Film Review – Edge of Tomorrow by Doug Liman

Also known as Live. Die. Repeat. and dubbed by many critics as Groundhog Day mixed with Independence Day. This action flick sees the earth being invaded by Mimics, part organic, part mechanical tentacled aliens with the ability to manipulate time. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), a US Army PR man, is unwillingly signed up for front line battle and killed. But instead of dying Cage finds himself reliving the day's events on loop, soon discovering that this ability can lead to the downfall of the Mimics.

It is a Tom Cruise action flick, so you can expect fast talking, loud breathing, grinning laughter, and heavy handed romance. The most immediate comparison is Oblivion, another Cruise Sci-Fi venture, which, although enjoyable, was more Sci-fi pastiche than innovative action. But Edge of Tomorrow, with its well-paced plot, perfectly timed humour, and great balance between action and story, is worth viewing again, and again, and again... 
Andreas

Book Review - The Humans: there's no place like home by Matt Haig

An alien being comes to Earth, takes over the naked body of a maths professor and tries to complete a mission. In the meantime, he has to learn to get along with humans. Coming from an 'advanced' and rational race, this takes some doing as he figures out what clothes are for, how humans communicate and what is true and what is beautiful. The alien gradually goes native in this warmly funny exploration of what it is to be human. Culminating in a list of advice for a human teenager, including "politeness is often fear, kindness is always courage", this book covers both the sublime and the ridiculous in humans living and loving each other, whilst working through a well plotted tale. A lovely book.