The Night Manager, E01: weird sex and violent Arabs.

I haven't watched any new TV in a while, and was attracted to this one by Hugh Laurie, and also that it was written by John Lecarre--who, although I've never read him, has had many good movies based on his books. I guess I'll say spoilers, but the episodes have aired weeks ago by now, …

Under the Skin, by Michel Faber

I think this is the only time I've read a book after seeing the movie first. It's definitely the first time I've read a book after seeing a movie that I loved as much as I loved Under the Skin, and I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it when I already know what happens. …

Syncing Forward by W. Lawrence: I’m sinking, God help me I’m sinking!

I get the feeling that Syncing Forward started out as a decent sci-fi novella, then had about thirty thousand words of family drama inserted into it. I spent a good portion of the first two thirds of this story shaking my head in confusion wondering why I was being told any of this, and the …

Passengers: tell me why I should bother

There are probably only two people awake on that ship because they used 95% of the budget to pay Lawrence and Pratt. From where I'm sitting, this looks like a blockbuster written by executives that is masquerading as some kind of cerebral thriller. I find it hard to believe that anything this big and expensive …

Arrival: good drama, unconventional sci fi

If you go to this movie expecting to see laser fights and explosions and space battles, you will be disappointed. If you want creepy aliens and jump-scares you will also be disappointed. But if you're after a movie that puts a lot of thought into the story, the science and the characters, then you will …