On DVD:
Afro Samurai: Resurrection
C+
If you were a fan of the five episode mini-series then this film should satisfy you as it is basically more of the same. The titular character battles a gaggle of misfits, cyborgs, robots, and his own conscience in a seemingly never ending sequence of stylized bloody battles set to a sparse soundtrack by hip-hop producer RZA.
Flash of Genius
B
Greg Kinear gives a great performance in this overlooked yet uplifting indie gem that focuses on a small slice of American history with a healthy dose of legal drama thrown in for good measure.. This film is based on the true story of professor and inventor Bob Kearns who invented the intermittent windshield wiper. The story focuses on how Ford Motor Co. stole Kearns’ invention, the lawsuit he brought against them, and the toll the 12 year ordeal took and him and his family. This movie reminds us that the “American Dream” is not something easily achieved or oftentimes even earned, but rather something that must be fought for—and that fight requires tenacity and sacrifice.
Miller’s Crossing
A-
If you haven’t seen this 1991 Coehn Bros. film about prohibition-era gangsters then add it to your “must see” list. Gabriel Byrne stars as an advisor to an Irish crime boss (played beautifully by Albert Finney). This film is an homage to gangster noir, and definitely has the signature blend of violence and dark humor the Cohen Bros. are known for. However, this film is more than just a satire or homage to a genre—it is a worthy addition to the genre itself.