The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Directed by Andrew Dominik, Written by Andrew Dominik and Rob Hansen

Film

Occasionally goregeously presented, but mainly carried through the performance contrast betwen the leads. Brad Pitt is always great to see and he does his natural charisma with a bit lurking undereath up against Casey Affleck’s shifty sliminess. Something about the Affleck brothers maekes them perfect for these shady roles. Narratively kind of aimless oddly but with those three factors made up for it.

KAMI(Paper)

State of Play

Video Game

I’ve mentally played this game since I can remember, and it was fun to play it as video game. Unfortunately the rigidity of the square grid along with some of the too precise final puzzles kept me from enjoying this as much as in my daydreams, but it was still a great time.

Saints

Gene Luen Yang

Comic

A great companion piece showing the other side of the fantasy infused telling of the Boxer Rebellion in Boxers with surprising direct cross overs. Once again Gene superbly executes the nuance required to discuss the issues both of the sides had, even if one side is significantly more in the right, and shows compassion for those that truly suffered. Goes further in exploring how little the stated ideologies had to do with their supposed goals. Good stuff.

Primer

Written and Directed by Shane Carruth

Film

Micro-budget science fiction drama with an eye for interesting shot compositions AND writer/director/producer who is the star? How could I not love this? Ok well I’m not head over heels with it, this is definitely one of the better debut films out there, not quite cracking my all time list with the likes of Ivan’s Childhood or Blood Simple, but it’s great stuff. Probably couldn’t give a 100% confident run down on all the narrative details but that isn’t what’s truly important, the journey and themes which come through exciting and clear. Can’t wait to see what the rest of his sadly limited filmography holds.

Started Discworld by the legendary Terry Pratchett today! I remember reading at least parts of this or another Discworld novel in the past but don’t have many solid memories there. I’m enjoying it but it isn’t going that much farther beyond that yet, despite the several out loud chuckles it’s gotten out of me, and I know the first few are considered rough by some people. Wowie I did a lot of stuff today huh.