The outré action-comedyBaccano!(2007) is set in New York City in the closing days of Prohibition, the era of speakeasies and gangland wars. Director Takahiro Omori presents several different storylines in brief fragments, with the action shifting from place to place and year to year in no discernible order. An alchemist creates the "grand panacea" that ensures eternal life: if someone who's taken it is hurt, the wound heals itself in reverse motion. That's why a knife-wielding assassin and a hail of machinegun fire can't hurt young capo Firo Prochainezo. While rival gang members try to off each other (with varying degrees of success) Isaac and Miria pursue a campy crime spree that provides comic relief of sorts. Meanwhile, Carol and the Vice President seem to be choosing the stories and characters.Baccano!is not for the squeamish: much of the violence is graphic and performed with sadistic glee. The melange of fake Brooklyn accents the voice actors affect is equally painful. Presumably the various plots eventually intersect and sort themselves out, but there's little reason to wait around for the resolution. (Rated TV MA:   graphic violence, cruelty to animals, ethnic stereotypes, alcohol use)--Charles Solomon(1. The Vice President Doesn't Say Anything about the Possibility of Him Being the Main Character, 2. Setting the Old Woman's Qualms Aside, the Flying Pussycat Departs, 3. Randy and Pecho Are Busy Getting Ready for the Party, 4. Ladd Russo Enjoys Talking a Lot and Slaughtering a Lot)