Bernie Gunther is Getting Lackluster
585995
I love the Bernie Gunther novels.  Well researched and written and terrific character development and dialogue.  While this story was historically interesting, I felt the novel was way too drawn out and in the end not that exciting.  Kerr is a terrific writer, but this one just didn't resonate like the others.  But I will continue to read Kerr and await a more tautly written and dramatic story about Bernie and his often perilous path.
4436521
"Citizen Vince" is the story of a man living in Spokane, Washington who is in the FBI's Witness Relocation Program and going by the assumed name of Vince Camden.  He's carved out a life for himself as a baker, reads portions of various novels (an interest he developed in prison) and still manages to have a credit card theft racket going on the side.  When he recognizes a man he sees in Spokane he determines that his adversaries have traced him to his new home and he returns to New York in an effort to make amends one and for all.

All of this plays against the backdrop of the final week of the 1980 Presidential election and Vince, who had his voting privileges restored as a part of the deal he made with the FBI, is determined to cast his first vote at the age of 36.

The inside book flap tries to make this out to be a tale of redemption, as if Vince's vote in this election will complete his transition from former con man to responsible citizen, yet this is not really a notion that ties in very well with the credit card scam he has going on and the whole election plot line ends up coming across as more of a contrived method of setting the story in a specific time rather than as anything to drive the story forward.  I'm all for Americans exercising their right to vote, and I do so regularly, but when the jacket flat emphasizes this as a route to redemption I was expecting something a little more profound, a disappointment compounded by the gangster cliches that inhabit so many of the more unsavory characters.

I'll admit that crime fiction is not really my thing and perhaps those who are more in tune with the genre will find more here than the rather thin story.  But for me, I can't say that "Citizen Vince" has made me particularly warm up to the genre.

2 1/2 stars.
4930691
Not as good as all the hype. I feel like there were gaps in the story. Maybe Clint needs to retire.
3163068
I have been reading the Archer Mayor series in order, and I am finally getting toward the end of the series to date (August 2011).  It seems to me that "Chat" and the previous book, "The Second Mouse," are showing a decline in Mayor's plots and writing. I find this most disappointing but not surprising.  It must be hard to churn out a new book every year, wondering how to make the plot different and the writing fresh.  It seems to me that every writer of a long series reaches a point where he/she has run out of steam and tries to use new techniques or change things up in ways that don't work.

Well, "Chat" is a product of the problem described above.  This book is just messy.  First of all, the chat sections before each chapter just don't work.  There is no tie between them and the story until well into the book.  The reader has no idea why those pointless little online conversation are there.  Secondly, this book is very disjointed.  There is always a jumping around from scene to scene and character to character in Mayor's books, but it seems to be extreme in "Chat" to the point that the reader can't make connections between events and activities of the various characters.  Finally, the plots are just off, or Mayor just didn't make them ring true--at least his development of the plots was just sort of silly at times.

Finally, I am finding Joe Gunther's relationship issues a little sappy.  And his trying to draw Willy out about his relationship with Sammy just doesn't seem realistic, even for a sensitive (though manly) guy like Joe.

Occasionally, Mayor's writing style of adding expository paragraphs here and there rather than showing the same information gets under my skin.

For more mystery series that may entertain you, check out my website describing and reviewing many series (see my Amazon profile for the URL).
2535180
Garrison Keillor puts the spotlight on Clint Bunsen in this latest Lake Wobegon novel. Clint feels unappreciated for his leadership as chairman of Lake Wobegon's July Fourth celebration. He has rubbed quite a few townsfolk the wrong way and Clint is having a rough time of it.

His brother Clarence wants Clint to buy out Clarence's share of Bunsen Motors, a business that isn't exactly thriving. Clint is bored with his wife and his life. He is turning 60 and he feels like he has missed out on his chance for happiness until he meets a lovely young woman on the internet....

Fans of A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION will enjoy this book. In contrast to PONTOON, the previous installment in the series, LIBERTY is much darker with a lot less laughs. Keillor's distinctive voice is there but where PONTOON was a romp, LIBERTY is more of a tromp. Clint's depressive persona drags the humor down. If you want to laugh check out PONTOON. If you want to indulge Clint's angst, check out LIBERTY.
991535
Not up to his usual standard, predictable  and boring Corey has lost his bite
647262
If you're reading the Gunther novels chronologically, A Man Without Breath fits in somewhere in between the original Berlin Noir trilogy, and covers the period around 1943, as the Germans retreat from the Russian front.

The historical detail is fascinating, Gunther is suitably noir, but the book feels formulaic and could have used a good edit.
627117
It's obvious Mr. Ritchie is scraping the bottom of the barrel now. Ran out of material and trying to make good with other's talent. Pam must have really messed up his head. How that Billboard doin?

This should appeal to 13 year old boys with package inferiority problems. As for Bob, shilling for GW Bush, rubbing shouldlers with the likes of Dennis Hastert and Bill Frist seems to be in vogue now. Mr Ritchie, I know Detroit, I know Rock, and you are not Detroit, nor Rock. Maybe still a kid. Good luck with the Hank Hill crowd. They buy anything.
249385
I have been listening to the Audio CD version that I checked out at the library. ( I would recommend that above a purchase)

  Now one thing I have always admired about Clinton is his ability to captivate an audience with his words. He is a dynamite speaker, but in everything this man says I always wondered who is he? Knowing who he is,always seemed just beyond reach, and you have to admit MANY are curious.

  Maybe I am not being fair giving this 3 stars, as I have only made it painfully to disc 10 on a 21 disc series. Once again this man tries to captivate with his long winded stories, saying a lot, but telling us nothing. I still don't feel like I know or understand the man any better, and I thought that was the intention of this book.

  I am sorry, but they are painfully dull stories about people he's met, and sports he's played, and life in Arkansas, and visiting New Orleans, he talks about early life with Hillary, but it all sounds so surface. I just am not hearing what this man is trying to tell me. He goes on and on and on about, well absolutely nothing, and I decided I can't continue anymore with it. Too dull, and not not enough information. It may be for you, but not for me.
1851269
Reading this was much like continuing to watch a very mediocre tv show in hopes that it will get good enough to justify time already spent.

Though some of my favorite book series is from this genre (Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther -- police detective story with significant socio-political examinations of Nazi German, Soviet Germany, etc.; Harry Turtledove's alternate civil war and WWII histories) SS-BG totally failed for me.

Much of the story is advanced by characters revealing past events or future plans requiring god-like knowledge.  Many situations require astronomically unlikely happenstance meetings.  Given a choice between really shallow characters and characters whose consistency dissipates with each new conversation ... I would chose neither.
4016580
As a fan of all their previous releases, this is by far their least interesting and enjoyable record. Even AM showed some excitement and conviction. Tweedy seems to have fallen into that recycling song mode here. There is absolutely nothing new or fresh to speak of. Well to me at least...

Besides the lack of superb songwriting which we're use to Tweedy composing, I'm saddened by the lack of progression.  Sky Blue Sky was the record I thought Tweedy needed to write.  Like Neil Young doing Comes A Time before Rust Never Sleeps. But people, this is no Rust Never Sleeps. This is bland and boring.  When I heard "You Never Know" on the radio for the first time, I thought to myself who is this crappy band trying to sound like Wilco. And that's exactly how most of this record sounds to me. With a phenomenal band behind him it's frustrating to figure out why he doesn't use them.

In no shape or form am I writing off Mr. Tweedy but I hope this doesn't lead to a routine which we are use to seeing our heroes take.
3955584
Robert Harris seems to be on a decidedly downward projectory. "Enigma" was superb, a work of near genious. "Fatherland" was excellent, as well, though not in the same league as Enigma. "Archangel" took a noticeable turn for the worse; and while "Pompeii" appeared to indicate that Harris' skills were in remission, "Imperium" has dashed those hopes. Of all the books that Harris has written, Imperium is only the one lacking in any kind of suspense. It's also the only one with a first person narrator, and this may be part of the problem. Tiro is trying so hard to be fair and balanced in his presentation of the events of Cicero's professional and political life that, for me at least, the narrative falls flat, lacking the edge and excitement of Harris's previous four novels. In the end it's little more than a long, drawn-out story of ancient Rome, with dozens of names that are diffcult to keep track of, and endless references to praetors and aediles, consuls and tribunes, with no explanations of what these titles mean. All in all, I'd say it's time for Mr Harris to take a long-needed vacation.
4167038
Dissappointed wouldn't be too hard a word to use in describing my feelings about this book. Larry Wilmore is one of my favorite TV personalities. I've always admired his role as The Daily Show's Senior Black Correspondent. And the fact that he is the emmy-winning creator of the Bernie Mac Show is a testament to his wit and humor. But in this new book, Larry mixes used premises with tired punchlines to create a book that I could swear I've read before-only it was funnier then. If there's a single original joke in this book, it's escaped me. I halfway expected him resurrect Dick Gregory's "sandwich" verses "sammich" debate from his "Bible Tales" back in the seventies.

Daily Show host Jon Stewart was being kind when he wrote for the cover, "Without a doubt the finest book of humor ever written by a guy standing behind me right now." It is exactly the best thing that can be said about this book. But I'll try one more, The title is clever and the jacket is well designed. I might also offer Mr. Wilmore takes a nice photo.

This is what the book feels like: It feels like he didn't have his heart in it. I don't know what else to say. It feels like the publishing company was pressuring him to write something and/or he needed the money, so he wrote. Something. Or rewrote. "Jesus is black because..." I really expected more-especially for $24.

Even if the book lacked wit or originality, I would hope that it would at least offer some type of insight into the social zietgist. Nah. Nada. Larry sounds like he wants to be a black Republican, but he lacks the arrogant conviction. He wants to be funny, but he lacks the "ha." I have this sense he doesn't want to be here. And I suggest you oblige him.
4788037
In 1956, former Berlin Police Commissar Bernie Gunther, under an alias, lived and worked on the French Rivera as a hotel concierge. It was October. The hostelry had seen their finale for the season. In a ruse, head of East Germanys Stasi, General Erich Mielke, lured Bernie to a restaurant for dinner.

Five months earlier, on the Riviera, Mielke set Bernie up in a sting to protect East Germanys deeply embedded spy in MI5. However, there was still a loose end, English spy and double agent, Anne French, who had fled to the southeast coast of England. In order for Bernie to remain alive, Mielke demanded he eliminate her. But Bernie realized he would also be a loose end if he carried out Mielkes order. On a train bound for England, Bernie fought his way out of the Stasis tight grip and leapt from the train. To make sure Bernie was caught, Mielkes minion, Friedrich Korsch, murdered the trains policeman. Hence, Bernie became a cop killer. A desperate, hunted fugitive in France, with no support.

Seventeen years earlier, in April 1939, Bernie recalled his previous life as Commissar of Berlin, Germanys Police. He had been ordered by General Heydrich to investigate a murder in Obersalzberg for Hitlers Deputy Chief of Staff, Martin Bormann. Dr. Karl Flex, an engineer, had been murdered in the Berghof on the terrace of Hitlers mountain retreat. Bormann commanded Bernie find the killer immediately before Hitler returned for his fiftieth birthday. Bernies assistant, at that time, was none other than the thuggish, Friedrich Korsh.

In flash backs, Bernie recalled how Mielke reminded him of Martin Bormann. Both were brutal criminals, power-hungry, and avaricious.

Bernie was tough-minded, committed, and tenacious, like a dog with a bone. He had a way of getting under your skin. He shot from the hip with quips that were witty, insightful, or inflammatory. Yet Bernie was not a member of the National Socialist German Workers Party, nor an extremist or racist. He was empathetic and humane. In 1939, his assistant, Detective Friedrich Korsch wanted them to quit and leave Obersalzberg. Korsch remarked, They (Nazis) all think their best arguments come from the barrel of a gun. You don't know when its in your own interest to stop. Hitlers upper echelon, desensitized Nazis in Obersalzberg, hated Bernies intrusion and abrasiveness. He would find out secrets that were best kept hidden. On his return to Homburg and the Schlossberg Caves, Bernie realized there was nothing new under the sun.

Author, Philip Kerr, is masterful in writing Prussian Blue in flash backs. The novel has a good story that is thrilling and full of suspense. It parallels Bernie Gunther being down on his luck and hunted in the fall of 1956 and, in April 1939, he is the successful Commissar of Berlin Police, who hunts down the suspect that committed a murder on Hitlers estate.

I like that Kerr always gives you a slice of German history before and after World War II. Although the book is fiction, Kerr interweaved in the notorious men and women, who were in Hitlers circle. He provided factual information and updates you on their demise in the Authors Note and Acknowledgments.

There is no doubt a sequel will follow. I gave this book five stars.
1326305
I have enjoyed all the Joe Gunther mysteries, although this was not one of the best. My eye doctor recommended the series, and I've passed the word along. Mayor really takes one on a visit through Vermont.
595798
'Semi-Pro is the latest Will Farrell film, in which he plays Jackie Moon, the owner, coach and power forward of the fictional Flint Tropics basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He was also a disco singer who had one hit, called 'Love Me Sexy' and he insists on playing the song to death throughout the movie. Anyways, the Flint Tropics happen to be the worst team in the ABA (sound familiar yet?), mostly due to Jackie's lack of direction. It is soon revealed that the ABA will cease to exist and only 4 teams will be merged into the National Basketball Association (NBA). When Jackie finds out that his team will not be integrated into the NBA, he attempts to whip his team into shape. With the help of former Kentucky Colonels player Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson), Jackie plans to push the Tropics to victory, and into the NBA.

What follows is your typical heartfelt, underdog sports story (with the Will Farrell brand of comedy of course). If you've ever seen 'Blades of Glory' or 'Dodgeball' or any of the other numerous underdog sports films then you know exactly how this film will turn out. The ending doesn't turn out exactly as the aforementioned films do, but there are enough similarities in this movie that its hard not to draw comparisons. The jokes run the usual gamot, with potty, genital and sexual jokes being at the forefront. To be quite honest most of the jokes feel way too outdated to be funny; I seem to remember similar punch lines in Farrell's previous outings. Farrel gives the impression that he is merely giving us a phoned in performance, but being that he's been making the same movies since Anchorman I don't blame him. The supporting actors are decent, though nothing really stands out aside from Andre 3000, who seems to be getter better at acting. Even Harrelson seems like he's nonplussed to be appearing in this mediocre film, and his performance reeks of lazy. Will Arnett (Arrested Development) plays an alcoholic sports play by play announcer, however he feels rather underused here. Every single joke he throws out is un-funny.

I watched this movie not expecting to enjoy it, and honestly there wasn't really a funny joke to be found. Will Farrell, one of the more successful of the SNL alumni has found his niche and he is running with it no matter how atrocious and stale the end result may be. He just keeps pumping out the same jokes and the same routine over and over, and we keep eating it up. If you are a Farrell fan then purchasing this film is probably a no-brainer, but if you are sick of his usual shtick like I am you may just want to rent this one.

As far as this Blu Ray edition is concerned, the theatrical cut and the 'Lets get sweaty' unrated cut are featured on one disc, while a second disc houses a load of special features. The differences between the two versions of the film are negligible.  The special features are your usual  comedy special feature fare, nothing too great.

The picture quality is decent; 'Semi-Pro' isn't going to turn any heads but its a step above the Standard DVD. Colors are rather vivid and blacks  are deep and realistic. Detail is present but very inconsistent, and there is a fair bit of grain spiking in some scenes. Since this is a comedy with rather bland 70's colors I didn't except demo material, but 'Semi-pro' looks pretty good. As far as the audio is concerned, 'Semi-Pro' comes with a 7.1 mix, though the subject material never fully utilizes it.

I'm sure this isn't the last of the 'underdog' films, and certainly not the last Ferrell underdog film. I really wish it was, because these movies are getting really tiresome.

Movie Quality - 2/5
Picture Quality - 4/5
Audio Quality - 3/5
Special Features - 1/5
265431
DC has had many successes in its "New 52" revamp but the characters that have been rebooted more than any other--the Legion of Super-Heroes--is not one of them. Paul Levitz, an old hand with the Legion, continues his run as writer and Chris Sprouse tackles the art in the comics collected in "Hostile World."

Frankly Levitz underpeforms based on his past triumphs. While there is an excellent issue that shows a day in the life of the Legion, the main plot with a rogue Daxamite and a Dominator threat is fairly forgettable. One of the problems here is that the Legion--which has a large cast of characters--is smaller than usual with some of the team in the "Legion Lost" line while other leading members of the team (Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Colossal Boy, I can go on) on the sidelines. This leads Levitz to go to new characters from the "Legion Academy" stories that frankly show little promise.

There are some charming moments and some of the stronger characters--namely Mon-El and Braniac 5--help guide this collection of comics. Still, "Hostile World" is a weaker entry in the "New 52" and a bit of a letdown from Levitz who is usually a master at pulling the strings on the Legion. I wonder if having a smaller cast and new characters plagued him.