We are not rational animals, we are animals that must work to be rational

Author: Gary Angel

  • Royal Warriors

    All hail Michelle Yeoh who is absolutely kick-ass in this ’80s HK martial arts thriller. The story is silly, the ending out-of-control, and the last bad-guy-standing mugs shamelessly. And so what. Michelle Yeoh. (Criterion)

  • Be My Number Two & Be My Mistake

    Mr. Shuffle gives a sad, cynical shrug with these two bitter as kale “love” songs (from Joe Jackson and the 1975). If you had to choose, you’d probably rather be someone’s second choice than their drunken folly. Or maybe not.

  • Highlander

    The original. The only. Still a great B movie despite some of the most awkward sword-fighting you’ll ever see (looking at you Sean Connery)! A modern remake with up to date fight choreography – and less ’70s music – would be awesome. (Amazon).

  • This is the Sea & Theme from Brideshead Revisited

    You might wonder what links a classic Waterboy’s song to the iconic theme from Brideshead in Mr. Shuffle’s “mind”. Both are epic stories of Christian conversion. We may never have gone their personally, but, damn, it can make for good art.

  • One Night in Miami

    It’s easy to assume that good reviews for a movie like this are just a product of the vast ideological packaging machine serving up another heaping plate of racial injustice. Mistake. The writing is sharp enough to shave by and the actors make four compelling men come alive.

  • Downhill Racer

    A prototypical late ’60’s and early ’70s Redford movie. Slick, cynical and awfully good. But it also happens to written by THE James Salter before he kicked Hollywood aside and wrote really good books. And you know what? It kind of feels like James Salter. (Amazon Prime)

  • The Beauty of Dissolving and Oblivion

    Ambrose Akinmusire’s Beauty of Dissolving is as perfectly named as any piece I know. There are many songs named Oblivion, but here Mr. Shuffle didn’t place Grimes but Allison Balsom playing Astor Piazzolla’s tango piece.

  • Emily the Criminal

    Crisp storytelling and a satisfyingly nefarious ending make for a compelling modern crime story. (Netflix)

  • Cantus for Benjamin Britten & Four Seas Interludes

    Mr. Shuffle scores big time with this remarkable pairing. Arvo Part’s Cantus is a lovely and moving memorial and following it with Dawn from the Four Seas makes for a truly fitting combination. MTT couldn’t have programmed it better.

  • Calvin Anticipates ChatGPT

    Computers have always disappointed us. Until now…