THE KING

The King (2019) directed by David Michôd. A coming-of-age film focused on Henry V's rise to power, moving from drunk laughingstock to warrior king. Loosely based on historical foundations and likewise loosely based on Shakespeare's play Henry V, the plot ultimately satisfies during Henry's transformation from Hal to Henry, King of England. The beauty of the muddy Battle of Agincourt as the central tableau is that the confusion of the battlefield feels more true than most cinematic depictions. Recommended.

Streaming on Netflix.

KINGDOM III

Kingdom 3: Flame of Destiny (2023) directed by Shinsuke Sato. A bit slower than the prior two Kingdom films, this one provides us with significant background information. It also sets us up for Kingdom 4, coming later in 2024. This doesn't work well as a standalone, but is important as glue for the whole. Mostly for the diehard fans.

Streaming on Netflix.

BLUE EYE SAMURAI

Blue Eye Samurai (2023) is a series of eight episodes of great anime, with spectacular storytelling and stunning animation. It's a balance of violence, comedy, family (and its attendant problems), and quest, all wrapped up in the historical setting of Edo-era, Shogun-run, medieval Japan. Quite the wild ride.

Streaming on Netflix.

SALTBURN

Saltburn (2023) directed by Emerald Fennell. Moral bankruptcy and masquerade. Perversion. There are echoes of similar films and novels that I catch: Dangerous Liaisons, Cruel Intentions, Marie Antoinette, the books of Bret Easton Ellis. But this is it's own slow-burning beast. It's beautiful and melancholic until the mask slips, and then it is all death and decay. (Or maybe it always was.) 

 Streaming on Amazon Prime.

ALCOHOL-FREE in 2024

The Advent Beer Calendar is complete.

I've taken a vow of no alcohol for 2024, for personal and spiritual reasons. I had a couple of recent prayer walks where I lamented the losses associated with this, but I'm ready. Here's to a sober life for at least a year!