I have seen quite a few things since the last time I did reviews, so prepare for a boatload.

Let’s start with Kung Fu Hustle. Wow, what a fun film. There is a time for wire work – and this is it! (One of my personal pet peeves is the fact that all action movies now feel the need to include wire work.) The story is strong, there are surprises around every corner, laughs aplenty, and thrills galore…. fun, fun, stuff.

RATING 8 out of 10

Read on for:
Kinsey
Scrubs
Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou


Next up is Kinsey – the story of Dr. Kinsey’s attempt to bring the science of sex into the public eye. It was an interesting film and certainly kept your attention throughout. Of course, the focus on homosexuality was probably larger than it needed to be, but it did come out of Hollywood. Liam Neeson and Laura Linney did fine jobs in their roles as the Kinseys.

It is well worth a look.

RATING 7 out of 10

It isn’t a movie, but I did finally give in to several friends recommendations to watch Scrubs. I got the first season DVDs from NetFlix and expected to send it back after the first episode or two. I am in love with this show. It is the first comedy I have liked on TV for years… you know why? Because it isn’t a “sit-com” – it is writen like a dramatic series and its flights into comedy are unique (if somewhat whacky.) Scrubs breaks a ton of conventions about comedy. I am sorry it took me four years to check it out – and I have Zach Braff’s Garden State for giving me the final push. Click it to read my review of that excellent movie.

I don’t rate TV show

I also watched the documentary Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession, and was very surprised. I knew nothing of the the Z Channel. It was the forerunner to movie channels – it predated HBO, Cinemax, and all of them, and according to fans of the station did it better than any has since. It is a story about the magic of film. It is a story about giving the fans what they want. It is a story about an unstable Jerry Harvey and his fight with mental illness. It is the story of the little guy being crushed by corporate America. It is damn interesting.

RATING 8 out of 10

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, was not a good film. I like quirky films – so that wasn’t it. It was just a bad film. Bill Murray was good as usual, but am I the only get tired of Owen Wilson playing the same character over and over and over. This film brings tedium to a new level and bad writing well beyond that. It is poop on a stick.

RATING 5 out of 10

I have seen a few more… but that is enough on this ‘catch-up.’