Donald Trump yesterday at his rally in Philadelphia bragged that he was better looking than Kamala Harris, and continued to attack her, irritating some leading Republicans.   Harris and Tim Walz, with their spouses,  are campaigning in the same city today.   Where is Melania?     The Democratic National Convention begins tomorrow in Chicago, but city officials are poised to begin to control a pro-Palestinian protest beginning today, with a lot more tomorrow, certainly a larger goup than all the official delegates arriving for the gathering.  Hamas-Israel-Gaza peace talks are supposed to continue this week, but signs do not look good at all.   Read this for details on the convention , which will be televised on the usual news channels from 7-11PM all four nights, the theme being  A Bold Vision for America's Future . The  speakers list is still growing , but on the final night, Thursday, with Kamala Harris, will be Adam Kinzinger...

  It's been months since I focused on film and series programs.  We must have watched at least 25 flicks on the Seabourn Odyssey.  We've been home now for more than a month, and I have still avoided movie theaters.   Here are a few noteworthy productions worthy of your interest. On Netflix is  Missing ,  a gripping, high tech effort with wild twists that made me envious.  Why?  The teenage girl seeks to find her "missing" mother and boyfriend on a trip to Cartegena, Columbia.  This youngster is a whiz on the computer, something I just cannot do.  A 2023 film,  Rotten Tomatoes  gave it 87/90 scores. I loved  Good Night Oppy,  an inspirational documentary about Opportunity, a rover that was sent to Mars for a 3 month mission, but survived for 15 years.  Released late last year, the film shows how a robot and humans can bond from distances that varied from 36 million to 250 miles away.  Did he find life on...

Tomorrow I will focus on everything you might want to know about Japanese samurai, the real ones and films.  Today, simply the highest rated Japanese movies and series by Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes best Japanese films 100%   The Tale of the Princess Kaguya  (2013, animated) 100%   Seven Samurai  (1954), maybe the best movie ever made 100%   Still Walking  (2008), complete movie, wonderful family film 100%   Only Yesterday  (1991, animated) 100%   Tampopo  (1985), complete movie, with a younger Ken Watanabe 100%   Tokyo Story  (1953), complete movie, said to be about the best made, by Ozu ( frankly, I found this film to be drawn out and boring ) 100%   Grave of Fireflies  (1988, animated) 99%     Shoplifters  (2018) 99%     Jiro Dreams of Sushi  (2011), one of my all-time favorites, especially since  he once personally served me ...