"A Game of Ghosts" John Connolly (2017) Charlie Parker #15

Even though "A Game of Ghosts" is the fifteenth Charlie Parker novel, Connolly's thriller is as compelling and intriguing as ever. It even surpasses his last, "A Time of Torment".
Who knew Family Guy's Providence, R.I. was a hotbed of secrets and corruption? So many fascinating characters; both old (the Collector and Eldritch, his ailing father; loquacious lawyer Moxie Castin; Charlie's daughter Sam - possessing untapped powers, communing with her half sister, Jennifer -  and of course, Angel & Louis) and new (the grotesque Mother and her insane son Philip; the Brethren, another arcane religious community - supported by the "Baptist" Bruckers; likeable nosy neighbour David Ferrier; psychic and discount furniture king Tobey Thayer). Thayer talks about exploring "...a crawl space between worlds."
Connolly's rich, atmospheric prose is sprinkled with punchy banter like:
" 'Vincent Garronne is dead.' said Mother.
'Ah,' said Louis. 'Was it sudden?'
'It was when he hit the ground,' said Philip."

I enjoyed Charlie's theory about why he preferred McCarthy over Lennon.

Saying this book is about just a ghost story is like saying "The Godfather" is just about Italian immigrants.
Parker talks about "darkness, and the creatures that move(d) through the honeycomb world."
In this world, Charlie's dead daughter, Jennifer sits on a rock "...as the departed flow past, an endless river of souls flowing into the waiting sea."
I get the feeling that the next book will deal more with Sam's powers. Are Charlie Parker's cases drawing to a close?  If so, he's going out on a high.
So much to savour in this book.

 As a side note, midway in the book Connolly talks about Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. This links with disgraced FBI agent John (Joseph) Connolly (Jr).

Has "Vicious" improved? Series 1 Christmas episode, ITV

Against my better judgement I gave this tepid sitcom another go, bearing in mind how great Derek Jacobi was in Series 2 of "Last Tango in Halifax".
Nothing has changed. Obviously filmed straight after Episode 6, early in 2013. Same tired dialogue and obvious, crass situations ("Truth or Dare" resulted in Frances de la Tour having to mention Ash's penis). She must go home, look at the script and cry.
The studio audience must have been primed up with booze and chocs - laughing at almost anything (e.g. Ash's comments about his perennially drunk mother brought inappropriate titters).
How this waddle deserves a second season is beyond me. Perhaps if there was more mincing in "The Hour" and "Ripper Street" BBC wouldn't have cancelled both. No, silly comment, these were big budget dramas, whereas this sitcom is cheap (and nasty).
I know it's called "Vicious" but Gary Janetti ("Will and Grace", "Family Guy") seems to have forgotten how to write funny, gay stuff.
America's PBS has bought the rights (the prestigious cast must been a factor). Didn't they watch it?

Observation:
This dross reminds me of Stanley ("Singing in the Rain") Donen's 1969 misfire "Staircase" starring Richard Burton and Rex Harrison as the aging queens. Perhaps the play was better.

"Oz, The Great and Powerful" Why did critics savage it?

Expectations. It can kill a movie. Sam Raimi had a big job ahead of him. Big boots to fill.The 1939 film is everybody's treasured film.
Remember the very arty but dark/drab "Return to Oz" from the 1980's? Probably not.
I watched this film with small expectations, probably because of the negative reviews. I was pleasantly surprised, as was my wife and very cynical 19 year old daughter. Okay the CGI was over the top, the colour very "Willy Wonka'"but it's a fantasy film. It was perhaps 20 minutes too long, but I had fun.
The black and white sideshow prologue was delightful, spotting the cast members in later pivotal roles. When the screen stretched to full size and went to glorious Technicolour...  come on .... it's the movies....enjoy.
 The China Girl and her smashed town -  quite poignant. James Franco was a big surprise, a very engaging shyster.
Lots of clever links to the original film/book. Sam Raimi put Bruce Campbell (his original "Evil Dead" hero) in a cameo as a Winkie guard. Lots on Raimi relatives in bit parts.
It was great to see Meg (Mila Kunis) from "Family Guy" kick some butt as the Wicked Witch of the West. Danny Elfman's music is always a joy.
Come on guys, it wasn't that bad!

Remember Abbott and Costello?

Image Courtesy Wikipedia.org

I was watching an episode from Abbott and Costello's TV series (circa 1952). The one about the haunted house - moving candles, gorilla and secret panels. Corny but quite delightful. My 19 year old daughter was also in the room (multi-tasking with her laptop). She started laughing at the shtick with the gorilla and the revolving panel. She made some comment about seeing something similar on "Family Guy". Generation Y learns History, society and culture through "The Simpsons", "Futurama" and "Family Guy" references.

Bud and Lou were recreating their routines from burlesque days. They even entered and exited using curtains. There is something naive and wonderful about their routines. The impeccable timing, the innocent humour, the glances at the audience.
More please.