This might be the last of Nostalgia Ventures’ reprints of The Shadow series. Nostalgia Ventures at nostalgiaventures.com is also reprinting the Doc Savage series. But after over 20 volumes, both series might be suspended. You can’t order the latest issues from AMAZON anymore. And the Nostalgia Ventures web site is offering discounts on just about EVERYTHING! Not a good sign. However, if you want these wonderful reprints at reduced prices, buy them now…while they’re still available.

Dickensian is the word that comes to mind when trying to describe Slumdog Millionaire. Like Oliver Twist the two orphans who move around Bombay’s (later Mumbai’s) hellish slums fall into the clutches of a man that makes Fagin look like Mother Teresa. As the brothers grow up, one turns to crime and the other follows his passion to reunite with the girl he loves. The juxtaposition of modernity–cell phones, computers, sky scrappers–and the millions of poor people living in savage slums is unnerving. For a “feel good” movie, there’s a disturbing amount of casual violence. However, if you want to see one of the best movies of the year, run–don’t walk–to Slumdog Millionaire.

Leigh Brackett’s space adventures are fun reading and kudos go to Planet Stories for bringing her work back in-print. This edition includes another enthusiastic Introduction by Michael Moorcock. He must the Planet Stories house writer of Introductions. Also included with The Secret of Sinharat is People of the Talisman. I remember these two stories shared an ACE Double long, long ago.

At the core of Doubt is a mystery: is Father Flynn a pedophile or not? Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is certain he is. Sister James (Amy Adams) isn’t so sure. John Patrick Shanley’s movie based on his Pulitzer Prize winning play cleverly provides evidence for both interpretations. Philip Seymour Hoffman is at the top of his game as the likable priest who may or may not have a Dark Side. This is one of those movies you’ll be talking about long after you’ve left the theater. GRADE: B+

Dope Menace: The Sensational World of Drug Paperbacks 1900-1975 is a fabulous collection of great covers. Stephen J. Gertz located some obscure sleaze: when is the last time you saw a copy of LSD Orgy? Dope Menace will provide you with hours of reading and ogling pleasure. Every home should have one.

I’ve read all Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels and Slayground is my favorite. Parker is a professional thief and the series describes a sequence of capers where Parker steals stuff. But Slayground is different. Parker accidentally witnesses a drug transaction and flees into an abandoned amusement park. The drug dealers enter the amusement park intent on killing Parker. But they don’t know who they’re dealing with. Surprises abound.

Back in the early 1980s, Westlake gave a talk at the downtown Buffalo Library. I listened to the speech and got in line for the book signing. Westlake kindly signed the dozen books I’d brought. At that time, it had been years since he’d written a Parker novel so I asked him about that. Westlake said, “I started writing a Parker novel, but it turned out funny. It turned out to be The Hot Rock.”

Now that Westlake is gone, there won’t be any more Parker novels. And the world is poorer for that.

This is not as good as Edgar Rice Burroughs’ JOHN CARTER novels. But Kline’s works have charms of their own as Michael Moorcock’s affectionate introduction makes plain. Again, Planet Stories must be commended for bringing these titles back into print. I do miss the Roy Krenkel covers that graced the ACE editions.

“Mission Impossible with Nazis.” Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie is essentially a caper movie. Cruise and a group of Germans who see Hitler, the Nazis, and the SS ruining their country decide to assassinate Hitler. We see the planning, the setup, and the execution. But, as one of the characters remarks to Cruise, “Nothing goes as planned.” The supporting cast of Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, and a dozen other good character actors ensure top-notch performances. The only flaw, and it’s a big one, is that everyone knows how this movie is going to end before it starts. GRADE: B-.

Henry Kuttner died when he was 43. There’s no doubt in my mind that Kuttner could have been as great a writer as Asimov, Heinlein, and Jack Vance. The Dark World is one of Kuttner’s early sword and sorcery fantasies. Yet even in this genre, Kuttner’s brilliance shines through. Planet Stories is reprinting Henry Kuttner’s Robots Have No Tails this Spring. Don’t miss this great writer!