Here’s my Metro News reviews for the week of September 22nd.
The Maze Runner: Movie Tie-In Edition
By James Dashner
Kindle/iBooks/Kobo
Three Stars
The book is a dark, sinister tale of boys trapped within an ultra-violent experiment to test their survival. The movie is a strangely sporty, feel-good adaptation. Loaded with video clips, photos, and featurettes, this enhanced edition makes for a useful comparison. With its made-up language and more honest portrayal of youthful despair, the book better serves its dark, challenging themes.
Sleepio
iPhone
Free
This six-week course by Oxford University Prof. Colin Espie offers a sleep diary and lessons in cognitive behavioural therapy to improve your night’s rest. Long-term use requires an expensive subscription.
New York Times Cooking
iPad
Free
Poached bananas, avocado fries, and Coke-brined fried chicken are among the dishes featured in this strangely diverse collection of 15,000 recipes enhanced with video and promising new delights each week.
reddit AMA: Ask Me Anything
iPhone/iPad/Android
Free
Popular for its celebrity access and surprising openness, Reddit’s Q&A series is finally organized here by subject and discussion intensity while making it easier to find and join live interviews.
Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes
Xbox 360/PS3/Xbox One/PS4/Wii U
Rated: Everyone 10+
3 Stars
If you have to buy toys to play a video game, it better be awesome. This is The Incredibles play set from last year. It uses the same city and button-mashing style of missions, but with the heroes and villains swapped out for Marvel replacements. True, The Avengers have different abilities, but given that last year’s set included three 5-hour adventures and this just one, it’s all disappointingly similar. Building custom worlds is more rewarding, especially with a new Mansion hang-out, but not enough to justify financing a toy collection.
