Doesn't the opening scene have someone getting split in half by leg blades? I think you were made aware that it was a not to be taken seriously comic book film then.

I had that problem with Four Lions at first, but the movie is handled so well that I quickly got over it. God Bless America on the other hand... just could not get past the concept and find any humor in it.

Miss Hokusai.

Japanese feature length cartoon about the painter Hokusai and his family.

Nutty Old Man; check.
Pre-modern Tokugawa-era soft porn; check.
Blind little girl in snowball fight: check.
Hookers (sometimes referred to as 'foxy ladies'); check.
Dragons; check.
Astral projection; check.

The movie is much too modest to mention it, but apparently Hokusai may have founded the Slacker Movement.

Warning: Japanese films about historical people can be presented as a series of vignettes, without a traditional story arch. In other words, without a beginning, a middle, and an end. If you sat through all three films of the Samurai Trilogy, you know what I mean.

There're flicks that I like and everyone else hates. I liked this one, and you'll hate it. Go see it anyway. Relax and enjoy it. It is really very pretty, so you can just ignore the subtitles if the story annoys you.

Check it out.

Alas, no one loves me like myself.

Premium Rush http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/...nm_flmg_act_15

Pretty good, fast paced thriller about a cycle messenger in NY who gets on the
wrong side of a crooked cop.

Watched two very different crime thrillers over the weekend:

In the Heat of the Night: first Sidney Poitier movie I've seen. The criminal investigation itself is a bit clunky and mundane, but that's secondary to the still effective depiction of horrible racism. It worked so much better than in Crash, where all the racist **** felt forced and heavy handed.

I've read some criticism that the conclusion takes an overly optimistic, simplistic view of how race relations might improve but that view seems to overlook a late scene where Virgil attempts to sympathise with Bill, and is rejected in a racially explicit manner. Maybe Bill has come to respect Virgil as a cop by the end of the movie, but it's less clear if he respects him as a fellow human being.

Man from Reno: An author of detective fiction who has given up on writing gets caught up in a murder mystery after a one night stand. Most of the characters are Japanese although the movie is set in San Francisco.

In stark contrast to In the Heat of the Night, this is all about the plot and has no broader message about society or significant character development. It's a pretty complex, strange story though with a moody, melancholy atmosphere. Good film noir despite an ending that's undermined by plot holes.

Seen The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman 3 times now. Still not sure if its ok, boring and hard to get through, or really good. Feel like the last 40 minutes are really strong which makes me recency bias towards thinking its really good

Re-watched Dog Day Afternoon yesterday. Pacino is so incredibly good in it. Amazing he didn't win the Oscar - he had the misfortune to be up against Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. 1970s was really a golden age for film.

Thanks, I've been meaning to go back to this. Have made it through twenty minutes 2-3 times but wasn't in the mood.

Caught Born to be Blue on my flight, a movie that I had never heard about, yet took me by surprise Ethan Hawke plays a solid yet loose interpretation of jazz musician Chet Baker. A solid biopic.

Can't talk about this movie and leave out Oscar Isaac who I believe is quickly becoming one of the best actors of this generation.

His performance isn't mind-blowing in this, but he's always so captivating. Reminds me of Leo or Matt Damon.

Oscar Isaac is great. I'm not sure any other actor is more likely get me to see a movie right now other than Daniel Day Lewis.

Back-handed compliment? Oscar Isaac is a lot better than those two.

I was referring to when it was made, Isaac was only a bit part actor who had just played Llewyn Davies but wasn't known to the public at all

Did you watch Show Me a Hero on HBO?

Go into youtube and type in Brass Eye paedogeddon Chris Morris. He's the director of Four Lions and this was a UK tv special he did which caused a ton of controversy, especially as he roped in unwitting celebs. It's absolutely hilarious.

Goodbye Mr. Chips Absolutely charming (without being sappy) story of the life of a teacher at an all boys school.

Mad Max - Fury Road You want action, you got action.


How's that for movie diversity?

Nope. I don't have HBO.

If you have Amazon Prime, it's probably available on that via Instant Streaming or whatever it's called. He was really great in that miniseries.

Cool thanks, I've never heard of this.

Show Me a Hero was very good. The main guy deserved a couple Emmys at the very least. It was somewhat lefto politardy as you might expect from Mr. Wire, but not too bad.

TCM is showing All the President's Men tonight, be there or be square. I won't spoil the ending!

Wow! That's a great clip.

Mishima...