I believe this will mark the first time I've done a book review using the same rating system that I use for movies. I usually don't read books or fantasy series until they are complete and available in paperback. By that time I feel like I've "missed the boat" already and lose motivation to write a review. But a few months ago I took a chance on a new author named Brent Weeks, who published his first trilogy completely in paperback and in three consecutive months. (A brilliant marketing scheme on his part!) The Night Angel Trilogy is comprised of the books "The Way Of Shadows", "Shadow's Edge" and "Beyond The Shadows". It is sword and sorcery fantasy with possibly the darkest tone I have yet read in this genre. Although the trilogy features an ensemble cast of characters, it centers on Kylar Stern, a mystical super assassin called a "wetboy". The trilogy starts with his humble beginnings as a member of ...

Repo Men is the story of a future in which those who cannot make payments on the artificial organs they have purchased are hunted down by Repo Men who reclaim their organs, often killing them in the process. Although the previews for “Repo Men” don’t show much in the way of science fiction aside from the basic premise, this is clearly a sci-fi action movie with the visuals to back it up. It’s not a flashy movie with a great deal of money thrown into effects, but there is plenty to see that reminds you that this is the future we’re dealing with. The modest effects look great while being subtle enough to keep us grounded in reality. Jude Law is our hero and Forest Whitaker plays his eager partner. Both bring engaging performances to their roles, as does Live Schreiber, who plays their heartless, greedy boss. The action in this movie is wonderfully choreographed and brutally intense. Just when I think I’ve memorized every possible fight move or takedo...

My knowledge of Lewis Carroll pretty much ends after a couple of TV movies and an animated Disney film. I've never read the books by Carroll and I'm far from a purist. I came into director Tim Burton's movie armed only with knowledge based on foggy memories and "pop-culture osmosis". So apply that however you will as you consider my review. Burton's "Alice In Wonderland" is not a remake or just an alternative take on the classic story. It is a sequel of sorts. Alice has been to Wonderland before as a child, but does not remember. And now, once again under pressure to conform to the aristocratic culture around her, Alice finds herself tumbling down the rabbit hole to revisit a strange dreamlike reality. I've been a fan of Tim Burton for many years and this movie is quite possibly his most exotically beautiful vision yet. Colorful, yet dreary, beautiful yet twisted. There is so much visual imagination poured into this movie that it almos...