Tom Clancy – Net Force (book)

I am always a bit skeptical before reading someone really mainstream big, but then one day someone said to me that I had to read Tom Clancy, so I figured ”Why not?” and got a book.

I was looking for a while for ”Red Storm Rising” but could not find it so I went for the lesser-known ”Net Force” instead.

I do not surprise me that Tom is using a rather easy accessible language (typical for mainstream success) that gets you as a reader easily hooked. While this is not always regarded high literature, I also think that some writers has a tendency to overdo the words, and while they can perform writing like every sentence is the most beautiful poem – it can be hard and confusing to read.

Tom builds the story through several subplots that each has its own sub-ending. This is in fact an old method of story building and it works pretty well. There is just one major mistake: The most enthralling subplot gets its ending first and then its like the book is over, even if there is one chapter left.

Its funny but I actually put the book down at that point and had to convince my self to read the last part, it took a month.

There is also one other thing I have to put the finger down on. Tom seems to create some fictional high tech world but it’s extremely unrealistic. Its like the guy have no technological understanding. Its weird and again destroys some of what the book has to offer.

For the rest? It’s a pretty downright methodic and well written story that will keep you up at night. But I am not convinced yet that Tom Clancy is such a great writer many thinks. But I will give it another try some other day and we will get back to it.

The Golden Compass (movie)

Again we are thrown into a fantasy world where things are not quite the way we usually thinks. This fantasy world has more in common with traditional fairytales that fantasy.

This is for the good as this is more of a children movie than anything else, and therefore the Fairy tale is more fitting. While I as a grown up finds it a bit daunting and boring because it just has the usual fairy tale stuff just hidden in between some good graphics and Nicole Kidman I think children will like it.

The reason is that the plot unfolds in a fitting pace. The only thing that can be a bit confusing is the terms of what “dust” really is and the difficult relationship Nicole Kidman has to the little girl.

There are not that many real fairy tale movies nowadays so this one is a welcome addition ;)

Varg Veum - Falne Engler (Norwegian Movie)

This is the fourth movie about the PI from Bergen. This tie however the movie is not a traditional crime solving puzzle but rather a thriller.

The thriller is well built up and works fairly well. There is just some small problems. Major problem is that this movie has nothing to do with Varg Veum and would worked just as well with any other person in the main role. Bummer!
And then of course you guess that the usual small problems is in there like: Where does Varg Veum get his salary from? And what is his real nature?

So while the movie works, it doesn’t work. Get it? I still would go for “Din til Døden”.

Delicatessen (French Movie)

This is an old classic that I finally had the chance to see. It is a macabre but humorous movie. The pictures, the angles, the people the acting is all very well done all through the movie. And movie lovers will just enjoy every part of this movie. It is done with such passion and love and insight in how to make a masterpiece that I just take of my hat and bow.

If you can get a hold of this one with subtitles for your own language, then go for it and prepare for a laugh.

Across The Universe (Movie)

This is a musical based on various Beatles songs. It contains of course many nice versions of Beatles songs. It is the highly inspiration and creativity that makes me give it some good points. Do you like music? Do you like romance? Do you like The Beatles? The you will probably like this movie.

But please understand that it is a musical and should be watched as one.

The Bank Job (movie)

Making movies like this and still add a twist to make it worthwhile is not that easy since so many others have done it before. It is however every once in a while that it succeeds. I think The Bank Job does. It gives us some humor, some thrills and a little bit of drama in between.

Quite enjoyable in fact.

The grand (Movie)

The typical: “Lets make a movie and pretend it’s a reality show” idea is coming up both here and there. Usually it does not work very well. Why? Because in the end reality is not that fun… it just feeds on the same instinct that makes people play games like The Sims.

So while the grand tries so much, it also fails almost as much and I would rather not have watched it. Or to say one of those average movies.