Agent 6 is the final book in Tom Rob Smith’s Soviet trilogy, but it can safely be read without reading the previous two books, Child 44 and The Secret Speech. Once again, Smith’s hero, Leo Demidov is tossing into a boil cauldron of violence and deceit. Leo is an adviser to the Soviet Army in their invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Of course, Leo counsels against the invasion, but his advice is ignored. The brutality of the Soviet occupation is graphically presented. At the same time, Leo is also trying to get to America to solve a murder. The plot is deliciously convoluted. Tom Rob Smith captures the loopy Soviet group-think perfectly. The only book I can think of that comes close to the excellence of this Soviet trilogy is Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park. GRADE: B+

Let’s start with the eye-popping Ron Lesser cover. The Complete Slayers, originally conceived by Keith Alan Deutsch, (the proprietor and conservator of Black Mask Magazine copyrights) includes Cain’s classic novel, Fast One (in its original serial form) and the complete 14 “slayers”—brilliant works of noir fiction. This is the first time that six of the stories appear in book form. And this the first time that all of Cain’s fiction has been collected in one marvelous book! Centipede Press produced a fabulous collection!
This new edition includes a brilliant biographical introduction by Max Allan Collins and Lynn F. Myers, Jr. In addition, The Complete Slayers includes wonderful a cover gallery of old issues of Black Mask as well as old covers of the Fast One and Seven Slayers collections. This limited edition is signed by Max Allan Collins, Lynn F. Myers, Jr., and Ron Lesser, the cover artist. Buy it now, before all 500 copies are sold out!

The Secret Speech refers to Khrushchev’s denunciation of Stalin as a ruthless tyrant. This sets off societal changes in the Soviet Union. Former Secret Police Officer Leo Demidov finds himself headed for a Siberian gulag to break a prisoner out. Tom Rob Smith’s description of life in the gulag is hair-raising. The plot also involves criminal gangs who operate on the margins of Soviet society. The winds of change kick up violence and murder. If you’re interested in a harrowing story of life in the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s, The Secret Speech will take you there. GRADE: B

Fallen Angels starring: Annette Bening and Joe Mantegna; Hay Fever starring: Eric Stoltz and Carolyn Seymour; Private Lives starring: Rosalind Ayres and Ian Ogilvy; Design for Living starring Michelle Arthur and Tim Morrison; Present Laughter starring Christina Pickles and Gregory Cooke; and Blithe Spirit starring Rosalind Aryes and Ian Oglilvy. This set contains many of Noel Coward’s best plays. The performances are delightful Coward is at his bitchy best in these classic works. GRADE: A

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of my favorite movies so when it was released in Blu-ray this week, I had to rush out and buy it. This edition includes plenty of extra content:
Terry Jones Introduces the Outtakes
Enlightening Commentaries by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones, Plus General Complaints and Back-Biting by John Cleese, Eric Idle & Michael Palin
Join Michael Palin and Terry Jones in their Special Documentary: The Quest For The Holy Grail Locations
Monty Python And The Holy Grail In Lego!
Japanese Version
How To Use Your Coconuts (An Educational Film)
BBC Film Night
Terry Gilliam Introduces His Lost Animation Reel
Meanwhile, King Arthur & Sir Bedevere…
Elephant & Castle
Run Away!
The Tale of Sir Robin
The Tale of Sir Lancelot
Three Mindless Sing-Alongs
Henry 4th
Cast Directory Photo Gallery
Holy Grail Blu-ray Credits
If you’re a huge Monty Python fan, this Blu-ray edition of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a must-buy! GRADE: A+

I’m a hopeless Loreena McKennitt fan. For over 20 years, I’ve bought Loreena McKennitt’s CDs and seen her in concert. Troubadours on the Rhine: A Trio Performance was recorded at German radio station during Loreena McKennitt’s 2010 promotional tour for The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Troubadours on the Rhine captures the Canadian harpist/vocalist in a stripped down mode. Loreen McKennitt is backed by Brian Hughes (guitar) and Caroline Lavelle (cello), McKennitt’s hourlong set draws from her entire career, with songs from The Wind That Shakes the Barley as well as favorites like “Bonny Portmore,” “Lady of Shalott,” and “The Bonny Swans.” I found the entire performance captivating. GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
1 Bonny Portmore 3:45
2 Down by the Sally Gardens 4:22
3 The Wind That Shakes the Barley 4:45
4 Between the Shadows 4:25
5 The Lady of Shalott 6:57
6 Stolen Child 5:14
7 Penelope’s Song 3:53
8 The Bonny Swans 5:52
9 The Parting Glass 5:10

Tony Judt, noted historian, contracted amyotrophic laterial sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) a few short years ago. Before he died from ALS, Judt, with colleague Timothy Snyder, conducted a series of interviews on Judt’s thoughts about the 20th Century. The interviews range from the causes of WWII, to the rise of Marxism, to Judt’s three marriages (two divorces), and the career of a historian in America and Europe. Timothy Snyder is the perfect partner for these interviews: he’s both probing and knowledgeable. Thinking the 20th Century presents intellectual history in a most congenial format. Tony Judt died in August 2010, but he left us this wonderful parting gift. GRADE: A

GAME CHANGE is based on the book of the same title which tells the story of the end of the 2008 Presidential campaign. The “game change” is the McCain Inner Circle’s decision to choose Sarah Palin as their vice-presidential running mate. The strategy was to tap into the women’s vote, but Palin’s behavior during the final months of the campaign really did change the game. Julianne Moore delivers a strong performance as Sarah Palin. Ed Harris is credible (and sympathetic as John McCain). Woody Harrelson surprised me with his excellent portrayal of chief McCain aide Steve Schmidt. Game Change presents the high-pressure dynamics of a Presidential campaign, warts and all. Don’t miss this! GRADE: A

Okay, it’s not exactly the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. JOHN CARTER follows A PRINCESS OF MARS in broad outline, but there are some significant differences. A key difference is the way John Carter gets from Earth to Mars and back again. Taylor Kitsch plays a credible John Carter. I really liked Lynn Collins’ performance as Princess Dejah Thoris. There’s plenty of action. The special effects fill the screen. I hope JOHN CARTER generates enough box office dollars for Disney to continue the series. GRADE: B+

It’s hard to believe A Princess of Mars is a hundred years old. Published in 1912, A Princess of Mars launched Edgar Rice Burroughs’ writing career. Civil War veteran, John Carter, is transported to Mars where Carter’s strength and agility makes him a favorite of the Martian tribes. In the run-up to today’s opening of the movie version of A Princess of Mars I decided to reread Burroughs’ iconic text. Sure there’s some dated language, but Burroughs knows how to tell a gripping tale of adventure. I can’t wait to see John Carter! I’ll post a movie review of it tomorrow.