a commercial for the upcoming sequel). The movie opens with Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) trying to recruit Aquaman (Jason Momoa) to join a group that he believes will be necessary to battle the upcoming invasion from Space. Aquaman turns Bruce Wayne down.

Bruce Wayne has better luck recruiting Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and The Flash (Ezra Miller). Together they face the might of an ancient threat thousands of years old. Incredible devices called “Mother Boxes” were left on Earth and hidden away. Now forces arrive to claim the Mother Boxes and conquer Earth.

Zack Snyder provides the backstory to this movie: Thousands of years ago, Darkseid and his legions of Parademons attempted to conquer Earth using the Mother Boxes. The attempt was foiled by a unified alliance of Old Gods, Amazons, Atlanteans, humanity, and a Green Lantern.

After the battle, the Mother Boxes were separated and hidden in different locations, guarded by the Amazons, Atlanteans, and Humanity respectively. In the present, Superman‘s death triggers the Mother Boxes’ reactivation, attracting Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid’s servants, to Earth. Steppenwolf, who has fallen out of favor with Darkseid, aims to regain it by gathering the boxes to form “the Unity,” which would terraform Earth in the likeness of their world Apokolips.

Needless to say, the Justice League doesn’t stand much of a chance against Steppenwolf and his legions of Parademons. Even with the addition of Cyborg (Ray Fisher), the invaders have the advantage.

You can probably guess how the balance of power is changed. There are plenty of long battle scenes. Jeremy Irons is wasted as Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred. Amy Adams is wasted as Lois Lane. A lot is wasted in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. But the biggest waste might be your time. GRADE: C

Keith Laumer’s Retief’s War (the third book and the first novel in the Retief series) was serialized in Worlds of If Science Fiction in 1965 with a cool wrap-around cover by Jack Gaughan. Retief’s War has been published in paperback numerous times (I picked the TIMESCAPE cover done by Rowena and the Wayne Barlowe cover on the BAEN Books editions because there’s such a contrast between them).

James Retief seeks to unite the hostile Quoppian tribes for the sake of Earth’s security and diplomacy. But first, Retief must first foil the destructive plans of the evil Groaci. In the process, Retief encounters a beautiful princess whose space yacht has crashed. Pure SF fun! GRADE: B+

RETIEF SERIES:

 1. Envoy to New Worlds (1963)
   2. Galactic Diplomat (1965)
   3. Retief’s War (1965)
   4. Retief and the Warlords (1968)
   5. Retief: Ambassador to Space (1969)
   6. Retief of the CDT (1971)
   7. Retief’s Ransom (1971)
     aka Retief and the Pangalactic Pageant of Pulchritude
   8. Retief: Emissary to the Stars (1975)
   9. Retief at Large (1978)
   10. Retief Unbound (1979)
   11. Diplomat at Arms (1982)
   12. Retief to the Rescue (1983)
   13. The Return of Retief (1984)
   14. Retief in the Ruins (1986)
   15. Reward for Retief (1989)
Retief of the Red-Tape Mountain (1962)
The Frozen Planet (1966)
Retief and the Rascals (1993)
Retief! (2001)
Gambler’s World (2009)
The Yillian Way (2009)
The Governor of Glave (2020)
Aide Memoire (2020)
Saline Solution (2020)

Back in 1962 when Island Records was founded, they released “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie. That first hit brought in much needed cash that allowed the record company to sign Traffic and The Spencer Davis Group. Once Island Records established themselves as successful company, they branched out with “Caribbean” music from artists like Toots and The Maytals, Bob Marley & The Wailers, and Jimmy Cliff.

Big groups like U2 and Fairport Convention generated hits for Island records which funded more alternative groups like Eddie & The Hot Rods, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and The Buggles. Other Island hits included Joe Cocker & Jennifer’s “Up Where We Belong,” and Steve Winwood’s “Night Train.” Tom Waits, Robert Palmer, and Grace Jones all found success at Island Records.

Are you a fan of Island Records? Do you remember these songs? Any favorites? GRADE: A

TRACK LIST:

Ed McBain is best known for his legendary 87th Precinct series. But, on occasion, McBain would write stand-alone works. McBain’s Duet collects two of these works: “Driving Lessons” and “Petals.”

“Driving Lessons” is a police procedural set in a small town. A teenage girl with a Learner’s Permit, while on a drive with her Driver’s Education instructor, hits a woman and kills her.

Detective Katie Logan investigates the incident and discovers the dead victim is the Driver’s Education instructor’s wife. And, the blood test on the instructor comes back with traces of a powerful drug. Logan follows the evidence and discovers plenty of secrets. GRADE: B

“Petals” is a spy story. An American agent in Europe is investigating the recent murders of former Nazis. At the same time, the American agent is falling in love with the woman who might be killing these men. If you’re in the mood for a surprisingly romanic spy story, give “Petals” a try. GRADE: B-

Minari is the story of a Korean-American family who decides to move from California to a tiny Arkansas farm, The father, played by STEVEN YEUN, is obsessed with making the farm work and become successful. The family dynamic changes completely when their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother comes from Korea to live with them.

Much of the success of Minari rests on the excellent cast especially the incredible performance of 6-year-old of Alan S. Kim. Kim plays David, a little boy with a lot of problems. Kim manages to capture the happiness, fear, and sadness of a small boy in a strange land. Lee Isaac Chung does a masterful job directing his talented cast through the script he wrote.

With attacks on Asians in the U.S. on the rise, Minari shows the plight of immigrants in trying to secure the American Dream. GRADE: B+

Murder and the Movies opens with David Thomson and his wife playing a game. They try to list all the people who died in Season One of Ozark. From that introduction, you can see where this book is headed.

Like Thomson’s Sleeping With Strangers: How Movies Shaped Desire (you can read my review here), Thomson takes the reader on a guided tour of his subject. Yes, Thomson loves the murders in Hitchcock movies especially Strangers on a Train. Other Thomson favorite murder movies are The Conformist, The Godfather, and The Shining,

If you’re looking for a short, fun book that will jog your movie memory, or send you to Netflix to watch a movie you’ve missed, Murder and the Movies will delight you. GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

In Ozark — 1

Alone — 7

Red Rum — 17

I could… — 29

It’s not fair — 33

What is an overlook? — 47

A nice English murder — 59

The good soldier — 77

We can kill anybody — 91

Cruel being kind — 107

A lark! An aside — 121

Are murderers crazy? — 123

Single-handed — 135

Femme fatale — 149

The woodman’s bright axe — 163

Slaughter — 167

The room I had to live in — 183

Solitary confinement — 195

And now, Death — 203

Sources and Thanks — 217

Index — 221