All Consuming : Robert

A review of "Babylon 5 - The Complete Fifth Season" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 16:13:15 GMT

The final season of Babylon 5 is not it’s best. It really feels the loss of Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, and there are some turns in character that do not feel organic to the story arc, which is surprising considering the success of the seasons that came before this one. It is an uneven season as well – it struggles when it starts, it experiences a brief upswing, then becomes alarmingly sluggish midway. Yet the final six episodes are so brilliant and so moving you can forgive the season it’s faults. The finale is truly breathtaking.

A review of "A Brief History..." (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:47:56 GMT

A Brief History...

by The Waifs

I’m normally not one for ‘live’ albums, as I feel somewhat cheated as I wasn’t there to experience it, but The Waifs have a special talent for giving you the feeling that you truly were. In fact, I find myself listening to this album more than their studio works – not to disparage those albums, but it just proves how exceptional this collection is.

A review of "The Historian" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 15:36:57 GMT

The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

An interesting tale which is being unfairly compared to “The DaVinci Code” – in any case, it is more well-written and the story itself would be exciting to any devotee of the original Stoker novel “Dracula” or 19th century Gothic fiction. The main problem is that the set up is so long and involved that by the time we get to the end it is so rushed you kind of sit back and think “That’s it?”. Still worth reading though.

Why I recommend "The X-Files: Whirlwind (X-Files (Harper Prism))"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:25:27 GMT

The X-Files: Whirlwind (X-Files (Harper Prism))

by Charles L. Grant

Although not a great book by any means, this book is much better than the first in the series and truer to the characters.

A review of "CSI: Cold Burn" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:28:51 GMT

CSI: Cold Burn

by Max Allan Collins

A better entry into the CSI fiction category. Unlike the previous two, the author seems to be more on-track with the characters (which had really affected my enjoyment of the first two novels). The isolated hotel setting adds a nice Agatha Christie-like atmosphere.

A review of "The X-Files: Goblins" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:04:44 GMT

The X-Files: Goblins

by Charles Grant

The first X-Files tie-in original novel, it does have the same first-or-second season atmosphere of the series, but Scully’s quick acceptance of Mulder’s usual outlandish theory makes it a bit hard to swallow. The resolution of the novel is also very rushed.

A review of "The Riders" (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 16:46:25 GMT

The Riders

by Tim Winton

I love Tim Winton’s work normally – Cloudstreet and Shallows are two of my most favourite novels ever. But The Riders is just turgid to get through. It’s hard to feel any sympathy for the main character of Scully. It’s one thing to be self-destructive, it’s another to take your child down with you. And there is such an air of misogyny that hangs over the book – except for his child all the women are portrayed as evil, soulless bitches out to get our hapless hero. It’s bizarre, considering Winton’s other novels where women play such prominent and equal roles (well, they are at least as equally flawed as their male counterparts). Disappointing.

A review of "Double Dealer : Crime Scene Investigation" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 16:56:23 GMT

Double Dealer : Crime Scene Investigation

by Max Allan Collins

Although it has a good, interesting plot, the characters in this book seem off – they don’t seem like the characters we know and love on the television show. Perhaps it is because it is the first book in the series and at the time the author didn’t have much material to work with – but they seem cardboardy and almost stereotypes of each other.

A review of "Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Fri, 26 May 2006 13:43:49 GMT

Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season

Feisty, irrepressible and spunky – Veronica Mars is the kind of person you wish you could have been in high school. Except, you may not want her life. Veronica’s mother has disappeared, her best friend was murdered, her own paternity has been thrown into question, and she is still trying to find out who raped her a year ago. Dark and darkly comic, this lovable and embittered series is hard to describe in such a way as to give it justice – but it is one of the best series on television and deserves a far bigger audience than it receives. Cannot be recommended enough!

A review of "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Sat, 20 May 2006 09:57:17 GMT

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

by Bruce Springsteen

This may not be a Springsteen album for everybody, but I think it is one of his best. My siblings and I have been Springsteen fans for decades, but my sister and I are also huge fans of folk music whereas my brother is not. So it is not to large a leap to realise that my sister and I love The Seeger Sessions, and my brother only listened to the first three songs before declaring he would wait for “the next album”. It’s a shame he didn’t give it a chance though, because the orchestrations are lush and lively… and toe-tappingly vibrant. Bruce sings these songs with a passion that was definitely lacking on “Devils and Dust”, and I only wish I was in the US so I could see the more intimate concerts he has been putting on for this release.

A review of "Extraordinary Machine" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 08:56:35 GMT

Extraordinary Machine

by Fiona Apple

Although this is a brilliant album in it’s own right, it suffers because of the leaked version that proceeded it. I cannot help but like the version produced by Jon Brion better, and tend to listen to that version more often than the one that was released ‘officially’.

A review of "Summer of Sam" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:11:16 GMT

Summer of Sam

Moments of brilliance mixed with moments of turgid pretentiousness. It is so frustrating, when you think of what it could have been.

Not Your Ordinary Reality TV Show (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 12:45:52 GMT

The Amazing Race: The First Season

...TAR is one of the best drama shows on television. It features great ‘characters’ and ‘plot twists’ and guarantees a rollercoaster of emotion each week… how many other shows on television can guarantee you that?
Revisiting the first season was a blast. Although I remember the Guidos being evil, I had forgotten just HOW evil they could be yet in a “love to hate them” way.
I just hope they keep continuing releasing the other seasons, especially so I can revisit Flo (the least deserving winner of any TAR).

A review of "Wonder Woman - The Complete Second Season" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 05:52:59 GMT

Wonder Woman - The Complete Second Season

Brings back so many memories of childhood Saturday afternoon TV, when Wonder Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman and Scooby Doo reigned supreme. Definitely worth the nostalgic haze.

A review of "Gilmore Girls - The Complete Third Season" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 23:55:08 GMT

Gilmore Girls - The Complete Third Season

The Girls in their prime, before the uneven season where the writers and producers struggle with the concept of Rory in college, and splitting up the great dynamic of Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel (but the later seasons, although not as good, are still better than almost anything else on television!).

A review of "North Country" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 16:48:33 GMT

North Country

by Niki Caro

Well written and acted, this is a commendable film from Niki Caro (Whale Rider, an excellent movie). For anybody who enjoys movies about social justice (and injustice) this will be a must-see, although it doesn’t rise to the brilliance of Silkwood or Matewan. Unfortunately this is so due to a weak ending which seems more like it belongs on a telemovie rather than a film of this stature.

A review of "Anne Frank Remembered" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:55:47 GMT

Anne Frank Remembered

by Miep Gies

An interesting perspective to the life of Anne Frank, or really one of the people who helped keep the Franks and their friends hidden during WWII. The one fault of this book however, is that for something that is titled “Anne Frank Remembered” there is really not that much insight into Anne herself.

A review of "Seven Ancient Wonders" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 04:49:52 GMT

Seven Ancient Wonders

by Matthew Reilly

Matthew Reilly is the kind of author you feel you can only read if you cover up the spine so other people cannot see what you are consuming. His writing, quite simply is woeful. Rather than just letting the reader get caught into the action he EMPHASIZES with italics and sometimes even multiple exclamation marks!!!!!!
Give your readers a little credit.
The tale is a rollicking though largely ludicrous one – a perfect read on the beach book.

A review of "Angel - Season Five" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:55:37 GMT

Angel - Season Five

by Joss Whedon

The season of death, pain and misery, with unfortunately no sixth season to try and take us out of the funk. RIP those that have passed during these 22 episodes.

A review of "Good Night, and Good Luck." (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:40:25 GMT

Good Night, and Good Luck.

by George Clooney

A brilliant movie which totally immerses you in its world, I cannot recommend it enough.

A review of "The Martian Chronicles (The Grand Master Editions)" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert) — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:13:06 GMT

The Martian Chronicles (The Grand Master Editions)

by Ray Bradbury

One of the most melancholy and elegaic books you will ever read in your life. It is both dreamy and jarringly realistic – and when it all comes down to it, disturbingly philosophic. All of Bardbury’s works are excellent, but this is nothing more than a masterpiece.