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Grass (1999) --> Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this film by Rob Mann tells the humourous and tragic history of cannabis use in North America since it entered the southern U.S. from Mexico in the early 20th century. Covering both America's love of the drug and its governments paranoid fear of it, Mann pokes fun at American drug policy through the decades and the tragic results for its citizens. After watching this film, you come to the conclusion that legalizing pot seems to be the only rational and ethical response to America's love affair with the plant.


Full Spectrum Staff

The Producers (1968) --> One of Mel Brooks better comedies (and his directorial debut) that he adapted from the stage, The Producers stars Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel as a nervous accountant and a washed-up Broadway producer, respectively. When Wilder stumbles onto an accounting procedure that could make a large sum of money for a company that produces a Broadway flop, Mostel convinces Wilder to join him in the exploit. When the play, a show about the singing merits of Hitler, actually succeeds through the buffoonery of its lead actor, pandemonium is the result.


Full Spectrum Staff

Jubei Ninpocho [Ninja Scroll] (1993) --> One of the best films in Japanese anime, Ninja Scroll is directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiriby who also wrote the script. The film is both stunning in its animation and shocking in its depiction of blood, gore, violence and sexual exploitation. The story surrounds a masterless ninja for hire (named Jubei) who is drawn into a conflict between the ruling clan of Japan and its rivals who are bent on overthrowing them. Up against an unknown assailant, who has the alliance of eight demons possessing supernatural abilities, Jubei, with the help of a beautiful female ninja and a government agent, must fight against all odds to save Japan. If you love Japanese anime, then Ninja Scroll is a must see.


Full Spectrum Staff

Hooligans [a.k.a. Green Street] (2005) --> Hooligans stars Elijah Wood in his first starring role since The Lord of the Rings and its quite a departure. Playing Matt Buckner, a Harvard journalism student, who is expelled when cocaine is found in his room (belonging to his roommate, a politician's son), Buckner, instead of revealing the truth to the dean, accepts $10,000 and flies to London to visit his sister. While there he is introduced to his brother-in-law Steve, and Steve's younger brother Pete (played by Charlie Hunnan). Through Pete, Matt is introduced to football hooliganism. North Americans have little understanding about this phenomena and Lexi Alexander (the director and writer) plans to show us what it is all about. The film is not just a fight-fest between rival gangs (or firms as they are actually called) but explains the rivalries between firms and the motivations behind the violence. Although Wood acts well, its Hunnan's performance which makes this film a winner.


Full Spectrum Staff

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