Ugetzu Monogatari
Kenji Mizoguchi (1953)
This major classic of Japanese cinema follows a clay pot
crafter who makes good off the war and his friend who dreams of becoming a
Samurai. Widely regarded as a forerunner for taking Japanese cinema west, Mizoguchi harnesses a dramatic use of shadow, supernatural elements and a generous helping of hubris for his moral tale of honour and indulgence.
Bernie
Richard Linklater (2011)
Jack Black gives a fine performance in this true life tale of a popular Carthage funeral director who kills the wealthy 81 year old widow (played by Shirley MacLaine) who he's been cozying up to. Dotted with interviews from after the fact, Linklater captures all the charms of his native Texans in his morally dense, quaintly funny and gosh darned honest film. Pre McConaissance Matt plays the slimey D.A.
