B24: Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle

"I treaded the carpet backwards from my parent's door, alone and awake, and I caught sight of the painting of the cowboys at sunsets, smoke rising from their campfire in the foothills, black and even as it sought the coming darkness."

This is a powerful little story from first time author John Darnielle. I find it really difficult to find a story that keeps my attention when told in the first person, but I had no trouble charging ahead and sometimes backwards and to the side with this book. It is expertly written and anyone who is a fan of unique prose and sharp technique will enjoy this book.

The story is centered around the life of Sean Phillips and takes us across several dimensions of his life. Most of what is discussed is post "accident" where something horrific has happened to Sean's face. We find out what happened in the middle of the book, which really helps shift into focus the surrounding events of Sean's life. The why is what really drives this book, so much so that we are left wondering up until the last page. More so than the "accident", the central theme in this book is the power of the human mind. After his life shattering event, Sean creates a mail-in-of-sorts role playing board game, helping him scrape out some sort of income. He often retreats to the corners of his mind when out in public, or being gawked at in therapy, planning out the next series of moves. The disposition he carries as a result becomes impressive as he copes with the reality of his life's trajectory. Sean literary creates a different world inside his head and is able to function in real life because of it.

I really loved this book and suggest picking it up. Obviously a work of fiction, Sean's story is one that will stick with me for awhile. Not too mention one amazing book cover. Read this one people.

B23: California by Edan Lepucki

"All at once, sudden as a hiccup, they reached the end of labyrinth."

It feels good to be back. Not that there hasn't been a ridiculous amount of writing taking place, more on that later, but I just wrapped up an interesting book for anyone searching for something this side of dystopian. I have mixed feelings on this one but think it is definitely worth a read.

The story takes place in the not-so-distant-but-sort-of faraway-future and natural disasters have wrecked havoc on the United States. So much to the point that entire cities and social structures and civilized behavior has been forced into the wilderness. We soon meet Frida and Cal, a couple who is doing their best to maintain any shred of decent living in a forest outside of Los Angeles. They have not been too adventurous to this point, but between ennui and curiosity they start asking some interesting questions to the one man, a trader, they know to interact with others living beyond their camp. The pull to find out who else is out only grows and soon our happily married couple sets out to discover what and who is living beyond the beyond. The ringleader of what is out there will shake both Frida and Cal to the core.

I really enjoyed the setting and plot but where I think this author really shines is through her dialogue. It is both entertaining and witty and helps keep the story moving along its trajectory while keeping us wondering about the fate that is awaits our couple. This book makes you think of our future and touches on many current issues that we can only hope unfolded differently. I recommend stuffing someone's stocking with this story, they will be intrigued.

F39: American Sniper-Directed by Clint Eastwood

"It puts lightning in your bones and makes it hard to hold onto anything else."

I am not sure there will be a more talked about movie this year than American Sniper starring Bradly Cooper. This film is polarizing and has plenty of talking points, but let's start with a few words about the latest film by Mr. Eastwood. First of all, Bradly Cooper plays a solid, not spectacular role as Chris Kyle, Navy Seal. Watching the film you are convinced that the four tours that Chris went on over in Iraq did impact him greatly. Chris's PTSD forces a struggle in acclimating back to civilian life and Cooper plays out this part of his role really well.  However, the acting around his character is sub par and I feel really short-circuits of much of the anticipated drama of the plot. Personally, I found the pace of the movie sluggish and American Sniper is missing a spark that is always the hallmark of a great war film (Hurt Locker/Lone Survivor). There was nothing I loved about the film, although I was entertained for most of it.

The real intrigue around this film is the dynamics with how the film is being seen. People came out in record droves and smashed box office records to watch a film that celebrates the most prolific sniper U.S. Navy's history. Of all the cinematic achievements in story telling ever created, a movie about a sniper now holds more than a dozen attendance records. About a sniper. Sniper's kill. A lot. Death. Shooting. Usually hidden from view. I'm amazed how even the subject has gotten people to the leave their homes and make it to the theater for the sake of being entertained. And while I do have a great deal of respect of what our armed forces do to protect everyday life in America, this film circles the wagons back to the question of what was really achieved fighting a war in Iraq in the first place. Several of the soldiers in the film clearly question their purpose abroad, but not the main character. 

I've read that many people have labeled this film as propaganda although I stopped short of taking it that way. In fact, I am still not exactly sure how I take this film on a level above entertainment. In that regard I guess it is a unique cinematic experience. During the ending credits the theater was silent and the air was thick with a deep sentiment that I haven't ever experienced before at a movie house. I did see the film with a British friend who commented after the film "You Americans love your heroes. The patriotism in that film, I have never seen anything like it." He was not being snippy but rather made some good points. American Sniper will strike a nerve with many different types of people and their reactions will all differ greatly. I applaud Clint Eastwood for creating something to talk about and shining the spotlight on a topic that the public can wrestle over. Like it or not, see this film and decide for yourself. 'Merica, F-ya!

Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/americansniper/

F38: Exodus: God and Kings-Directed by Ridley Scott

"You sleep so well boy, because you are so loved."

The story of the Exodus is one of the greatest stories ever told and Ridley Scott does a handsome job of bringing it to life with a modern slant that I am sure angered many. While the actual story of Moses and Ramses is well trodden and steeped in Biblical lore, Ridley develops the plot around the combustibly enduring relationship between the two brothers. We know the outcome, but this movie takes us all for a ride that we have not been on before, and it starts with Moses.

Gone is the staff. The bushy beard. The archaic preaching and striped robes. In their wake is a much more military minded Moses that we soon discover is devoid of any faith, Hebrew or Egyptian. While exiled, Moses suffers a head injury tending to his flock and begins to see God, who appears to him in the shape of a 10 year old boy. The kid is a curious approach by Scott, but ultimately I feel a very successful one. Israel literally translates into "he who wrestles with God" and Moses could be the poster child for this concept, constantly questioning what he is instructed to do. Even as the movie is drawing to a close we can feel this inner struggle with Moses over not just his life's purpose, but the legacy that he is leaving behind. I liked how this version focused more on how a single man can spark a revolution with his people and carry out arguably the largest migration of people in human history, rather than centering the plot around the mysticism of the plagues. Which, interestingly enough, were presented in an a logical order, pressing the issue of scientific possibility onto the screen.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film and recommend it to anyone who loves ancient history. I simply found the scope of what Egypt could have been like 4,000 years ago to be intoxicating and Ridley Scott did an incredible job of bringing the pages of history to life. Staying historical, this movie did have its shortcomings but breathes new life into an old epic tale and I feel is worth seeing.

Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/exodusgodsandkings/