On Election Night I chose to watch a movie, courtesy of Netflix, rather than the returns. One of my favorite film makers is Chinese: Zhang Yimou. His samurai trilogy, especially the first two,
Hero (2000),
The House of Flying Daggers (2004) and
The Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) are fantastic, as is
Raise the Red Lantern (1991), the story of a concubine.
The Flowers of War (2011) is not up to those but still good work. The story is centered on the Japanese
Rape of Nanking, a phrase both literal and figurative. Christian Bale stars as a drunken mortician who takes refuge in a Catholic school for girls. The themes are redemption and heroic sacrifice, most exemplified in Bale’s character, a lone Chinese soldier and a group of prostitutes who also take refuge at the school. The action scenes are intense and brutal, recalling
Saving Private Ryan (1998) and another film based on the horror of Nanking,
City of Life and Death (2009), which I viewed a year or so ago. 99% of the Japanese come off as monsters and, by all historic accounts, deservedly so. This is not a pleasant film, although there are moments of sentimentality. The actions of the heroic soldier border on super-hero status. The prostitutes are a bit too charming, especially the one played by the beautiful Ni Ni, whose English is flawless. Bale’s character is Hollywood-like. These are minor flaws. The film is solid and elicits a visceral response. On a scale of five, three-and-a-half. It is rated 7.5 out of ten at IMDb. Anyone unfamiliar with this chapter of history would be shocked.
Here's a fun quiz: Who is the woman below?
She is Linda Christian, the first Bond girl. Don't remember her? That's because she appeared in a TV adaption of
Casino Royale in 1954, eight years before the release of the first film in the series,
Dr. No (1962). I didn't know, either.
The gasoline situation has not improved in NYC. Odd and even rationing has been instituted.That should shorten the lines, but I still will not wait hours to buy. I have enough to get through the weekend. I'm hoping the situation will improve by next Saturday, but the Mayor has estimated that it will be longer. Only 25% of stations have supplies. Fortunately, the nor-easter has not worsened conditions, at least in my area. It's amazing how some people take advantage. I've seen many drivers running street lights as if the power is still out. I was so happy yesterday when one was bagged by a patrol car. Fortunately, if the forecast is correct, relief is on the way: four straight days of sunshine and rising temperatures, which means the floating book shop will be back in operation.
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Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle):
http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3 Vic's Website:
http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/ Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle):
http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb Vic's 2nd Novel:
http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6 Vic's 1st Novel:
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http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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