William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe ****

Directors: Emily and Sarah Kunstler

Year: 2009

I think William Kunstler is a hero, and this documentary isn't perfect, but it shed light on an important subject of history, America's most famous fighter for the underdogs. I was glad to learn so much more about Kunstler's life by getting short introductions to some of his most famous cases. Makes me want to be a lawyer. Makes me want to do something to further justice in the world, makes me want to be a father that teaches those values to my children one day, the values that Kunstler taught his daughters.

I hope I remember to show this documentary to my children one day, maybe when they are in high school.

High and Low *****

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Year: 1963

Novel by: Evan Hunter

Adapted by: Hideo Oguni, Ryûzô Kikushima, Eijirô Hisaita, Akira Kurosawa

Cinematographers: Asakazu Nakai, Takao Saitô

The first half of the film takes place entirely within a living room, dealing with the moral dilemma the main character, Reiko Gondo, is put into. The second half is almost an entirely different film as a police procedural plays out hunting down the man who put Gondo into his tight spot. The ending is a bit unexpected, a scene that illuminates the title. High and Low is the theme and the tension of the film.

Sugar ***

Writer/Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Year: 2008

Cinematographer: Andrij Parekh

Animal Kingdom ****

Writer/Director: David Michôd

Year: 2010

Cinematographer: Adam Arkapaw

Very well written first feature. Thoughtful direction, realistic dialogue, very good acting. Really good movie, excited to see what comes next from this new director.