Epinions Recent Reviews for lorendiac

"We must kill the enemy without mercy!" - one way to write military SF

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 20:35:05 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - But the nasal platitudes wouldn’t go away. “And besides,” Wister bleated on, “as all civilized beings recognize, violence never settles anything. . . .” All at once, Avram decided she’d had enough...

"Vampires, Master Bruce? Are you certain you're not suffering from sleep deprivation?"

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 14:19:54 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - DRACULA: A man who dresses like a bat. PENGUIN: Oh, sure - the Batman may look the look, but he has none of your mojo. DRACULA: I'm nonetheless intrigued. My legacy has been quite influential. We start off with one of the old...

A "classic" mystery novel from the Golden Age of Detection? No, not exactly.

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 22:29:29 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - "She sounds a bit of a fool," commented Sir Charles. "She looks like a bit of a fool," agreed Mr. Bradley. "She talks like a bit of a fool. Meeting her at a tea-fight, I should have said she is a bit of a fool. And yet she carried through a...

Double Review: 1 for Newcomers, 1 for Fantastic Four Comic Book Fans

Sat, 9 Jul 2005 00:09:15 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - I'm going to follow the approach I used for the Daredevil movie a few years back. First, a review meant for those of you who know little or nothing about a superhero group called the Fantastic Four and are just wondering what type of bang for your buck...

George Lucas succeeds in spite of writing the script himself, rather than because of it

Tue, 24 May 2005 00:24:22 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - As I begin to write this, I have not yet read any detailed reviews, printed or online, of Revenge of the Sith (written and directed by George Lucas). I wanted to write down my own first reactions after I saw the silly thing, without being unduly...

You can take the Romans out of Rome, but not Rome out of the Romans

Thu, 12 May 2005 23:04:22 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - "You are too kind, Consul. And while I am flattered that the Princeps Senatus has proposed me for the leadership of this momentous expedition, I am not so sure that I want the command." "Eh?" said Gabinius [the Princeps Senatus]. "What's this?...

So you just discovered you are Spider-Man's daughter?

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 23:21:22 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - In the opening sequence, teenaged May Parker (nicknamed "Mayday" by her friends) is on the basketball court in the middle of a game between two high school teams. Suddenly she scores a basket with a fantastic maneuver that is shown to us in a full-page...

A teenager wrote it? Better than some from "older and wiser" writers (Lean-n-Mean III)

Tue, 30 Nov 2004 22:17:25 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - First noticed this fantasy novel when it came out in the USA in hardback. Book jacket said it was written by a British teenager (Anselm Audley) in a writing contest. I don't pay exorbitant hardback prices for anyone's first novel, so I waited. A year...

Superman is Dead; Long Live Superman! (and the other Superman, and the OTHER Superman, and...)

Sat, 6 Nov 2004 02:10:13 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - SUPERMAN CULTIST WITH FACE PAINTED LIKE A CYBORG: Look upon our savior's face with fear! For though he bears the marks of his righteous battle against the terrible beast Doomsday -- by his deeds you shall know the truth! And his noble and...

Spider-Man 2: A superhero film that faithfully adapts the key features of the concept!

Fri, 2 Jul 2004 17:56:31 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - I'm going to imitate the approach I took to the second X-Men movie when I reviewed it last year, and divide up my first reactions into "Departments" talking about various aspects of the film and how they resonated with me, an old comic book fan. If you...

Mr. "Babylon 5" himself, J. Michael Straczynski, begins a long run on Spider-Man

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 02:43:46 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - SPIDER-MAN: Who are you? STRANGER: I was about to ask you the same question. SPIDEY: But you just said -- STRANGER: Oh, I know you're Peter Parker, but that's not who you are. SPIDEY: Look, buddy, I'm not saying you're right or wrong. But do you...

A fantasy novel that doesn't require you to buy several others to finish a story?

Sat, 29 May 2004 00:02:21 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - "But if anyone asks you where you're going, you will not answer." "Sir?" The commander shrugged. "Has to be, Stalwart. Despite what Grand Master said, I won't ask you to lie to your friends. I hope you can't, because it's not an ability to be...

All hail to the chief - President Lex Luthor! (Superman's worst enemy, naturally) (POTUS W/O)

Tue, 9 Mar 2004 15:16:49 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - LEX LUTHOR (new President of the United States): Superman! You were magnificent! You showed the world you are a real team player . . . [next panel - Luthor is grinning, showing all his teeth as he puts a fatherly hand on Superman's shoulder,...

What does it take to become President? Ambition and plenty of it! (POTUS W/O)

Tue, 24 Feb 2004 05:47:27 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - Imagine telling your spouse that you are not running for President, while simultaneously waiting eagerly to find out if your friends at the Democratic national convention have succeeded in getting you nominated as the Presidential candidate. This...

How I managed to finish reading this "Christ story" ripoff, I'll never know (OSTH W/O)

Tue, 20 Jan 2004 20:21:19 GMT

rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - This book was set in the not-so-distant future when it was written in the mid-80s. A new millennium was starting, and a new Ice Age was off to a rousing start to make it clear that this millennium (the "third" millennium mentioned in the title) wouldn't...

A cynical, grim-and-gritty, brilliant look at Batman's first year on the job

Thu, 15 Jan 2004 21:27:12 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - DETECTIVE FLASS: So Father Donnelley, he slips Gordon a fifty with the handshake . . . and Gordon, he looks at it like his hand's got a disease. Then he throws the fity in the padre's face. Gives the...

Introducing the Puzzle Lady, crossword columnist and amateur detective (Lean-n-mean Two)

Sun, 14 Dec 2003 22:08:19 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - "I came to see you." "Why?" "Maybe I like your looks." "Oh, I doubt that." "Why?" "It's not politically correct. In fact, it's practically sexual harassment." "Where do you draw the line?" "Wherever I choose. That's the nice thing about sexual...

After the Death of Superman, comes the funeral - and the middle of a trilogy

Sun, 16 Nov 2003 18:48:15 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - This story picks up immediately where "The Death of Superman" left off. Superman had just fought the big grey monstrosity called Doomsday to a dead tie - literally a dead tie, as they both died after the final exchange of superstrong blows. (My...

David & Leigh Eddings are back, changing the wrong parts of their fantasy formula

Thu, 30 Oct 2003 02:51:05 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - The Elder Gods is the first volume of a new fantasy epic (The Dreamers), but judging by this first installment, the series will not focus upon a Great Quest. It seems to be all about preparing for, and fighting, a fairly conventional...

One of the best sequels I've seen lately: The X-Men hit their stride

Mon, 12 May 2003 05:35:37 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - I'm going to take it for granted that you have already seen the original X-Men film of 2000. If not, you can go rent it from the video store and watch it, then come back and pick up where you left off with my review. I'm not going anywhere.

...

"You're going to GUT Gandalf the Gray?" SF/Fantasy, vampires, comics, RPGs - all mocked here!

Sun, 30 Mar 2003 19:18:33 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - [Rivendell. They're about to commence the quest to destroy the Ring.]

IGOR (Merry Brandybuck): I kill Gandalf.

KEN (Samwise Gamgee): Smooth move, man!

CARSON (Peregrin Took): I ready my mace.

[next panel]

MATT (Their...

Self-described Muslim Feminist Cowgirl shares her thoughts on being American and Muslim

Sun, 23 Mar 2003 14:42:48 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - I first became aware of this book shortly after September 11, 2001, when I was listening to National Public Radio and heard a few minutes of interview with Asma Gull Hasan about how her book, American Muslims: The New Generation had done (and...

Engaging mystery with Nine Wrong Answers lurking in it: Can you sort them out?

Sun, 9 Mar 2003 21:18:44 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - Long before I had really noticed John Dickson Carr, I was reading the mysteries of Agatha Christie, his contemporary who also got off to a good start as a "Golden Age" mystery writer in the U.K. As near as I can tell, when mystery fans wax nostalgic...

Epic fantasy that breaks several of the rules (Tyrants and Kings #1) - Sarcasm Write-Off

Sat, 1 Mar 2003 18:34:51 GMT

rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - John Marco displays a unique genius in The Jackal of Nar, an epic fantasy which is billed on the cover as being "Book One of Tyrants and Kings." Another first-time fantasy novelist might have tried to follow in the footsteps of such bestselling...

Double review: Half for those first meeting Daredevil, half for established fans

Sat, 15 Feb 2003 01:57:47 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author lorendiac - The Non-Daredevil-Fan Review

So there's this guy who's decided to wear a fancy costume and be a "superhero." Unlike some wusses, however (Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, etc.) he's grasped the main point of being an action movie franchise...