I don't know why it took me so long to see The Seven Samurai, but yes, here I am seeing it for the first time at last. I loved it. I can see how it is named one of the most influential movies of all time. The acting, storyline, and cinematography are superb. I loved the little quiet moments and the big battles. Each character was unique. Perhaps the only thing that was missing for a Western viewer was a little bit of historical context, things that the Japanese would know as a matter of course. If this were a Western movie, we'd have more narrative about why the ronin were wandering homeless, why there were such significant class divisions, and why the women accepted their treatment as lesser citizens. But that is beside the point. The challenge and the pleasure of watching foriegn films is that you do not get these explanations; you must rely on what little personal knowledge informs you, and let the film play out, hoping that you will gather further understanding as you go. And if you don't, well, I guess that means you have some homework to do later...
Ahh, Dexter. What an enigmatic character. The show is already in its fourth season and I have barely dipped my toes in season one. There is something deeply disturbing and yet strangely satisfying about a detective who is an expert at finding serial killers because he is a serial killer himself. But a killer with a conscience; a vigilante seeking justice for the innocent. Fascinating.
Doctor Who: Carnival of Monsters
This was a good, solid tale set in the Who-universe of Doctor Number Three, Jon Pertwee. Like all good Doctor Who tales, it begins with a good story; so we can forgive the clunky special effects (which were actually quite good for their day) and the slow-paced dialogue. It's hard to step back from the high-octane adrenaline rush of the new series, but nevertheless it is a pleasure to see the Doctor save the universe no matter what incarnation he's in.
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