Monday Book Pick: Space Pirates of Andromeda
Space Pirates of Andromeda by John C. Wright
This is the first book in the Starquest series, and if you are fan of Space Opera, you will probably like this book a lot. Seriously, E.E. “Doc” Smith would have read this with a smile. It’s got Empires, Republics, suppressed Holy Warriors with exotic weapons, sentient robots, a Princess from a destroyed planet, and as the title suggests, Space Pirates and the brave members of the Space Patrol that hunt them. As one reviewer put this, this is what the Star Wars prequels could have been if they didn’t suck.
Friday B-Movie Pick: The Wrecking Crew
The last of four late 1960s Matt Helm movies starring Dean Martin. These are light comedy spy movies with plenty of female eye candy. Spoofs of the more serious James Bond movies and a nice view into the era they were made. Lots of smoking, drinking, large cars, and beautiful women who fall to the charms of counter-intelligence agent Matt Helm. They dialed the beautiful women up to 11 in this one with Tina Louise, Elke Sommer, Nancy Kwan, and Sharon Tate. Bruce Lee was listed as the “Karate Advisor”, and he got some of his LA area martial arts buddies bit parts in the film. Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Ed Parker, and Mike Stone doing stunt work for Dean Martin. They are all really young in this movie, and aren’t on screen long, so you have to pay attention. All four films have been released on Blu-ray and DVD, so fire up some popcorn and enjoy.
Friday B-Movie Pick: Speed
Let’s set the Wayback Machine to 1994 and visit the movie that helped two young actors on their way to movie stardom. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. It has some other fine actors as well, including Dennis Hopper and Jeff Daniels. Hopper plays a bitter former bomb squad cop out to feather his retirement nest by threating to blow stuff, and people up. His first attempt is thwarted by two LA cops played by Daniels and Reeves. So he tries a again, rigging a city bus to explode if it goes under 50 MPH. Sandra Bullock just happened to be on the wrong bus and ends up behind the wheel as Reeves plays a battle of wits against man who wants “his money” and Reeves dead. Definately worth the popcorn, so sit back and enjoy “Die Hard on a bus.” Since this is Valentines day, I’ll throw in a spoiler, the two young leads end up together at the end. Which of course lead to a sequel.
Monday Book Pick: What is Self-Defense: Kenpo Jui-Jitsu
What is Self-Defense: Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu by James Mitose
This classic is back in print. My copy was printed in the early 1980s. The original was printed back in 1953. Most of the Keno/Kempo taught in the United States traces directly back to James Mitose, and the most famous of his students, William Chow.
Round Up Post
Filed under: Barking Moonbats, economy, Obama Economy, Politics, Progressives, Uncategorized
Hey Bernie, I left Venezuela’s socialism behind for a reason
Obama Administration to Revise Total GDP Growth Down 2% Not much a surprise here. The Obama Economy is the worst recovery since the Great Depression.
Radiohead Listening Party in Istanbul Attacked by Islamists No going out to clubs, drinking alcohol, and having fun. It might upset Muslims.
After Orlando the Left Attacks The Usual Wrong Suspects
Why the “Lone Wolf” Terrorist is a myth. It takes a village to raise an Islamic terrorist.
Monday Book Pick: Fire With Fire
Fire With Fire by Charles E. Gannon
A near future SciFi adventure that reminds me favorably of Dr. Pournelle’s Future History stories. Smart characters, deep secrets nested inside other secrets, action, aliens, and more action. It sets the stage for multiple sequels, which is a good thing.
Where your tax dollars go
