Day: December 23, 2005

Memoirs of a Geisha

“Geisha,” Mameha informs us, “are not courtesans and we are not wives. ‘Geisha’ means artist, and to be geisha is to be judged as a moving work of art.” She eventually negotiates with the house to take Chiyo under her wing, as a protége to rival Pumpkin who is now under the tutelage of Hatsumomo. The housemistresses suspect Mameya is seeking revenge against Chiyo…

Munich

Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” is “inspired by real events,” as the title card reads at the beginning. Several athletes gather near the temporary quarters between the beer gardens and the olympic stadium. Some men looking rather Middle Eastern (read: suspicious) attempt to get over the gate. An American group of athletes sees them and assumes they’re trying to get to the beer gardens. So, they help them jump the fence. The eerie haze…

The Ringer

So I prepared myself for this movie, having an idea of what to expect from the Farrelly brothers—who have raised political-incorrectness to an art form (albeit in a rather perverse manner). I’m expecting there to be rampant assaults on mental disability, and instead I feel like I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone. At the promo screening, I’m told, are Special Olympics board members, athletes and even the President of the…