Luce-y in the Sky with Bruce Dern

     This week- two films about secret plots and sports.

     David Kabakov, a Mossad agent, finds a pre-recorded message claiming credit and giving reasons for a future terror attack somewhere in the United States. Michael Lander, a Goodyear blimp pilot and former POW, longs for death. A spectacular death that will punish all he sees as having wronged him by turning the blimp into a bomb and detonating it during Super Bowl X. Directed by John Frankenheimer, who created the modern political thriller genre, and based on the first book by Thomas Harris- Black Sunday (1977).
     Born and raised as a child soldier in Eritrea before being adopted by an affluent progressive White family, Luce is an all-star athlete and beloved by his community. When he turns in a report about a controversial political philosopher, his history teacher Harriet Wilson brings her concerns to Luce's adopted mother, Amy. The third film from Julius Onah is a brilliantly acted and complex narrative about race, class, and respectability politics- Luce.
     All that and Dave gets monochromatic, Tyler shudders with anticipation, Kevin contemplates combat sports, and Craig watches from a safe distance. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 465- Luce-y in the Sky with Bruce Dern

Scratched Bark

     This week environmentalism in space and serial killing on Earth.

     The third rock is deforested. All that remains of its plant life and the species dependent on them are stored in massive geodesic domes attached to cargo ships. Word finally comes down that the project is to be abandoned, with all domes destroyed and ships returned to commercial use. Freeman Lowell, resident botanist and ecologist aboard Valley Forge, rebels to save the last dome and with it all that remains of Earth's native plant life. Hoping to hide in the rings of Saturn, Lowell is alone in the dark and Silent Running.
     A serial killer stalks all martial arts masters in the city. Desperate to get out of her assignment to Vice, detective Linda Masterson, played by the tragically misused Cynthia Rothrock, leverages her knowledge of martial arts to get on the case. For reasons, the prime one being his actor fronted much of the money to make the film, her captain decides that she needs the help of another karate cop, Sgt Tarek Richards, played by the less discussed the better Jalal Merhi. Richards soon does a tedious sexism and leaves her in the car while he goes to show off his complete lack of charm and fight skills. Not even Bolo Yeung, stoically shirtless and ready to rumble, can pull this out of the gaping pit of uncharismatic talentless ego driving the scenes. Just why, Tiger Claws?
     All that and Kevin outpaces all, Tyler gets a sprain from fanboy hype, and Dave discovers there's a little Jalal in us all. Join us, won't you?

Episode 245- Scratched Bark