Summer In-Flight Films: Part One

I've been looking forward to seeing Ramen Heads (2017) a documentary about the Japanese obsession with ramen noodles directed by Koki Shigeno. I was expecting an entertaining and informative documentary on par with Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Although it doesn't quite hit those heights-it is a very informative and telling documentary. The director mostly focuses on a critic and fan favorite Tomita Ramen in Matsudo, Chiba and this master also has the same level of dedication to creating his own perfect style of ramen. It doesn't get around to the history and evolution of ramen until after introducing Osamu Tomita and his hop, which is the focus of the film-starting out with an overview would have been more effective in my opinion. And to be honest, tsukemen, Tomita's variety, is not among my favorites. But it was still worthwhile since it is a food that immediately became one of my favorites when I arrived in Japan so many years ago.

Blade Of The Immortal (2017) is Japanese director Takashi Miike's latest manga adaptation. It is the story of a skilled samurai, Manji (Takuya Kimura) who is cursed with immortality. He feels guilt for not having saved his sister from murder and is hired by a young girl, Rin (Hana Sugisaki) who want sot avenge her father and mother's murder. The over-the-top manga elements of the story and art design were off putting for me-massive battles with scores of causalities, outlandish costumes and hair, and the fact that Manji is supposed to be a great swordsman but wins many duels because he can regenerate his wounds. the special effects and actions scenes become tedious like the big tent pole superhero movies constantly being made and it clocks in at two hours and 20 minutes. I don't think this was one of Miike's better efforts.

I hadn't heard of Brad Anderson's Beirut (2018) before seeing it as a new release on the airplane, but the Tony Gilroy penned script was an entertaining political thriller. Jon Hamm plays a failed diplomat , Mayson Skiles, fallen into alcoholism after he saw his wife killed in a terrorist attack during an earlier stint as a diplomat in Beirut. He is suddenly called back into action in 1982 (the year of the siege of Beirut) to help broker a deal with Muslim terrorists who have kidnapped his former best friend Cal (Mark Pellegrino). He is aided by current diplomat Sandy Crower (Rosmund Pike). There are some other great ensemble cast characters such as Shea Whingham and Dean Norris. Overall, I found it to be a well-made thriller about redemption set in an exotic and historically accurate atmosphere.

I think I am usually pretty hard to please when it comes to comedies, but I have to say that I enjoyed Game Night (2018) much more than I thought I would. I think much of this had to do with the great comedic performances of the lead actors Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams playing the ultra competitive married couple Max and Annie. There were also great supporting roles by Kyle Chandler and Jesse Plemons. Probably an ideal in flight movie.

I also found myself enjoying the social media cautionary tale and black comedy Ingrid Goes West (2017). And I think this is mostly due to Aubrey Plaza's impressive performance of the the insular needy and unhinged Instagram stalker Ingrid. Elizabeth Olsen plays the social media star that she longs to be with great accuracy as well. It was surprisingly more entertaining than I had anticipated.

Comments

[Kathy]

Jim and I watched Game Night on the way home from Mexico thought it was hilarious!!

[Patrick]

I'm with you on that one.