Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
March 16, 2026

Opinion

Opinion pieces published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.

1,093 articles — page 7 of 37


Memoir From Antproof Case: Book Review by Bernie Pilarski

An old American at the end of his days living in exile in Brazil writes down the story of his grand and improbable life, placing the pages in an antproof case for safekeeping, in Mark Helprin's novel, "Memoir From Antproof Case."

Adventures of a Grownup 3 by JH Mae

Seriously, there are some things you don't need to ask about...

Adventures of a Grownup 2 by JH Mae

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul...let's hope that the mouth is not the window to the brain...

Handling the Truth with Beth Kephart by Wendy Robards

Author Beth Kephart presents a workshop about the writing of memoir, and shares her knowledge in her book, "Handling the Truth."

River Thieves: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Michael Crummey has crafted a novel rich in the history of Newfoundland: River Thieves, a story of the loss of hunting and fishing grounds of the Beothuk Indians.

Life After Life: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Kate Atkinson's novel "Life After Life" is flawless, darkly comic, and filled with a poignant insight into what makes us human.

Save Yourself: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Kelly Braffet dares to go to disturbing places, digging deep inside the pathos of her characters in her novel, "Save Yourself."

Last Night: DVD Review by Bernie Pilarski

After his Keira Knightley film festival, Bernie presents his findings.

Race Across the Sky: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Derek Sherman's debut novel, "Race Across the Sky," explores the limits of human endurance both physically and emotionally.

This Is Paradise: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Kristiana Kahakauwila's "This is Paradise" is a haunting, beautifully crafted collection of stories from a penetrating and talented new voice in fiction.

The World's End: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

The trilogy of movies by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright concludes with "The World's End."

The End of the Wasp Season: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Detective Alex Morrow must defy her boss and solve a brutal murder -- one in which a childhood friend is a suspect. Book Two of the Alex Morrow trilogy by Denise Mina.

Hot Fuzz: DVD Review by Bernie Pilarski

Bernie finds an old DVD, and his daughter and son-in-law talk him into watching "Hot Fuzz."

Elysium: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Bernie and Sand head off to see the latest sci-fi flick, "Elysium," and Sand vows never again to see any film that has the phrase "bone saw" in it.

The Penelopiad: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Margaret Atwood gives a different take on "The Odyssey" in this novelette, "The Penelopiad," told from the point of view of Odysseus' wife.

Mr. Darwin's Gardener: Book Review by Wendy Robards

"Mr. Darwin's Gardener," by Kristina Carlson, explores faith, religion, and life through peoples' grief and loss, and through the hope that heals them.

The Power of Habit: Book Review by Bernie Pilarski

In "The Power of Habit," author Charles Duhigg leads the reader through an exploration of recent scientific research in the area of habits, and how this knowledge can impact our lives.

The Wolverine: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Off to the movies! How will the comic translate when so many of the characters speak Japanese?

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls: Book Review by Wendy Robards

A young girl commits a terrible mistake and is expelled from her family in Anton DiSclafani's debut novel, "The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls."

RED 2: Movie Review by Bernie Pilarski

This time it's not just Frank Moses who is in the crosshairs, it's millions of unwary citizens -- can the retired spies and assassins creak their way to victory? Bernie and Sand can't resist "RED 2."

The Lone Ranger: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Miss seeing Johnny Depp as Tonto? Are you kidding? Off we go!

The Dinner: Book Review by Wendy Robards

A literary, psychological thriller full of dark secrets and dysfunctional husband-wife relationships, Herman Koch's "The Dinner" delves into the morality of protecting one's children and one's reputation.

Despicable Me 2: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Temperatures over a hundred degrees drive Sand and Bernie to the movies, along with about a bazillion other Minion fans!

Still Midnight: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Denise Mina introduces Detective Inspector Alex Morrow in the first of a trilogy of murder mysteries, "Still Midnight."

A Hundred Summers: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Dark secrets begin to surface, while a history-making hurricane barrels up the coast of Rhode Island and threatens to change lives forever in Beatriz Williams' novel "A Hundred Summers."

Monsters University: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Sand never wanted to go back to school, but the Pilarski reviewers definitely wanted Mike and Sully to do so...

River of Dust: Book Review by Wendy Robards

A missionary and his wife come to China to save the unfaithful, but what they discover is an unforgiving land of dust and famine, in this novel "River of Dust" by Virginia Pye.

World War Z: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

The Big Screen, and popcorn, and ... ZOMBIES!!!

Tuesday's Gone: Book Review by Wendy Robards

"Tuesday's Gone," Nicci French's mystery continues the character Frieda Klein, who still carries the guilt of a young woman's murder and the nagging suspicion that the killer still walks free.

Man of Steel: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Bernie drags Sand by the ankle to see the latest reboot of the Superman franchise.