[REC]³ Génesis (2 Out of 5 Graves)
What do you do during a child’s 11th birthday party? Find a spanish langauge horror film with subtitles and watch it while all the kids are in the computer room playing games.

The movie starts with a very touching wedding and reception. An uncle has of course been bitten at his vetrinarian practice and shows up at the wedding with a bandage on his hand.

And surprise, surprise, he later turns into a zombie!!! I know, what a shock.

Pretty normal fair from there.  A few awesome lines from “Sponge John”, but other than that it wasn’t anything special.

I won’t ruin the end, but it was fairly telegraphed for the genre.

The Captains by W.E.B. Griffin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m about 85% percent of the way through, but I dont’ think my overall rating will change.

***Spoiler Alert***

The good…
WEB can spin an awesome yarn. The combat scenes and personal interplay are top notch. You feel personally invested in Craig, Sandy, Mac, and Ilse. They are living, breathing people.

The bad…
The same attention to detail that brings the characters to life isn’t spared elsewhere. There is so much minutia around even the smallest part of the story that it sometimes feels like your getting washed out to sea. I know its a careful balance, and I guess some people love the knowledge WEB obviously has in regards to military affairs. But for me it took away from the enjoyment of the characters and their overall journeys.

The ugly…
The love story between Lowell and Ilse was honestly one of my favorite things about the first book. Having her killed by a drunk driver seemed to serve no purpose and Lowell’s subsequent actions didn’t make any sense to me. I know he “ran” back to the army to escape the pain. But that also meant running from his son Peter Paul, or PP. Look at Lowells life. Mother is crazy, feels like his family abandoned him. He loves Ilse and PP, the first family he has ever had. Is he really going to leave the kid after his mother dies? I just found that to be a huge flaw in book two.

Summary:
Worth reading if you like military books and well written characters, but book two had several flaws that take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Episode  11 – Battlefield

Summary:

At the end of episode 10 Scott’s Mom see’s what he is for the first time, slowly backing away from him.  And Scott’s “betrayal” of the other wolves was overheard by Derek.  So Scott is in some hot water.

Episode 11 starts with Stiles (Doh, not Styles – Thanks Kelsey :-)) in the guidance counselors office, talking about Matt’s drowning. And Gerard drops a bomb by using the Kanema to take Scott’s mom hostage in the first five minutes of the episode.  I guess they are building up to the season finale.  They better not leave too much hanging until season 3.

At the end of the episode Gerard tells Scott that if he doesn’t produce Derek Jackson is going to kill someone.  Jackson appears to kill himself and Stiles is abducted.

Now we have to wait until next week for the season capper.

Things I loved about this episode…

• “Mom, we are going to have to talk about this.” – Scott to his mother about his being a werewolf.
• Stiles being heartfelt and honest. He’s such a good actor.
• Isaac can apparently heal animals and so can Scott. Could they heal a human? (like Gerard maybe?)
• Peter’s review of Derek’s werewolf recruiting skills.
• Scott’s Mom is a hotty.
• The coach quoting the speach from Independance Day. I was laughing my ass off.
• Does Stiles want to get turned? I wasn’t sure if that was what he was asking when he was telling Scott he felt helpless when his dad was getting attacked.
• The old man telling Scott during the game that if he hasn’t given up Derek by the end of the match, Gerard telling him that he is going to have Jackson kill an innocent person.
• Stiles getting pounded on the field.
• Isaac showing up to help Scott. I’m hoping that Scott is beginning to form his pack.
• Scott saving Isaac in the bathroom.  Seeing him in the mirror was epic.

Things that I didn’t like about this episode…

• Scott’s mom is way too understanding of a world she just became aware of.
• Derek lost control of his pack so easily.
• Allison hunting werewolves. Her mom’s death has turned her cold.
• Gerard is going to kill Isaac.

Best Quote of Episode 11:

Stiles dad screaming “My son is on the field.”  When Styles actually get’s to play.

 

 

The Lieutenants by W.E.B. Griffin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I read this the first time when I was twelve or thirteen. I remembered bits and pieces and was glad to find it again.

It starts during World War II and spans the end of the war.

There are actually multiple stories in the book, each moving off in different direction and occasionally bumping back into each other.

My favorite is the story of Isle and Craig Lowell. I guess I am a romantic at heart.

***Spoilers***
When he thinks he has lost her after being sent to Greece and then ends up back in the military hospital and she ends up calling his name. He thinks he’s lost her – and she thinks he left her after having a good time. She doesn’t know that he desperately loves her and that none of his letters have reached or, and he doesn’t know that she has stayed true to him. She wasn’t just looking for a US soldier to get her into the PX.
***End Spoilers***

All the other stories were entertaining, and to some degree weave into the subplot about Craig and Isle, but while I liked them, I didn’t find them to have the same power.

Well worth the read in any event. It brought back memories of walking through Munich and Nuerenberg, looking at the pock marks on the stone buildings and wondering who was shooting at who.

Okay, I am amazed that they did this. They are lucky no one pulled their hand gun and blew them away.  And that makes me wonder what “stand your ground” laws would say.  If you believe you are about to be eaten is it justified to shoot a zombie?

I think so.  Better safe than sorry.

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I am burning out on Sookie. Which is sad. It is like meeting your old college friends at a bar and realizing that you really don’t have that deep connection anymore. You still like each other, but there is just a bit too much effort in keeping the conversation alive.
Spoilers below – (be warned).

The good…it was better than book ten. There was a good bit of action, and Sandra Pelt is finally dead. Good riddance. The book moved along well, but the formula is wearing thing.

The bad…the first event istn’t really related to the overall driving plot, but kinda ties back in. It really just fits the formula that the opening salvo isn’t what you expected, but since that is the norm for the series, it kinda is what you expected, which ruins it a bit.

The badder…I don’t like the way Sookie severs the bond with Eric. I get how she rationalized it. But if you are really in love I dont’ think you question whether it is the bond or real. And I don’t think she’d want to know. This and the Eric wedding contract felt like cheap plot devices to get Bill back into the picture.

Episode  9 & 10

Episode 10 was totally kick ass.  Tons of revelations and shockers. Woot.

Summary:

Okay, so I went on vacation and missed an episode.  Zoom recap – we found out that the person controlling the Kanima is Matt – the geeky photog.  He’s a stalker as well, as he’s been taking candids of Allison.

On the other hand, we find out that Peter Hale is the supernatural force haunting Lydia, pulling her to him.  Apparently he wasn’t fully dead.  He was just mostly dead.  There wasn’t a chocolate ball involved, but with Lydia’s help he seems to have stollen alpha status from Derek.

That pretty much catches you up to tonights episode.

Which starts with some revalations. Apparently Matt was there when Jackson turned the first time.  It then switches directly into Stiles and Scott trying to convince the ex sheriff Stilinksi that Matt is the bad guy – which is quickly proven when Matt shows up.

Things I loved about this episode…

• Holy crap – Derek is ripped.
• Oh sweet, we finally find out who the Vet is. He’s the werewolf advisor. And he appears to be implying that Gerard and Peter are working together for some nefarious purpose.
• I know how Sheriff Stilinksy gets his job back.  There aren’t any police left after Matt/Jordan are done.
• I don’t know if Matt knows what Scott is? Yes he does. I thougtht he was going to tell Scott’s Mom what he was.
• Matt’s story of drowning and rage. It was very powerful.
• I love when people light up police stations. I’m sure no one would notice.
• Go Scott, Go Scott.
• Allison getting a headshot on the Kanima.
• Scott’s mom watching werewolf versus Kanima fight. She looks worries, but no where near as frightened as she should be.
• Oh crap, Scott’s mom see’s what he is and recoils. He’s your kid, you love him no matter what.
• The only good thing Gerard does is drown Matt.  Quite fitting.

Things that I didn’t like about this episode…

• Holy crap – Derek is ripped.
• Gerard giving Allison the note from her “mom”. I think he wrote it. The bastard. He’s so good at the m*ndf*ck. And he’s such a sweety.
• Allison being made into a weapon by Gerard.  He’s a d*ck.
• Allison telling Scott he needs to stay away from her.
• Allison shoots a Kanima in the head and does no damage. Maybe leaping at him with a knife isn’t such a good idea.
• Gerard is playing all sides against each other.  I think he wants the Kanima. Yep, he bonds to it.

Best Quote of Episode 8:

Stiles giving a reason why the swim team is being targetted.

“Our swim team sucks!!!” – “Okay, we don’t have a motive yet.”

 

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can remember reading this as a short story in the library as a kid. There was something about it that was just amazing. And then later in life when the novel was released I couldn’t wait to snap it up.

I just recently bought the kindle version and got reacquainted with Ender Wiggins & Valentine. It felt like coming home for the holidays to family you loved dearly, but haven’t seen for a while. You can’t help but get attached to Ender and become emotionally invested.

I couldn’t help but feel the same excitement I did twenty years ago sitting in the library as I read it again.

A must read if you like science fiction.

Having said that, I decided not to read the subsequent books about Ender again, which I read a few years ago. They didn’t have the same power, and I don’t want that to take away from the enjoyment I’m getting from the first book.

Episode  8 – Raving

Summary:

Come on episode eight.  Be awesome. Seven was a little bit of a dissapointment.

The episode starts with Jackson looking totally zoned out as he cuts in line at the rave.  As if no one would scream and yell at him, regardless of how badass he looks.

Stiles working with his dad and being a smuck was awesome.  Episode eight redeemed.

The Kanima story continues, and we still don’t know if the master is Gerard or the teacher.

The episode closes with some interesting twists.

***Spoilers***

What do the vet and guidance counselor know about?  They have some power and knowledge, we just don’t know how important they are yet.

Allison’s mom gets bitten.  Is it so they can show her getting killed when she turns, or so they can justify her change of heart?

Things I loved about this episode…

• Stiles running down the crimes with his dad.  Any scene with Stiles is good.
• The look on Jackson’s face when he gets his ticket, and the way he freaks out the ticket chick.
• Derek and Scott saying “Save him/Kill him” at the same time.
• Scott telling Allison that her mom knows they are doing it. “Pencils?” – “Trust me it was bad.”
• The look on Allison’s mom face when she see’s them kissing.
• Allison’s mom running down Scott.
• Styles having a bee the ball moment. Nanana-nanana-nanana.
• Allison’s mother killing Scott with wolfsbane and a vaporizer.  Very creative way to kill him.
• Jackson’s possession.
• Styles – “Out, everyone out.” when Jackson goes apeshit.

Things that I didn’t like about this episode…

• Allison’s dad being a d*ck in the morgue.
• Why would Scott want Allison to date other guys? Please, teenage boys are like dogs with bones.  They aren’t going to share, no matter what the reason is.
• Stile’s dad losing his job.  That just sucks. It was a very touching scene though.
• Matt kissing Allison.

Best Quote of Episode 8:

“Are you a witch?”

“No, a vet.”

When they are planning on how to capture the Kanima.