Book and Movie Reports by Ed

Book report: Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card Humanity is in trouble. The Buggers, an insect-like alien race, have already attacked Earth twice, and Earth barely survived each attack. Now, Earth is preparing for the third invasion, knowing it will be hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned by the Bugger fleets. A desperate search is on for a supreme military commander who can lead Earth’s meager forces against the impending invasion. In this society, children are routinely tested for the right psychological combination, and the best candidates are implanted with “monitors” for up to three years. The chosen few are selected for Battle School in a space station, and the best of those go on to Command School. Andrew (Ender) Wiggin is one such child. Six years old when the story begins, he is small, weak, and nonviolent. He is tormented incessantly by his jealous, psychopathic older brother Peter, and defended by his loving sister Valentine. He’s the target of bullying and beatings at

Movie report: Thor In Norse mythology, and the Marvel comic books, Thor is a god. This movie makes it clear that the residents of the realm of Asgard are not gods, but their vastly superior technology was seen as magic by 10th century humans, who saw fit to worship them. This is how you get days of the week named after you. With that point out of the way, you can sit back and enjoy the entertainment without any nagging theology. !!! SPOILER ALERT !!! When the movie begins, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is swaggering like every other top jock you’ve ever seen as he steps forward to be named the next king of Asgard by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). The ceremony is interrupted by Frost Giants breaking into a secure area to steal back the MacGuffin that gives their realm its power. They don’t succeed, but hot-head Thor is so ticked off at being upstaged that he gathers his boon companions, including his brother Loki, and sets off to the Frost Giant realm to kick some butt. The ensuing ba