Life and sweet procrastination

'Roadside Picnic' isn't great Soviet or Russian SF. It's just great SF with a deeply human story. #sf #scifi #books #bookreview

Roadside Picnic (1972) by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky takes the First Contact idea and sets it on its ear. The Strugatskys infuse Roadside Picnic with awe and marvel but also steep it heavily in fear and dread. This contrast is one of the things that makes Roadside Picnic a compelling and, at times, difficult story. Red Schuhart takes a risk every time he enters the Zone. Not only is it illegal…

"Angry Squad: Civil Servant and Seven Swindlers" is a Japanese crime drama film about a civil servant at a tax office teaming up with a genius swindler to pull off an elaborate scam against one of Japan's most prominent tax evaders. The film was brilliant. First, the storyline was executed skillfully. Why has the civil servant decided to team up with the genius swindler to commit the scam crime? What was the purpose of the genius swindler? Why did the team of swindlers consist of not seven people but six? The movie was delightful and worth watching.

(Japanese title: “アングリースクワッド 公務員と7人の詐欺師”) (9 out of 10)