For Unk

Empty-handed I entered the world
Barefoot I leave it.
My coming, my going — Two simple happenings
That got entangled.
                              -- Kozan Ichikyo's Death Poem

Toy Story 4 (2019) **

Needless sequel is easily the worst episode in the bunch. Very strong feeling that you've seen all this before. Also the parent characters are extremely annoying. Still, you can get lost in the attention to detail in the background animation.

The Handmaiden (2016) **

It's beautifully shot, the story complex and an interesting twist on the con game genre, but it's too long, repetitious and needlessly over the top in parts.

The Hit (1984) ***

Unconventional road picture goes beyond itself thanks to Mr. Stamp and Mr.Frears.

Double Indemnity (1944) ****

Even with the lackluster casting and the Edward G. schtick, Chandler's screenplay is terrific and Wilder stays out of the way enough to let Fred work.

Youth Without Youth (2007) **

It's a Francis Coppola film so it is well cast and beautifully shot, but ultimately not entirely successful beyond that, at least not upon first viewing.

Let the Sunshine In (2017) **

A luminous Ms. Binoche (looking a good 20 years younger) keeps you rooting for her against a succession of lovers who aren't really interested in her as herself, which ultimately becomes tiresome.

BBC - Future - The poisons released by melting Arctic ice

Around 10% of the carbon that does defrost will probably be released as CO2, amounting to 130-150 billion tonnes. That is equivalent to the current rate of total US emissions, every year until 2100. Melting permafrost effectively introduces a new country at number two on the highest emitters list, and one that isn’t accounted for in current IPCC models. “People talk about a carbon bomb,” says Natali. “In geological timescales this is not a slow release. It is a pool of carbon that is locked away and is not accounted for in the carbon budget to keep rises below two degrees (Celsius).”

Green Dolphin Street (1947) *

Interminably long, cliched melodrama, pure Hollywood schtick, badly miscast featuring one of the longest earthquakes in recorded history.

Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) ***

Superficially it's a romantic comedy but underlying it all is the Bergman relentless truth which is often mistaken for cynicism.

Hairspray (1988) ***

Delightfully goofy fable of early '60's urban mores and how the times they were a-changing thanks to good old rock and roll. Superficially played as farce but the underlying truth is obvious.

The Scapegoat (1959) ***

Troubled production notwithstanding, this is an above average Brit flick with a sneaky ending that may or may not have been intended.

The World of Apu (1959) ***

Not as marvelous as the first two installments, but a fitting conclusion to the Apu Trilogy.

Everybody Knows (2018) ***

Engrossing look at old family wounds and how they never seem to go away despite appearances.

Aparajito (1956) ****

Further examination of the life of Apu just as mesmerizing as the first.

My Name Is Julia Ross (1945) *

Low grade, undistinguished noir totally unbelievable, forgettable.

Nickelodeon Orders 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Prequel 'Kamp Koral'

“‘SpongeBob’ has an incredible universe to expand upon and the greenlight for ‘Kamp Koral’ is a testament to the strength and longevity of these characters known and loved by generations of fans around the world,” said Ramsey Naito, Nickelodeon’s executive vice president of animation production and development.

The series is one of several planned spinoffs for the “SpongeBob” universe, which include potential standalone stories for side characters like Sandy Cheeks and Plankton.

Way to go , Nick. Run it into the ground.

Pather Panchali (1955) ****

Indian neo-realist classic, lovingly photographed, movingly told.

Delirious (2006) **

Steve Buscemi is great but the film is frustratingly too long and scattershot. Could have been a classic.

Bad Timing (1980) **

Beautiful pictures as usual with Nic Roeg and although there's a lot of truth here it is ugly and not very entertaining.

La Truite (The Trout) (1982) **

As much as I like M. Huppert and as good an actress as she is she is miscast here and it makes the film more ridiculous than it needs to be.

The Great Beauty (2013) **

It's trying to say something profound but takes the LONG way around and gets lost.