"Kindred," by Octavia E Butler

Novel, 1979

A novel following two present day (1979) characters, one of whom is summoned back in time to help an ancestor in peril. A book with an absolutely cracking beginning, which isn't quite sustained, but serves as a great platform for exploring questions of identity, gender and family through contrasting modern times and attitudes to those of America in the time of slavery. The empathy and understanding of the slaves and their masters is striking. The balance between those musings and the storytelling's a fine one - occasionally tipped, but more often than not, well judged.

"The Revenant," directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu

Movie, 2015

Revenge family drama in the trappers' Wild West, with a bear-attack, some mastery in muttering and portrayals of Indians which feel a little tired and old-fashioned. The sentiments and narrative also feel a little overdone, but against all these criticisms, the locations are stunning and brought out by some wonderful photography. The action sequences are full of grit and gore, and things are paced quite well. Those who enjoy the last man battling against the odds, there's lots to commend here; for others, the going maybe a little tougher.

"The Turning Point", directed by William Dieterle

Movie, 1952

Crime drama, in which a newly appointed American police head is given a rough time and some uncomfortable home truths as he tries to sort out a local crime ring. This is a film which clips along reasonably well, except for an overlong courtroom scene. If the film's not startlingly original, the trials and journey for the main police character give the whole thing some poignancy. Otherwise, the characters and action are a little flabby, although this doesn't mean the film's too flat to enjoy.

"Indemnity Only," by Sara Paretsky

Novel, 1982

The first Warshawski novel and a fresh on the hard boiled exploits of Sam Spade and, particularly, Phillip Marlowe. This is a book where situations and dependencies are more nuanced, with a female protagonists noticing and building around psychologies of attraction and networks, rather than just falling foul to, or using them. The plotting and set-ups are reassuringly noir-ish, with a lively cast of crooks, errant family members, establishments and the odd shoot out here and there. For the detective enthusiast, a joy to read. 

"Now You See Me," directed by Louis Leterrier

Movie, 2013

Clever and tricksy blockbuster about four magicians - the Four Horsemen - who plot and counter-plot against legal and corporate agencies, keeping one step ahead with some outrageous, elaborate pranks and tricks. A film which puts a little too much emphasis on action and atmosphere, meaning that none of its characters are both lovable or believable. Entertaining yes, although everything's driven home with crashes, bangs, wallops and irritating uses of incidental music. A shame, as there's a suggestion, here and there, that there might be something more interesting going on.

"The Narrow Margin," directed by Richard Fleischer

Movie, 1952

Thrilled set on a train, as a tough Chicagoan cop escorts a gangster's widow to stand testimony in Los Angeles. Solid noir with some really pleasing and tricksy visual effects and a hard edge which eschews title music for the grating, alienating noise of trains and machinery. While visually a treat, the characters include a none-too convincing pastiche here and there - a lumpen criminal in a check jacket and a fat man blocking corridors, and there are parts of the plot which seem underdone in a hurried finish. Nonetheless, great entertainment.

"Kingdom of Fear," by Hunter S Thompson

Non-fiction, 2003

A string of anecdotes told through different narratives and styles, including letters, transcriptions and articles. Thompson's typically irreverent, painting himself as an anarchist tear-about, blazing guns, elk hearts and managing a San Francisco strip club, always keeping one brutal step ahead of the establishment. There's a slew of famous and not-so-famous allies, hangers-on, chancers and acquaintances, all of whom are smudged into the frantic pace and paste of a Gonzo approach and a free spirit increasingly disbelieving in the post-Twin Tower political response and American landscape. Tougher to get through than some of Thompson's other books, but some great passages along the way. 

"It Came From Beneath the Sea," directed by Robert Gordon

Movie, 1955

Enjoyable hokum with a terrifying radiation powered and enlarged octopus terrifying US nuclear submarines and the Californian Bay Area. While the special effects aren't entirely cringeworthy, they do lead to some unintentionally funny moments, as tentacles flail all over the place. Just as false are the occasional nods towards gender equality, with Faith Domergue's character showing great pluck, but then falling for the brutish navy man and screaming at the octopus. Perfectly good fun, but by no means a classic.

"Blades of Glory", directed by Gordon and Speck

Movie, 2007

Daft film, which packs laughs throughout, in following arch rival skaters, also find a loophole and join forces to perform after receiving lifelong bans for a podium punch up. There's little fresh or innovative in this film, but it's solid entertainment, with some odd dance moves and action centered on the ice rink. A perfect film for leaving your brain somewhere else and having your ribs tickled. Some good performances and slight twists in characterisation elevate this film above an even crasser version it could easily have been. 

"John Coltrane," by Martin Smith

Non-fiction, 2003

A book focusing on the socio-political environment into which John Coltrane emerged in the 1950s and 60s. There are touches of biography and descriptions of the music, though this book's simplicity is its main strength and weakness; the idiocy of racism is writ large, in black and white, although at other times, the simple language struggles to reflect the lyricism and complexities of Coltrane's music. But still, reading is no replacement for listening, and while the book doesn't entirely inspire an investigation into the music and those wonderful orange Impulse! spines, there's plenty to get to grips with nonetheless.

"It Can't Happen Here," by Sinclair Lewis

Novel, 1935

A novel which is quite shocking and almost demands being read, not through intrinsic merit, but through the astounding reminder of how far and - since Trump - how very little we've from the Fascist blighted 1930s. The resistible rise rise of Buzz Windrip is incredible, both for the obvious and sometimes seeming too obvious parallels with the then contemporaneous goings on in Italy and Germany, but also for the terrifying examples where this is happening in America and elsewhere in Western democracies. A jaw dropper, which hides the fact the writing feels dated and a little stodgy at times.

"Quicksand," directed Irving Pichel

Movie, 1950

Serviceable, worthy film noir, concerning a series of crimes, committed in a chain reaction - an initial minor peccadillo leading into a series of more desperate measures. A semi-cautionary tale with some B-movie pacing which tumbles at a hurried end as if the whole thing had been played as a comedy after all. The femme fatale is pretty lightweight, reflecting an overall lack of intensity. For all that, this is an enjoyable caper with a few nice scenes and thrills connected with the genre. Largely forgettable, though fun while it lasted.

"Olive Kitteridge," by Elizabeth Strout

Novel, 2008

A novel, musing and reporting on a woman's transition from happy if rather stolid middle age into old age, and how her New England small town community goes with her. The eponymous heroine is the focus if not always at the centre of each narrative, which piece together and look at how her relationships to her family develop and her habits and social standing change accordingly. The tone and pace of this book are both fantastic, taking the reader along. Some understated and truly wonderful writing and a compelling read.

"Rocket Science", directed Jeffrey Blitz

Movie, 2007

American coming-of-age indie, in which a teenager with a stutter is drawn to the star performer and thus debating society in high school, while struggling with his physical affliction, an amusing home life and coming to terms with maturity. An enjoyable film overall. If the pupils in the debating societies seem irritating, that's doubtless the intention. Some well observed, slightly edgy comedy here and there, mixing in with occasional slapstick.. Light, fluffy and diverting, with a good pace and a few serious questions put in for good measure.

"American Hustle", directed by David O Russell

Movie, 2013

One of those films, of high quality and excellent production values, which looks like a number of other similar films and whose plot is overly fiendish and involved. Let these twists and turns wash over you and it's still  visual treat, with a hard hitting cast and period visuals and soundtrack helping make this film enjoyable. A few curious features, such as the ambitious FBI agent's rapid descent into what looks like a drugs problem, swiftly forgotten from one scene to the next. But, overall, an entertaining film.

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"When Worlds Collide", directed by Rudolph Maté

Movie, 1951

Rather slight and occasionally toe-curling science fiction, saved by wonderful technicolor effects. Otherwise, this is lame, looking like propaganda for an American super race in the making, but showing compassion towards children and animals. Cliches abound and dull characters barely brought to life by listless acting. For all that, it's quite watchable, even if the Noah references, wheelchair villain and hammy love story are enough to send most people reaching for the remote control.

"Gone Girl," directed by David Fincher

Movie, 2014

Genre inspired, slightly sprawling film which delivers plenty of solid entertainment and thrills despite its length and despite being a little stretched in places with regards the plot and a sprinkling of wooden acting, here and there. Credit, however, due to pulling something in that ultimately feels quite tight, even if some of the initial build up feels a little lethargic and could perhaps have been edited down, just a little. The twists and turns are reasonably effective, with a big message about appearance, truth and the media bought home with a bang.

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"The Amateur Marriage," by Anne Tyler

Novel, 2004

Excellent novel following a Baltimore marriage's ups and downs and the intervening tales of the three children. The focus is on the couple itself and it both critical yet supportive of each side, with the narrative sympathetic to each. Similarly, the plot is eventful, yet has a pace and is written in a non-sensationalist way which moves the story along and pulls the reader into Tyler's world. A treat of a story which unfolds gently and comments plenty on the twentieth century as it does so, with the hang-ups shot through the Anton family narrative. 

"Sons of the Desert," directed by William A Seiter

Movie, 1933

Thinly plotted caper starring Laurel and Hardy, who ham things up and pull of a fair few laughs from their ridiculous slapstick. This is a film with gender at its core - the wives dominate, bully and assault our heroes who are flawed and hapless. In this sense, they're strong and wronged, though on the other hand, they're clearly part of the machinery wearing Ollie and Stan down. Still, it's good fun and hokum. Possibly a little slow paced for modern audiences, although as a consequence, the film carries its audience along. 

"The Fundamentals of Caring," directed by Rob Burnett

Movie, 2016

Excellent road movie, featuring a carer taking his patient, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, on a road trip and rite of passage. There are almost too many points where the film could have slipped into schlock, though it avoids doing so with some aplomb. Some genuinely funny moments, some genuinely touching moments and while manipulating the emotions in that very American way, it retains a low budget integrity and doesn't ram home any position or attitude. Great entertainment from an unpromising premise.