BlacKkKlansman by Ron Stallworth

(pb; 2014: memoir)

From the back cover

“When Ron Stallworth, the first black detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department, came across a classified ad in the local paper asking all those interested in joining the Klu Klux Klan to contact a P.O. box, he did his job and responded with interest, using his real name while posing as a white man.

“His decision launched what is surely one of the most audacious and incredible undercover investigations in history. During the months-long investigation, Stallworth sabotaged cross burnings, exposed white supremacists in the military, and even fooled David Duke himself.”

Review

BlacKkKlansman is a funny, fascinating and timely cop story-memoir, one worth reading. Stallworth, a few times in the book, repeats himself unnecessarily but otherwise it’s a focused, entertaining and sometimes alarming nonfiction work.

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The resulting film was released stateside on August 10, 2018. Spike Lee directed and co-wrote the screenplay. His co-screenwriters were Charlie Watchtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott.

John David Washington played Ron Stallworth. Adam Driver played Flip Zimmerman. Ken Garito played Sergeant Trapp. Topher Grace played David Duke. Alec Baldwin played Dr. Kennebrew Beauregard. Michael Buscemi, billed as Michael Joseph Buscemi, played Jimmy Creek.

Miami Blues by Charles Willeford

(pb; 1984: first book in the Hoke Moseley series. Introduction by Elmore Leonard)

From the back cover:

"After a brutal day investigating a quadruple homicide, Detective Hoke Moseley settles into his room at the un-illustrious El Dorado Hotel and nurses a glass of brandy. With his guard down, he doesn't think twice when he hears a knock at the door. The next day, he finds himself in the hospital, badly bruised, with his jaw wired shut. He thinks back over ten years of cases, wondering who would want to beat him into unconsciousness, steal his gun and badge, and most important, make off his with his prized dentures. But the pieces never quite add up to revenge, and the few clues he has keep connecting to a dim-witted hooker, her ex-con boyfriend, and the bizarre murder of a Hare Krishna pimp."


Review:

Darkly and brutally hilarious crime comedy that fans of Elmore Leonard will likely enjoy. It's all there: character quirkiness, effective violence and humor, and water-tight, character-centered plotting and pacing.

This is a wonderful neo-noir read, worth owning.

Followed by New Hope for the Dead.

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Miami Blues was released stateside as a theatrical film on April 20, 1990. George Armitage scripted and directed the film.

Alec Baldwin played Frederick J. Frenger Jr. (aka "Junior"). Fred Ward played Sgt. Hoke Moseley. Jennifer Jason Leigh played Susie Waggoner.

Charles Napier played Sgt. Bill Henderson. Nora Dunn played Ellita Sanchez. Paul Gleason played Sgt. Frank Lackley.

An uncredited Brent Armitage, son of the film's director, played "Carjacked Dealer".

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, by Melissa Bank

(hb; 1999)

Review:

This (mostly) well-written book focuses on "Jane," whose first-person narrative traces her love life from childhood to her early thirties. The tone of the book is warm, intimate, and full of details that enrich and make up our lives; however, Bank's propensity for neurotic Woody Allen-style humor turned me off. It's a fast read -- a saving grace -- but in no way memorable. If you like Woody Allen's humor, check it out.

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The resulting theatrical film, Suburban Girl, got wide release stateside on October 31, 2007. Marc Klein scripted and directed the film, based on two stories from Bank's book, namely "My Old Man" and "The Worst Thing a Suburban Girl Could Imagine".

Sarah Michelle Gellar played Brett Eisenberg. Alec Baldwin played Archie Knox. Maggie Grace played Chloe.

James Naughton played Robert Eisenberg. Jill Eikenberry played Marlene Eisenberg. Peter Scolari played Mickey Lamm.