VDT VIEW

By Dean Poling 
The Valdosta Daily Times

As viewers prepare to watch the latest Dan Brown adaptation with the Ron Howard-directed movie “Angels & Demons,” readers can prepare for the latest book in the series that includes the mega-best-seller “The Da Vinci Code.”
Books-A-Million, WaldenBooks and other book stores recently announced the Sept. 15 release of “The Lost Symbol,” Dan Brown’s follow-up to “The Da Vinci Code,” the latest novel to feature symboligist Robert Langdon. This book was expected originally a few years ago, but has been delayed. People can pay for the book in advance, securing a copy on the release date.
The announcement came a few weeks ago, which played in well for the second Tom Hanks movie, which debuts for viewers much as the “Angels & Demons” book did.
The world took note of “The Da Vinci Code,” but it was not Dan Brown’s first Robert Langdon novel. “Angels & Demons” was first. Most readers read “Angels & Demons,” however, after reading “The Da Vinci Code.” Many readers have claimed to enjoy “Angels & Demons” better than the more famous “Code” novel.
In “Angels & Demons,” Langdon is called to a Swiss scientific facility where his help is needed in analyzing a bizarre symbol branded onto the chest of a murder victim. Langdon recognizes the symbol as belonging to the Illuminati, a legendary, scientific sect founded by Galileo - a sect believed to be extinct.
Through the murder victim’s daughter, Langdon learns that a small amount of antimatter has been stolen from the research facility. This globule of antimatter could destroy everything within a few city blocks. The antimatter has been hidden in the Vatican as the world’s cardinals prepare to meet in Conclave to elect a new pope.
Langdon finds himself in a race to save four kidnapped cardinals and the Vatican from destruction as he re-traces the steps of the Illuminati’s secret and ancient path to membership.
Brown wrote “Angels & Demons” several years ago and it did OK on bestseller lists. But the runaway success of The Da Vinci Code” made the earlier “Angels & Demons” a chart-topping best-seller.
What’s surprising about “Angels & Demons” is the realization that Brown is apparently following a pattern with the Langdon series. There are many similarities between the two books. In both books, a middle-of-the-night phone call awakens Langdon and sets him on an adventure; his expertise in religious symbols is needed in regards to a murder; he is partnered with the murder victims’ daughters, who were both singly raised by a father figure; all of the action takes place within a whirlwind of hours; in each, they face a sadistic flunky serving a big-wig antagonist; and Langdon must solve puzzles from antiquity, while treading into matters of Christian-based controversy.
That said, both books are easily readable. And “Angels & Demons,” in many ways, is more in tune with the pacing of a thriller than “The Da Vinci Code,” though not as controversial or as intellectually stimulating as the second book.
It will be interesting to see if Dan Brown will continue the formula of the first two books with “The Lost Symbol.”

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
VDT View

“Home” (Period Drama: 1 hour, 23 minutes); Starring: Marcia Gay Harden (Inga), Marian Seldes (Peggy), Michael Gaston (Hermann) and Eulala Scheel (Indigo); Director: Mary Haverstick; Rated: PG-13 (Profanity and thematic elements)
Movie Review: Inga (Harden) is recovering from a mastectomy. Her life changes very much as she is fighting cancer. She becomes an alcoholic, and her husband, Hermann (Gaston), becomes distant. Inga feels their marriage has lost its intimacy. Even more, their beautiful daughter, Indigo (Scheel), becomes the adult, trying to keep mother safe as much as an 8-year-old child can. “You think you’re my mother,” shouts Inga (Marcia Gay Harden) to Indigo after a few glasses of alcohol. Of course, Inga loves her daughter, yet the mother and wife are facing death and trying to find and maintain love within a distraught family. As the family lives through this difficult time, Inga revisits a grand house from her childhood, reliving memories of her own mother’s decaying health.
The unique character here is Peggy, nicely played by Seldes. She moves throughout this film like a grand sage, serving as a connection to the past. Her grandmotherly appeal is inviting and warm. Her scenes give a welcome break from Inga’s dysfunctional family.
“Home,” which Haverstick (”Shades of Black,” 1994) directed, wrote, co-produced, is set in 1969. It is a journal-type narrative, incorporating poetry written by Haverstick’s mother, Mary Stuart Haverstick. This drama is full of emotion and is moving. However, it bounces around from one argument to memory flashbacks like a rabbit on fire, making this screenplay schizophrenic. The cast is talented and does its best; just one-hour, 23 minutes, including end credits, does not allow the characters enough time to gaze at the changing clouds of solitude passing passionately across an embracing blue sky.
Grade: C (Sometimes you can and cannot go home again.)

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
VDT View

“Next Day Air” (Comedy: 1 hour, 26 minutes); Starring: Donald Faison, Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes and Yasmin Deliz; Director: Benny Boom; Rated: R (Profanity, violence, drug usage, sexuality and sexual innuendo)
Movie Review: Leo (Faison of “Scrubs”) is a pot-smoking slacker working for Next Day Air, a shipping company and UPS rip-off. Leo delivers a box to a wrong address while under the influence of narcotics. Instead of delivering the package to Jesus (Reyes) and Chita (Deliz), Leo leaves the package with Brody (Epps) and Guch (Harris), two bumbling criminal hoods. Soon, several mob bosses and other scoundrels all enter the picture, looking for the package Leo left at the wrong address. Why are they all concerned with this one package? The item contains 10 kilos of high-quality cocaine.
A bunch of comedians and other funny characters comprise the cast. With such funny people, one would think this film would be tremendously hilarious. It is not. “Air” is ultra-stupid. The plot is interesting but the array of characters is goofy to the point of unbelievable hype. This comedy is as transparent as air and just as weighty.
Grade: D- (Return to sender)

By Dean Poling

This solid bluegrass band combines traditional mountain music with the spirit of gospel for a righteous, rollicking musical experience. Nothin’ Fancy is Mike Andes, lead singer, mandolin; Mitchell Davis, banjo; Gary Farris, tenor voice, guitar; Chris Sexton, fiddle; Tony Shorter, upright bass. Don’t let this band’s name fool you. Nothin’ Fancy isn’t extravagant but it is some grand listening.

By Dean Poling
VDT View

Brian Woodruff is that rare combination, a term one does not hear often: a drummer/composer. The title of this expressive album comes from a chess match several years ago. Woodruff was playing a friend. Woodruff was winning until the endgame. Then the friend beat him. This happened a few times, causing the friend to finally say to Woodruff, “You did everything you needed to do, and then you tarried.” Thus, “The Tarrier.” That said, as a composer and drummer, Woodruff is right on time with his delivery in this excellent, jazzy album. “The Tarrier” also features Lisa Parrott on sax; Jacob Varmus, trumpet and cornet; Alan Ferber, trombone; Nate Radley, guitar; Matt Clohesy, bass.