Prisoners of the Whispering Sono Club

    This week we close out Japanuary with a three pack of films from auteur Sion Sono.

     Notorious criminal, Nicolas Cage... I mean HERO, is sent by the tyrannical Governor to retrieve his adopted granddaughter, Bernice, who has fled into the mysterious and terrifying Ghostlands to get away from him. Swinging wildly between frustratingly obscure and ridiculously on the nose look at how Western culture treats and uses Japanese culture and people, Prisoners of the Ghostland.
     A wave of seemingly unconnected suicides go overlooked by the public until 54 teenage schoolgirls throw themselves in front of an oncoming train. Soon Detective Kuroda is informed by a hacker of a website that is tracking and counting these suicides before they become public knowledge. The first part of a still unfinished trilogy- Suicide Club (aka Suicide Circle).
     An andriod in a small apartment styled rented spaceship on a decades long journey to make deliveries to the far flung remnants of humanity. A visual meditation, a claustrophobic critique on our isolationist tendencies, a repetitive mystery, a celebration of small moments of beauty set among The Whispering Star.
     All that and Dave refuses to explain, Tyler takes secret selfies, and Kevin picks up the slack for the rest of us. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 294- Prisoners of the Whispering Sono Club

Runny Yolk

     This week- two entries in long running series. 
     Nami works at a large upscale department store. Except for some heavy breathing phone calls, she is fairly satisfied being alone. When a coworker talks her into being a substitute for a fetish model photo shoot, it kicks off many complications in her life. I hope she was well compensated for... Angel Guts: Red Porno.
     The SDF-1 Macross, exhausted and desperate and cut off from Earth, has been chased across the solar system by a fleet of Zentradi, a race of giants who only know war. During the most recent skirmish transforming mecha pilot Hikaru saves pop idol Minmay. This sets off a course of events that will bring the galactic war to a dramatic ending. The feature reworking of the classic music and mecha anime- Macross: Do You Remember Love?
     All that and Dave watches some TV, Tyler reminisces, Kevin tries to cheat his last from last year, and Craig has a laugh. Join us, won't we? 
  Episode 293- Runny Yolk

Red Med Redemption

    This week- a nurse in the Second Sino-Japanese War and a group of Yakuza on a forced vacation. 

     Sakura Nishi is a young nurse. A series of  weightless vignettes follow her experiences, mostly sexual, through her postings all over. From a safe hospital far from the fighting to a field surgery to treating a cholera outbreak right on the front line. Considered by some to be a classic war film- Red Angel.
     Murakawa has grown tired. After years cultivating his incredibly profitable territory, he's ready to retire from the Yakuza lifestyle. While contemplating calling it a day, his boss sends him to mediate an insignificant dispute between two allied gangs. When his office is bombed and he is attacked in a bar, Murakawa and his remaining men take shelter in a small house on a beach to wait for the trouble to blow over. A minimalist work of humor and apathy- Sontine.
     All that and Tyler dreams of trading card games, Dave gets episodic, and Kevin creates a new calendar. Join us, won't we?
    Episode 292- Red Med Redepmtion

Ugotz Gantzed

     This week- Japanuary 2023 kicks off with two films about restless dead people.

     As an opposing army approaches, Genjuro, a potter, is blinded with dreams of profit. His neighbor, Tobei, dreams of improving his status by joining the samurai class. Soon their actions will bring unintended consequences for themselves and those around them. A reflection on the militarism, arrogance, and greed. One of the three films that popularized Japanese film in the West 70 years ago and a long time resident on the Sight & Sound poll... Ugetsu.
     It is five months after the events of GANTZ. Kurono has dedicated himself to earning the 100 points needed to resurrect his friend, Kato. When GANTZ sets a normal human girl as the next target. The team finds themselves divided against each other with a new stronger enemy on their heels. Fast sword fights and slow philosophical questions come to a conclusion in GANTZ: Perfect Answer.
     All that and Dave learns the error of his Crisco hubris, Tyler goes trick or treating, Kevin tries to bring last year to a close, and Craig squeegees off enough grease to fry a turkey. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 291- Ugots Gantzed