Erm Kaslo is a “confidential operative” (think private eye) who finds himself involved in a series of events that lead to the complete alteration of the Universe. Starships turn into dragons. Kaslo, a clever and very organized agent, finds that the rational, scientific Universe is transforming into a Universe ruled by Magic. Kaslo has no facility with Magic so he becomes the henchman of an ambitious mage named Obron. Together, the two men work together to solve puzzles and mysteries resulting from the transformation. If you’re a fan of the works of Jack Vance, you’ll love A Wizard’s Henchman: First Book of the Kaslo Chronicles. Matthew Hughes channels Jack Vance in many of his works like here, here, here, here, and here. If you’re looking for an entertaining action-adventure novel, I recommend A Wizard’s Henchman. I can’t wait for the next volume in this series! GRADE: B+

Trump says he’s “unleashed.” His “scorched earth” attacks on the Establishment and Hillary will be amped up tonight! Will you be watching? What do you expect?

Queen of Katwe is the “true” story of the struggle of 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) to escape the slums of Uganda with her equally impoverished family. Phiona can’t read or write, but a kind teacher, Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) coaches soccer and teaches children to play chess in a missionary program. Phiona learns to play chess and becomes a changed child. Katende takes some of his best chess players to a tournament and–no surprise–they win! Of course, more problems occur. The terrible poverty threatens to derail everything Phiona has worked for. The cast is good, but Phiona’s mother, played by Lupita Nyong’o (who starred in 12 Years a Slave), steals every scene she’s in. If you’re looking for an uplifting Disney movie, I’d recommend Queen of Katwe. GRADE: B+

I didn’t see the movie version of Finding Neverland but Diane did. Johnny Depp played J.M. Barrie and Katie Winslet played his love interest. This play version of Finding Neverland is based on the Broadway version with some minor modifications: a couple new songs and some extra special effects. The touring company of Finding Neverland has been in Buffalo for the past month “tweaking” this version before they take the production on the road. The story of how Barrie wrote Peter Pan is engaging and entertaining. The love story…not so much. GRADE: B-
ACT I:
Neverland
Welcome to London
My Imagination
Believe
The Dinner Party
We Own the Night
All That Matters
We Own the Night (Reprise)
Sylvia’s Lullaby
Neverland
Circus of Your Mind
Live by the Hook
Stronger
ACT II:
The World Is Upside Down
What You Mean to Me
Play
We’re All Made of Stars
When Your Feet Don’t Touch the Ground
Something About This Night
Neverland (Reprise)
Finale

Amazingly, after an 0-2 start the Buffalo Bills have managed to win three games in a row. Today’s opponent, the Niners, features controversial QB Colin Kaepernick. Genius Head Coach Chip Kelly (no relation) named Colin Kaepernick as his starting quarterback for this game. The joke making the rounds among Bills fans is that the Bills plan to play the National Anthem every time the Niners have a 3rd down so Colin Kaepernick has to take a knee! How will your favorite NFL team fare today?

[For our International readers: Colin Kaepernick initially sat while the National Anthem was played. He took some heat for that. So then Colin Kaepernick started to go down on one knee while the National Anthem was played. Kaepernick is protesting the treatment of African-Americans with this action. Last week, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called Kaepernick’s taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem “dumb and disrespectful.”]

My take on Hell or High Water differs from the reviews in major publications. Two brothers need $25,000 to save their ranch in Texas in 2008. Now, I can think of a half-dozen ways to legally acquire $25,000 off the top of my head. But these two brothers decide to rob banks. Jeff Bridges plays a Texas Ranger on the cusp of retirement. This series of bank robberies will be his last case. The first few bank robberies go well, but of course things start to go wrong. All of this happens within the terrible economic conditions of West Texas. For Sale signs litter the landscape. Poverty is everywhere. Chris Pine and Ben Forter play brothers with issues. Director David Mackenzie captures the desperation of people as the economy spirals downward. The resolution with Chris Pine’s sour ex-wife and his two sullen sons undercuts his actions. GRADE: B

If you’re a fan of movies, you’ll love these two volumes of interviews Peter Bogdanovich conducted over a couple decades. I found Bogdanovich’s thoughts on Alfred Hitchcock and his movies very revealing. I was also happy to read about Don Siegel, one of my favorite directors who is extremely underrated. When Bogdanovich writes about actors, you’ll learn even more! I was delighted by the interview with Stella Adler. And, of course, Bogdanovich has some insights into the life and times of Marilyn Monroe. These wonderful books will provide you with plenty of information and hours of reading pleasure about the greatest directors and actors of the Golden Age of movies. And then, you’ll want to watch some classic movies armed with new knowledge! GRADE: A (for both)

TABLE OF CONTENTS for Who the Devil Made It:
Introduction: The Lightning Art
1. Allan Dwan
2. Raoul Walsh
3. Fritz Lang
4. Josef Von Sternberg
5. Howard Hawkes
6. Leo McCarey
7. George Cukor
8. Alfred Hitchcock
9. Edgar G. Ulmer
10. Otto Preminger
11. Joseph H. Lewis
12. Chuck Jones
13. Don Siegel
14. Frank Tashlin
15. Robert Aldrich
16. Sidney Lument
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations Used in Filmographics
Index
TABLE OF CONTENTS for Who the Hell’s In It?
Introduction: The Magical Art
1. Lillian Gish
2. Humphrey Bogart
3. Marlon Brando
4. Montgomery Clift
5. Stella Adler
6. Cary Grant
7. Jack Lemmon
8. Jerry Lewis
9. Dean Martin
10. Sal Mineo
11. James Stewart
12. John Wayne
13. Henry Fonda
14. Boris Karloff
15. John Cassavetes
16. Charlie Chaplin
17. James Cagney
18. Marlene Dietrich
19. Anthony Perkins
20. Frank Sinatra
21 Ben Gazzara
22. Audrey Hepburn
23. Sidney Poitier
24. River Phoenix
25. Marilyn Monroe
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
Index

Diane and I traveled to Ohio to spend the Columbus Day weekend with Diane’s sister. We also visited one of Carol’s sons in Finley, Ohio. I was able to visit JEFFREY’S FLEA MARKET and LIBRARY HOUSE BOOKS in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Here’s what I found! How did I do?

“And at that moment the alligators burst into the room.” That’s my favorite line from Genevieve Cogman’s Young Adult novel about a librarian whose job takes her into alternate dimensions to rescue rare books (like plays Shakespeare wrote that don’t exist in our dimension). The alternate worlds hold dangers and mysteries of their own. The world in The Invisible Library has aspects of steampunk technology (zeppelins, giant robotic spiders) and aspects of Magic. If you’re looking for a fast-paced adventure novel with some clever twists and turns, I recommend The Invisible Library. GRADE: B

John Krasinski of THE OFFICE fame directs this movie about a family with problems. Krasinski plays a guy undergoing a crisis at work. His girl friend, played by Anna Kendrick, is pregnant. Krasinski’s mother, played by Margo Martindale, faces surgery. His father, played by the great Richard Jenkins, is a proud man whose plumbing business is facing bankruptcy. And as if that weren’t enough, Krasinski’s brother, played by Sharlto Copley, is stalking his ex-wife. The cast is solid with interesting roles for Josh Groban and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (from Brain Dead). The weak script and predictable plot subtract from what could have been a really good movie. GRADE: B-