An Education

Rating: 5

What is the big deal? Why the hype? I Do Not Get It.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Rating: 8

The ( excellent) book could be re-titled 'Interviews with Interesting Wingnuts' because that's what it is. So I understand why the movie had to add some plot stuff. Not really clear why the Narrator/Journalist/Writer needed to be American in the movie, while the real guy and the actor who plays him are both English. But whateves. It's a treat of a movie, mostly because of the brilliant acting talent (George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan Macgregor) and Kevin Spacey who seems successful only playing pricks.. Just sayin.' There is much satire and absurdity, well enough played that the minor flaws are easy to ignore.Thoroughly entertianing.

A Serious Man

Rating: 8

My initial opinion was that this is a story mostly about Judaism, but the more I think about it the more I realize that it's really asking the question: how complicit are we in our misfortune? Bad things happen all the time and I personally feel self-pity usually. But some part of me suspects I'm creating the bad juju with my crappy judgment or inertia or something. On some level we must deserve these punishments, right? Or not? I like the Coens for posing this question.