Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

If you're expecting the light, non-complicated plots with non-stop fight/action scenes that one's come to expect from watching Marvel movies, you may be disappointed with BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. Even though the majority of critics didn't like the movie, I strongly disagree with those who trashed it.

This Superman—as in MAN OF STEEL—is not the same one we're used to seeing--the boy-scout who's capable of saving everyone at any given time. Even though this is fiction, we're faced with the reality that someone who's as powerful as Kal-El can still make mistakes. As a result—casualties will happen under his watch. We see an example of this after a major terrorist bomb rocks Washington, DC, and how Superman confesses his guilt to Lois Lane as to not being able to spot the IED, even though it was only a few feet away from where he stood. This is a rare occasion where we see a Superman whose flaws extend beyond his exposure to kryptonite.


The conflicts that Superman faced weren't only personal, but were also political--as some politicians used his failures (from the previous movie) against him in order to score political points. His failures also impacted Bruce Wayne, who suffered personal losses as a result of Kal-El's fight with General Zod. Compounded with his fragile state after what was referenced to be the death of an ally after his latest skirmish with The Joker, Bruce Wayne saw Superman more of a threat than an ally. Despite his anger towards the Kryptonian, he didn't allow it to distract him from being the excellent detective that he is.

With all the hype surrounding Batman and Superman, I was glad that there was still room for Lois Lane, who played an essential role with regards to the plot development by being the fearless investigative reporter we've always loved.

I've always stated that villains always make or break a movie, and Lex Luthor was not only an excellent antagonist, but the best Lex Luthor we've seen yet. All I can say is that it takes a real sociopath to pull off the things he did.

However the most exciting moment of the film (And I actually screamed out: YES) was when Wonder Woman made her grand entrance. Her presence as Diana Prince during most of the film was kept to a minimal—maintaining the mystery of her character so as not to take away from Batman and Superman, yet introducing her with a bang at the right moment. Her most memorable quote: "I've killed beings from other worlds," as she responded to Superman while staring down Doomsday, demonstrated that she was a much more experienced fighter than both Superman and Batman. As an added touch, I loved that she spoke with a foreign accent—reminding us that immigrants can also be superheroes.

4 Stars

Russell Brooks is the author of The Demeter Code, available now.

Guilty Minds by Joseph Finder.

Guilty Minds is the third novel in the Nick Heller series by Joseph Finder, as the private investigative operative is hired by a Supreme Court Justice to disprove a story about another Justice having an affair with a prostitute before a powerful gossip website publishes the story. What's worse is that Heller has less than forty-eight hours to do so. However, after the prostitute is murdered, the investigation is further complicated as Heller unravels an even bigger conspiracy behind the alleged scandal.

As with Finder's previous novels, there's a lot of suspense, well-researched subject and high-tech matter. Nick Heller, in my opinion, is a lot tougher than he was in the previous novels. This may be due to the fact that he's facing off against a group of antagonists with police/military training. Heller's employee, Dorothy, has once again proven how invaluable she is as his tech wiz. Every character was well developed and distinct—even the minor ones such as the wealthy socialite who added some comic relief. And of course, it wouldn't be a Joseph Finder supense novel unless it had his trademark plot twist near the end.

5 Stars

Russell Brooks is the author of The Demeter Code, available now.

50% eBook Sale Offer From Kobo.

Hello, Everyone,

Kobo Books is offering a 50% off promotion on select eBooks for a limited time. What's even more exciting is that all four of my titles made the list. To purchase them, just click on THIS LINK, or click on the book cover of the title that you want (located at the bottom) and enter the promo code at the checkout page.

Kobo's very flexible with regards to payment options. You'll have the choice of either using a credit car, paypal, or VISA checkout. The promo codes for each region are listed below.

Canada

October 28th – October 31st

Promo Code: CA50SALE

United States/Australia/New Zealand

October 27th – October 30th

Promo Code: GET50SALE

United Kingdom

October 30th – November 2nd

Promo Code: UK50SALE

https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=russell+brooks

I'm still hard at work on my next thriller, and I'll update you on its development. For the time being, if you haven't read all of my books, or would like to recommend a family member, a friend, or an enemy whom you believe would enjoy them, then share this newsletter and the purchase link with them.

Thanks again for your support,

Russell

Let's Jail Minors for Being Infatuated With One Another. After All, They're A More Serious Threat To Society Than Child Rapists.

Let's Jail Minors for Being Infatuated With One Another. After All, They're A More Serious Threat To Society Than Child Rapists.

by Russell Brooks

PublicFriendsFriends except AcquaintancesOnly MeCustomClose FriendsPublished AuthorSee all lists...AuthorConfidentialArgyle AcademyMontreal, Quebec AreaFamilyIndiana UniversityAcquaintancesGo Back

Cormega CopeningThis has got to be the dumbest waste of police resources I've read about in a long time.

Cormega Copening—a 17-year-old—and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Brianna Benson, were charged last February as sexual exploiters. This was after investigators discovered that they were mutually swapping nude pictures of themselves. It was reported that Benson reached a plea deal with the District Attorney's office that will allow her to do a year of probation.  During that time she won't be able to use to her cell phone and will have to do community service. Furthermore, she won't need to register as a sex offender (http://myinforms.com/en-us/a/16047300-pitts-the-law-shouldnt-go-after-kids-for-sexting/). However, Copening—who's a quarterback for the Jack Britt High School Buccaneers—may face up to ten years in jail and be forced to register as a lifetime sex offender if convicted (http://abc11.com/news/high-school-quarterback-facing-sexting-charge/964620/). Despite the fact that there wasn't any evidence to demonstrate that Copening is a threat to the public, the authorities are convinced that Copening needs to be put away.

Even though two minors sexting will concern parents, it's hardly something that should merit such a harsh punishment—especially if one considers that the law views Copening as being too young to have a nude picture of himself on his own phone, yet old enough to be punished as an adult for it. What's even more horrifying is that if convicted, he will miss his high school graduation, his prom, an opportunity to go to university (potentially on a football scholarship), and land himself a good job that would allow him to raise and support a good family—maybe even with his current girlfriend. In short, the authorities are prepared to destroy this boy's life even before he becomes a man. Then again, they must believe that it's worth the time and effort to do so because two minors who were mutually sexting harms everyone—therefore Mr Copening needs to be put away.

Thomas BodenIt's baffling that the Cumberland County Sherriff's Office will devote their resources to enforce such a frivolous act when there are clearly more serious offenders who are more deserving of a jail sentence. This is important to mention, considering that earlier this week in San Angelo, Texas, some creep named Thomas Boden was able to avoid a jail sentence and was not required to register as a sex offender. This was after there was evidence that demonstrated that he had sexually assaulted a 2-year old girl (https://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/texas-man-walks-free-after-alleged-rape-leaves-2-year-old-girl-in-pool-of-blood/). Then again, the authorities must be convinced that Boden wasn't a danger to society, so he did not need to be put away.

If one must question if these laws were made to protect the public, then one must definitely ask whom they were really meant to protect.

Prominent Doctor Obtains Exclusive Rights for HIV Vaccine.

Doctor Mathew Wayne Whitest

As of late June 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) validated Cuba's milestone treatment of preventing the transmission of HIV and Syphilis from mother to child.

"Eliminating transmission of a virus is one ot the greatest public health achievements possible," said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. "This is a major victory in our long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important step towards having an AIDS-free generation," she added (1).

However, even more recently, an African-American doctor, Doctor Matthew Wayne Whitest, and his Wayne Pharmaceuticals team, were granted the exclusive license to develop a vaccine against the dreaded human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The team was granted the license after several weeks of negotiations came to an end in April 2015.

The vaccine is currently under development at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. If all goes well, we may see human trials begin as early as Spring 2016. Dr Whitest and his Wayne Pharmaceuticals team will manage the vaccine at a facility in Cordele, Georgia. A school known as A.S. Clarke has been acquired there in collaboration with non-profit partner, the M.D. Whitest Medical Institute The school will be converted into a bio-medical center.

"As an African-American, as a Physician, and as a member of Humanity at large, I am proud to share these announcements with you," Doctor Whitest wrote in a recent statement. "These are not simply historic advances for the African-American Community--which they certainly are. These developments offer great promise and potential to help relieve suffering for millions of human beings worldwide." (2)

If this story inspires you, please share.

I Don't Care If I'm A Clown In Blackface. Gays Still Don't Deserve Marry Even Though I'm In A Happy Mixed-Race Marriage.

I Don't Care If I'm A Clown In Blackface. Gays Still Don't Deserve To Marry Even Though I'm In A Happy Mixed-Race Marriage.

by Russell Parkway.

Actor and Gay Rights Advocate, George Takei and Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas.

God Save The Queen!

Why is it that when actor and gay rights activist, George Takei, referred to Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, as a 'Clown In Blackface,' he's suddenly an evil racist (http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/conservatives-george-takei-worse-than-kkk-for-calling-clarence-thomas-a-clown-in-blackface/)? Many people who followed the news about Marriage Equality becoming the law of the land in the USA would've been familiar with the abhorent comments Thomas wrote in his dissent, stating:

"Slaves did not lose their dignity (any more than they lost their humanity) because the government allowed them to be enslaved. Those held in internment camps did not lose their dignity because the government confined them."

These comments came from a man who's taken a stand against Affirmative Action, even though he clearly benefitted from it (http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/09/us/clarence-thomas-three-questions/). Let's be fair, for someone who was reportedly born to a poor family in rural Georgia, to later be admitted to Yale Law School and wind up as a Supreme Court Justice, that's one Hell of an accomplishment. However, the disappointment came from the fact that even though Thomas surpassed many hurdles to become the success many of us dream of, he's lost sight of his own roots.

With regards to Takei's Blackface reference, he hit the nail on the head. Consequently, those who believe that his comments were a racist attack against a black man clearly missed the point. What's important to know is that during the 1820s, Black Minstrelsy became very popular—where Caucasian male performers wore tattered clothes along with dark make-up in order to mock Black people by portraying stereotypes. It's This 1927 image originally released by Warner Bros., shows Al Jolson in blackface makeup in the movie "The Jazz Singer." also important to mention that Caucasian entertainers weren't the only ones who performed in Blackface, Black entertainers were also known to put on dark-coloured make-up in order to appear as Black as possible. Whites would reject Black minstrel entertainers if they didn't appear to be black enough. This led to them demeaning themselves for the sake of satisfying Whites. African-American vaudeville performer, Bert Williams, was one such performer who 'blackened' himself. (http://thegrio.com/2013/10/30/a-brief-history-of-blackface-just-in-time-for-halloween/).

Clarence and Virginia Thomas.The most repugnant part about Thomas's slavery reference was that this was the type of inane rhetoric one would expect to come from far less educated people—such as Ann Coulter or Rush Limbaugh—for the sake of appealing to their platforms. This wasn't the kind of oratory one would expect from someone who abandoned their path to priesthood at a Missouri seminary after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. To be precise, Thomas quit after a white classmate cheered and said he hoped "the S.O.B. died" (http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2007-03-11/the-holy-cross-fraternity).

There's no doubt that Thomas has conservative leanings. However that did not give him a free pass to insult African and Asian-Americans for the sake of scoring a few political points—as it was perceived. By doing so, he not only came across as being unsuitable to be a judge—or as Takei stated, "A Clown In Blackface," but also a black man who chose to hold onto a (House) slave mentality.

Hello, everyone.

THE DEMETER CODE is currently on sale for ‪‎99 cents‬ on ‪‎Kindle‬, ‎Nook‬, ‪‎Kobo‬, and ‎iTunes‬. My goal is to go below the 1000 rank on Amazon (not an easy task). After 24 hours, I'm currently at 5500.

So if you or anyone you know enjoys stories with conspiracies, martial arts, sex, betrayal, and revenge, then check out THE DEMETER CODE. Thanks again for your support and for spreading the word.

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Thanks,
Russell