Kris Griffin

Stone Cribs (Smokey Dalton Novels)
$13.95
This is the 4th book in the Smokey Dalton series, a series that is set in Memphis and then Chicago in 1968. Before STONE CRIBS the story of Smokey and Jimmy, the 10 year old boy he now cares for as his own son, was set amid turbulent times. The assassination of Martin Luther King was the backdrop of the first book, A DANGEROUS ROAD. Then the setting was moved to Chicago for the second book, SMOKE-FILLED ROOMS and the riots around the 1968 National Democratic Convention held centre court. The third book, THIN WALLS featured the increasing civil unrest and the groups such as the Black Panther Party and organised street gangs that the discontent spawned.Smokey Dalton is a black man hiding from the police and FBI in Chicago living under the assumed name Bill Grimshaw. He's hiding because Jimmy witnessed the shooting of Marin Luther King and knows who the real shooter is, a fact the FBI want hidden. The tension produced by the need to remain undiscovered underlines the entire series and is continued in this book. It isn't helped by the fact that, because Smokey works as an unofficial private detective, he seems to be a magnet for trouble, threatening to bring him to the notice of the police too often.The story starts off at a frantic pace after Smokey and his girlfriend Laura arrive home to find a woman lying in his neighbour's apartment bleeding to death. Upon closer inspection it becomes obvious that the woman has had an abortion, an operation that is illegal in 1969. They rush her to hospital where she is almost refused treatment because she would not name the doctor who performed the procedure.The whole scene raises the abortion issue, as it was at the time in great detail. It particularly highlights the way in which a black woman was treated and explains how they were occasionally punished by being sterilized for having an abortion, a fact that shocked Smokey (and me).It turns out that the woman is the "sort of" cousin of his neighbour and she hires Smokey to try to find out who performed the abortion in the hope that other women will be warned to stay away from that particular doctor. It's a vague case that appears to have no real direction to it. Smokey merely works his way down a list of names, running into dead ends and false leads, pretty standard detective work. What is established over and over is Smokey's caring nature as he puts himself out for less fortunate families that he meets while working. The case is turned on its head halfway through the book when a murder takes place that hits very close to home for Smokey. The directionless feel to the story suddenly coalesces into a grim and determined fight as once again Smokey finds himself up against a police force that refuses to properly investigate a crime against a black man. In desperation, he turns to the street gang that he worked so hard to avoid in THIN WALLS for help.The tension that has dominated the first three books of the series is still a major factor in STONE CRIBS, but it has been complemented by a significantly greater emphasis on the character development. Characters who played minor roles previously have been brought back here and we learn a great deal more about them and their role in Smokey's life. The characters include Marvella, the voluptuous neighbour of Smokey's who, up until this book, has simply been the woman who occasionally flirted with him as he arrived home. A more sensitive and serious side to her has now been revealed. Sinkowicz, the white cop who has reluctantly put himself out for Smokey has become his permanent friend in the force and a surprisingly intuitive character. Truman Johnson, the black cop that Smokey has just started to truly trust reveals a hidden personal life. The most pronounced development though, is the relationship between Jimmy and Smokey, which is becoming increasingly strained. This is mainly due to Jimmy's fear that something will happen to Smokey and he will lose him as has happened to Jimmy so many times in the past. Jimmy has become moody and uncommunicative and although Smokey seems to be able to solve everyone else's problems, he appears unable to come up with a solution to this one.Nelscott continues to highlight the racial prejudices of the late 1960's through Smokey Dalton's experiences. But rather than come across as a voice that's shrieking in outraged indignation, it's more weary and grim-faced, occasionally speechless with frustration. This is illustrated by Smokey's own summation of his jaded personality when he says: "...events conspired to make me serious, protective and justifiably paranoid."This is a strong addition to an already powerful series. The mix between Smokey's personal troubles and the more widespread civil unrest that is sweeping the nation is proving incredibly effective and I've found it particularly compelling.

There's Something About Mary
$2.99
This was the most unfunny alleged "comedy" I have ever seen. I can't say I laughed once, or even smiled, although I did wince at the famous zipper scene. I think my most common emotion was puzzlement that anyone would think any of this movie was funny. And it's not because I don't like offensive, tasteless humor. I laughed throughout "South Park," which had something to offend everyone, but still managed to be uproarious in its gross-out humor. Cameron Diaz was unbelievably cute, so it's no wonder all the guys were hot for her. But Ben Stiller has been playing nerdy, neurotic guys for too long. With Stiller and Meara for parents, what happened to his comedy genes? Matt Dillon was terrific; I didn't even recognize him. I have no idea what the critics who liked this movie were thinking of. Or even not thinking of. Don't bother.

Daddy Day Care
$9.99
I love Eddie Murphy. I've been a fan since his stints on Saturday Night Live. But his acting is suffering horribly, as of late. His role choices seem to be suffering as well. While we loved him in Dr. Doolittle and Dr. Doolittle 2, his preoccupation with fatherhood seems to be muddying his professional choices. Perhaps he has his eye on filling Bill Cosby's shoes, one day...but, while I love Eddie Murphy, he's no Bill Cosby. And that's a good thing. He's Eddie Murphy! I don't know if it was the acting, the direction, or WHAT, but this movie just didn't do it for me. While there were funny moments (Siobhan Fallon Hogan as "Peggy" was hilarious), the funny moments do not fully redeem this work. I was rather disappointed to see the depths to which Steve Carr would stoop to make us laugh. Potty humor, flatulence and sugar-highs are devices used by uncreative, low-talented individuals who are trying to fit in with real artists. Honestly, there was nothing in this movie that Michael Keaton didn't already do in "Mr. Mom," and Keaton did it much, MUCH better, in my opinion. All in all, while it was enjoyable, I found it to be a sad rip off of a much better film...a real disappointment that not even Anjelica Huston could salvage. Okay, okay, the movie was fun and it did make me laugh, it had some touching moments and was well enacted. But even with all that, the whole time, I couldn't help but think..."What a rip off...it's been done and done and now, it's being done again."

Legends & Lyrics Vol. 1
$16.99
It is so wonderful to see the songwriters circle - I think it is fantastic how they put this together - I hope there will be many more. I am a huge patty fan so this is great.