The second season of Burn Notice is starting this Thursday July 10 on USA Cable Network. I watched the last episode over again at hulu.com just to refresh my memory — I think it’s great that TV is becoming more “on-demand.” 
July 8, 2008
Burn Notice – catch up at Hulu.com
July 6, 2008
‘Hidden Blade’ – samurai love story
The Hidden Blade by director Yoji Yamada has one swordfight scene embedded in a larger love story, with both aspects working together to illuminate the virtues of the main character. I enjoyed this movie quite a lot.
May 25, 2008
‘The Burmese Harp’ – war and spirituality
Now that there’s not as much on TV, our Netflix subscription is starting to get heavier usage. Last night I watched The Burmese Harp, a classic Japanese film from the Criterion Collection. This film is often cited as an anti-war film, but the emphasis is on one soldier’s spiritual development as a result of witnessing the aftermath of war. Contemplation of corpses is a standard Buddhist meditation practice, and one that is unavoidable for this Japanese soldier in Burma at the end of World War II. Eventually becoming a monk, he remains behind to bury the dead.
May 15, 2008
VSL – Waxy on “Fanboy Supercuts”
The VSL pick for today (May 15) goes to Waxy blog with a great list of what they call “fanboy supercuts” — video montages on various themes. My favorites so far are “Every What from the LOST Series” and “Every Simpsons Couch Gag“! Good examples of the “cognitive surplus” Clay Shirky talks about. (Don’t know why he thinks it’s wasted on TV though!)
May 13, 2008
Juno – awesome soundtrack!
Juno store at Amazon for DVDs, downloads, music, Orange Tic Tacs and more!
May 3, 2008
SciFi HD but no BSG? check the schedule!
I recently found out that my Comcast cable system now has the SciFi Channel in HD. (Yay!) Last night I tuned in hoping to see Battlestar Galactica in glorious HD, only to find that the HD channel was showing Stargate! Wondering if I’d gotten the time mixed up, I checked the regular SciFi Channel and found Battlestar Galactica there at its usual time. (For me in the SF Bay Area that is 10pm Friday.) Today I checked the Comcast TVplanner and found out that BSG is in HD but shows at different times – 7 & 9 pm Fridays. At least next week I’ll be ready!
April 23, 2008
Simpsons stuff
April 4, 2008
links for Battlestar Galactica!
Sci Fi Channel website (same as above screenshot)
BSG at tv.com (where it has a 9.2 rating)
Wikipedia article
Battlestar Wiki
Tim Goodman review from SF Chronicle 4/4/08
the TV Addict’s interview with Jamie Bamber/Lee Adama
April 4, 2008
If you like ‘Fight Club,’ ‘Amelie’ and ‘Lost Skeleton of Cadavra’: MovieLens movie recommendations
Enter your favorite movies and MovieLens offers recommendations based on your selections.
I entered Fight Club, Amelie, and Lost Skeleton of Cadavra and got these recommendations:
In Bruges (2008)
The Interview (1998)
Advise and Consent (1962)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)
Samsara (Original Tibetan with English Subtitles) (2001)
Institute Benjamenta (1995)
Evil (2003)
Juno (2007)
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Drifting Clouds (Kauas pilvet karkaavat) (1996)
Porco Rosso (1992)
