Movie Review Madness - Fantastic Beasts

Well, I found ‘em.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is in theaters now and it’s worth seeing on the big screen. J.K. Rowling is back with a prequel, so to speak, to Harry Potter world. Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander shows up in 1926 New York City from London with a rather magical bag. He’s a magizoologist and thus the adventure begins. The wizard world vs the Muggles in the UK or the No-maji (as known in the US) is in flux and more trouble is not needed. But his encounters with a “normal” guy played by a funny Dan Fogler involves switched bags, an escaped creature or two, a hatching egg, some lovely sisters, and more.

Eddie, with his mop of hair, dusting of freckles, and wistful smile, is perfect as the shy magizoologist who’s trying to save creatures and keep the magic alive. He wants no trouble. But Colin Farrell and his gang are seeking “troublemakers” and a host of explosions and destruction in NYC is causing an uprising. The theme of who’s “different” and how to get along is subtle. Fogler falls for one of the sisters and Katherine Waterston works with Newt to corral his creatures, erase Dan’s mind, and make peace.  I won’t give away the surprise at the end as far as the serious trouble and evil spirit. It’s all cleverly done.

This is a big movie with lots of special effects and a worthy lead up to Potter World backstory. I would have edited the movie a bit – it ran a tad long. However I was entranced and intrigued by the premise. Rowling knows how to fill in characters and create a world. I liked Eddie a lot. So if you are looking to escape with a big tub of popcorn, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is worth seeking at your nearest Cineplex.

Book Review - Career of Evil

JK Rowling, writing as Robert Galbraith, is so darn good. I’ve featured her first two novels – The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm – and now she’s back with Career in Evil.  I think this is the best Cormoran Strike book yet.

From the cover blurb – When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg. Her boss, detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible – and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.

Yowza – now that will make you turn pages.

Indeed, the book progresses with some grisly murders. It’s obvious a serial murderer is on the loose. Cormoran and Robin are under police surveillance. They, in turn, are doing their own investigative work. Meanwhile, chapters offer up the killer’s viewpoint and as the reader, we have no idea who this is.  We are as stumped as Robin and Strike.  Meanwhile, Robin is maybe getting married, maybe not. Trying to maintain a relationship is very tough in this business. And at one point, Robin and Strike are at odds – now that makes it tough for the reader. We root for both of them – they are our constant.

Cover blurb – A fiendishly clever mystery with unexpected twists around every corner, Career of Evil is also a gripping story of a man and a woman at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives.

I love JK Rowling. She truly is a superb writer with a clever imagination and a gift for rich descriptions and characters. This is her best mystery yet and kept me guessing until the very end. Turn on all the lights, snuggle under an afghan and treat yourself to a great read.

Book Review: The Cuckoo's Calling

Robert Galbraith’s debut mystery, The Cuckoo’s Calling, gives us a tough detective, Cormoran Strike, investigating a supermodel’s suicide. Strike has one client, he’s living in his office, and his prosthesis (lost a leg in Afghanistan) hurts. He’s a mess, but an old friend seeks to open this suicide case. After initial investigation, Strike agrees that Lulu’s suicide is fishy, and every clue opens new doors to models, rock-star boyfriends, desperate designers, and extended family issues due to adoption.  

p. 6  Journalists wrote that “the decadence of her new life had unhinged an already fragile personality.”

“And then at last, the frenzy wore itself into staleness, and even the journalists had nothing left to say, but that too much had been said already.” 

Strike is quite a character himself, but he is meticulous in his research and thought process. His temporary secretary, Robin, proves to be quite an asset and he’s reluctant to have to let her go. She in turn adds a brightness to each page, and her questions and inventiveness help Strike’s investigation.  There are plenty of twists and turns, and indeed Galbraith surprises us with the conclusion. The reader will stay vested and satisfied with The Cuckoo’s Calling.  

In another twist to this book – the debut had decent sales. THEN it was discovered (leaked) that the actual author is J.K.Rowling, of Harry Potter fame. Sure enough, she admitted choosing the Robert Galbraith pseudonym, and sales skyrocketed. Frankly, it’s a well written book, either way. But it does demonstrate in this crazy world of publishing, that a “name” author gets the buzz.