The Butler

I have to confess. I tried so very hard. To be moved by this movie.

Alas, I cannot.

The narrative was short and choppy. If you are not well versed in American politics and the lineup of presidents? Forget it - you would be left wondering what-the-heck just happened as scenes moved on almost like newsreel without in-depth commentaries. And if you don't recognised the caricatures of presidential portrayals, you would be lost at sea at who's who amongst these weird guys or talking heads.

So many cameos, only one stood out. It gave me a flickering impulse to applause but before i could put my hands together, she was gone. Yes her appearance was that short. Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan. Truly stellar, in a class of her own.

The rest of the performance were forgettable. Most were underwhelmed, running to stereotypical. The hype over Mz O? Well, it left me feeling lukewarmed, if not cold.

As for Mr Whitaker? I was very very very disappointed.

Italian Men I Love: #2 Inspector Bordelli

And on to Italian men i love #2 - the sardonic Inspector Bordelli. Like Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano, he too loves food and women. Are we surprised? They are Italian men after all.

Set in Florence in the 1960s, Inspector Bordelli spends most of his time, thinking, drinking, loving and solving. And not always in that order. He has a great sense of justice and has no qualms bending some rules to ensure justice is served.

Surrounded by his loyal team of police officers, and a supporting case of quirky medical examiners, crime scene investigators and sex-criminals; he always gets his man, altough not always his women, in the end.

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Italian Men I Love: #1 Inspector Montalbano

From icy cold Scandinavian Europe I now move into warm Mediterranean Europe to discover Italian mysteries men.

The first of which is the quirky Inspector Montalbano. He who loves food, almost more than he loves women, and not quite as much as he perversely enjoys tormenting his boss.

To date, I have read the first 15 English translated versions of this enjoyable series by Andrea Camilleri. And hopefully my favorite library will bring in the next five once they are in print!

October Fest !

这个十月，与书为伍！我是超级推理小说迷。。。Thanks to NLB, here is the dozen of new books (translated from Japanese) that I will be looking forward to devouring in October..great to spend time with 东野圭吾，岛田庄司，宫部幸美，道尾秀介，有栖川有栖，东传笃哉！

Discovering another Icelandic writer : Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Discovering Yrsa Sigurdardottir was a fantastic experience. I enjoyed her novels tremendously. Especially the creepy and intriguing criminal tendencies behind them. Worthy of the accolades and awards she has won!