Will iconic images recorded in the grooves of an ancient vase unite the Holy Land or rip it further apart?

THE VASE

A novel by Mark M. DeRobertis

Muhsin Muhabi is a Palestinian potter, descended from a long line of potters. His business is run from the same shop owned by his ancestors since the day his forebears moved to Nazareth. The region's conflict saw the death of his oldest son, and rogue terrorists are in the process of recruiting his youngest in their plot to assassinate the Pope and Israeli prime minister.

Professor Hiram Weiss is an art historian at Nazareth’s Bethel University. He is also a Shin Bet operative on special assignment. With the help of fellow agent, Captain Benny Mathias, he plans to destroy the gang responsible for the death of his wife and only child. He puts a bomb in the ancient vase he takes on loan from Muhsin’s Pottery Shop.

Mary Levin, the charming assistant to the director of Shin Bet, has lost a husband and most of her extended family to recurring wars and never-ending terrorism. She dedicates her life to the preservation of Israel, but to whom will she dedicate her heart? The brilliant professor from Bethel University? Or the gallant captain who now leads Kidon?

Harvey Holmes, the Sherlock of Haunted Houses, is a Hollywood TV host whose reality show just flopped. When a Lebanese restaurant owner requests his ghost-hunting services, he believes the opportunity will resurrect his career. All he has to do is exorcise the ghosts that are haunting the restaurant. It happens to be located right across the street from Muhsin’s Pottery Shop.




Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Batman v Superman - Pretty Good

I took my son to see Batman v Superman yesterday, and it was good. Too long, but good. Don't know what the criticisms are about. That monster in the end was not necessary. Maybe that's it. But then who would kill Superman? Of course, Superman's not dead. They gave us that hint at the end, but we didn't need it. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, they won't die. Ever.

It looked like they've got an Asian Flash. Talk about changing ethnicities again. I thought the guy on the TV show made a good Flash. I guess the TV show actors won't translate to the big screen. Too bad. As for Wonder Woman, that actress looked right for the part. Just as Henry Cavill is the best ever Superman. I didn't mind Ben Affleck as Batman, but I thought Ben was good as Daredevil, too. Maybe perfect as DD. Just as Cavill is perfect as Supes.

Speaking of Daredevil, I really don't like Charlie Cox as Daredevil on the TV show. He's too shrimpy. Really, too small of a guy. Affleck is 6' 3" and just right as Daredevil, but whatever. Affleck is too big of a movie star to ever be in a TV show. Doesn't mean they couldn't find a bigger guy to play the role than Cox. Looking at Cox, well, he just doesn't look tough. I know Dustin Clare is about the same height as Cox, and I gush about how Clare would be just right for Trent Smith. But Clare at least looks tough. Cox doesn't.

But the storyline in Batman v Superman was a good story line. And even though it didn't need the last half hour fighting the monster, it didn't ruin the movie. I look forward to more Superman movies. I really think they should milk the Cavill Superman to the limit. He's the best. No one's better. I want to see more Cavill Superman movies. ASAP. I don't care about the Justice League. Never cared about those characters, except I like the Flash. But an Asian Flash? Whatever.

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