American Sniper

American Sniper is the story of Chris Kyle- 'the most lethal sniper in U.S. history' (he had over 160 confirmed kills).  Largely a biography, the film follows him through SEAL training and four tours of duty in the Middle East, interleaved with difficult periods at home with his new bride and (eventually) two children.  I say difficult because Chris, like many who have served, had difficulty leaving the war 'over there' and readjusting to 'normal' life.  It's clear his fight didn't end when his tours did- and he finds the battle to 'come home mentally' may be harder than the war against terrorism.  Chris struggles with what I presume was PTSD, and he's haunted by those comrades he couldn't save.  He finally finds peace helping other veterans (wounded physically and mentally) as they re-enter American society.

The movie was well-regarded, and rightly so.  It was done well, capturing the psychologically and physically difficult aspects of war.  It appeared to paint an accurate, balanced perspective of the conflict- being neither overly critical of America nor forgiving some of her crimes in war.  I was expecting a tad more, though, based on the hype surrounding it.  It was solid, and its general messages seemed to be "war is hell on everyone" and "war changes you irrevocably."  A more minor theme was "you can't do it all," as Chris realizes that he can't save everyone, all the time.  Overall, it was good, if not as spectacular or profound as I hoped it would be.  But, as a biography, maybe that's as it should be.

Rating: A-

The Clone Wars

Released in 2008 to set the stage for the Clone Wars TV series, The Clone Wars is an animated movie that introduces us to the characters and settings from the same.  Here we meet Anakin's new padawan Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, Asajj Ventress, and others who will feature heavily in the 5+ seasons to follow (in addition to movie mainstays Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chancellor Palpatine, Count Dooku, and others).  In this film, Anakin and Ahsoka must rescue Jabba the Hutt's kidnapped son in an attempt to persuade the Hutt clans to join the Republic cause.  But more is at play here than meets the eye- Count Dooku and the Separatists have their own designs on the situation, and may gravely damage the Republic through subterfuge.  Who will prevail?

This movie isn't bad.  The droids are used as comic relief (which is both fun and annoying), some plot developments seemed extreme (even for this universe), but the action is grand, and animation outstanding.  This is probably better than Episode I- maybe even II.

Rating: A-

War and Peace

Considered a classic, War and Peace is many things.  First, it's the voluminous tale of Napoleon's campaign against (and ultimate retreat from) Russia in the early 1810s.  Second, it paints a portrait of Russian high society at the turn of the nineteenth century.  Third, it looks at the things that drive individuals- power, prestige, influence, wealth- and the ultimate futility of it all when that is made life's object.  For all three, the book mostly centers on the lives of several (fictional) Russian aristocratic families, ultimately connected by events and social status.  In this sense, the book is historical fiction, as said families interact with historical personas and within the construct of historical events.  However, note that I say the book mostly centers on these lives- the other portion of the book is a treatise on history, the study of history, and the inevitability/predestination of events.  These treatise segments are sprinkled between the historical fiction portions.

War and Peace didn't meet my expectations.  Tolstoy himself said "It is not a novel, even less is it an epic poem, and still less an historical chronicle.  War and Peace is what the author wished . . ."  What Tolstoy wished, apparently, was to create a hodge-podge.  But more on that in a moment.  There were some good points:
- The historical fiction aspect was interesting at times.  Its essence reminded me of Ken Follett's Century Trilogy (book one of which I reviewed here), using different families to paint a picture of the period.  Fun fact: the Russian aristocracy spoke French, which Tolstoy preserves here (2% of the book is in French).
- Tolstoy brings up some good points about the nature of man and life.  I saw two main themes:

1. The chief object of life is not that which most of us spend our time pursuing, and you see some characters suffer through events until they come to that conclusion.  There is much in this world that does not satisfy . . . one character here reminded me of Ecclesiastes (a book of the Bible where Solomon discovers the futility of chasing wealth/power/etc.).
2. The inevitability (predestination) of events.  Tolstoy claims that, as we are subjected to physical laws (like gravity), so too we are subject to higher laws that govern our direction and remove any possibility we have of true freedom.  I agreed with elements of his discussion, and he brings up some interesting points.  

Those points aside, my disappointment lay in the following problems:
- It's a hodge-podge.  The oscillation between historical fiction and treatise is annoying.  The latter parts were (to me) breathtakingly boring.  He could have worked the treatise portions into the text (through characters and situations), but (for whatever reason) he chose not to, and the result is a work that lacks cohesion and is consistently jarring.
- Length.  My version was 1309 pages, the last 93 of which were the epilogue.  I've read long books before- no worries there- but this could have been so much shorter.  The treatise portions were especially redundant, and could have been omitted or condensed to great effect.
- Lack of suspense.  Tolstoy, at times, created tense situations . . . and (seemingly) deliberately diffused them.  Why, for example, would he state the end result when a character is in a tight spot, and then rewind and give details that added little to the narrative?  At times he seemed to be saying, "please don't enjoy this."

In the end, I don't get why this is so highly revered.  It's too much packed into one volume.  More brevity, suspense, and consistency in format are needed.

Rating: C+

Smuggler's Run (Greg Rucka)

In Smuggler's Run, Han Solo & Chewbacca are getting ready to head out after the destruction of the first Death Star when Princess Leia makes a request- save a key Rebel (Lt. Ematt) on Cyrkon from Imperial capture.  Solo reluctantly complies, and heads off on the mission.  What he doesn't know: a highly skilled Imperial agent, Alecia Beck, also has her sights set on Ematt.  As Solo lands on Cyrkon, he realizes that he's gotten himself into far more than he realized.  Can he prevail?

This is probably the best of the three recent young adult Star Wars releases, but that's not surprising- it's Han & Chewie, after all.  Like the other two, if there were clues about Episode VII, they were sparse indeed.  Still, it was an enjoyable adventure tale.

Rating: A-

Moving Target (Castellucci & Fry)

Moving Target is another young adult novel in the lead-up to The Force Awakens.  Set just prior to Return of the Jedi, Princess Leia and the Rebels have just learned that the Empire's constructing another Death Star.  Knowing they must attack that battle station before it's complete, the Alliance uses Leia and a small team to plant diversionary signals across the galaxy, drawing the Empire's attention away from the Rebel's preparations to attack Endor.  In the process, though, innocents must be sacrificed.  Will it be worth it- or is the cost too great?

Much in keeping with my last review, Moving Target is pretty good.  Some more hints herein about the upcoming movie, but not as many as I'd like (there was some back-story for Return of the Jedi, though).  Surprisingly, the book touches on some deep themes, looking at sacrifice and good of a cause at the cost of the individual.  Again, not bad for a young adult audience.

Rating: B+

The Weapon of a Jedi (Jason Fry)

Disney/Lucasfilm is publishing ~20 books in anticipation of the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens this winter.  One such is The Weapon of a Jedi, a young adult novel featuring Luke Skywalker.  Set just after Episode IV, here Luke is on a mission for the Rebel Alliance that goes awry, and he ends up in a backwater town on Devaron near an ancient (and forbidden) structure.  He feels the Force calling him to the ruin.  What he finds there may be his salvation- or demise.

This book isn't bad, keeping in mind it's meant for young adults.  It promises that "hidden within the story are clues about the highly anticipated new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which is primarily why I read it.  If there were clues, they were well-hidden indeed.  Perhaps characters introduced herein will feature in the movie . . . I'm not sure.  Anyway, I think a child would enjoy it, and I didn't think it was so bad for adults, either.

Rating: B

Rebels: Season 1

Disney's first Star Wars production since purchasing the franchise, Rebels is set ~15 years after Episode III (and thus, ~4 years before Episode IV).  This TV show follows a small Rebel cell on the planet Lothal as they battle the Imperial presence there.  We see Kanan, Hera, Sabine, Zeb, Ezra, and Chopper grow in abilities and camaraderie as their operations escalate in scope and impact- and ultimately draw the attention of higher-level Imperial authorities, to include the Inquisitor (a Dark Side servant) and Grand Moff Tarkin.  Can this small band ward off the Empire and give hope to the region?

Season 1 of this show aired last year, but since I wait for the blu-ray release, I just finished viewing it today (season 2 is underway).  I liked it.  It has only 15 episodes, and each covered a lot of ground- it was fast-paced (a refreshing change from the Clone Wars TV show, which seemed to plod along through 5 seasons).  That had its downsides- character development seemed rushed, for example- but was good on the whole.  I enjoyed the time period (during 'the dark times'), topic (watching a small rebel band start to form a cohesive force, with hints of more to come), and action.  My main complaint: this small band can infiltrate star destroyers, Imperial bases, and other things with impressive ease.  They also live in their ship, The Ghost, in plain sight on Lothal's surface, and though the planet is blockaded, they are neither detected nor hindered as they run their missions.  Those absurdities aside, I thought this was a strong first offering.

Rating: A-

Eagle Island: A Year on the Isle of Mull

In Eagle Island, wildlife photographer Gordon Buchanan spends a year on the Isle of Mull (an island part of the Hebrides chain, off the western coast of Scotland).  During that time, he films eagles, otters, sharks, dolphins, and whales that call the island (or the surrounding waters) their home.

This 50-minute TV special from 2005 is mildly interesting, but not spectacular.  I purchased this only because Mull holds a special place in my heart- it's an ancestral home- and I visited twice during our UK stint (travel reviews here and here).  I wished this special featured more of Mull's landscapes- which are amazing- but the focus here is on the animals.  Nice, but not great.  The video quality wasn't as good as expected, either, but things have come a long way in 10 years.

Rating: C+

The 'Force Friday' Awakens

Happy 'Force Friday!'  For the uninformed, today marked the major release of products (mostly toys) related to the upcoming movie Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, due in theaters on 18 December.  As this will be the first Star Wars movie in 10 years, and Star Wars is a guaranteed money machine regardless of quality (as witnessed by Episode I: The Phantom Menace), anything related to this new flick has been treated as a big event.  As I strolled through stores today enjoying the Star Wars focus, a few observations triggered some (potentially) interesting thoughts on what the movie might be like.  The production of Episode VII has been shrouded in a degree of secrecy, and sometimes toy releases are the best ways to glean information about what's coming.  This post discusses those thoughts, and contains movie spoilers as found in officially-released trailers and products, so stop reading if you'd rather avoid such things.

Before today, the main official sources of information regarding the movie have been:
1. two movie trailers
2. a commercial
3. a 'behind the scenes' clip which aired at Comic-Con
4. a variety of the standard press releases, interviews, and statements from some involved in the production

The four videos (items 1-3 above) can be viewed on this website.

Based on these official sources, we know (at a high level) the following information about the film:

- It's set about 30 years after Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
- All six main stars from the original trilogy (Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, C-3PO, Chewbacca) will return in some role.
- There will be a slew of new characters, to include Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, Finn, Rey, BB-8, and Poe Dameron (see here for some pics and more info).
- The Empire and Rebellion have been replaced by the First Order and Resistance, respectively.  Though names have changed, the organizations are largely the same, with the former standing for autocratic order, and the latter for freedom.  They are apparently at war, though whether it's a continuation of the original conflict or a new one is unknown.  For both sides, the design of uniforms/armor and vehicles (starfighters/etc.) are heavily influenced by the original trilogy.

There's more, of course- much more- but that's the gist.

Today's product releases shed new light on the movie.  Perusing the toys, I made the following four observations based on what I saw and didn't see:

- There will be a lot of fighting in this movie (not surprising).  It looks like there will be a snow battle, desert battle, and battle in a ruin, and a fight in a forest.  I don't know the degree of each skirmish, but this differs from the original trilogy, where each movie focused on a certain region (desert, snow, forest, respectively).  Here, it looks like they'll be rather comprehensive.  If they hold true to the odd-but-endearing Star Wars tendency to have only one type of environment per planet, that could mean a lot of planets show up in the film.

- The original heroes (Han et. al.) will not play large parts in the film.  The toys are very focused on the new characters.  Of the six I mentioned above, only Han and Chewbacca were featured in any toys I saw today (and only in a Lego set).

- Finn and Rey are the only new characters whose last names were not given.  This seems to be an important omission.  What does this say about their identity?

- Luke Skywalker has featured very little in any of the previews or released information.  Again, his absence intrigues me.  Why have we not seen a picture of him . . . anywhere?  Another surprise, perhaps, is in store.

Time will tell what the movie holds.  Until then, investigating product releases are a fun way to speculate.

Metrics: How to Improve Key Business Results (Martin Klubeck)

In Metrics: How to Improve Key Business Results, Martin Klubeck talks about . . . using metrics to improve things.  He discusses basics, how to develop metrics, and what metrics aren't, among other things.  A synopsis of the important points is below, followed by a brief review.

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The Basics

"A metric tells a complete story using [qualitative and quantitative] data, measures, information, and other metrics to answer a root question."  A root question is, essentially, the real driving need.  It's "the map we use to help determine our direction.  It identifies the goal of our journey."  As such, getting the root question- this underlying need- correct is fundamental to the metrics process.  To get the root question right, one can try the "Five Whys" technique- ask 'why' five times as you're discussing the situation with the customer to get to the underlying need.  Clarity here (and always) is paramount- use common terms and define even basic expressions to ensure mutual understanding.

Once the root question is known, one needs to create a metric development plan, which "captures all of the components of the metric- data, measures, information, pictures, and of course, the root question.  The plan also documents how these components are collected, analyzed, and reported" and includes things like schedules/timetables for implementation.  Documentation is important, because it shows the process, which must be transparent and repeatable.  "Without repeatability, you don't really have a process [and you can't improve]."  While planning, keep in mind the principle of triangulation: use multiple measures, collection techniques, analysis methods, etc. for processing information.

In the end, the metric development plan should document the why (purpose statement), what (metric), when (schedule), who (customers), and how (analysis, how it will and how it won't be used).

How data will and won't be used is important.  You must share the purpose when you request data- otherwise fear takes hold.  "To create a useful metric, you have to know [and share], in advance of collecting the data, how the results (answers) will [and won't] be used."

Finally, remember the real goal- meeting customer expectations.  To meet them, one must first know them- "without expectations, we don't know if the story is a good one or bad one."  Interestingly, meeting expectations is better (in the author's eyes) than exceeding (or falling below) expectations- but in either case, "anomalies to the expectations can provide useful information."


What Metrics Aren't

To me, the most valuable part of the book was chapter 4, which discusses what metrics aren't.  They're easily abused, and it's important to remember the following points (all quotes or paraphrases from the book):

- Metrics are nothing more than indicators.
- Metrics aren't about providing truth, they're about providing insight.
- The only proper initial response to metrics is to investigate.
- Metrics may have multiple interpretations.  They require interpretation to be used properly.
- Metrics should inform, not drive, decisions.

In the end, when "[u]sed properly, metrics should lead our conversations, help us to focus, and draw our attention in the right direction.  Metrics don't provide the answers; they help us ask the right questions and take the right actions."

What happens when we abuse metrics?

When we give metrics some undeserved lofty status (as truth instead of indicators) we encourage our organization to "Chase the data" rather than work toward the underlying root question the metrics were designed to answer.  We send a totally clear and equally wrong message to our staff the the metrics are what matter.  We end up trying to influence behavior with numbers, percentages, charts, and graphs.

So Where to Begin?

To help structure and focus efforts, Klubeck presents what he calls an 'Answer Key,' a "shortcut tool for you to implement metrics."  This technique is made up of four tiers that branch out (as you move to the right) and each focus on a particular area; the method helps you determine where you need to go with your metrics.


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Review

This was my third metrics book in the span of a few weeks, and I'm starting to sour on the topic (it's not the most captivating reading material, regardless of author ability).  Still, this work made some good points- especially about the dangers of metrics.  It is good to hear similar things coming from multiple places- principles of clarity and core needs (here, 'root question') seem common to all metrics books, and "in many counselors there is wisdom."  The author's 'Answer Key' technique sounded interesting, but was frankly along the lines of other, more popular, methods (a few of which are mentioned in another book, reviewed here).  On the downside, as a whole this book wasn't overly clear, meandered, repeated itself, and covered tangential topics without explanation.  I'm glad I read chapter 4, but could have skipped the rest.

Rating: B-