Category: Stu’s Reviews

Novel Review- The Bellini Card- Jason Goodwin

Title: The Bellini Card

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+

Notable People: Jason Goodwin

Review: OK- so this is a real under the radar series about an Ottoman empire Istanbul detective in the mid 18th century who travels to Venice to acquire a famous and mysterious Bellini painting for the new child Sultan. The detective (Yashir) also happens to be a Eunuch. Loaded with intrigue, history, romance and characters that are a cross between film noir and Dickens. What’s not to like??? This is the third in a series and I ran out to the library to get the first two. Written by an academic form Cambridge… this is way out there. A Eunuch detective????

Music Review- Barton Hollow- The Civil Wars

Title: Barton Hollow

Genre: Album

Grade: B+

Notable People: The Civil Wars

Review: Hauntingly beautiful harmonies from this duo with ace session folk on the side. Very sweet and gentle; lots of melancholia. The songs sound a little bit too much alike for a whole album but worth a listen. The opener is called “20 years” and eerily evokes the late great Gene Clark; if you’re a fan, then at least find this one cut and give a listen. Not may sound like him.

Novel Review- Tag Man- Archer Mayor

Title: Tag Man

Genre: Novel

Grade: A/A-

Notable People: Archer Mayor

Review: this is the latest in Archer’s long running Joe Gunther series centered on a Vermont detective. Overall, I think this is his best yet (though many of you know I may be biased about these books). The villain if the first in the series that is also part hero- and this book focuses on him a lot; a real departure for this series. Very complex character development, great story, great serialization of the major characters- and a lot of love writing for Vermont. This a twisting story with a lot of red herrings. The lone down side for me was that the ending seemed a bit pat and formulaic which is not typical of his books. If you’ve read them before- you want to read this one. If not- take a shot.

Film Review- The Descendents

Title: The Descendents

Genre: Film

Grade: A-

Notable People: George Clooney, Robert Forster, Beau Bridges, Alexander Payne- Director

Review: This film made me cry a lot- but not in a clichéd way. Clooney is really magnificent is this role- against type. The two young daughters are great and the supporting cast is sterling. The cinematography of Hawaii is worth the price of admission and the soundtrack is a good one. Payne is a talented director (Sideways) who tackles a serious story without going for cheap thrills. I liked this move a lot.

Film Review- Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Title: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Genre: Film

Grade: B+

Notable People: Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright, Rooney Mara

Review: I really resisted seeing this- because I like indie films and I don’t like Hollywood blockbusters. Frankly, the Swedish original was not going to be topped. But, I got bored one Friday night and it was at the local theater five minutes away and I was out at the right time….so what the hell. Well, a pleasant surprise; a pretty good adaptation and Rooney Mara is a match for the original Lisbeth who I thought jumped off the pages of the book. Daniel Craig is better than I would have guessed- but still does not measure up to the original Bloomqvist. Christopher Plummer continues to be a revelation. Nice soundtrack and well filmed in remote Sweden. The movie is fun- but if you want to have the real experience- do yourself a favor and see the original.

Novel Review- Hunger Games Trilogy (Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay)

Title: Hunger Games Trilogy (Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay)

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+

Notable People: Suzanne Collins

Review: These novels are under the category of “young adult fiction”. I say young adult, schmung adult…these are captivating books regardless of your age. Well written, good characters, amazing story. Very dramatic telling of a strange future for our world. A very good wintertime read. Katniss Everdeen is a wonderful character.

Film Review- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Title: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Genre: Film

Grade: B+

Notable People: Gary Oldman

Review: this is classic cold war espionage stuff. Very tricky story and definitely for those who like movies that are challenging to track and figure out what is going to happen. Dark, well filmed, good authenticity for the era. A definite portrait of a time it might be hard to remember. Gary Oldman is perfect in the role of a semi retired spy called back into action to find a Russian mole in the British Secret Service (called the “Circus”). If you like British film- you’ll like this.
This is Stu’s most recent obsession; something to do from hotel rooms on the road and share a bit of life’s artistic experience. If you prefer to not get it- let me know and I will remove you from the mailing list. If you like getting it- enjoy!!!

Music Review- Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson- Live at Edwards Barn

Title: Live at Edwards Barn

Genre: Album

Grade: A

Notable People: Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson

Review: OK-you got to like this genre- but it does not get any better than this. The legendary original and Sweetheart of the Rodeo Byrd and founding Flying Burrito Brother and his long time sidekick form the Desert Rose Band. They are joined for this live set by a great three person backing band including multi- instrumentalist extraordinaire David Mansfield. Beautiful, beautiful acoustic music and harmonies ranging from Byrds stuff (Turn, Turn Turn) to Burritos (Wheels, Sin City) and traditional bluegrass. Country music. These guys are absolute living legends and still in their prime. This is my first album of the year for 2012.

Music Review- Goat Rodeo Sessions

Title: Goat Rodeo Sessions

Genre: Album

Grade: B+

Notable People: Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Myer, Chris Thile

Review: Preeeettyy weird!! Jazz meets bluegrass meets world music- with a classical feel. These are four really great musicians who have come together to do something way out of the ordinary. Think the Paris Hot Club (with Django Reinhart and Stephan Grapelli meets Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys). Not for everybody.

Film Review- My Week with Marilyn

Title: My Week with Marilyn

Genre: Film

Grade: A

Notable People: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Watson

Review: I was moved by this film which explores a week in London at the height on MM’s career while making a comedy with Sir Laurence Olivier. Eddie Redmayne shines at the young man who stumbles into a filming role and gets close to the star (he pays Colin Clark- from whose memoir the movie is derived) . Michelle Williams is absolutely luminous as MM and Branagh nails Olivier. If you are of an age to remember how big she was – this is quite illuminating. I just loved Judi Dench.