Reefer Madness

Reefer Madness -- While I can hardly await the release the of the forthcoming musical comedy based on this 1936 cult classic, I don't have a whole lot to say about this film except that it's an interesting look into paranoia and propaganda. The basic premise of the movie is that it serves as a warning of the evils of marijuana use -- it leads to addiction and all manner of social evils, unwanted sex and even murder.

I have to wonder if this isn't a terribly funny movie to watch if one is stoned, but other than that, it is so beyond real that it is laughable. Could adults really believe that young people were that dumb 70 years ago? Too bad the subject matter is so controversial because this would be an excellent film for educators to build a lesson on propaganda around.

Not recommended.

Rating: 5 out of 10 Buy from Amazon.com

Story of English, The

Story of English, The -- This 9 part documentary was originally broadcast on public television. It appears old by today's standards of production, but it is still quite interesting. Robert MacNeil narrates and takes the viewer on a journey that started over a thousand years ago to introduce us to the roots of the language that has morphed into what we use today. It is interesting to see how much the language has changed not only through time but across the planet.

At times the series can move a bit slowly though as it seeks to provide examples of this or that accent. For some this will be enjoyable but others will find it irritating.

Recommended for those interested in the subject matter.

Rating: 8 out of 10 While the series isn't available in its entirety, check out the companion book at Amazon.com

Maria Full of Grace

Maria Full of Grace -- Great and powerful movie about a young Colombian woman who hates her job, quits it, and then ends up 'interviewing' for a job as a drug mule. We get to go along on the adventure and see what happens. While cocaine addicts won't care, I can guarantee that everyone who doesn't use coke will be glad they don't use it when they see exactly how that magically little power gets here.

Well acted and written, this is a believable story which drives home an important message without clubbing the viewer over the head. However, it does take a bit more effort to watch since it is in Spanish with English subtitles. But get over that and watch this movie. Additionally, it is full of adult subject matter.

Highly recommended.

Rating: 8 out of 10 Buy from Amazon.com

Rowling - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Rowling, JK - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -- Well I have finished the latest installment of the Harry Potter books and thoroughly enjoyed it! And while I won't even try to claim that it is great literature, it is an enjoyable read. Of course it makes the most sense to follow along through the series book by book because content continuously refers to the happenings in the prior volumes of the story. I eagerly await the next installment.

Overall I think Rowling has tightened up her prose as this book is thinner though it feels like more actually happens in the story. The characters are growing up and so is what is happening to them. We also learn quite a bit about who Lord Voldemort was and how he ended up where he is today. It's fun to guess along with the story -- oh that's so-and-so or I bet she did it. And best of all, no one is really safe.

But we have to remember these books are meant for a younger audience (than say, highly educated adults) and therefore it's not quite as complex as other pieces of literature. Still, if one is looking for some light reading, and especially if one wonders what all the hype is about, what better way than to dive in and find out first hand.

Recommended

Rating: 8 out of 10 Buy from Amazon.com

Tokyo Godfathers

Tokyo Godfathers -- Absolutely one of my most favourite recently watched movies; this one blew me away. Not only have the creators used anime to tell a story in a way that wouldn't be possible with live action, they have pushed the level of quality up a notch or two. The amount of detail is incredible and even though the story is at times a bit fantastic, it's fun to believe that events such as these do happen in day to day life.

The story focuses around three homeless people -- a middle aged man, an aging drag queen, and a teenage runaway girl -- and follows them as they find an abandoned baby and try to reunite her with her parents. But beyond the simple story this is a grand adventure which also contains a deep look not only at characters who are homeless but at how society treats them. There are real emotions here and the story delves deep into the human condition.

While many write anime off as 'for children only' this is not a kid's movie. Sure, some parents will share this with one with older, more mature children, but this goes well beyond typical Disney fare though it pulls back from the overly graphic and gratuitous. This is a subtitled film though.

Very highly recommended! I want to see this one again.

Rating: 9 out of 10 Buy from Amazon.com