It will be another short segment today, as I’m working my way through The Waltons.

Samurai Rebellion (1967)
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Yôko Tsukasa, Go Kato, Tatsuyoshi Ehara, Etsuko Ichihara, Isao Yamagata, Tatsuya Nakadai, Shigeru Koyama, Tatsuo Matsumura, Masao Mishima
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Synopsis: Very edgy story of feudal Japan where the Lord of the region reigns without much resistance – until someone who has been obedient for years decides to resist. Mifune shines in this as the one who decides to risk it all for love. A non-formula plot that shows how free a society is – or isn’t – as tested by how its leaders respond to a resistor. The acting by all in this film is excellent. Have kleenex at the ready.
Grade: 8.5
Etc. Japanese made film with English subtitles; same director as “The Human Condition”

Keith Richards: Under the Influence (2015) (documentary) (netflix)
Starring: Keith Richards, Steve Jordan (drums,) Waddy Wachtel (bass,) and Tom Waits
Director: Morgan Nevill
Synopsis: 88-minutes of Keith traveling between philosophizing, playing music, and reminiscing and commenting while old videos roll. Steve Jordan and Keith are shown writing songs, then other musicians are pulled in to record. Keith gives away some techniques he used on iconic Rolling Stones songs. He travels to Chicago and shoots pool with somebody big in the music world (sorry for the name of the person) and also drops into Nashville to the Opry building. There are some really good videos to check out in this doc. A touching segment is when Keith talks about his dad. Tom Waits gets several minutes throughout the doc to wax poetic about writing songs.
Grade: 7 – 7.5
Etc.

Lastly, I’m not sure how many watched The Golden Globes, hosted by Ricky Gervais, but I decided to include a clip of Ricky’s opening and some comments along the way. The saddest part is that, although brilliant as always, even Ricky has a hint of demoralization by the end of the show.