Review: Top Secret, 2008 Edition

Top Secret, 2008 Edition by Geoffrey Cowan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Top Secret
The Battle for the Pentagon Papers: 2008 Tour Edition
By: Geoffrey Cowan, Leroy Aarons
Narrated by: John Heard, John Getz, Susan Sullivan, James Gleason, Gegory Harrison, Diane Adair, Geoffrey Wade
Length: 1 hr and 53 mins
Performance
Release date: 08-07-08
Publisher: L.A. Theatre Works

Have I told you lately how much I love these productions from L.A. Theatre Works? Well I do. Because they always have a great cast, the recordings are lifelike and put you in the middle of the audience. I highly recommend seeking out anything produced/published by LATW.

So this story/play is just as it sounds it is a performance depicting the fight between corrupt government and the free press. (funny how this was in the Nixon era, but so much hits home today.

The New York Times has gotten their hands on these “Pentagon Papers” and is about to publish them until the government gives them a scare and they decide to pass on these once (maybe still?) classified documents that show that America cannot win the war in Vietnam. These papers were issued a few years before and the subject matter discussed in them is in the past. The Times passes the papers to the Washington Post which makes the daring decision to publish them.

The Nixon White House insists they are top secret and the press has no right to publish. It could be a breach of National Security and treason for the Washington Post and their other companies.

A trial ensues and that’s when it comes out that the government cannot be trusted.

The events were in this play were during a very divisive time in American History and much like today’s divisive political atmosphere, proves how important it is for Americans to have a free press.

As always great performances by all and definitely a good listen. There is a bonus recording with this in which the play and its subject matter are discussed in a panel with former Nixon White House counsel John Dean, journalist Robert Scheer, author Geoffrey Cowan, and Congresswoman Jane Harman.

Publisher’s Summary
This is a timely docudrama about The Washington Post’s decision to publish the Pentagon Papers, a top secret study documenting U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The subsequent trial tested the parameters of the First Amendment, pitting the public’s right to know against the government’s desire for secrecy.
This new 2008 tour edition features a new cast and a revised script.

Bonus content: a panel discussion with former Nixon White House counsel John Dean, journalist Robert Scheer, author Geoffrey Cowan, and Congresswoman Jane Harman.

©2008 LA Theatre Works (P)2008 LA Theatre Works

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Review: The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition

The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition by Jason Fry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Last Jedi
Star Wars
By: Jason Fry
Narrated by: Marc Thompson
Series: Star Wars, Book 43,
Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 03-06-18
Publisher: Random House Audio

Long long ago, in a galaxy far far away: If you haven't been keeping up with the Star Wars sagas then you've got some catching up to do. But if you are a reader and/or audiobook absorber (like me) then here's a better option for you.

This book is a novelization of the movie "The Last Jedi," and after listening to the audiobook, I strongly fee that this is better than the movie. Sure, you can't see the cute little Porgs or the cute BB-8, but with this version you can still hear them and what makes this book a bit better is that instead of just watching the action on the screen, you get to learn what is going on in each character's mind, including the cute BB-8.

So to summarize the movie, the Empire has been defeated but in its place the First Order has entered. The Jedis seem to be no more, and the Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker has gone into hiding. Rey is sent to find the Jedi Master and get his help in defeating Kylo Ren and the First Order. That is not going to be easy because there's a reason Skywalker went into hiding for a reason.

Rey has discovered that she has some Jedi abilities and eventually convinces Luke to train her.

Meanwhile Kylo Ren, Smoak and the First Order are battling the last remaining rebels and hope seems to be lost. They are seeking revenge for the rebels destroying the Planetkiller base. They have the last ships in their sites and the battle is badly tilted to the First Order coming out victorious.

Just as action packed as the movie this audiobook will keep you glued to your headset (or speakers) until the very end. The narrator, Marc Thompson makes this audiobook come alive with extremely good impersonations of the actors as he reads their characters' words. Even Princess Leia sounds like Carrie Fisher. That alone is worth checking this out. On top of the excellent narration sound effects are inserted where needed so you can fly with the Porgs or shoot at the tie-fighters. Definitely worth the listen.

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Publisher’s Summary
Written with input from director Rian Johnson, this official adaptation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi expands on the film to include scenes from alternate versions of the script and other additional content.

From the ashes of the Empire has arisen another threat to the galaxy’s freedom: the ruthless First Order. Fortunately, new heroes have emerged to take up arms – and perhaps lay down their lives – for the cause. Rey, the orphan strong in the Force; Finn, the ex-stormtrooper who stands against his former masters; and Poe Dameron, the fearless X-wing pilot, have been drawn together to fight side-by-side with General Leia Organa and the Resistance. But the First Order’s Supreme Leader Snoke and his merciless enforcer Kylo Ren are adversaries with superior numbers and devastating firepower at their command. Against this enemy, the champions of light may finally be facing their extinction. Their only hope rests with a lost legend: Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.

Where the action of Star Wars: The Force Awakens ended, Star Wars: The Last Jedi begins, as the battle between light and dark climbs to astonishing new heights.

©2018 Jason Fry (P)2018 Random House Audio

Review: Lady Death: Malevolent Decimation

Lady Death: Malevolent Decimation by Brian Pulido
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Death: Malevolent Decimation
Story: Brian Pulido, Mike MacLean
Interiors: Diego Bernard, Ceci de la Cruz
Cover: Paolo Pantalena, Arif Prianto
Hardcover, Kickstarter Hardcover, 48 pages
Published by Coffin Comics 5/2020

This is yet another comic book character that I collected back in the 90s.  Unless you special ordered or had a cool comic book shop this title was hard to track down but then the comic book world erupted and everything was available around 2000 it became easier to find.

Brian Pulido has created an unlikely hero who at times seems to want to destroy humanity and other times saving humanity.  I think that's what appeals to me in that you just never really know.

Originally Lady Death was a hallucination, but now she is a full fledged goddess from hell.  Since 2015 Brian Pulido has taken complete control over his character and through Kickstarter has been publishing a new title every few months.

This time around we start out in New Orleans where Lady Death seeks out a voodoo queen to track down a kid who is possessed by a demon that can help her achieve full Malevolent Decimation.    Some of the "good guys" know what the kid is capable of and try to prevent her from raising the dead.  

In this book  Brian Pulido does a little crossover from one of his other popular titles, La Muerta.  La Muerta along with Lady Death's son  seek to prevent Lady Death from reaching her goal.

This book contains yet another great story in the re-birth of Lady Death.  The artwork is beyond beautiful and makes the book worth looking over several times just to see it all.

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