Movies Watched -- The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

In Japanese. 129 minutes so 30 minutes too long, but strangely I didn’t hate this. I didn’t like the movie enough to recommend it, but it was oddly mesmerizing despite the pace, and I enjoyed it all things considered. A love story, samurai culture at its tail end, a father’s love for his daughters, 50 koku poverty, etc. This was a John Farr recommendation.

Not my screencap, but it’s a good one

Movies Watched -- The Truffle Hunters (2021)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

84 minute running time. Old Italian guys and their dogs truffle hunting in the woods.. it’s nicely shot, this documentary, but I don’t know if the story is strong enough to tell? Seems like the truffle hunters are from another era, or an earlier millennium even .. I guess that’s the point. I didn’t hate it, but wouldn’t recommend it, though John Farr did.

Grazie

Movies Watched -- A Dirty Carnival (2006)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

In Korean. 141 minute running time so at least 45 minutes too long. Korean gangster movie / soap opera … I have no idea why this was in my queue, but I quickly went to 32x fast forward. A waste of one of my precious few Netflix DVD rentals before they disappear altogether.

Can I like you?

Movies Watched -- The Lighthouse (2019)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

109 minute running time so could have shaved 10 minutes off, but I liked this one, it’s a green-go. Same guy who made The Witch (Wouldst thou like to see the World?), which I also recommended (though I can’t find the blog post now … maybe lost on the old Cialis Wordpress site). Madness and old-timey language are things Eggers likes. Lot of humor in this. Wonder if the sound design was informed by Leviathan, which I also liked. Not sure if the young guy had the acting chops to do this movie, but Dafoe was great. John Farr recommended this too, as did my masseuse, pre-COVID. I’m glad I finally saw it. Recommended!

Screeeeeeeech

Movies Watched -- Owning Mahowny (2003)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

105 minute running time … the story of a bank manager from Toronto who had a gambling problem and embezzled from the bank to cover his debts … until he got caught. Philip Seymour Hoffman is pretty good and Mini Driver is definitely cute … it wasn’t good enough for me to recommend, though John Farr did. John Hurt plays a good sleazy casino man; his best role of course was in The Elephant Man.

I promise.

Social Determinants of Health Screening

Added on by C. Maoxian.

Why was I asked these questions before an upcoming appointment with my doctor? Can anyone explain to me?

  • Within the past 12 months, you worried that your food would run out before you got the money to buy more.

  • Within the past 12 months, the food you bought just didn’t last and you didn’t have money to get more.

  • In the past 12 months, has lack of transportation kept you from medical appointments or from getting medications?

  • In the past 12 months, has lack of transportation kept you from meetings, work, or from getting things needed for daily living?

  • In the last 12 months, was there a time when you were not able to pay the mortgage or rent on time?

  • In the last 12 months, how many places have you lived?

  • In the last 12 months, was there a time when you did not have a steady place to sleep or slept in a shelter (including now)?

“For more immediate support related to food, housing, transportation and other social services, call 2-1-1.”

I had no idea this existed, but I do pay 38% of my income to the tax man….

Movies Watched -- XXY (2007)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

In Spanish. 86 minute running time. The story of a girl was was born with BOTH female and male sex organs, which must be like a one in a billion thing … further muddies the gender confusion/dysphoria debates that now abound … Director Lucia Puenzo is an Argentinian nepo-baby (her dad is Luis Puenzo) … I wasn’t too thrilled with this … there was a brief “Boy’s Don’t Cry” scene which was much milder than BDC — that one scarred me for life. This was NOT a John Farr recommendation and I have no idea why it was in my queue. You can give it a miss for sure.

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours … hold up! wait a minute! somethin’ ain’t right!

Movies Watched -- In a Better World (2010)

Added on by C. Maoxian.

In Danish. 118 minute running time so at least 20 minutes too long. I got this in part because John Farr recommended it, but mainly because I was so blown away by Trine Dyrholm’s performance in Troubled Water that I wanted to see more of her acting (and her great tits). It also starred Kai Proctor (from Banshee), whom I’ve always liked. Anyway, the story was sort of contrived, I wasn’t too thrilled with it … it’s not bad, in the old days I’d give it a “yellow” consider seeing it rating. But it ain’t a green-go for sure. Yes, “the ethics of nonviolence in the face of sociopathic evil and rage” is interesting, but this was made by a woman…. it won the Oscar for best foreign film in 2010.

You killed him you psychopathic monster…