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

Cellular Purgatory

    This week- a data plan from hell and a manga brought to life.

     From the shockingly prolific Takashi Miike, a horror about early 2000s modernity. Yumi's friend gets a call from her own cell number, not a scammer. It leaves a message with a timestamp three days in the future, still not a scammer, and the sound of her friend's horrific death, still not a scammer. When the day and hour arrives, the unthinkable happens. Before long all around Yumi are targets of some malevolent force that can reach out through technology, not scammers. A film that might not have aged as well as they expected but it did kick off a successful series- One Missed Call.
     Two high school students are hit by a subway train... and wake up in a room full of strangers and a large mysterious black ball. Soon they will take their places in the only line of defense between Earth and alien invaders. Judged on their performances in battle, the two struggle to buy their freedom from the 100 point menu. Popcorn action at its finest and a great reminder of why Hollywood isn't going to stop their own manga adaptions anytime soon- Gantz.
     All that and Dave revisits some old friends, Tyler regrets nothing, and Kevin is taken away on the corpse cart. Join us, won't you?

  Episode 241- Cellular Purgatory