The Road to Gandolfo - Robert Ludlum

Category: Books

Genre: Comedy

Author: Robert Ludlum as Michael Shepherd.


This is a funny story about General MacKenzie Hawkins whom they dubbed of as "The Hawk", a military legend who seems to be popular. On an assignment he defaces an important Chinese memorial while being drugged by a Chinese general and in return was asked by the Chinese for the Americans for him to be kicked out. As revenge, he plots to kidnap the Pope, with a ransom of one dollar for every Catholic in the world.


It was ridiculous in most parts. And the two characters were good combo. Sometimes, one of them getting wee bit crazy. It is still intelligent. But I got confused with the ending, really. Anyway, it has quite interesting characters specially MacKenzie's wives, it's a refreshing, comedic side of Ludlum I'm reading. 

Doc: The Rape of the Town of Lovell - Jack Olsen

Category: Book

Genre: Courtroom / Drama / Non-Fiction

Author: Jack Olsen


 For 25 years, the trusted family doctor (Dr. Story) in the town of Lovell, Wyoming, had been raping and molesting the women and children who relied on him.  The naive women victims who are mostly Mormons, realized on their wedding nights the truth about what happens in Dr Story's examination table.




It's long...and uhmm at the middle I was really feeling like I should abandon in reading the book because it was just way too creepy... but I pursued, just to have closure. Was well written and without bias, albeit what happened.

Photo Source: FantasticFiction.co.uk

Brideshead Revisited - 2008

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Romance

Director: Julian Jarrold

Writer: Andrew Davies, Jeremy Brock

Producer: Ecosse Films, BBC UK, UK Film Council and more

Tagline: Privilege. Ambition. Desire. At Brideshead Everything Comes at a Price.

Cast: Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Thomas Morrison, David Barrass, Anna Madeley, Sarah Crowden, Stephie Carlile, Peter Barnes, Hayley Atwell, Patrick Malahide, Richard Teverson, Joseph Beattle, and more.

Summary and Review of the movie Brideshead Revisited.

This movie was based on a popular novel and also a miniseries. I haven't read the book nor watched the miniseries.

The movie began with Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) at wartime stationed in Brideshead narrated about his memories of the place.This is a story of friendship, forbidden love, religiosity, homosexuality set in England prior to the Second World War.

I really did not quite get the film. I was not involved with the whole thing. Maybe, I should read the book and understand what it really is about. But, a lot of people have raved about this and all.
Not exactly my cup of tea.

Quotes:

Charles Ryder: [Internal monologue while walking out of Brideshead Castle] If you asked me now who I am, the only answer I could give with any certainty would be my name: Charles Ryder. For the rest: my loves, my hates, down even to my deepest desires, I can no longer say whether these emotions are my own, or stolen from those I once so desperately wished to be. On second thought, one emotion remains my own. Alone among the borrowed and the second-hand, as pure as that faith from which I am still in flight: Guilt.

Boy Markaster: What do you want to be an artist for? I mean, what's the point of it? Why don't you just buy a bloody camera and take a bloody photograph and stop giving yourself airs? That's what I want to know.
Charles Ryder: I don't give myself airs.
Boy Markaster: Uh, yes, you do. And anyway you haven't answered my question. Come on! Answer! Answer! Answer!
Charles Ryder: Because, a camera is a mechanical device which records a moment in time, but not what that moment means or the emotions that it evokes. Whereas, a painting, however imperfect it may be, is an expression of... feeling. An expression of love. Not just a copy of something.

Angels and Demons - Dan Brown

Category: Books Genre: Historical Fiction / Religious Fiction Author: Dan Brown



Overview and Review of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons.

This book is actually a prequel to Dan Brown's sensational Da Vinci Code. Also, starring Robert Langdon. :)

Like the Da Vinci Code it involves Secret Societies and a one-day time frame. The story basically revolves around the Illuminati and the Roman Catholic Church.

Like Da Vinci Code it possessed a lot of historical facts and this book made me want to visit the Vatican Archives. Curiosity strikes.... I'm sure not anyone can enter the archives.. wew.

I also learned about ambigrams... how amazing to see all "six" ambigrams.. yay.... specially the last ambigram. Wew. Very brilliant *diamond*. Hehe.

The book also takes you to different places in Rome.

They say Dan Brown is poor when it comes to research but basically fact or not... i like the way he weaves his stories. I also like the science and religion coming together where you get to have balance. Got a lot of good "conversation" in the book as well.

If you love adventures + not-so-sure-facts (as wikipedia says) + mystery + secret societies + terrorism + murder + religion + science = well this is the book for you.

Da Vinci Code - 2006

Category: Movie

Genre: Religion & Mystery

Director: Ron Howard.

Review and Overview of the DA VINCI CODE the movie directed by Ron Howard based on the book written by Dan Brown.


One of the most controversial books made into a movie. Mostly religious denominations have banned the movie from their followers.

Basically, I like the book better than the movie. It would confuse you if you haven't read the book and all. The story was good and all but the way it was presented was somehow different.

I won't go into details anymore.... just watch the movie... but I suggest you read the book first.

Masquerade - William X. Kienzle

Category : Books

Genre: Mystery

Author: William X. Kienzle

Overview and Review of Masquerade by William X. Kienzle.

Four mystery writers were invited to speak at Marygrove College at a mystery writers' conference composed of a nun, rabbi, monk and an Episcopal priest. All four loathed the featured televangelist Reverend Klaus Krieg who is also a publisher.

Since this is a Father Koesler mystery, he was also part of the said conference, even though he is not a mystery writer his experience with a few homicide cases would prove to be useful.

But, then a murder took place and Father Koesler found himself getting involved solving the case.

I was attracted with both the title and the cover. But then, I think I found the story quite boring. I really HAD A HARD TIME finishing it.

It has a lot of details about religion and all the details about Pope which was I think a bit unnecessary and bored me. Or maybe it was just me who was tired?