Generation X, a 1996 made-for-TV movie is an interesting diversion, if little else, based on the comic book series created by Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo. Yet, the camp story, low production values, and stereotyping ruin what could otherwise have been a good translation.

When teens Jubilation Lee/Jubilee (Heather McComb), who can project pyrokinetic power, and Angelo Espinosa/Skin (Agustin Rodriguez), who can elongate his skin, are taken to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, they encounter other teen mutants. There, the school’s headmasters, Sean Cassidy/Banshee (Jeremy Ratchford) and Emma Frost/The White Queen (Finola Huges), try to teach them how to cope with their mutant powers. Meanwhile, mad scientist Russel Tresh (Matt Frewer) tries to use Angelo to continue his dream world experiments.  

When the film focuses on the characters, particularly Jubilee, Skin, Banshee, and the White Queen, and even the watered-down M, Mondo, and Husk and Chamber replacements, Buff and Refrax, it’s actually quite an entertaining story about teenagers trying to fit into a world that is hostile towards them. In fact, the whole mutants as different from humans theme is a good metaphor for the teen issue of feeling different from everyone else.

Yet, the overarching plot about Tresh’s desire to control the dream world, while interesting as a concept, is never thoroughly explored, and Frewer portrays Tresh in such an over-the-top manner, that it’s hard to take it seriously. Moreover, the odd camera angles director Jack Sholder uses give the story an otherworldly feel, detracting from the real-world elements.

Had the story focused more on the characters, their relationships, personal developments, and retained Husk and Chamber from the comics (they were replaced for special effects and budgetary concerns) then it might have been a classic. As it stands, however, Generation X is an average film that fans of the comics might enjoy as a curiosity, but everyone else should avoid.

2 stars

Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose (2005) combines modern knowledge and traditional spiritual beliefs from a variety of belief systems to create a convincing argument that the problem of the modern world is a simply unconsciousness.

A New Earth takes readers through the gradual process of understanding human dysfunction, the inhumane way humans, especially those in western society, treat each other, and the unhealthy habits we develop to cope with the anxiety and emptiness this focus on the material world creates. From this understanding of living unconsciously through the ego’s obsession with the past and future, Tolle helps readers broaden their awareness so they can live freely in the present moment.

Tolle presents most of his theories in an easy to understand manner, however, like his popular The Power of Now (1997), his writing style can become  somewhat meandering, meaning at times he waffles and tends to repeat the same thing in different ways. Nonetheless, at the core of the book is a powerful and pertinent message that will help those open to it awaken from the mindless, unconscious lives they have been living and learn to live more freely.

With its potent concepts, down to earth presentation, and rousing message, A New Earth comes highly recommended for those wanting to transform their lives and perspectives.

4 ½ stars

Based on the comic book series Alias: Jessica Jones created by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, the 2015 TV series Jessica Jones is a fantastic character study that turns the notion of superhero stories on its head.

Following Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), an incredibly strong ex-Avengers member turned private eye, the series eschews the costumed superhero norm by playing down Jessica’s powers and instead focusing on the psychology of the protagonist and other victims of the series’ “villain”, Kilgrave (David Tennant). Taking a neo-noir and psychological thriller approach to the classic detective tale, the series explores Jessica’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as other important modern topics, such identity, self-will, and drug-addiction.

When Jessica encounters other victims of Kilgrave, a man who has the ability to make people do what he says, and who she’s got a sordid history with, she tries to capture him. This leads to a series of clever plot twists as Kilgrave continues to elude Jessica despite her best attempts.

One of the series’ strengths is that in most episodes, while Kilgrave’s abilities are obviously portrayed as a threat, the character himself, for the most part, seems very human, with his own weaknesses and frailties that, for a time, endear him to the audience. Tennant’s charismatic onscreen presence and realistic, yet occasionally larger-than-life, portrayal of the character make him very human in his angst towards and love for Jessica. Unfortunately, towards the end of the season, the writers eschew the psychological depth established in earlier episodes and turn Kilgrave into a stereotypical villain.

In the beginning, Jessica, too, shows much psychological depth in the way she copes with her PTSD. Further, the development of the support group for Kilgrave victims demonstrates a level of maturity not seen in other television writing. However, this too is eschewed in later episodes as Jessica’s quest to stop Kilgrave becomes all-consuming. Jessica, a dark, sombre character driven to stop Kilgrave, is very much an anti-hero with a tough exterior. Yet, at times we get a glimpse of the woman behind this persona and we come to understand that her tough “G. I. Jane” personality protects a vulnerable person.

Each episode moves at a brisk pace and is executed with movie-like production. The show includes a sizable cast, from well-known actors like Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays driven lawyer, Jeri Hogarth, to lesser knows like Rachael Taylor who plays Jessica’s best friend, Trish Walker; Mike Coltler as Luke Cage, another hero in hiding; Wil Traval as NYPD sergeant Will Simpson; and Eka Darkville as Jessica’s drug-addled neighbour, Malcolm Ducasse. All give great performances, making each episode seem very believable.

Drawing audiences in with its realistic portrayal of this material, Jessica Jones is an in-depth character study, thrilling ride, and an interesting psychological study of the frightening possibilities and repercussion of having someone control you. It comes highly recommended.

4 ½ stars

Meg Caddy’s debut novel, Waer (2016), contains a rich tapestry of an authentic fantasy world, strong, endearing, and evolving characters, and is a very easy and engaging read.

When young northern waer tribe member Lowell discovers the injured body of Lycaea in the Gwydan Valley, he takes her to his family, where their friends, Moth and Dodge, aid her healing. The Caerwyn army invades the valley and destroy it in their search for Lycaea. Lowell, Lycaea, Moth, and Dodge escape into the mountains and make their way to Luthan, a neutral city, where Lycaea meets her master, Hemanlock, after years of absence. Wanting to end the menace of the Caerwyn army and their bigot leader, Leldh, Lycaea must reform the old alliances of Luthan’s disparaged forces, but not before she has to reveal her deepest, darkest secret.

Immediately notable about Waer is the ease with which it can be read and the way it sweeps readers into its rich world and interesting characters. While other fantasy books can lag because of excessive detail, Waer is a crisp-paced story with many twists.

The novel’s strengths lie in its world building and characterisations. The world of Oster is richly imagined, with multiple cultures and indeed beings vividly portrayed in a realistic way, whether it’s the peaceful northern waer of the Gwydhan Valley, the class structuring of Luthan, the “savage” southern waer of the desert tribes, or the militaristic society of Caerwyn. The world’s mythology, which is gradually revealed, is original and grounded in the character politics that gives it a greater sense of authenticity. The descriptions of the world itself create intrigue and although much is described, enough is left to the imagination so readers hope the author will one day return to further explore this rich world.

Characters are authentically portrayed, from the strong Lycaea, who needs to learn to let herself become vulnerable, the at-first weak, almost traditionally feminine Lowell, who grows in strength as he learns the harsh realities of the world, to the nurturing Moth, kindly Dodge, and the vicious Cooper, Kaebha, and Leldh. The interaction and emotional conflict between these characters is one of the highlights of the novel, especially since many have secrets that twist the story in interesting directions.

However, one of the weak points of the story is its action sequences. While they work well on a small scale, the grand scale battle towards the end is a little confusing and even distant. Yet, the rip roaring pace makes it an engaging read and the few moments of confusion are offset with plot twists and character developments.

Overall, Waer is a very easy read and an engaging tale that immerses readers in a rich world, interesting and strong characters, and poses a conflict reflective of our times. It comes highly recommended for readers of Young Adult fiction and fantasy fiction.

4 stars