the evil capitalists vs the underdog capitalists*

*i had fun too!! itami constructs a fun genre-blending world closer to reality than tampopo’s more full-power gonzo vibe. always unique and quintessentially japanese, especially in its sense of humour. but don’t kid yourselves (and i really usually don’t go for marxist film analysis: check my reviews—i’m interested but i’m not an expert and marxism is not my field of study) this narrative is so obviously contrived to make its protagonists superheroes for just... figuring out how to competently run a business?

“I think that story has considerable significance. But I’ve, uh, forgotten what it is.”

Surprised by how much I ended up liking this. Technically by framing the bank as the main villain and showing veterans suffering to find paying jobs, this pretty effectively frames capitalism and its inherent cruelties as the enemy. Plus Fredric March has always been the handsome grumpy older alcoholic of my dreams and this was no exception. That man can deliver dialogue like no other.

if i looked like alain delon i'd wanna kiss myself in the mirror too...

Sometimes movies are just made specifically tailored to your preferences and proclivities. The problem is that it is impossible to identify them simply from a short summary. I’d heard pretty much nothing about Messiah of Evil and while I was interested, it was only a passive interest. And then I watched it. One of the strangest horror atmospheres ever assembled. Not just no easy answers: no answers at all. Messiah of Evil just builds its world and throws you into it. And it’s fucking brilliant. (I also really love Michael Greer. What a prince.)