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Our regular Tuesday movie night was re-enabled as my UW class is taking a break. Getting discount popcorn is also an incentive. Last night we saw Steven Spielberg's War Horse. I can see why the critics acclaim it even though I don't always agree with them. While the cinematography was great (especially the final scene), the story drew me in right away. I also got to like the characters and horse actors despite the son's somewhat sappy behavior (at times). The acting was special as well. The theme? In a word: Devotion. Devotion to family, a horse, countries, friends and comrades in arms. Moving. I give it 5 stars.

However, what struck me as very special was the lack of gore. The story is set in World War I--one of the most brutal human conflicts in history where seventeen million lives were lost and countless more were wounded or were never the same again. It was a time when generals had the impression that gallantry and valor could win over machine guns. We saw a courageous (and insane) horseback charge that ended... well, not well. What we didn't see was the gore. We got the point none-the-less. Over and over again we saw innocents struck down but without actually seeing their blood and entrails blown all over the screen.

Mr. Spielberg, thank you. I have plenty of first-hand images of the horror of war to know that it's not a solution to anything. Like today, it was the politicians that sent other people's sons (and daughters) into harm's way. And we still have not learned this lesson--and we never will. Memories of war seem so horrible at the time but fade into golden glorious fantasies as those who actually did the fighting pass away.

Bill Vaughn

Fred, (my daughter, the English major) encouraged me to read more (does that mean she wants me to write less?). To that end, I’ve been trolling for YA books that I can read on my Kindle Fire. Speaking of trolling, I was listening to KUOW here in Seattle on my way home from class and Neil Gaiman read his short story Troll-Bridge just as I was crossing the 520 toll bridge—ironic. I was captivated by the story and his voice—he’s fun to listen to on a dark night. I drove a bit faster under the bridges so unfortunately, I arrived home far too soon, and I didn’t get to hear the end of the story. The hero was about to give his girlfriend to the troll. This morning I did a bit of research and discovered the story is available on Kindle in a compendium Smoke and Mirrors (and in a number of other books). It’s a bit pricey at $9.99, so I’ll look for it at the 1/2 price bookstore here in Redmond.

I also got a helpful tweet from the writing couple M.A. Leslie, so I took a look at the preview of their book The Missing and five minutes later I was hooked. This one I bought ($.99). It’s a captivating story of a boy and “the children” that live (?) across the abyss in his basement.I can’t wait to read it. I’ll post a review once I finish it. There’s something to be said for a low Kindle price…

Bill Vaughn

The Owl Wrangler, still only $1.95 on Kindle

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