Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be careful as you travel, enjoy yourself in moderation, and remember someone less fortunate.

Have already watched my favorite Thanksgiving film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", oh how I miss John Candy!

Gobble gobble!

"The Burmese Harp" a film

"The Burmese Harp" a film by Kon Ichikawa, produced in 1956. Recently re-released. Glorious Black and White photography, and beautiful music.

A Japanese platoon, in Burma at the end of WWII, find themselves in the Mudon prison camp awaiting their return to their homeland. Self taught lute player, Mizushima, is sent by the British Army to convince a group of Japanese soldiers, "holed up" in a cave, to surrender. They believe that he is a traitor, a coward, and refuse to heed his warnings. The British follow through with force, the only survivor, as luck would have it, is Mizushima. As he attempts to return to Mudon, he comes upon so many of his fallen Japanese comrades that have perished and are left lying where they died. He is so moved by this, that he decides to become a Buddhist priest, even as his platoon hopes for his return.

This is a Long movie, and just having seen several Akira Kurosawa films, I was concerned that it was going to be another "downer" of a story, but this was a movie so thoroughly enjoyed by James and me. You will need about 2 solid hours of your time to view it, but please consider this film........

If I were going to give it a star rating, it would be a 5 star rating......

Mistress of Spices a film

"Mistress of Spices" a film.

This film is visually one of extreme beauty, colors of the spices are incredible. Since James and I thoroughly enjoy Indian dishes, this film did appeal to our visual senses. I am sure that if there were aroma movies, that I would have felt like I had died and gone to Heaven. Oh, how I wish we had a spice bazaar in Stanwood, or on Camano Island. I would spend many hours in a store such as this, when I am not at the library.

Story-wise it is a bit weak.

"Well Done Abba" a movie

"Well Done Abba"

Naturally, if you see "ABBA", you might think the singing group...... Just forget that.

This came through the circ desk, saw the cover and just had to check it out.

James and I watched this the other evening, and I decided that I need to purchase this one.

Armaan Ali, a driver works for a young Senior Executive in Mumbai, is trying to save his job. His boss has just fired him, because Armaan took more time off then he was allowed - 3 months!

Armaan gets in the car and proceeds to explain to his boss exactly what had happened. Armaan has gone back to his village to find a match for his unmarried daughter, who is in the care of his twin brother and wife. His village suffers from a lack of water, and Armaan decides to obtain a government permit to dig a well. What happens can only leave one laughing, and wondering if this is how things really work in his country.

James and I really enjoyed this one. It is in Arabic with subtitles, but well worth it.

Give it a shot.