Who would think this 1972 Peter Bogdanovich / Barbra Streisand / Ryan O'Neal / Madeline Kahn (with cinematography by László Kovács!) screwball / slapstick comedy would be a hit with the kids? 3.5 stars
| Family Movie Night
This book on neuroplasticity will change the way you think about the way you think.
| Brain | Cognition | Neurology | Psychology
Which is the more frightening vision of NYC in the 70s? The social commentary of The Wiz went completely over my head when I saw it in the theater, although I do remember being freaked out about the Evil Columns in the subway. The boys didn't really like it, so not the best Family Night movie. The Warriors is definitely not family fare. Favorite design-geek Tufte-Alert line, as the gang tries to read the Massimo Vignelli subway map to figure out how to get back to Coney: "Ah, forget that, no one can figure that out anyway." Can you dig it? 3.5 and 3 stars, respectively.
| Action | Family Movie Night | Musicals | New York City
"Wuxia + Southern gothic + Monster movie + Pre-Revolutionary France" says Debbie. A naturalist and his Indian blood-brother are on the trail of a Beast that's laying waste to the French countryside. And they get to kick ass. What's not to like? 3.5 stars.
| Action | France | History of Science | Monsters
With sword fights, chases, underground passageways, conspiracies, anarchists, and dream-logic surrealism, this should have been turned into a late 60s movie -- but they made The Assassination Bureau instead. But TMWWT (subtitle: "A Nightmare") is much more than a novel, it's a philosophical manifesto. Kingsley Amis called it "a mix between political nightmare, metaphysical thriller, and cosmic joke in the shape of a spies' novel." Downloadable here. Get it.
| Books to Download | G. K. Chesterton | Philosophy | The Curious Bookshelf
"What's that book you're reading all about?" "Khaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" But seriously, I really enjoyed this history of the Mongol empire. Most of what you know about the Mongols (blood-thirsty, etc.) is based on disinformation that Genghis encouraged to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies. Weatherford is clearly pro-Genghis (and pro-Kublai), and details how he not only conquered most of Asia, but also remade his society along military lines, enforced religious tolerance, encouraged trade, and integrated technologies from across the empire.
| History | Mongolia
Well, at least I know what that They Might Be Giants song is about. Amusing, but as Debbie points out, the film puts Lucille Ball in funny situations, instead of just letting her be funny. And now here is Ethel May Potter and Company.
Be forewarned: once you start reading this you may lose sleep. Not because it's scary or anything, but because you'll stay up late reading it. (Thanks, Emily, for lending me the book and making me consume that much more coffee.) Then when you finish it, you will shake your fist at the heavens when you learn that Patrick Rothfuss has not yet finished the second book. OK, so it's good. Doesn't break any new ground in fantasy (although the science/magic has a sort of steampunk, sort of Girl Genius feel to it), but it's a ripping good yarn.
| Fantasy
Another amazing animated tale from Michael Ocelot, with music by Youssou N'Dour. This one pits the tiny-but-brave Kirikou against the sorceress Karaba (a screen villainess who ranks with Maleficent) who has stolen the men and the water from his village. (Parents, be forewarned, this has National Geographic-type nudity, but the kids didn't even seem to notice.) A hit at Family Movie Night -- four stars.
| Family Movie Night
With the Coens, the question is usually "which genre are they sending up now?" This time it's John le Carré, but with stupid people. Imagine Ruthless People played absolutely straight, and you'll get the idea. 3.5 stars.
| Stupid Criminals
"The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true!" A big hit at Family Movie Night. 3.5 stars.
I hated all these people and wish I hadn't spent an hour and a half with them. 1.5 stars.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this movie. The cinematography is incredible in this Baron Munchausen-like story about the power of stories. Lee "The Pie Man " Pace is good, and the little girl to whom he's spinning his fantasy puts in an incredibly natural performance. But while there's a children's story at the heart of this movie, I wouldn't show it to kids. The storyteller's motives are too bleak, and there's a scene of emotional cruelty toward the end that I'm sure Lars von Trier would enjoy. 3.5 stars, with half a star going to the location scouts.
We took the boys to see this animated fairytale, like a missing story from the 1001 Nights. Absolutely beautiful, a wonderful story, and Ben and Zach loved it. Four stars.
Bloody. Gorgeous. 4 stars.
Julie Delpy as Woody Allen? Sure, why not. 3 stars.
Ripping good yarn, well told. Plus: circus! A book to borrow.
The feel-good Charlie's-Angels-spoof indie lesbian-Romeo-and-Juliet film of 2004! 3 stars. Hat tip to Anvil & Sprocket's review which convinced me to Netflix this.
"Well, that was the gayest Hitchcock I've ever seen." 3.5 stars. Half a star for the line "He was a Harvard undergraduate. That might make it justifiable homicide."
This week's Family Movie Night selection was mine, and while Lucas shamelessly rips off every fantasy / sword'n'sorcery movie ever (and a few of his own), it still holds up after 20 years. And the boys liked it, although they were concerned for the welfare of the baby-who-must-be-saved. 3 stars.
