Alien: Romulus
Call #: DVD ALI
Reviewer: Robert Rhodes
Date: March 25, 2025
![Alien: Romulus [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81fBb0Z1egL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Alien: Romulus is the ninth film of Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise. I was a bit reluctant to watch this film due to the fact that so many have been made. After eight Alien films, how could they possibly come up with a new storyline that has yet to be touched upon? Hollywood finds a way.
If you are familiar with the Alien franchise of films, Alien: Romulus squeezes in between the original Alien and its sequel Aliens. It’s really an unnecessary story but one that brings a bit more depth to the original two films. Alien: Romulus brings a group of younger actors to the deep space horror film without eliminating the dark and dreary feel of Scott’s original story. I do like how the look and feel of these films kept continuity throughout the decades.
The story follows a small band of young coal miners on a distant world that has no sunlight and less possibility of getting off planet until their work quota has been met according to company standards. Even then, the company finds sinister ways of changing that quota without advanced knowledge. With a stolen mining vessel, a small band of friends discovers a simple way to remove a few cryogenic freeze pods from a derelict spacecraft orbiting the mining planet. Once the pods are obtained, they can place themselves within them and plot a course to freedom. Simple plans don’t often go so simply when they discover that the orbiting spacecraft houses not just a few, but a multitude of the alien species known as the Xenomorph. What ensues is not only a fight for survival but a fight so keep the dream of a new life alive.
Alien: Romulus does, in fact, bring us an entirely new story along with a refreshing group of young actors. Like its predecessors, it singles out the weak characters from the strong without compromising much else. The visuals are beautiful and frightening along with the usual sequences of horrific alien encounters that we’ve all come to expect from these films. Hang On!
Lincoln at Gettysburg
The Words That Remade America
Author: Garry Wills
Call number: 973.7 WIL
Reviewer: Andy Jackson
Date: March 22, 2025
Many years ago, when I was at an Advanced Placement English Language conference, a presenter from Depaul University in Chicago showed us a "coded message" in the form of an extended metaphor that President Lincoln had utilized in a speech that most Americans are familiar with: "The Gettysburg Address". He cited Lincoln at Gettysburg as his main source for the information that he was confident would bring new life to our lessons regarding rhetorical strategies.
Whether my lessons had a new birth is debatable, but Wills's work is unrivaled as an analysis not only of Lincoln's speech, but also the context of it. The first chapters provide details (sometimes quite graphic) about the aftermath of the three day battle that elicited over 50,000 casualties, which quickly overwhelmed the town of 2400 residents. Wills also explores the "culture of death" of the mid-19th century, famed orator Edwin Everett's approach to the National Cemetery dedication on November 19, and Lincoln's measured approach to messaging, among other things.
Ultimately, Lincoln at Gettysburg is not an easy read with a simple message. In fact, some readers may be disappointed to learn about the iconic President's true thoughts regarding race relations. But discovering how he accomplished his mission of restoring the Union through his words and actions is well-worth the journey.
The Critic
Rated R - 2024
Call No.: DVD CRI
Reviewer: Robert Rhodes
Date: March 19, 2025
Ian Mc Kellen plays Jimmy Erskine, an old and well established newspaper theatre critic in 1930’s London, whose brash and overly nasty writing style has made him often feared by up and coming actors. Erskine is also not very well liked by the son of the newly deceased newspaper owner, Richard Brooke played by Mark Strong, who has decided to change the overall format of the newspaper to make it more family friendly. This new formatting of the newspaper does not bode well for Erskine and the foul way he writes his theatre reviews. Unless he changes his ways, Erskine is facing the loss of his job even though he feels the reader’s appreciate his column. Erskine’s need for thrill seeking at night with men in the local park doesn’t help his reputation or his already fragile employment prospects. Enter Nina Land played by Gemma Arterton– a beautiful, struggling actress that has caught the attention of the married newspaper editor Brookes. Nina reluctantly agrees to help Erskine set up what becomes a disastrous blackmail scheme aimed at Brookes so that Erskine can keep his job. In return for her acting skills, Erskine promises Nina excellent reviews along with major success as a theatre actress and possibly Hollywood – all of the things she has dreamt of since childhood.
Along with beautiful cinematography, set designs, music and powerful acting by Ian McKellen we experience a tale that reminds us that life can be so delicate that a simple decision can either thrust us into prosperity and success or take a turn for the worse and become our downfall. In the film The Critic, this message isn’t exactly up front and center. It did, however, stand out to me and served as a reminder to always think things through before making that one, important decision. Enjoy the film!
Check and Mate
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Call number: Y FIC HAZ
Reviewer: Andy Jackson
Date: February 28, 2025
Like many of you, I was an enthusiastic viewer of the limited Netflix series The Queen's Gambit that originally aired in 2020. There were echoes of that series in Check and Mate, but also some twists and drama that separate it as well.
The main character is Mallory, an 18-year-old with many responsibilities thrust upon her. Through a variety of circumstances, she must care for her two sisters and her mother after a family tragedy has occurred before the novel even begins. Mallory (Mal) has many talents, but her superior chess abilities are what really set her apart--even though playing the game reminds her of things that she would rather forget.
There is much to like about this YA novel, not the least of which is Hazelwood's clear understanding of chess strategy and protocols. You don't have to be a chess enthusiast to enjoy this story, but it is nice that it is realistic and authentic. And a substantial part of the plot has little to do with chess, but instead a budding romance with Nolan Sawyer, who appears as Mal's chess rival very early in the book.
For the most part, the main plot is somewhat predictable, but that was ok with me. It was nice to openly root for Mal and Nolan in chess matches and on the relationship front as well.
Check and Mate was our teen book club choice for February, and I would recommend it to mature (grades 10-12) audience, especially.
MICONIC
Author: Leipprandt, Tyler
Photographer: Leipprandt, Tyler
Call number: NEW 977.4 LEI
Reviewer: Randy Morgan
Date: February 20, 2025
Tyler Leipprandt is a photographer and the state of Michigan is his muse.
Tyler bought a drone with the intention of becoming a self taught aerial photographer. He was quickly immersed by YouTube rabbit holes that propelled his ambitions to new levels. Now his main objective is to capture photos people had never dreamed of. In the book MICONIC, Tyler shares the adventure behind so many mesmerizing photos of our great state.
As a library, we love expanding our collection and receive a lot of recommendations from patrons. This helps us to provide the community with resources they will enjoy and utilize. A patron came in with a mission to find this book and asked me to help locate a copy. And Now it sits on our shelf!
Please note that Tecumseh District Library has many resources and ways to find the materials you are looking for. MeLCat is another great resource that is available for books not in our collection.
Additional information about Tyler and his photography can be found at https://www.michiganskymedia.com/#/
Ash's Cabin
Author: Wang, Jen
Illustrator: Wang, Jen
Call number: NEW Y GN WAN
Reviewer: Randy Morgan
Date: February 12, 2025
It is hard to find solitude as a highschooler living in the Bay Area. Fortunately, Ash and the family have an annual vacation near the Shata- Trinity National Forest, where Ash’s finds comfort and creates fond memories. Grandpa often talked of a secret cabin, and Ash is determined to find it.
Author and illustrator Jen Wang created a delicate masterpiece with a nature inspired water- color that inspires a sense of serenity only found in the forest. Ash’s coming of age story is filled with challenges surrounding family, activism, and gender identity, which leads into feelings of isolation.
This story demonstrates the differences between isolation and solitude. It is important to note that isolation/ loneliness is complex and includes feeling inept, depressed, and/ or ostracized. Though this book is highly relatable, it is a work of fiction. Please be safe and inform people if you choose to go off grid.