Showing 1 - 10 of 17
Trip down memory lane
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 07/01/2022
» At different degrees, we are all so familiar with Harry Potter's stories and the wonderful magical adventure that went on to become one of the most successful novel and cinematic franchises of all time. Still, it's hard to believe that it's 20 years since the first film came out, and most of the original fans of the series are now in their 30s and 40s. After the success of reunion specials that have aired recently, like the epic fantasy series Game Of Thrones or the 90s sitcom Friends, HBO has brought us another heartwarming special with Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts, the highly anticipated retrospective special that is now streaming exclusively on HBO GO.
The Future isn't now
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 29/08/2019
» A term I keep encountering is "The Future". You see it on billboards everywhere. Stadiums, department stores, condos, supermarkets, restaurants, theatres, whatever. They eschew the current autos and mobile phones and computers. Space rockets are only a generation or two away.
Ravens' feast
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 27/12/2018
» This reviewer's understanding of historical novels is that the authors do historical research on their topic, using actual figures and imaginary ones where need-be, to write essentially factual and hopefully interesting stories. But not all historical novelists follow this form. Some are more concerned about their own largely fictitious story than the actual events behind it.
Ace hitchhiker
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 02/03/2018
» British expatriate Lee Child has become perhaps the most respected thriller novelist in the US. His blurbs for colleagues' books send sales soaring. Jack Reacher, his literary creation, is a household name. Tom Cruise has played him in two successful movies.
A treaty for peace
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 23/11/2017
» Following the two-decade-long Napoleonic Wars, Europe, not least France, licked its wounds and agreed "never again". Then they set about making a lasting peace. They felt able to do it. It was the Age of Reason and they were was intelligent as one could be in 1815.
Renaissance history
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 14/07/2017
» I am so conditioned when I pick up a new book about Italy that I expect it to be a historical novel about Ancient Rome. That period seems to fascinate historians and historical novelists. This reviewer finds it no more than somewhat interesting.
Here comes the judge
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 07/04/2017
» Ours isn't a very bad world, nor is it a very good one. We are born selfish, which isn't wrong in itself. What's mine is mine, what's yours is yours is only fair. However, what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine isn't. How do we protect ourselves when he proceeds to take what is ours?
The Chinese spy
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 10/02/2017
» If the majority of cloak and dagger scriveners are to be believed, look no further than the CIA for enemy spies (or MI6 as the case may be). In their espionage thrillers, both top secret intelligence agencies are infested with foreign moles and domestic traitors, often in high positions.
Way too much
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 11/01/2016
» Born and bred in the Big Apple, I was raised believing -- it was in my mother's milk -- that New York is the centre of the universe. It has Times Square and Central Park, Broadway and Wall Street, the United Nations and the Empire State Building, Coney Island and two rivers, Greenwich Village and Nathan's hot dogs.
Horrendous 'fun'
Life, Published on 07/12/2015
» Perhaps the most misused term in any language is "fun". Frequently employed, its meaning is difficult to define. Going to the circus is fun, yet not funny, which can be pinned down. Drinking is called fun, but is it? Riding the roller-coaster? Depends on how sick you get. Fishing? Watching or playing games?