Luckily, it doesn't involve jumping into a tornado
Author: Steve Hely
Things You Might Like:
- Hilarious!
- It talks about how horrible the publishing industry is.
- The bullet lists are great. Yes, bullet lists in a novel.
- The characters are even more hilarious than the bullet lists.
Things You Might Not Like:
- The lampooning of your favorite authors.
- MFAs, especially, get a bad rap.
- The relentless humor.
Conclusion
Hely’s novel lampoons the publishing industry in a hilarious fashion, taking potshots at everyone from Tom Clancy to… literary types. What’s more, it’s really, really hard to say anything negative about the book.
5 out of 5 Best Selling Authors Burned in Effigy
Aaron Simon
Risk is minimalist
Author: Dan Gardner
Things You Might Like:
- No, you’re not as crazy as you think you are.
- No, the world as not as bad as you think it is.
- Yes, Bill O’Reilly is part of the problem.
- You probably won’t die horribly.
Things You Might Not Like:
- Lots of statistics.
- Being told that your Mom’s concern for you is largely the product of the fear-driven media.
- Being told, repeatedly, that Bill O’Reilly is a part of the problem. (Though he obviously is.)
- Anderson Cooper is, also, part of the problem.
- Once again, there are a lot of statistics.
5 out of 5 things you’re worried about proven infinitesimally unlikely to happen.
Conclusion
Gardner’s book, a counter to prevailing fear-driven media and politics, is an important book. Using undoctored statistics, Gardner shows that humans are safer, healthier, and better-off than we have been since, well, ever.
Aaron Simon
The "box art" for the Scott Pilgrim game. Found on Tumblr, property of UbiSoft...please don't sue us.
Developer: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PSN/XBLA (PSN Reviewed)
Things You Might Like:
- Beautiful sprites designed by Paul Robertson
- Classic gameplay
- Awesome music by Anamanaguchi
- Level-Up system that provides timely combination unlocks
- 4 Player Co-op
- Several hours long
- Tacked on “Survival Horror Mode”
Things You Might Not Like:
- Multiple PS3 profile logins are tricky to maneuver
- No tutorial at all. READ THE MANUAL (Digital)
- Co-op is local only (same system)
Conclusion:
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game provides hours of enjoyment for fans of beat ‘em ups, regardless of your opinion of the books and movies.
4 out of 5 River Cities Ransomed
"An epic of epic epicness" is a right.
Dir. Edgar Wright
Stars Michael Cera, Mark Webber, Kieran Culkin, Jason Schwartzman & Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Things You Might Like
- Entertaining story
- Clever dialogue
- Excellent visuals that capture the feel of the comics perfectly
- Fantastic sound track
- Edgar Wright’s signature touch
- Wonderful performances from the entire cast
- Nods to classic gaming in sound effects/background music
- A Rom-Com for nerds
Things You Might Not Like
- Story is slightly watered-down and modified for time’s sake
- All the nerd culture references
- The film’s pacing is pretty fast
Conclusion
A faithful adaptation of Brian Lee O’Malley’s comic series that is entirely fan-service in the best way, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a great way to end the summer movie season.
5 out of 5 Evil Exes Defeated*
Josh Robinson
Cue Andrew W.K.
Director Dan O’Bannon
Stars Thom Mathews, James Karen, Clu Gulager, Don Calfa, Linnea Quigley
Things You Might Like
- Hilarious zombie action
- Interesting take on a well-established premise
- Tarman!
- Linnea Quigley is naked almost the entire film
- Bad on purpose
Things You Might Not Like
- These ain’t Romero’s zombies
- Nefarious acting and music
- Bad on purpose
Conclusion
If you’re into hokey popcorn flicks and haven’t seen this yet, you’re in for a real treat.
4 out of 5 BRAINS