Spotted: my blogging compatriot JHill checking her watch — once, twice, three times — during the Bugmaster screening, then slowly, stealthily gathering her things and sneaking out. Good choice! This live-action epic by anime super-legend Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira, Steamboy) follows a Keanu-like mystic hero — the titular bug master — who hikes the countryside melting slugs in the ears of the deaf, luring inky bugs off the skin of cute, thrashing women and standing stolidly as unconvincing digital doodads swirl around him. I was one of the hardy/foolish few who stuck it out to the film’s bitter end, hoping the finale might tie at least some of this nonsense together. No dice. Major disappointment #1.
