Tag Archives: Japanese Cinema

Saturday Matinee: Samurai Marathon

Don’t Skip SAMURAI MARATHON, the Best Film of its Kind Since 13 ASSASSINS By Austin Vashaw Source: Cinapse Samurai Marathon reteams Bernard Rose and Philip Glass, the director and musical composer of Candyman, and it turns out this unexpected duo have crafted … Continue reading

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Saturday Matinee: All About Lily Chou Chou

THE GRAY TRAGEDY OF YOUTH IN JAPAN: SHUNJI IWAI’S “ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU-CHOU” By Luke Powell Source: Sabukaru Released in 2001, writer and director Shunji Iwai’s “All About Lily Chou-Chou” 「リリイ• シュシュのすべて」is a masterclass in complex and powerful storytelling, cinematography, … Continue reading

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Saturday Matinee: Cops vs. Thugs

Cops Vs. Thugs — No Honour Among Thieves (or Cops) By Ben Warnock Source: Ben Warnock Blog “Yakuza and cops are just the same. We respect the law instead of a code. We’re the dropouts who couldn’t get good jobs.” … Continue reading

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Cyberpunk is Dead

By John Semley Source: The Baffler “It was an embarrasser; what did I want? I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Me, caught without a program!” —Bruce Bethke, “Cyberpunk” (1983) Held annually in a downtown L.A. convention center so massive and … Continue reading

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Saturday Matinee: Millenium Actress

An enchanting Japanese animated film about a woman whose life is propelled by the yearning of her heart for a mysterious stranger. Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Source: Spirituality & Practice In the opening scene of this exquisite … Continue reading

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Saturday Matinee: Kyoshin (aka Mirrored Mind)

Synopsis from Dejima Japanese Film Festival Renowned cyber-punk director ISHII Sogo strays from his roots, entering the realm of the subconscious with Mirrored Mind, a composed, contemplative and also a very personal film. Guiding us along with an actress who … Continue reading

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Saturday Matinee: Izo

Synopsis from Wikipedia: IZO is a 2004 Japanese film, directed by Takashi Miike. The main character of the film is Izo Okada (1832–1865), the historical samurai and assassin in 19th century Japan who was tortured and executed by beheading in … Continue reading

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Saturday Matinee: Grave of the Fireflies

Review by Roger Ebert In the waning days of World War II, American bombers drop napalm canisters on Japanese cities, creating fire storms. These bombs, longer than a tin can but about as big around, fall to earth trailing cloth … Continue reading

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