Bunched Undies

I Sing the Body Neurotic: Annie Hall on Blu-ray*****

2012-02-01T06:50:00.000-08:00

Through caustic wit and stinging observations, Annie Hall delivers a perfect snapshot of 1970s America; a time when leisurely navel gazing and wacky self-help regimens determined a generation’s cultural legacy. It also offers a frozen-in-time capture of an assortment of extraordinary talents at their creative peaks. While Allen, Keaton, Willis and Rosenblum would all go on to make many more

Merde Silencieuse: The Artist (2011)*

2012-01-30T05:11:00.000-08:00

"Tedious!" "Annoying!" "Cutesy and Phony!" "Vastly Overrated" "Simply Dreck!"

How People Find Bunched Undies

2012-01-27T04:38:00.000-08:00

Recent search engine terms that have led people to the blog: Julie Newmar naked or nude Neither one Teddy bear pornDon't want to know naked netherlands lolitas Don't have any...but a great name for a band... Star Trek Monster VomitWithout which no trekkie is complete.... Family Affair Lesbian Poster I hope they didn’t mean the old Family Affair TV show…Mr. French was creepy but I

Lizard, Spare That Train Layout!: Godzilla on Blu-ray (1954)**

2012-01-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

1954’s Godzilla is the paterfamilias of the giant monster from the sea concept, spawning a half century’s worth of remakes, reboots and rip-offs. Directed with grim relish by Ishiro Honda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, Godzilla is built on the stuff of nightmares, and it’s a fitting karmic justice for man’s greedy and foolhardy tinkering with the dark side of science. While often

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Tuesday, After Christmas****(2010)

2012-01-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

Reviewed by Shu Zin Romanian director Radu Muntean delivers near perfect realism in TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS. In the opening scene, Paul (Mimi Branescu) banters in bed with his pretty young lover, Raluka (Maria Popistasu). Then we meet Paul's wife and adolescent daughter. The story here is how they all get through the Christmas holidays, and the method of revealing the emotional impact of a

Days of Future Passed Part 7: Once Upon a Timeshare

2012-01-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the annals of real estate marketing exists a set of gold tablets bearing the names and phone numbers of People Who Will Sit Through a Timeshare Sales Pitch, and apparently my name is engraved close to the top. Over the years, Mrs. Undies and I have been seduced by this profession’s siren songs, promising free weekend lodging in Paradise provided we are willing to attend a

You is Kind, Smart and Disappointing: The Help (2011)**1/2

2012-01-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

The Help is one of those movies you root for. It has a wonderful cast of impressively credentialed but largely unknown actresses. It deals with an important and endlessly fascinating subject: America’s tortured history on race. The film sits us down at a beautifully set banquet table, where we expect multiple courses of penetrating and profound insights on America’s original sin. Instead, by

Bunchie's Dinner Theater - Onion Soup

2012-01-11T06:27:00.000-08:00

There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of onion soup on a cold winter night. This genius dish, designed to give new life to stale bread and long-stored onions, is very easy to make and so good it’s fou. This recipe serves 4 as a first course or 2 as an entrée. 3 slices bacon (you can substitute 4 tbsp. olive oil or butter)3 medium onions1 cup red wine4 cups chicken or beef stock1 tsp. Herbs d’

Sad News: J Hoberman Fired by Village Voice

2012-01-07T06:32:00.000-08:00

J. Hoberman, film critic for the Village Voice for 30 years - and a personal hero - was fired Wednesday in a cost cutting move. Since he also works as a teacher and lecturer, I'm sure Mr. Hoberman will be just fine, but it's a sad day for thoughtful, intelligent journalism. Details on the firing here Follow Mr. Hoberman's blog here Access his archive of great writing here

Catfight du Jour: Love Crime (2010)***1/2

2012-01-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

Love Crime is a nifty little thriller, all about two bloodthirsty, white collar power wenches (Kristen Scott Thomas, Ludivine Sagnier), and their increasingly desperate games of one-upmanship atop a Paris skyscraper. Directed by Alain Cormeau, who has worked in a variety of genres over his lengthy career, the film takes a harrowing look at the mentor-apprentice relationship, and the

Quickies for the New Year!

2012-01-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

Criterion Collection: Kuroneko (1968)****

2011-10-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Within its delicate folds, Kuroneko presents a romantic ghost story of bloodlust, revenge and karmic justice, driven by solemn bargains between tortured souls and ancient malevolence. A stalwart hero will bravely battle the specters of evil, and be rewarded for his efforts with unimaginable heartbreak and crushing despair. And viewers able to overlook those moments when Shindô’s

2011-10-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

Game Day Chili Being Arizona Cardinals’ fans, game day is usually pretty depressing around here. But this delicious, low-fat chili makes it all worthwhile. Well, sort of… INGREDIENTS 1 lb. ground turkey, browned and drained1 onion, chopped1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained1 15 oz. can chili beans, with juice2 15 oz. oz. cans diced tomatoes1 tsp. chili powder1 tbspn. ground cumin1 handful baby

The Red Chapel (2009)***1/2

2011-10-21T06:28:00.000-07:00

The film chronicles a Danish comedy/performance art group’s trip to North Korea under the guise of “cultural exchange”. But upon arrival it becomes clear that the entire effort is on a par with carrying coal to Newcastle, as no stage act could ever compete with the tightly controlled and highly polished fictions that comprise everyday life in Pyongyang. Click Here to Read the Full Review

Nigella Talks Dirty

2011-10-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Aki Kaurismäki’s Leningrad Cowboys Boxed Set (2011)*****

2011-10-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

Nestled roughly between his Proletariat and Finland trilogies, eclectic minimalist Aki Kaurismaki created a series of delightfully goofy films about a fictional rock and roll band from an exceptionally isolated part of Siberia. These profoundly rural, and quite possibly inbred, rockers shared not only a drive for musical success, but a genetic disposition towards outrageous, rhinoceros horn

Black Swan (2010)*

2011-10-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by Shu Zin BLACK SWAN is my idea of a really bad movie. The story, such as it is, concerns a few infantile, self-absorbed ballerini, a sort of understated Barbara Hershey as psycho mom Erika, and Vincent Cassel, inappropriately cast as Thomas Leroy (!), a most inelegant and unlovable dance master. His name is pronounced Toe MAH, in the French way, and all the little ballerini are

Harakiri (1963)****

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes in 1963, Masaki Kobayashi’s Harakiri is an elegantly told, parabolic tale of hypocrisy, class struggle and revenge. In fact, the film will likely remind today’s viewers of the work of Quentin Tarantino, as Harakiri is filled with nail biting tension, sudden, shocking violence and a richly layered narrative that slowly, at times painfully, peels

Terri (2011)****

2011-10-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

2011 Sundance entry Terri is a low-key American indie all about the struggles of an obese high schooler (Jacob Wysocki) in the thoroughly funky outskirts of Pasadena. The film has the cloy, ironic ponderous that inflicts so many smaller productions these days - the smug superiority of the tightly budgeted – yet manages to retain winning measures of intrigue and charm. Click Here to Read

Great Moments in Nevada Law Enforcement - 3

2011-10-07T05:55:00.001-07:00

Fear Me Not (2008)****

2011-10-04T05:26:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by Shu Zin The first remarkable aspect of this chilling Danish film is the visual production values. Vibrant colors and beautiful settings, landscapes, clouds, interiors, weather, beautifully composed shots, jump right off the page. FEAR ME NOT is a disturbing story of the complete mental disintegration of Mikael, a successful businessman who appears to have it all. His decision to

Moneyball (2011)****

2011-10-02T10:49:00.000-07:00