The government has embraced a policy of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. There is a Department of Mutant Affairs, headed by the Beast, a charismatic blue fur-ball, Professor X's school is being tolerated, and Magneto is an outcast who lives in hiding. But the uneasy truce is shattered when a new drug is discovered that can permanently disable the X gene, eliminating the mutants' powers. While some hail this as a cure, others are up in arms against it, especially with the potential of treatment becoming compulsory.

Some movies are probably better told as TV shows, where there is just more time for long, episodic story arches. But in case you still remember what the previous two instalments were about, you will not be disappointed. Part Three brings the X-Men series to a satisfactory conclusion, the fears that the abrupt departure of director Bryan Singer (who defected to helm Superman) would destroy the project turned out to be unfounded. One has to be afraid, however, that as long as the franchise remains a money machine, there will be future (less impressive) sequels, and the final scene (after the credits) clearly suggests that possibility.

7 points

It is another of these (rare) days when Yoshinoya offers gyudon again (see also last year's file). One day only, as long as supply (one million bowls) lasts. The picture shows the store right in front of our house. I guess in more central areas the lines must rival Disneyland's. I hate lines. But I am hungry now ...

Nintendo is being unorthodox in their battle against Sony and Microsoft: The Wii will be launched in Japan on December 2nd, two weeks after the US release date. At least it will be cheaper here (speaking of pricing, rumour has it that Nintendo is not losing money on their hardware, whereas X-Box and PlayStation are highly subsidised by their makers).