Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I heard about Gone Girl through my daughter who also happens to be a bookworm like myself.  The difference between the two of us is that I'm no longer updated as to what's read-worthy.  So I am now dependent on my daughter in terms of my reading selections especially with the newer authors.

A couple of months ago, she mentioned Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn as a must read and like Pavlov's dog I got me an ebook copy and started reading.  However, after three chapters, I got bored with the diary like narrative that I forgot about it for a while.

The thing is, I downloaded the movie and I don't want to see it without having read the book (I don't know if this makes sense to you but that's my process.)  So I started reading it again and as the plot thickened I got more and more interested until finally I got to finish it.

So, was it a good read?  Yes.  You just have to endure the first few boring chapters. It is somewhat of a misdirect especially in terms of what Amy's diary entries were versus what actually is.  Trust me.  Read on.

Anyways, I also finally watched the movie.  Not as believable as the book though. In my opinion, the movie failed to establish the amount of work done by the antagonist to perform all the forensic counter measures to influence the outcome of Amy's case.

Morale of the story:  A patient and meticulous sociopath can be a very dangerous predator.

Movie Review: Star Trek Into the Darkness

Oh, don't worry about this picture of the USS Enterprise plunging to yet another disastrous landing.  It is not the first time that she's done that and she has always come back from each punishing encounter.  What you should be asking is, "Whose going to die?"  Ooops!  Did I say too much?  Well, I guess you'll just to have to find out for yourself!  But one thing is for certain, Star Trek fans---like myself--- will love the film!

The special effects were very realistic and the characters---after the prequel take off with the 2009 film simply titled Star Trek with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Karl Urban in the lead---has become more convincing as the young version of the original TV series cast.  I particularly like the banter between Kirk, Spock, and Bones which was reminiscent as to how William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley did it.  

The movies phasing will keep you glued to your seats as it jumps from one action sequence to another.  Personally, there's nothing boring about this film.  Definitely a MUST WATCH!

Alice Eve as Science Officer Carol Marcus showing
some skin.

"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." – Captain T. Kirk

What is the Best Action Movie Currently Playing?

Ever since I got back my old job (to add to my existing) as the helpdesk support manager, I also got back the STRESS package that went with it.  Naturally, come weekend, I need a more potent de-stresser to come back revitalized for the next week.  (Actually, even my weekends are no longer as serene as it used to be.)  

Watching a movie is one such stress cure for me.  So last Saturday I took my wife out on a date.  There were two movies playing that caught our attention---Oblivion starring Tom Cruise and Olympus Has Fallen starring Gerard Butler.  Personally I thought that I had enough Tom Cruise for the meantime.  Reacher did not provide the necessary UMPH!  so I had doubts about Oblivion.  However, I went against my better judgement and decided on the Tom Cruise starrer.

While the movie did have it's high points it was more of a thinking movie type where you don't get the whole story until the very end.  Yes, there were action sequences but not enough to provide that heart pounding adrenalin rush I was looking for and left the movie house feeling that there was still something missing.  

The following day, amid the blistering afternoon heat at home, the nagging feeling persisted and when I couldn't hold it off, I dragged my wife for another go at the movies, this time to watch Olympus Has Fallen.  This movie completed my weekend!  Not much talk and all action!  However, I did find the plot quite disturbing since it coincides with the war posturing of North Korea.  For the benefit of those who have yet to watch this movie, I won't give spoilers, but the story is a scenario not totally impossible to discount. 

For all you action junkies out there---this is the movie to watch!