Book: Frozen Heat

“NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat gets more mystery than she imagined when she arrives at her latest crime scene. The body of an unidentified woman has been found stabbed to death and stuffed inside a suitcase left sitting in a freezer truck. A startling enough death, but an even bigger shock comes when this new homicide surprisingly connects to the unsolved murder of Detective Heat’s own mother. Killed gruesomly, the Jane Doe on ice launches Heat on a dangerous and emotional investigation, rekindling the cold case that has haunted her since she was nineteen. Paired once again with her romantic and investigative partner, top journalist Jameson Rook, Heat works to solve the mystery of the body in the suitcase while she also digs into unexplored areas of her mother’s background–areas Nikkie has been afraid to confront before, but now must.

Facing relentless danger as someone targets her for the next kill, Heat’s search will unearth painful family truths, expose a startling hidden life, and cause Nikkie to reexamine her own past. Heat’s passionate quest takes her and Rook from the back alleys of Manhattan to the avenues of Paris, trying to catch a ruthless killer. The question is, now that ther mother’s cold case has unexpectedly thawed, will Nikki Heat finally be able to solve the dark mystery that has been her demon for more than ten years?“

The title of this novel is very apt. It’s frozen, and it takes time (and some chapters) before it completely thaws. Once it does though, it definitely takes you for a ride. But first, a detour.

I haven’t been a very good fan of Castle, the television series, for a couple of years now. Work has me tangled up in a lot of things, and my viewing habits suffered a little. Not that I’m complaining about the work. I love what I do. It does create an interesting predicament for me with regards to Frozen Heat though.

See, most of my complaints about the Nikki Heat novels is that they read too much like an episode of Castle. In some cases, events in the show also appear in the novels. And with a cast of characters that are very similar in both medium, it’s really hard to distinguish one from the other. And I have been wondering what the point is in providing new content when it’s a retread of what was already shown.

Of course, because I haven’t been watching Castle regularly for two seasons now, I have no idea if that’s the case for Frozen Heat. I do know for sure though that the new person in-charge of the precinct in the show is nothing like the one in the novel, but that’s just one difference. That’s pretty much the only thing I can say to compare the two nowadays.

On Frozen Heat alone though, I have more.

Now, as I already mentioned, the novel starts our at glacier pace. Well, no. Not really. But because it starts much like most mystery novels do, it feels glacier-like for me. There’s nothing new. And, once again, it reads too much like a novelization of a Castle episode–even if it’s one I haven’t seen.

That is, until they take the show on the road–and, in one case, overseas. That’s when things become interesting.

In Frozen Heat, we delve deeper into the mystery of Nikki Heat’s mother. Parts of the mystery mirror events that happen in the show, but I think this is finally where the novel separates itself from its source material. And I’m loving it.

As we unravel the death of Cynthia Heat, we also get a new look at who Nikki is as a person. And while past Nikki Heat novels has her pretty much being a printed copy of Kate Beckett, the one we get to know in Frozen Heat is someone new, someone different. And as the case blows open, we are introduced to a new arc that I hope will carry on (and get solved) in the next novel.

Another thing I loved about the latest book is the development of new characters introduced in Heat Rises. These character don’t exist in the show, for budgetary reasons I’m presuming, which is great for the novel because it adds to the series’s identity.

I must say, this is the first time I’m actually looking forward to the next Nikki Heat novel. Let’s check out if I’m the only one who is:
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Book: The Dragon Factory

“The beautiful but twisted Jakoby Twins are creating transgenic monsters and genetically-enhanced mercenaries for sale to the highest bidder. In addition, their father is using cutting-edge science to complete the Nazi Master Race Programme. Joe Ledger has to elude the National Security Agency who are gunning for him, fight his way past rogue Spetsnaz teams and stop these madmen before the Extinction Clock runs out.

And when the bloodbath claims one of his own, Joe Ledger declares total war on those people who would burn down the world in order to reshape it in their own dark image.“

Okay. So, number one, that synopsis has a spoiler. But since I did not read the synopsis prior to starting the book, I wasn’t spoiled. Unfortunately, by the time things actually start moving in the story, you can already see who is going to bite the bullet. Which wasn’t fun.

To be completely honest, I did not enjoy reading The Dragon Factory. It was too long, too many things were happening, and when the action actually starts, you only have a few pages left to wrap things up. Considering that I was keeping my expectations low after being slightly disappointed by Patient Zero, I must say that not enjoying this book saddens me.

And I go back to the Rot & Ruin series. I don’t understand how the author who wrote those books, full of emotions and anguish and drama readers can relate to–could also be responsible for the Joe Ledger books that are too technical.

I mean, sure, the Joe Ledger books (the two I’ve read so far, anyway) have the right amount of drama in it. But because there’s way too much about the fighting skills of our titular character, and because there’s way too many characters who each have their own agenda, it drowns out the actual plot movements and the character developments.

The Dragon Factory feels like a short story that has encyclopedic explanations for everything that happens. Which makes it not such a light read, which makes it hard to find it fun.

I’m sure there are people who enjoyed reading The Dragon Factory. And I’m just as sure that I’m not one of them. But like with everything else in life, don’t judge something based off one person’s opinions. Let’s see what other people have said about the book:
Fantasy Book Critic
Blogcritics Books
The Novel Bookworm

Movie: Hansel & Gretel, Witch Hunters

“After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches… their past.” — (C) Paramount

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is good, fun entertainment. It’s not particularly jaw-dropping or anything remotely resembling brilliance, but it sure gives you what you pay for–release from the stress of every day life.

The film tells the story of the titular characters after defeating the witch that wanted to eat them. In the original story, Hansel and Gretel find a cache of treasures and find their way back home to their father, finding out that their evil mother has already died. In this version, Hansel and Gretel never find their way back home–instead, they carve a place for themselves in towns they stumble into… as witch hunters.

When the story really begins, Hansel and Gretel are already well-known witch hunters. They arrive in a town just in time to save a woman from being falsely accused of being a witch. But saving her, the town is left with no one to blame for eleven missing children. Our main heroes rise to the occasion, and they do sound and logical detective work… which they didn’t really have to do after all.

The plot of the story twists into Hansel and Gretel’s past, as the main villain reveals that she will be coming for Gretel before it’s all over–because the girl has something that the villain requires.

And as the adventure continues through well-placed (but completely obvious) foreshadowing of who Hansel and Gretel really are, the movie delivers on the main thing it promises: action and gore. And it does it well.

The only things I really didn’t like were things that made the era feel strange. They have injections and customized weapons that are too advanced for the time period. It doesn’t look like the industrial revolution has already happened, and yet they are utilizing tools that won’t get invented until after the said revolution. I understand that the film is stylized, that it isn’t aiming for historical accuracy–but if so, why not just go completely out of the bank? Why not go for a steam punk feel, which would make Hansel and Gretel fit into the setting better.

Of course, it can be argued that it was intentional: that Hansel and Gretel really shouldn’t fit in amongst the rest of the characters, as they really shouldn’t. But it was something that bugged me throughout. The only thing that bugged me.

At the end of the day though, the rest of the film was enjoyable. Not stellar, not mind-blowing, not completely original–but it was completely enjoyable. And that’s what is important, isn’t it, when taking a break?

Movie: Skyfall

“In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.” — (C) Official Site

I’m not a James Bond fan and I completely hated Quantum of Solace, so I was a little hesitant to watch Skyfall. Even though it’s supposed to be a movie event. I’ve never been one for movie events.

And then friends started seeing it. And loving it.

And then I suddenly had eight hours to kill in a mall.

I watched Skyfall. And I loved it.

Unlike other James Bond movies I’ve seen, Skyfall brings the danger to Bond’s own backyard. While the film features two other countries, the bulk of the action happens in Great Britain–in London and in an unspecified part of Scotland. It’s refreshing.

Of course, no Bond movie is complete without explosions and extended action scenes, and they are present in this movie. But in my opinion, it’s the looming danger at every turn that really pushes the movie into amazing-film territory. Because the movie does its best to reign in the action, the British flavor of the film truly comes alive–and the action becomes welcome and not desensitizing.

I don’t think I need to comment on the acting department as I would only do the wonderful cast a disservice. Instead, I’ll list down the other things I really liked about the film:

There’s the opening sequence, set to the theme song that’s beautifully sung by Adele.

There’s the definitive lack of a Bond girl, with Sévérine appearing in just a number of scenes and Eve Moneypenny effectively friend-zoned by the end of the film.

And there’s the lack of unnecessary twists, and a going-back-to-basics vibe that permeates the whole thing.

Skyfall does for me what Casino Royale did back in 2006. It made me a possible James Bond fan once more. Now, I just hope that the next Bond film isn’t another Quantum of Solace.

Movie: Tiktik, the Aswang Chronicles

This is the story of a proud man who wants to do right with the love of his life. And what happens when he crosses the wrong people in his journey to do so. Oh, and it has monsters.

Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles is a return to horror films of old, and I am happy to say that it succeeded in that aspect.

Horror is most effective when it is rooted in reality, and when stakes are high. This is one of the things I gleaned from years and years of watching horror film. And this is also the reason why I’m not too fond of so-called horror films of late, with their emphasis on the twists and new takes, instead of on what’s important–the heart. Something Tiktik didn’t forget.

Heck, the movie tagline says it is a movie with heart–among other internal organs.

Which brings me to one of the main reasons why I think Tiktik is the horror film to beat this year: it’s funny.

Now, Tiktik is in no way a perfect film. The green-screen gimmick they employ works really well in some parts, and flounders in many scenes–but the real draw of the film should’ve been its story-telling, and its flawless supporting cast of characters.

Joey Marquez and Janice de Belen steal every scene they’re in, even during the parts where Marquez’s falters in his comic timing. Ramon Bautista’s character was better on page than on screen, but even he has good moments. And Lovi Poe, I think, would’ve been a greater screen presence if her character had been more consistently bad-ass.

Dingdong Dantes though, as the lead, is 50/50. He has a deft handle on the action, the drama–and how he played the douche-ness of his character. His comedy needs a lot of work though, with only a couple of his one-liners actually landing laughs during the screening I went to.

But my main gripe actually has to do with the effects of the film, which I felt detracted instead of added to the scare factor of the film.

The team behind the movie, from the way I understand it, spent a large amount of time and money on this. And having done that, I wonder why they couldn’t have delayed the movie a few months more to clean-up the effects on the film’s climax.

Let’s go back to what I said a few paragraphs ago; “the green-screen gimmick flounders in many scene.” That’s because for the most part, the computer-generated landscape and effects were flawless. Which makes the scenes where they’re not flawless all the more glaring. Like when the villains transform into actual monsters–and when said monsters attack.

And during the climactic battle, there were times when the effects were passable. And then you’d get a couple scenes that looked as if the effects editor forgot to replace it with the finished product, having put in placeholders instead. And the uneven color-grading which made the end part of the film look haphazardly put-together. Which, I think, really detracted from the film.

Which is too bad, because I feel like this is the best horror film I’ve seen in a good long while–and I’m including international horror films in that statement. Which makes me wish that the production outfits behind the movie had decided to just shoot the film as they normally would. Which physical effects mixed with the computer-generated ones.

All this said though, I’d still recommend Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles to anyone who asks. Heck, I’d even recommend it to people who aren’t even asking about it.