The Comic Critic Reviews The Ballad of Narayama

The Ballad of Narayama is not a tale of noble samurai or skilled swordsmanship. It’s about a small, very poor, rural feudal Japanese village in the middle of nowhere, where avoiding starvation is the primary goal. Instead of glorious battles filled with banners flapping brightly in the wind, there is a far more intimate war being waged within the hamlet. And like any war, it’s not pretty. The unfolding story provides tremendous insight to a side of Japanese culture that few see. I was very happy with the DVD, which often had two sets of subtitles going on, one set for the dialog and another set for the definition of words and customs not well known outside Japan. A must-see for those who love films from and about Japan.

The Return of Stickman #1158

I hate American news media. Here the Chinese have done something fantastic, they've entered the space race. And the only thing the U.S. can find in way of response in the news outlets? They ate some dog. Most new outlets didn't mention the fermented rice soup, the spicy pig skin, or the other really yummy foods they had on the trip. (Don't knock fermented rice soup if you haven't had it.) The media was working the Asian stereotype angle so hard on this story I'm surprised nobody used the headline: "It's not Tang!" Hooray for the Chinese! Kudos to them for getting into space. And thank you American news media for once again making the citizens of our country look like a bunch of nimrods.

The Return of Stickman #1157

This is my favorite ketchup and I don't think I'm going to miss the salt at all. I hear that Heinz will also be enlarging the size of the little ketchup packets. I wonder if they are going to keep that change as quiet as the recipe change.

The Return of Stickman #1156

It's time for the name game.

The Return of Stickman #1155

This story is a supreme example of internet procrastination. There is absolutely no reason in the world to surf for this news story other than putting something off. Or in this case, putting off anything.

The Return of Stickman #1154

How long will it take for folks to realize that the police are not a taxi service? As you can imagine charges are pending.

The Comic Critic Reviews "How to Train Your Dragon"

My wife and I went to see “How to Train Your Dragon” in 3D. She has a soft spot for kid-oriented films and we both enjoy this new 3D technology. I was expecting a fairly standard movie with a predictable storyline. Then I was happily surprised by the storyline, the well-written dialog filled with dry wit, and also realized just how much I love comically large, muscular Vikings with strong Scottish accents. This movie, a real treat, will hold up well into the future, even without 3D effects. Don’t feel bad if you miss seeing it in the theater, but give it a view, definitely.