Book and Sword

Chinese, English subtitles

115 minutes

3 stars

One of these days, I'll learn to read the other reviews before ordering something; however, I didn't. The book is by Louis Cha and I've enjoyed the movies (not TV series) I've seen from his other books, alas, this one not so much. Lots of great martial arts with fly by wire, but not so much plot. And what plot was there, wasn't very good. The history wasn't great, either, and if I, a Westerner with very little Chinese history can see some of the flaws, well, that should tell you something. Several reviewers state it was originally a TV series, chopped down to movie length. That's what it looked like, which is too bad, because had it been redone as a movie, it might have had a few more redeeming qualities. Costuming gets 5 stars, story gets 1.

Trailer: None

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Japanese, English subtitles

81 minutes, 2011

5 Stars

This is a documentary about a Japanese National Treasure, then 85-year-old Jiro Ono, sushi chef. It is also about his sons and apprentices, but mostly it is about life and how this man has chosen to live it. I found it thoroughly engaging, and enjoyed watching how the sushi was made, and eaten. I suppose if you are squeamish about such things as food in the raw, literally, you might not appreciate this, but as an aficionado of good sushi (though I've never paid $300.00 for a meal of it, and doubt I will in this lifetime) I found it delightful. I enjoyed the trip Jiro made to his hometown, the visit with his school chums, and his dilemma over what to talk about at the school that invited him. Well made, beautiful.

Trailer

Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Once Upon a Time in Mexico

English, French (subtitles)

102 minutes, 2003

4 Stars

I caught this on the tube last night, with several interruptions so I'm not sure I followed the whole show, and it is #3 in a trilogy, and I haven't seen #1 or #2. All that said, any movie with Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, and Willem Dafoe has got to be fun, no matter how violent or bloody. A lot of flash back, very well done flash back, a lot of Banderas and Depp (can a gal ask for more?). I will update this after seeing #1 and #2, but in the meantime, this one is worth the time investment to watch. Excellent directing, photography, costuming, acting. And, did I mention it stars Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp with Willem Dafoe?

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Jeff Dunham, just a little insane ;-)

Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity

English

80 minutes, 2007

5 Stars

Warning! If you have, or have ever had, a Chihuahua, don't start this while eating dinner! I don't know when I've laughed so much or so hard, I found very few of the jokes not funny enough to laugh out loud. His opening solo act, maybe 15 minutes had me in hysterics. And then when he brings the boys out of their suitcase, well, he's the best ventriloquist I've seen in years.  While the language isn't any worse than what's seen on the tube, there are some sexual innuendos that may make some parents leery of making it a family nite DVD. But, the sexual jokes will go right past the kids, so why not? His 5 'boys' are Walter, the senior citizen sourpuss, Achmed the dead terrorist (my fave), Peanut, Melvin and Jose Jalapeno, "on a steek!"

Trailer (with Walter) 

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