Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Book Review: Dead Beat (Dresden Files Book 7)

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On February 10, 2020

In Book Review

Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to go to Goodreads.)

I haven’t been posting reviews for the Dresden books I’ve been reading. Its not from lack of enjoyment, I’m definitely hooked on Harry Dresden. It helps that these books take place in Chicago, my favorite city. The books have been around since April 2000 (in fact the 16th book comes out this July). I just assumed everyone has already read or heard about these books so writing a review seemed superfluous. However I’m committed to writing more book reviews this year so here goes.

Biggs’ Review

I can see why this book is the favorite of many Dresden fans. I’ve been in love with Harry Dresden’s wit since Storm Front but there’s more to love than his personality in this book. I’m not going to plunge into too many details because I don’t want to ruin anything. Basically Harry agrees, reluctantly again, to another dangerous case (from an even more dangerous person) and you wonder, the entire book, how he’s going to survive this one. All I can say is Bob plays an awesome role in the outcome. There are some new characters and a few other twists and surprises in this book that I’m not going to mention so you’ll just have to read to find out.

I loved this book; easily one of the best ones so far (though, I do have a long way to go before Peace Talks). I can definitely see myself reading this book again after I’ve finally caught up.

View all my reviews

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

HMDYK About Peter Cushing

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On February 6, 2020

In HMDYK, Movies, Star Wars

How Much Do You Know about Peter Cushing? Star Wars fans know him as Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin from A New Hope. If you’re not quite “Star Wars savvy” to know which one is Tarkin, he is the Imperial leader that ordered for the termination of Leia and the destruction of Alderaan (see picture on the right).

“I try to consider what the audience would like to see me do and I thought kids would adore Star Wars.”
– Peter Cushing

I’m sure it’s a generation thing but Tarkin is the only role I know Peter Cushing played. Granted, he was 64 years old when Star Wars was released so, obviously, he’s had many roles in his career. I was curious, so I dug into his filmography. He has quite the distinguished career.

From Darcy to Sherlock

Peter Cushing passed away in 1994 and over the course of his 81 years he’s been in 130 movies or TV series. What I found most surprising is, of the 130 films/series, 50 of them were horror films. It seems he had a penchant for the creepy and scary. In fact, among his horror accolades, he played some iconic characters. Baron Frankenstein and Van Helsing are two of the more well known characters in the genre.

It seems that when he wasn’t trying to scare the audience, he was sleuthing. Yes, Peter Cushing was Sherlock Holmes in several well known Sherlock stories (including The Hound of Baskervilles). His archetypal portrayals also extended to the prideful Mr. Darcy in a Pride and Prejudice series in 1952 and the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1960.

However, I think the role that surprises me most of all was that of Doctor Who. In 1965 and 1966 two Doctor Who movies were produced: Dr. Who and the Daleks and Dalek’s Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. in which Peter Cushing was the beloved Doctor. Hopefully I can track down these movies and watch them.

In fact, I think I need to track down several of his other films; and not just the well known characters. If there is any Peter Cushing film you’ve seen and would recommend, please leave a comment.

“The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.” – Aristotle

 

Biggs’ Top 5 Action/Adventure Movies

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On February 5, 2020

In Biggs Top 5, Movies

I am a huge movie buff so picking my favorite top 5 action/adventure movies is very difficult. In fact, in order to even whittle the list down to 5 I have to set some further qualifications. So for this top 5 list I chose movies that are non-franchised. A “non-franchised” is any movie that is not part of a trilogy or large collection of related films (ex: James Bond or the Marvel movies that make up the Infinity Saga). It’s also based on if I were channel surfing and these movies came on, I would be inclined to continue watching without starting over. This list is in no particular order.

I actually want to watch all these movies just merely by building this list. In fact, as I was building this list I felt like a few other movies deserve some honorable mentions (i.e. movies that almost made the list). Chris Evans performance in The Losers is one of the best parts of the film. While I do not care for the type of music DMX performs, his nerdy character is Exit Wounds is my favorite. Finally, The Fifth Element because it’s just a fun movie to watch and it’s quite quotable.

I Have Spoken!

RTotD: Dogs Possess Other Dogs

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On January 24, 2020

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

It’s been 7 weeks since we lost Gus. The first couple of weeks after his passing were especially difficult, but then we began noticing something peculiar. Our 1 1/2 year old Westie started exhibiting behaviors similar to Gus. So much so that it gives credence to dogs having souls and they can take possession of other dogs. Gus had exactly the kind of personality that even in death, he still gets what he wants. Therefore it would not surprise me at all if he will occasionally take possession of Gibbs.

It began with subtle behaviors that we just assumed Gibbs picked up on and we didn’t really notice it. For example, if we dropped food in the kitchen and we said “Oops”, Gus was in that kitchen immediately, hoping to reap the benefits of getting there before we picked it up. Gibbs never really responded, at least he didn’t seem as astute. However, we began to notice that he now responds with the same sense of urgency as Gus. Granted that could be Pavlovian behavior.

Gibbs also took a sudden interest in the rooster toy, which was a favorite of Gus’ since the day we brought him home. He has also suddenly decided to lay between our legs when we are reclined in the recliner; also a common behavior of Gus. In fact, it has become so eerily frequent that we started identifying when “Gus is driving”; meaning he has taken control of Gibbs’ body. Sometimes Gibbs will try to play with two toys at once; a ball and the rooster. This is Gus vying for control.

I know its actually a form of imprinting, but imagining Gus taking control helps keep his memory alive.

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

 

 

Book Review: The Third Lynx (Quadrail Book #2)

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On January 9, 2020

In Book Review, Science Fiction

The Third Lynx (Quadrail, #2)The Third Lynx by Timothy Zahn
My rating: [rating=4]

I did not review the first Quadrail book, mainly because I was lazy. These are the first Timothy Zahn books I’ve read outside of the Star Wars universe. I’ll admit that it took me a little bit to get into these books. However, The Third Lynx has sufficiently pulled me in. In fact I feel like I should go back and re-read Night Train to Rigel. I feel like Zahn definitely takes a different approach with the Modhri in this book. The Modhri seems more calculated and cunning, like a Bond villain, leaving you suspicious of everyone.

I’ve also been reading Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden books and I kind of feel like Frank Compton is Zahn’s Harry Dresden. As much as I admire Timothy Zahn, he has not yet matched the wit and snark of Harry Dresden. In that sense, Harry Dresden is a much more entertaining character than Frank Compton. Granted the two characters are nothing alike.

Be that as it may, I still really enjoyed this book, more than the first book. There are 3 more books left in the series and I’m looking forward to reading them. Thankfully there are not huge cliffhangers between each book (again, much like the Dresden books). Therefore I can change things up a bit and read something else in between each of the remaining Quadrail book.

View all my reviews

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

Biggs’ Top 5 Batman Portrayals

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On January 7, 2020

In Biggs Top 5

Top 5 Batman PortrayalsI’m trying out a new kind of themed post. I thought I would do a “Top 5” post every month. I’m supposed to publish it on the 5th of every month (because “top 5”) but I already forgot so I’m not off to a great start. These posts will pull from a range of categories. It could be anything from movies, video games, books, technology, geek culture, etc. It will never involve Earth politics or Earth religion. Also, they are strictly my opinion so I’m sure some posts will step on a few toes from time to time. In fact, the first one will surely ruffle some feathers (or wings). The top 5 Batman portrayals. Here they are, in descending order.

  1. Michael Keaton – The first film Batman I was ever exposed to
  2. Christian Bale – I love the Dark Knight trilogy
  3. Adam West – How could you NOT love Adam West (nobody messes with Adam We)
  4. Will Arnett – LEGO Batman was one of the best parts of the LEGO movies
  5. BatDad – If you haven’t watched his Facebook videos, you are missing out

Yes, I chose a LEGO batman and a dude that runs around in a mask making funny Facebook videos with his kids, over any of the remaining Batman actors. George Clooney was boring. Watching paint dry is more entertaining than a Clooney batman. It doesn’t help that I’ve never been a big George Clooney fan. Val Kilmer just looked like he needed to poop throughout the whole film. Then there is Ben Affleck. He was just awful. The kind of batman I want to forget existed. Although, to be fair, Batfleck didn’t ruin Batman vs Superman for me.

I will reserve judgement for the next actor. However, I’m not entirely hopeful for a Robert Pattinson Batman either.

I Have Spoken!

 

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