Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space - The Blu-ray Edition

How much, I wish, that they filmed all of the original Doctor Who in film so that they could all be put on Blu-ray.

This high definition release of Spearhead from Space, is just plain awesome. I've always liked this show anyway. Robert Holmes is the best writer the series ever had. So many of his stories are classics today.

Most of the Jon Pertwee elements of his era are there already in his first program! This openning show is, in my opinion, the strongest beginning show of any of the Doctors. Baker's The Robot was only a so-so affair, Davison's Castrolvala, was downright boring at times. And Colin Baker's Twin Dilema, I haven't bothered watching again since the first time I laid eyes on it.

But, "what is so great about this release?" you may ask. Well, where to begin. The show has literally never looked better. The picture is more than pristine! Every color is gorgeous. It looks like it was just shot today. The computer picture restoration has removed most of the flaws, as well as lowering the graininess of the original 16mm film. Unfortunately, the few shots that have dust particles in the frame were not altered, so the hairs are even more noticeable!

If you've always liked this story, it is totally enhanced by the fantastic image quality, and is worth purchasing just for that.

The Extras have a few goodies as well. I personally love the ones on the restoration processes. This one was a bit short however. I wish they had invested in making a more in-depth study in the restoration process. The real gem is the documentary on the life of Jon Pertwee. It is rather well done and is also in high definition. Using interviews with Pertwee himself, people who knew him and worked with him, and lots of photographs and video clips the film covers his life. It is a well researched affair and should be exceedingly interesting to anyone who is a Pertwee fan.

I already had the DVD version of Spearhead, but this one is SO much better that everyone should get a copy! People update to a high definition system, if you don't have one, just to watch this show.

Francis: Man of Prayer by Mario Escobar

As a practicing Catholic, I really wanted to learn more about Pope Francis than the mixed messages that were being distributed about him and his views in the press. Although author Mario Escobar’s biography does supply some background on the pope and fills in some of his beliefs, I came away not knowing him really, anymore than I did before reading this book.

I found the writing style rather boring and uninteresting and Escobar’s grasp on Catholicism rather lacking. I especially became annoyed when I read this passage which is the most idiotic suggestion I’ve ever read in a supposed serious biography of a pope: “(T)he Dominican Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva was built over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple of Minerva, goddess of wisdom, as if the cardinals were seeking the wisdom of a pagan goddess in electing their pope.” This is the height of idiocy and a great attack upon the Church. I find it unbelievable that a fine publisher such as Thomas Nelson would even have printed such rubbish! Frankly, as a Catholic I am offended at such an ignorant musing being put into print in a so-called biography of a pope.

This comment took place on page 71 which wasn’t even yet the half-way mark. I found the rest of the work quite tedious and it took me a very long time to finish reading it.

 

For anyone wanting to read an intelligent, serious and in-depth biography on the current pope, I suggest waiting a little longer until a much better researched project is published.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

American Phoenix: John Quincy and Louisa Adams, the War of 1812, and the Exile that Saved American Independence by Jane Hampton Cook

All in all I found American Phoenix: John Quincy and Louisa Adams, the War of 1812, and the Exile that Saved American Independence a fascinating read that really gives the reader a glimpse of the Adams'. Author Jane Hampton Cook did a fabulous job researching the time frame covered in this book and a great job giving meticulous details.

I was certainly enthralled in the story and did learn a lot about John Quincy Adams and his wife Louisa. I can't compliment Cook enough for compiling all these details and making such an interesting and exciting book.

The drawback, unfortunately, is squarely placed in Cook's lap, mainly her rather amateurish writing style. More specifically her bad habit of making modern comparisons in the middle of a book covering events in the 19th Century as well as her really terrible practice of using literary comparisons. These descriptive comparisons appear to be more at home in an elementary school writing assignment than a serious history. Some good editor was required to remove these ridiculous, obtrusive, literary foibles.

I would recommend this book, and give it 3 out of 5 Stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Survivor is Better Than DiAnn Mills' Last Book The Chase!

The Survivor is book number two in a crime trilogy by DiAnn Mills. Fortunately, I read the first one too. Although I enjoyed Mills' last book The Chase, this one, The Survivor is actually better. One of the things I couldn't stand about The Chase: A Novel (Crime Scene: Houston) was all the rhetorical questions the character was asking herself. Still a few this time around, but this time the amount is acceptable.

The Survivor is well written by Mills and the character development is done well too. The relationship between Kariss and Tigo was interesting and holds the reader's attention. The plotline works and is suspenseful. The secondary storyline was also good and captured my interest.

All in all a rather suspenseful mystery written by an award winning author. 4 out 5 STARS!

Lifted By Angels - by Joel J. Miller is an Excellent, Reliable Book on Angels

I had no idea, until writing this review, that the author of the book The Revolutionary Paul Revere, which I liked very much and found to be so apropos for today, was the same author of Lifted by Angels: The Presence and Power of Our Heavenly Guides and Guardians. The author in question is Joel J. Miller and I recommend both the above stated books. Lifted By Angels is a much different subject matter than the Paul Revere biography, but it is no less well written and interesting. I certainly believe in angels and unfortunately the reality of the fallen ones too, demons. What's interesting about this book is that Miller goes back to the Judeo/Christian writings on angels in the Old and New Testaments and clearly follows through this history the understanding of these beings. Miller also explores what the early Christians and Church had to say about them as well. Sometimes their theories didn't exactly mesh with other theories as in the case of when the angels revolt against God took place. One group consisting of the likes of Irenaeus, Cyprian and Gregory of Nyssa held that it took place after God made man. Yet others thought that it took place even before the creation of man. Lucifer through pride and envy held himself up as a god and he and his followers were booted out of the Heavenly realm because of it. Every time humans reject God and think they can do whatever they want they are basically following old satan's path. Anyway, I found the book useful in more fully understanding who angels are, what their purpose is and how they may interact in earthly affairs. It held my interest throughout and learned a great deal. Fantastic book containing the most reliable information on angels. FIVE STARS out of five!