Men In Black

Most of the victims of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme want more than just a life sentence for Madoff. They want their money back. In the weeks and months to come, authorities will piece together Madoff's big steal and determine if others were involved. Sadly, the victims will most likely not be reimbursed. So for them, I suggest a vigilante double feature in place of financial restitution. Start with Robert Rodriguez's wild western-looney tunes tale of Mexicans, guns, blood, drugs, and money: Desperado. Cartel killing Antonio Banderas is epic cool and thunder to kingpin Joaquim de Almeida's tazmanian devilish rule. The film is every bit as genre-breaking as fellow mid-90s blood brothers, Fargo and Pulp Fiction. Paired with last year's box office king the Dark Knight, Madoff's victims can at least find solace at the movies.

What a Joke

The Oscar nominations are in and with very little surprises. The most obvious? Many thought The Dark Knight had a better chance of landing a Best Picture and Best Director nod. Pity it didn't. As modern mainstream cinema goes, The Dark Knight is as epic and intimate as these films get. The action is big and loud, and well done. But the psychology of its four primary characters is what evolves The Dark Knight beyond its genre limits. Also the Batpod is really awesome.