Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues (Nina Paley, 2008)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Animation, Religion, Love, India, Based on Ramayana, 

An interesting retelling of the Ramayana and how it applies to modern life. The animation styles are fun and engaging and the 1920s music by Annette Hanshaw works. I liked that we viewers are left to interpret the meaning and morals of the stories ourselves--everything is discussed from many angles and is left somewhat open-ended.

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Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid To Ask

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid To Ask (Woody Allen, 1972)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Comedy,

I'd seen parts of this film before--it's hard to go through graduate school gender studies courses without seeing the famous sperm skit. Woody Allen is at his goofiest in this collection. Some of the slapstick is a little too much for my tastes (Sleeper and Bananas are better) and some of the jokes don't translate into the 21st Century, but it is still a classic.

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The Hour Season 1

The Hour Season 1 (Abi Morgan, 2010)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Miniseries, 1950s, Drama, Journalism, Mystery, Crime, Complex Relationships, Politics

We need more shows like this one--it is equal parts social commentary, romance, and film noir. It has an extremely inviting style and look. Captivating, in a word. This is a show about journalists trying to find the truth (about the world and themselves) and who are determined to share unbiased news of the world to the public. But it is not easy to find truth. And it's even harder to break down the many barriers that prevent knowledge from being shared.

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The Rabbi's Cat

The Rabbi's Cat (Antoine Delesvaux and Joann Sfar, 2011)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Animation, Based on Graphic Novel, Religion, Adventure, Philosophical

What makes someone religious? And should the definition of a Jew or Christian or Muslim change depending on who is asked? This film is a wonderful tale about the meaning of existence, religion, and life. Some very tough questions are dealt with in a humorous and adventurous way. Talking cats are always a plus, too.

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