Robin Hood resembles Braveheart more than the Errol Flynn or Richard Greene incarnations of the Outlaw of Sherwood Forest. In fact, until the end of the movie, Sherwood Forest is a no-show. Russell Crowe plays a grumpy Robin, returning from the fiasco of the Crusades. When King Richard the Lionheart dies in France, Crowe, with his band of men, flee to Nottingham. There, Crowe accepts the offer to play the role of the returning son of a local baron (the real son was murdered by one of evil King John’s minions). Part of the role is to pretend to be the husband of Cate Blanchett. I wish director Ridley Scott involved Cate more in the action (she missing for most of the first hour). There are plenty of battles and the action seldom flags in this 140 minute film. The ending suggests a sequel. GRADE: B

Last night, Diane and I attended a Jennifer Koh recital. Ably accompanied by pianist Shai Wosner, Koh dazzled the audience with her technique and energy. She scintillated in Mozart’s “Sonata in F Major, K.377” and “Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 454.” Koh also performed Schubert’s “Sonatina in A Minor, Op. 137, No. 2” and “Sonatina in D Major, Op. 137, No. 1.” This seems to be a time of wonderful violinists. Within the past year, we’ve heard Hilary Hahn, Gil Shaham, and now Jennifer Koh. Violinists just don’t get much better than that.

The students of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society at my College, voted me “Teacher of the Year.” I attended a ceremony yesterday evening where I formally received my award, gave a little speech, and did the meet-and-mingle thing. This award means a lot to me because it comes from the students I teach, not some bogus bureaucrat in the academic hierarchy rewarding favorite suck-ups (we have plenty of those “awards,” too). Trust me: receiving an award from grateful students is better than money!

Rick Robinson and Marcia (at http://printedpage.us/2010/05/16/mailbox-monday-may-17th/) came up with the idea of listing, on every Monday, the week’s acquisitions for others to see. Since I buy way too many books, this Mailbox Monday feature might be short-lived on this blog. Last week I was at a library sale and here’s a sample of what I bought:

Kick-Ass is based on a comic book (what current movie isn’t?). The movie has generated plenty of mixed reviews. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it. But, watching the trailer, the sight of an 11-year-old girl graphically killing about 30 Bad Guys struck a chord. It’s not everyday you see that kind of action. After seeing the movie, there’s no doubt that Hit Girl, played by Chloe Moretz, is the Real Deal. Once upon a time, kids had adventures (arguably not this violent). But The Little Rascals entertained audiences with their exploits. That genre is gone, but Hit Girl shows the potential of what could be done. Nicholas Cage plays Hit Girl’s devoted and vengeful father. Aaron Johnson plays a lame high school dweeb who wants to be a super hero. The kid orders a scuba suit and becomes Kick-Ass (which has to be a joke because he really does get his ass kicked regularly in this film). This is a very flawed movie, but there’s enough over-the-top plotting here to hold your interest if you want to give Kick-Ass a chance. GRADE: B-

James Reasoner. Outlaw Canyon by Lewis B. Patten
Randy Johnson. Downtown by Ed McBain
Evan Lewis. Mr. Strang by Carroll John Daly
Richard Robinson. The Wolves of Savernake by Edward Marston
George Kelley. How Like an Angel by Margaret Millar
Bill Crider. Shoot the President, Are You Mad? by Frank McAuliffe
David Cranmer. Land of Always Night by Kenneth Robeson
Steve Lewis. Lady With the Dice by Joel Townsley Rogers
Kerri Smith. Looking for Mr. Goodbar by Judith Rossner
Paul Bishop. Black Bartlemy’s Treasure by Jeffery Farnol
Martin Edwards. Sweet Adelaide by Julian Symons
Todd Mason. ROMANCES. By A Cast of Thousands
Thomas Kaufman. The Black Path of Fear by Cornell Woolrich
Ed Gorman. The American Vein: Directors & Directions in Television By Christopher Wicking & Tise Vahimagi

Most people associate Margaret Millar with her more famous husband, Kenneth Millar (aka, Ross Macdonald). But Margaret Millar was a terrific writer. My favorite novel of her’s is How Like An Angel. Joe Quinn, private eye, has a gambling problem. He’s lost his job, his car, and his girlfriend. On his way back from Reno to California, Quinn meets Sister Blessing, part of a religious cult. Sister Blessing asks Quinn to locate a man who is supposedly dead. How Like An Angel explores communities who have withdrawn from society and the implications of a “counter-culture” movement. If you haven’t read Margaret Millar, you’re missing a great writer.

For other FORGOTTEN BOOKS, click below. I’ll post the SUMMING UP tomorrow. If I’ve inadvertently left you off the list, just send me a comment with your address and I’ll make it right.
Paul Bishop
David Cranmer
Bill Crider
Martin Edwards
Ed Gorman
Randy Johnson
Thomas Kaufman
Evan Lewis
Steve Lewis
Todd Mason
James Reasoner
Richard Robinson
Kerrie Smith

I don’t know how I missed this movie, because I’ve seen Transporter 1 and Transporter 2 and enjoyed them very much. Our new Time-Warner HDTV deal brings us SHOWTIME free for a year so I took advantage when I saw Transporter 3 on one night. Jason Statham plays Frank Martin, a professional driver who “transports” whatever he’s paid to deliver. In this case, Statham finds things complicated because his client puts an explosive bracelet on his wrist. If Statham moves farther than 45 feet from his car, the bracelet will blow him up. Natalya Rudakova is the red-head eye candy who also has an explosive bracelet. There’s plenty of action, amazing driving, and a satisfying special effects extravaganza on a train. Action movies don’t get much better than this! GRADE: A-

I have sleep apnea, but I know plenty of people who have insomnia. Patricia Morrisroe’s new book explores the increasing incidence of insomnia in America and the world over. A fourth-generation insomniac, Morrisroe explores the scientific, cultural, and business aspects of insomnia. There are 40 million American insomniacs…and the number is growing. As part of her research, Morrisroe spends a night in a sleep lab (didn’t work), tried various “sleep comfort” mattresses (didn’t work), and various sleeping pills (side-effects). Morrisroe finally finds sleep at last, but her moving memoir details her struggle to find meaningful answers to her problem. If you have insomnia, or know someone who does who needs help, this book might provide some insight and relief. GRADE: A-

Nostalgia is the prime reason for this CD. Carole King has toured several times playing her classic hits. James Taylor did the same thing. Now, they joined forces and present an entertaining evening of music and fun. Despite her wonderful song-writing skills, I’ve never been fond of Carole King’s voice. Same with James Taylor. But having these great songs song by both singers or King and Taylor alternating, makes for a satisfying experience. If you’re in the mood to stroll down Memory Lane, this CD/DVD combo is just the ticket. If you’d like to hear a sample, just click below. GRADE: B+
PLAY LIST:
1 Blossom 3:09
2 So Far Away 4:41
3 Machine Gun Kelly 2:59
4 Carolina in My Mind 4:16
5 It’s Too Late 4:59
6 Smackwater Jack 5:25
7 Something in the Way She Moves 4:04
8 Will You Love Me Tomorrow 4:12
9 Country Road 3:49
10 Fire and Rain 5:44
11 Sweet Baby James 3:34
12 I Feel the Earth Move 4:05
13 You’ve Got a Friend 5:51
14 Up on the Roof 4:09
15 You Can Close Your Eyes 2:49