"Twilight"

Kristen Stewart
Robert Pattinson
Cam Gigandet
Billy Burke
Ashley Greene
Nikki Reed
Jackson Rathbone
Kellan Lutz
Peter Facinelli
Elizabeth Reaser
Taylor Lautner







PG13           120min           2008


Based on the international bestseller by Stephanie Meyer's Twilight is about a teenage girl moving to a small town in Washington and falling in love with a vampire.

A couple of years ago I came across this web site that named books that were being turned into movies. It had a description of the book and information on the film. Two of the films that happened to be on it were Jumper and Twilight. I read there description and thought they would be interesting reads and they have not disappointed.

This is a faithful adaptation of the book and is one giant shout-out to the fans of the book without leaving out the uninitiated. The angst and drama is all there. The changes made by Melissa Rosenberg and Catherine Hardwicke really make Twilight fresh and new for fans of the book. This going to be a global phenomenon.

There many little things that the fans will recognize from the book. Its these little details that will make fans of the series see it again. But it also a film that girlfriends will take their boyfriends and they can enjoy. There is more action and less of the introspective dialog from Bella that will make most men uncomfortable. Most who are new to the series will not be disappointed.

The angst and drama from the books is there. Pattinson plays Edwards as a younger version of Angel without the curse. Stewart plays Bella unabashed love for Edward rivaling Juliet's love for Romeo. Just as in the book the movie romance scream for a sequel.

The changes made to the screen whether it was in the adaptation of the screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg or the ideas that Catherine Hardwicke made, Twilight is familiar but totally fresh unlike the first two Harry Potter that were almost direct adaptation from the book. It follows the overall plot of the book but makes changes to the story that makes it more accessible for live action. Being a fan and knowing the story I can wait for the next ones to come out.

If you have not be introduce to the Twilight Universe here are the books for purchase:

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)
I give Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) 4 out of 5.

Trailers at the beginning of my screening was Knowing, Push, and 7 Pounds

I give Twilight 4 out of 5.

"Aquamarine"

Emma Roberts
Joanna “JoJo” Levesque
Sara Paxton
Jake McDorman
Arielle Kebbel
Claudia Karvan
Bruce Spence
Tammin Sursok
Roy Billings
Julia Blake
Shaun Micallef


PG           103min           2006


It’s the end of the summer and Claire (Roberts) and Hailey (JoJo) have a major problem. In just five days, Hailey’s family is moving halfway around the world! These girls need a major miracle, and they get one in the form of Aquamarine, a beautiful mermaid who washes ashore in a late summer storm. Sweet but clueless to the ways of romance, she offers to grant the girls one wish if they help her fin the boy of her dreams. But when they attempt to reel in the cute local lifeguard, the result is something none of them expect… and they discover that sometimes what you wish for isn’t what you really want after all. – from the backcover

I’m not the target audience and was clear aware of it as I watched this movie. This is a film designed for younger kids. I think kids will enjoy the story and parent can appreciate the message that the film is telling. I think that all three stars have potential for better things when there demography gets older.

"Aquamaarine" story caters to the tweens and below. Although adults can appreciate the message of the film it’s not for them to watch. This message is wholesome and at its heart is a funny little family movie. It’s a message that can be appreciated but the packaging leaves something to be desired.

Emma Roberts, JoJo, and Sara Paxton are triple threats to the tweeny nation. Roberts is a of top Hollywood leagacy. Joanna “JoJo” Levesque is the pop sensation transiting into another career. Sara Paxton you could consider the veteran of the three having been seen in film, television, and medleys of soundtracks. It will be interesting to see where each goes as they mature with there demograhic.

It has the wish fulfillment of the wonder that makes Disney so popular. "Aquamaarine" has themes that will resonate with tweenys and young teenagers. If you are a parent looking for something that will entertain your children and not have to worry about the content this is your movie.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Rise: Blood Hunter"

Lucy Liu
Michael Chiklis
James D'Arcy
Carla Gugino
Cameron Richardson
Allan Rich
Kevin Wheatley
Mako



Unrated           122min           2007


Female reporter Sadie Blake (Lucy Liu) wakes up in a morgue to find herself a member of the undead, the victim of a brutal vampire ritual. Trying desperately to fight off her thirst, Sadie prowls the dark city streets, armed with a crossbow and hell-bent on staying the twisted vampires that made her this way. – from the back cover

As a film “Rise: Blood Hunter” is a standard action film that threw my expectations out of the door. It’s abandons the normal vampire lore. It’s a film with a film big-named stars and notable cameos. Lucy Liu takes some daring steps in this film.

This is a film that threw out my expectations and the vampire lore. I thought this was going to be a stylized action film with the vampire world as a backdrop. It turns out to be a character driven film with action sequences. Some of the vampire lore is present and others aren’t and I think that is because of budget reason. Which at some points takes you out of the film.

Lucy Liu is an unwilling turned vampire out to kill the ones who turned her. She is aided by Michael Chiklis as a rogue cop out hunting the ones who killed his daughters. Carla Gugino takes another part that is a waste of her time but caters to her talent. “Rise: Blood Hunter” has a cameo of a former boy band member that if you blink you will miss him because the next time you see him he’s unrecognizably dead.

I think Lucy Liu takes a daring depart from her normal comfort zone in this film. A film that is more erotic than gory than I would have thought. She looks amazing to be close to forty at the time of filming this film. It would have been a better film if it had more money for more special effects.

There are a few featurettes that are thrown together for the sake of putting something on the disc. The behind the scenes featurettes focus on: Blood, Sex & Murder, Location, and Stunts. It has a feature comparing the storyboards to the filmed scenes and a theatrical trailer. There are loads of movie trailers: “Resident Evil: Extinction”, “Boogeyman 2”, “Hostel: Part 2”, “Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Apocalypse Deluxe Edition”, “Pumpkinhead & Blood Feud”, “Closure”, “Urban Justice”, “Kaw”, “Ghost Rider”, “The Company”, “First Snow”, and “Fearnet.com”

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Dragon Wars: D-War"

Jason Behr
Amanda Brooks
Robert Forster
Aimee Garcia
Craig Robinson
Chris Mulkey
John Ales
Elizabeth Pena
Cody Arens


PG13           107min           2007


Based on a Korean Legend. “Dragon Wars” is about two warring faction of Imoogi, giant serpents from the heavens, fighting over a girl that when consumed will ascend the consumer into a dragon. Every five hundred years the Imoogi are granted the ability to ascend from serpent to dragon. The Good Imoogi will protect Earth and the Bad Imoogi will bring destruction to Earth.

The story is surprisingly coherent and translated well from a Korean legend. The special effects are amazing. It’s a mixture of “King Kong”, “Godzilla” and “Showdown in Little Tokyo”.

Translated from a Korean legend and Americanized for a foreign film with mostly American cast it did surprise me how coherent it was. Most Asian legends have complicated plots and reasonings to them. The plot and action worked together in this one. You understood the reason of the characters even thought the story is predictable from the beginning.

This is the most expensive film in South Korean history. Filmed in 2004, it took three years for the special effects to be completed and when watching you can see why. These creatures are utterly everywhere in L.A. destroying everything. It is a visual marvel at what was put on screen. The special effects make up for what the story is lacking. There is an all out war fought in the middle of L.A. that is amazing to watch.

The back-story takes place in an Asian village in 1507 and the rest takes place in modern time. Jason Behr is a reporter looking for the big story and finds it in his destiny. He’s the reincarnate protector and lover of a 19 year old girl, Amanda Brooks, who’s destiny is to be scarified to the Imoogi, so that it may ascend into a dragon. Yes it does have the Asian sensibilities but it worked.


I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Blood & Chocolate"

Agnes Bruckner
Olivier Martinez
Hugh Dancy
Katja Riemann
Bryan Dick


PG13           98min           2007

“Blood & Chocolate” based on the book of the same name by Annette Curtis Klause, Is about A young teenage werewolf (Bruckner) is torn between honoring her family's secret and her love for a man (Dancy).

There are major differences in the book and the movie. The book was geared to young females and the movie is more geared to young males. I liked the book but I appreciated the movie better. The film did capture the majestic beautiful of what Klause described.

“Blood & Chocolate” is more of a Romeo and Juliet meets Underworld. It’s a pretty standard film but the appeal for me was watching the realization of a book that I read and could appreciate better. The film rendered the transformation better than I did in my imagination.

The changes to the plot make it truly transparent and I would suggest reading the book if you have the time. Agnes Bruckner,Olivier Martinez, and Hugh Dancy make an interesting triangle, but is heavily slanted in one direction. Agnes Bruckner easily handles being the star of this film and I hope to see more interesting things from here.

The legend of the Loup garoux is what makes this interesting. Having werewolves be blessed creatures instead of being cursed. That if you’re not loup garoux then you will never been is fascinating yet scary at the same time.

I found that there was a deeper message to pick from “Blood & Chocolate” but it also raise many questions. It leaves you to wonder what the future holds for these characters. I think if you never read the book then you can’t really appreciate the film and that contributed to the movie’s failure.

This is one that you must judge for yourself. Having read the book and liked it I could appreciate the movie. I think you need to read the book to understand where the movie is coming from and understand some of the things that are left out but explained in the book. A friend that never read the book didn’t like it because the story was too transparent and the characters were never full developed.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"

Ioan Gruffudd
Jessica Alba
Chris Evans
Michael Chiklis
Julian McMahon
Kerry Washington
Andre Braugher
Laurence Fishburne
Doug Jones
Beau Garrett




PG           92min           2007


“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” is about the Fantastic Four learning that there are far superior super-powered beings in the universe bent on destroying our world. They square off against the powerful Silver Surfer and the planet-eating Galactus.

This film rose to the occasion. This time around we find that the Fantastic Four are fallible and are struggling to control their lives as they spiral in the spheres of superheroes, celebrities, and normalcy. This film is better than the first. The story line coming from the comic it has been enhanced and modernized.

The Silver Surfer looks awesome. Given voice by the bass of Laurence Fishburne and the miming of Doug Jones, together this makes the character work. Laurence conveys so much emotion that it gives life to the semi-computer generated character.

“Rise of the Silver Surfer” find our heroes in a turning point in their lives. The character developments are complex yet progress naturally. Even though you know how its going to turn out its well developed and gives each character growth yet keeping true to their characters. There are funnier moments in this film.

This time around this is a more traditional and familiar story from the comics. Combining several story arcs from the comic to make a great comic book movie. Doom returns this time around in his more traditional comic book outfit and character traits.

If you a fan or not you will enjoy “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”. It’s a defiant winner. Where as other comic book movies kills its main villain FF shows its villain’s defeated but never destroyed just as in the comics. The only bad thing I can say about this film is that it ends too soon. You will want another twenty minutes.

I give it 4/5 GS.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"

Johnny Depp
Geoffrey Rush
Orlando Bloom
Keira Knightley
Jack Davenport
Bill Nighy
Jonathan Pryce
Stellan Skarsgard
Naomie Harris
Chow Yun Fat
Lee Arenberg
Mackenzie Crook
Kevin McNally
Tom Hollander
Martin Klebba




PG13           168min           2007


“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” is the continuing pirate adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and Captain Barbossa. This time around they are banded together to fight the East Trading Company.

This is the best in the series. It not only concludes one of the best trilogies in movie history but it’s a great film in its only right. You don’t have to have seen the previous two to enjoy this film but knowing the history behind these characters makes it easier to understand.

It has something for everyone. Johnny Depp funnier and the story is epic for beginning to end. Once the action starts it doesn’t stop. Coming in at nearly three hours it wraps up not only the journey that was left from the second but also the overall story being told, with an tale that is sometimes convoluted and confusing, but leaves the door open for more pirates adventures.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” is grand on scale that you don’t expect. The cinematography is amazing. They capture the open seas in all its glory but even this is outshined by the CGI. The CGI is flawless and massive. There is sensory overloaded; there is so much happening on the screen that you just have don’t enough time to process what everything on screen.

The film starts at a jog and around the ten-minute mark its starts running and continues at a break neck pace until the end. This is truly a pirate film; and must be closely paid attention to. Alliances switch faster than 3-card Monte on a street corner. The theatre is the best place to appreciate the grandiose scale of the action captured on the screen.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” is funnier and darker than the other films. All the main characters of this trilogy have satisfying conclusions. Will and Elizabeth have a conclusion befitting their relationship, but its bittersweet. Stay pass the credits, just as the others; there is a “bonus” at the end.

As a stand alone film its one of the best film I’ve seen this year. It concludes and does justice to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy and it is on par if not better than the original Pirates. You will enjoy this film for its intrigue, the new characters, the reveals of some, and the plot twisting that continue to turn on themselves until the very end.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Beowulf & Grendel"

Gerald Butler
Stellan Skarsgard
Sarah Polley
Ivgar Sigurdsson
Eddie Marsan
Tony Curran
Rory McCain
Ronan Vibert
Martin Delaney
Steinunn Olina
Spencer Wilding

R           103min           2005

“Beowulf & Grendel” is a tale of a Norse warrior’s battle with a murderous troll, based on the old English epic poem “Beowulf.”

This is a film that I found entertaining but it had many flaws. The dialogue is hard to understand and at some points in the movie incomprehensible. Gerard Butler shines as Beowulf. The cinematography is more outstanding than ‘Lord of the Rings.’

The dialogue in “Beowulf & Grendel” tried to sound ancient but modern in understanding. What it came off as for the most part was incomprehensible. The volume of their voices fluctuates and key scenes are cloaked in whispers that the mike didn’t pick up. The dialogue tried to hard and it came off as hollow, gibberish. Having to rewind several scenes in the film was annoying.

Gerard Butler shines in an other wise average film. Showcasing that he is the number one goto guy form epic warrior. Butler used this film as a precursor to the break out hit ‘300’. Even with the questionable dialogue Butler imbues Beowulf with the conflict of being torn with what is right and his duty.

Using Iceland as the backdrop of Denmark 500 A.D. is just breathe- taking. The rolling green hill and the torrential caves give the film a feel of being in the pass. If it weren’t for the dialogue you would believe that you were in Denmark 500 A.D.

If you can overlook the disconcerting dialogue “Beowulf & Grendel” is entertaining. Having tried to read the poem when I was younger, I found it to be to complicate to read. I found that the conflict being told, and faced by the character will resonate with viewer even now in today modern conflicts. Questioning what motivates one to kill and war should be asked soldiers, commanders and governments more often.

Although I found the dialogue disconcerting, the story being to made it bearable. Half the time you don’t know what’s going on but the scenery and Gerard Butler acting push you through it. The message of the story: Questioning one motivates? It is an important one that does get lost in the dialogue but shines through with the acting.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"The Crow"

Brandon Lee
Rochelle Davis
Ernie Hudson
Michael Wincott
Ling Bai
Sofia Shinas
Anna Levine
David Patrick Kelly
Tony Todd



R           102min           1994

“The Crow” is about a musician and his fiancée are brutally murdered the day before there wedding on Halloween and one year later the crow brings back the spirit of the groom as an invincible avenging angel.

If you take this film at face value it’s an ok film but far superior than any of its sequels. It’s a basic revenge tale and that’s all. What makes this film an instant classic is the tragedy behind this film. That the star of this film Brandon Lee died because of an on set accident that could have been prevented is just disturbing.

Knowing that “The Crow” was made in Wilmington and visiting the city several times, the world created by the crew is a dark, gloomy and unrecognizable. I don’t know if its knowing that Lee died or not but every time I watched this film the world these characters live in feels heavy and malignant. It’s a world where good has lost the fight against evil.

Lee’s performance is haunting and mesmerizing at the same time; it’s filled with a playful anger that you would associate with a deranged psychopath. He captured the heartbreak, angst and rage that the character felt. His talent really shines through in this part.

Researching the tragedy behind the film, it’s said that Lee stated that there was a dread he felt around this character. That it was draining to play this part and that it was hard to shake this character when he went home. For an actor cut down at the beginning of his career this film made me think of what he could have accomplished.

Overall “The Crow” is the best in the series that has gotten progressively worst. In my opinion this is the only one to date that captured the message of the comics. Brandon Lee shines in his final performance. This film is to mature for children under twelve and for most thirteen and fourteen years old.

I give it 4/5Gs

"Spider-Man 3"

Tobey Maguire
Kristen Dunst
James Franco
Topher Grace
Thomas Haden Church
Bryce Dallas Howard
Rosemary Harris
JK Simmons
Bill Nunn
Dylan Baker
James Cromwell
Elizabeth Banks
Cliff Robertson



PG13           140min           2007

“Spider-Man 3” is once again about Peter Parker trying to come to grips with the responsibilities in his life. This time around an alien symbiotic goo that crashes to earth and attaches itself to Peter bringing out his darker impulses complicates his life, by making him turn his back on the things he loves the most and indulge his ID personialty; not to mention there are eventually three villains for him to fight this time: Flinto Marko, who becomes Sandman, Eddie Brock, who eventually becomes Venom, and his former bestfriend Harry Osborn becoming the New Goblin.

As a fan of Spider-Man, I found 3 having an amazing story. This time it finds Peter having a harmonious balance with Spider-Man. Peter is happy with Mary Jane and excelling in college. Spider-Man finally has the city loving him. Everything in his life is great and he’s ready to take the next step in his life.

Sam Raimi brings some of the most outstanding action sequences to the screen even topping the ones in “Spider-Man 2”. The fights between New Goblin & Peter and Harry and Spider-Man are top notch fighting sequences. The action sequences are so well done I could even began to comprehend how many effects it took to pull off what was displayed on screen. They are a truly an action lovers treat.

The visual effects are, for the most part, flawless and just stellar. There are a few hiccups and they are noticeable. When the black Spider-Man outfits are a visual effect you can tell because the suit is too shine. The first time he has it on and lands and it cuts between the two it horrendously noticeable.

Sam Raimi did a great job of weaving more of the comic book history into ‘Spider-Man 3’. The introduction of Gwen Stacey and Venom did a great job of servicing the comic fans. It gave a nod to the comic in showing even though Peter is a ‘nerd’ he did have girlfriends and was a ladies. He gave a second-string villain in Sandman a more moving and engaging story, he humanize a trivial character in my opinion.

As this being “Spider-Man 3”, Raimi brings closure to some of the prevailing stories through out the three films, but never really concludes the film. It ends leaving you with a WTF moment, having you question is this the end? He found a satisfying closing to the Harry revenge story and opened the door to some other stories. But overall if this is the final Spider-Man then it’s an anticlimactic ending.

It wasn’t truly an ending to the questions that were brought of in the films. There is a prevailing story left to be told and that’s the wedding and marriage of Peter and Mary Jane. As a fan I don’t think Spider-Man should end like this, not after some of the most satisfying storytelling by Sam Raimi and company. To end this way would be an injustice to what they started with the first film, and I think that this will hurt the film.

Overall “Spider-Man 3” is an amazing film with some of the most mind mesmerizing action sequences. It has visual effects that complement Spider-Man with only a few flaws that were bound to show up sooner or later. "Spider-Man 3" has a story that is satisfying yet an anticlimactic ending to a truly pleasurable trilogy.

I give "Spider-Man 3" a 4/5 Gs.

"Superman: The Richard Donner Cut"

Gene Hackman
Christopher Reeve
Margot Kidder
Marlon Brando
Ned Beatty
Terrence Stamp
Sarah Douglas
Jack O’Halloran
Valerie Perrine
E.G. Marshall


PG           115min           2006

“Superman II: The Donner Cut” is a representation of what Richard Donner’s Superman II would have looked like if he would have been able to complete the film.

It’s basically the same story told by that hack Lester with more of a tone of the first film. As a fan of the original Superman I never liked the second because of the things happening in the film. Richard Donner’s changes are better because they related to the character that we have come to love. Although it’s not complete and taken from several different sources such as screen test, its better and one of my top ten favorites.

To most it will probable be the same movie, but to me the changes make the movie significantly better. The things that Lester changes in the original Superman II change the fundamental character of Superman. Superman never had the power to disappear and reappear. And his outfit changing after he lost his power was another thing that I always disliked with the original.

Richard Lester basically tarnished what was the fundamental character of Superman. Being a Frenchman he didn’t respect the institution that is Superman and didn’t have knowledge of the character. It’s one of the reasons that most people will respect “Superman II: The Donner Cut” of the film. You should check out this film for that reason alone.

There are a few special features and one of the features is hosted by Mark McClure and explains the trials that this film went through to get make. It also contains a feature on some of the characters and actors. There’s a tribute to Christopher Reeve. Although it’s light on features they are ones that fans will appreciate.

Anyone that’s a fan of Richard Donner’s Superman will love “Superman II: The Donner Cut”. It’s not the complete version he would have put out but a representative of the version with the available film and audio that could be found and restored. If you’re a fan of Superman then you should see this film.

I give it 5/5Gs

"Eragon"

Edward Speleers
Jeremy Irons
Sienna Guillory
Robert Carlyle
John Malkovich
Garret Hedlund
Djimon Hounsou


PG           104min           2006

"Eragon" is tale of, a farm boy who is chosen by a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his homeland of Alagaesia against an evil king.

Eragon is reminisant of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings series and based off a novel by Christopher Paolini. It has characters with the British imagined names and tale of dragons, orcs, magic, dark sorcerers and kings. Filmed in Hungary it has scenes with the most striking landscapes that you forget to watch the movie.

Fairly well acted with a cast that features Jeremy Irons as Brom, Eragon's mentor, John Malkovich as King Galbatorix, Sienna Guillory, from Resident Evil: Apocalypse, as Arya, Djimon Hounsou as Ajhad, and newcomer, Edward Speleers as Eragon.

It’s an entertaining movie for with amazing special effects. The dragon, Saphira, voiced amazingly by Rachel Weisz, is a stunning work of computer animation. If by design or not Saphira overshadows the picture with is majestic poses and movement. The effects makes you want to ride her with her power and grace; “Only a rider may command its dragon”.

Just as the movie starts to pick up it ends. Eragon leaves you with a WTF feeling. There are definitely sequels coming. If you have never read the book it does make you want to see more. Having at this point never read the books I was entertained. As is with most movies based on books I maybe disappointed with this movie.

I give it a 3/5 Gs.

Having now finished Eragon and its sequel Eldest; I'm disappointed with this movie. Its one of the worst book to movie translations. I stand by my review but it could have been so much more. Only have reading Paolini's descriptive narratives due you realize that this film was too fast paced and skipped several major plot points that are crucial sequel hard.

If you have the time in your life to read check out this two books. They are part of a trilogy called Inheritance, with the third due out sometime in the future. You won't be disappointed with the books as they are so much more engrossing that the film.

I would still like to see a sequel just to see how they recover from the bludder that the film maker made of these books.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

William Moseley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anna Popplewell
Skandar Keynes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Georgie Henley
Tilda Swinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James McAvoy
Jim Broadbent

PG 135min 2005

The Chronicles of NArnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is one of the best special effect laden movies I have seen in a while. It captured the imagination and wonder of when I was a kid. It took me back to my childhood fighting imaginary creature exploring new worlds and meeting new people, if only in your mind.

Although this movie is geared to children, it is not a children movie. There are serious acts of violent in this movie. People are frozen which to a little kid could be consider killed. There is a battles scene on the scale of “Braveheart” and it only got a PG rating. I personally don’t like the rating system but parents should watch this first and see if their children are old enough to watch it. On the fun fact commentary C.S. Lewis, wrote books that he would like to read.

The DVD is packed with several added features for your enjoyment. The director and Children’s commentary is especially funny; Georgie Henley will crack you up on that commentary. Over 10 hours of interesting bonus features about the movie, the world of Narnia, and what’s to come.

Reading the Internet I have found that there is a debate on which way to read the books. I just started reading them but for the most part reading them in the order of which they were written and published is the best. Reading them in chronological order seems to take the mystery and wonder from the stories.

5/5 Gs