Childhood Hangover

     This week- two films about Japanese youth discovering themselves and the world around them told through vibes.

     Three boys decide to keep an eye on the local recluse who lives in a crumbling house with an overgrown garden, figuring he isn't long for this mortal coil. After a little stalking, the boys and old man begin to bond, through repairing the garden, and learn what drove him to be a self-imposed outcast from the world. A snapshot of the moment when childhood ends and repercussions of an act can reverberate through generations. Directed by one the most esteemed post-New Wave Japan filmmakers, Shinji Sômai, Natsu no niwa: The Friends (1994, lit. The Summer Garden: The Friends)
     After celebrating their friend's marriage, an unnamed man (referred to only as senpai) plans to confess his feelings to kurokami no otome (black-haired maiden also referred to as kōhai). Unfortunately, Sempai being too slow to act kicks off both of them wondering through a long night of drinking, underwear theft, introspection, perversion, surrealism, consumption contests, and spontaneous theater. The first full feature by animation studio Science SARU and spiritual successor to cult favorite Tatami Galaxy- Night is Short, Walk On Girl (2017).
     All that and Craig feels vindicated, Kevin might still be wearing the wrong trousers, Dave discovers love isn't always 3D, and Tyler only has eyes for Southern bikinis. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 395- Childhood Hangover
  

Hospitable Tentacle

     This week- two films about tentacled fiends who might also be friends.

     When the moon is blown into a permeant crescent and the monster that claims credit is threatening to do the same to Earth in one year's time... unless the underachieving delinquent misfits of Middle School Class 3-E are able to assassinate it before then. In order to nurture their killer instinct, the multi-limbed monstrosity places itself as their teacher. Will the kids rise to the challenge or will they fail in their duty and doom the whole planet? The live action adaption of a wildly popular manga and anime, Assassination Classroom.
     A cheap Airbnb in Tokyo doesn't keep guests for very long. Every night the same horrific events play out to deadly results. Will anyone survive a night at this dump? Can the fleshy nightmare stalking its rooms be stopped? How has no one noticed like 50 people disappearing after booking this one room? The second feature from director Doug Roos and an impressive exercise practical effects, Bakemono.
     All that and Dave feels ultimate despair, Tyler tries to bring his Sheri Moon tattoos to life, and Kevin plots against the others for steadfastly refusing to record on his days off. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 344- Hospitable Tentacle

Bay of Witches

     This week Japanuary 2024 kicks off with a pair of films about bold, strong women who refuse to compromise to their oppressive societies and the idiots they love.

     Kinta is put in charge of his Yakuza gang's pig farm and dreams of the large paydays that were vaguely promised. Haruko, his girlfriend, works as a waitress and dreams of getting away from their port city that only lives on the whim of the nearby American Navy base. When Kinta's bosses push him to be the fall guy in a murder and Haruko' mother pushes her to be the paid mistress of an American business man. Shōhei Imamura's breakthrough work and a masterpiece of the Japanese New Wave, Pigs and Battleships.
     On Jeanne's wedding night, the local baron and his courtiers brutally violate her in a ritual deflowering. That night she begins to see visions of a phallic spirit that offers her power and her fortunes rise until they lead to ever increasing clashes between Jeanna and the ruling class. Mushi Production's final entry in their Animerama series of adult animations with gorgeous watercolors designed by Kuni Fukai, Belladonna of Sadness.
     All that and Dave sings a jaunty tune, Kevin closes the books on last year, and Tyler unfurls his hoard of Japanese erotic cinema. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 342- Bay of Witches

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

Ghost Law

    This week a threesome of video game adaptions from Japan. Including one of the best video game adaptions ever made. So far, anyway.

     33 years ago Earth was invaded by the Phantoms, ethereal aliens that kill with a touch and devour their victim's very soul. Doctors Aki Ross and Sid, with a small squad of soldiers, race to collect 8 special spirits to heal Gaia before General Hein can fire a big ass canon into the planet. The only film made by Square Pictures, directed by a game industry legend, raising the bar for computer generated characters to a level that has rarely been met, one of the best scores written since the dawn of the current century, and a voice cast stuffed with "Hey! It's that guy" types. One of the largest box office bombs in history that has gone one to not just build a dedicated cult and referred to as a masterpiece by SquareEnix published games to this day. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
     Yuki, her brother Hideo, and their father movie to Yamajima Island in the desperate hope that a doctor there can finally help with a truama induced affliction. They take residence in a dusty house long abandoned by its last occupant. It isn't long until Yuki starts to witness strange events and stumbles into the meeting place of a local cult. Will she be a victim of whatever force is loose on Yamajima or will she escape the call of the... Forbidden Siren
     The court system, overburdened by the sheer number of crimes, introduces a bold new method of justice- The Bench Trial System. Two lawyers face off directly in open court and have a maximum of three days to make their case before a verdict is rendered. Phoenix Wright has just won his first case but, before he can celebrate, his mentor is murdered and he finds himself defending Mya, his mentor's younger sister and spirit medium in training. Opposing him is his childhood friend, Miles Edgeworth. Soon all three are caught up in a mystery that they all have personal stakes in. Can Phoenix rise to the task and become an Ace Attorney?
     All that and Dave dives deep, Kevin has new feelings to feel, and Tyler lives in denial. Join us, won't you?

Episode 242- Ghost Law

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

In A Snowy Grove

 This week two Japanuary staples return. 

     The Jidaigeki psychological crime film that dragged Japan into the international film stage, kicked (with The Bicycle Thief and Monsieur Vincent) the Academy Award doors open for international films, innovated narrative structure in a way that had been endlessly imitated but never rivaled, changed the way films are shot and edited, and its title has become the term for different points of view and interpretations of the same event across all fields of study. A monk and woodcutter take refuge from a storm under a decaying gate outside Kyoto. They have just been witnesses in a trial and are still trying to understand what happened in that sunny forest grove between the dead samurai, his bride, and an infamous bandit. Is there a definitive truth in Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon?
     11 years after having her bloody revenge, Yuki Kashima better known at large as Lady Snowblood, is finally taken into custody and sentenced to death. Her transport is overtaken on the way to the gallows and Yuki is offered an out by the head of the Secret Police. If she infiltrates the home of an enemy of the state, finds some dangerous documents, and executes the traitor she will be given immunity from her previous crimes. Before long Yuki begins to question her mission and must choose between her freedom and the freedom of all. Based on the manga by prolific author Kazuo Koike. Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance
     All that and Kevin isn't afraid of no ghosts, Dave eats too many marching marshmallows, and Tyler plans his escape from yet another basement sex dungeon. Join us, won't you?

Episode 240- In A Snowy Grove

Grudge Match

     This week we bring Japanuary to a close with an overview of theatrical released Ju-On films.

     Seven people all wonder into the wrong house for various reasons and regret it pretty quickly. Kayako and Toshio unleash their brand of revenge in Ju-On: The Grudge (2002).

     Seeing the potential there, Hollywood was quick to get their own but wisely decided to bring the original creator along with a bigger budget and a fistful of CW actors in The Grudge (2004)

     Some times you lose sight of why a series works and make really bad follow ups in a new continuity... Like what happened with Leatherface seventy times. Ju-On: The Beginning of the End (2014).

     Finally who doesn't love a good tag team match? Sadako vs Kayako (2016) breathes new life into two of the century's most dominant nightmares.
Join us, won't you?

Episode 190- Grudge Match

Necro Firearm Escape

      This week the last hand painted film, the most recent war blockbuster, and our third Asami film!

      A pair of assassins drive through the dessert. To cover the hours one tells the tale of a doctor who becomes a revenge focused mastermind when his wife is murdered. The doctor buys a woman, an addict sex worker, and molds her into the ultimate killing machine. An amazing physical lead performance drives this exploitation action fest. As the blood flies and the nipples expose, can anything stop Gun Woman?

     British and French forces are pushed to the northern beaches and surrounded in the town of Dunkirk. Looking at the evacuation from land, sea, and air, Christopher Nolan wrangles a large ensemble cast between epic war story of Dunkirk.

     Prestigious Ginei Studios has gone bankrupt and shut it's doors for the last time. In celebration of it's glorious past television interviewer Genya and his cameraman Kyoji have a life spanning interview with the studio's biggest star, Chiyoko Fujiwara, who disappeared from the spotlight thirty years earlier. A surreal work from one of Japan's undisputed masters of animation, Millennium Actress.

     All that and next week we bring Japanuary to a close with a look at the seminal J-horror series JU-ON. Join us, won't you?

Episode 189- Necro Firearm Escape

Playground of Torturous Cartoon Sausage

      This week a classic, a brutal experiment, and a beloved by some art film.

     A bureaucrat ground down by three decades in the same monotonous position with a son who only appears to care about his pension and inheritance learns that his days are drawing to a close sooner than he expects. Setting out to find how to love life and find meaning in his own, he stumbles through the city. A master's achingly humanist meditation on what one can do when they find their passion and leave their mark, no matter how small or large, is the real way to live- Ikiru.
     Waking up in a claustrophobic nightmare, a man must find his way out before he bleeds to death. Can he make it out of his Haze?
     Tom Green- Canadian, comedian, TV host, film star, former lover of Gertie, Disney Princess. What happens when Fox gives him several million and lets him run wild? There was only one possible outcome... Freddy Got Fingered.
All that and we try very hard to no get political. Join us, won't you?

Episode 187- Playground of Tortuous Cartoon Sausage

Tank VS Sub

     This week we roll into 2021 and Japanuary with an action classic, a pinku classic, and a listener selected overlooked war movie from that long distant mythical time called the 1980s.

     What do you get when you unleash an escaped prisoner, a young woman, four yakuza, and a whole lot of zombies in the middle of a forest that doubles as a gateway to the otherside of this mortal coil? A lot of bloody fun in Versus.
     When she was a high school freshman Naoko was abducted and imprisoned by her neighbor. She went through a month of Hell. Now she lives a double life. By day she is one of Japan's top experts in fertility, by night she is a popular submissive at a high scale S&M club. Naoko has spent her life chasing a feeling she once had in captivity but what is it exactly? Is it the taste of a Sweet Whip (Amai Muchi)?
     A Russian tank is separated from the column. Meanwhile, Taj returns home to find it destroyed and his brother killed. With the tank lost and a group of revenge hungry mujahideen on their trail how long will the group of soldiers keep it together or will their interpersonal conflicts kill them all? Can Taj rise to fill his brother's shoes and lead this group and his village? Or is The Beast truly unstoppable?
     All that and Dave fights Skype, Kevin yearns for the old days of hot buttered crumpets, and Tyler wistfully dreams of Mitsu Dan. Join us, won't you?

Episode 186- Tank VS Sub