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

You Can Call These Al

    We close out 2022 with a tribute to prolific high concept low budget auteur Albert Pyun.

     Deciding to make three American urban crime drama films for the price of one, all filmed in the same abandoned factory warehouse somewhere in Eastern Europe, all starring Ice-T and featuring Ernie Hudson Jr. Corrupt has ended years of gang wars by taking over both factions. MJ immediately disrupts the new status quo by stealing from him. Corrupt has always had his eye on MJ's sister Jodi. Will Corrupt get both Jodi and his property? Will MJ and Jodi get out of their deadly neighborhood? Corrupt.
     A mysterious virus that kills all exposed and has turned Boston into a quarantine zone. The only way into the rest of the US is a special passport that is only to government employees or through black market forgeries. Officer Delon, desperate to get her son out, finally buys a fake immediately before called to capture a walking viral timebomb who will kill everyone in Boston within the next 2 hours. Will Delon get her son to safety? Will Boston be swept away in a wave of violent viral violence? Adrenalin: Fear the Rush.
     Brick Bardo is a cop on the planet Arturos. He carries the most powerful handgun in the universe, a Kruger Blaster. When he chases his nemesis through a strange energy field, Brick finds himself stranded on Earth and only 13 inches tall. He is immediately swept up in a neighborhood's personal war on drugs and the gang that supplies them. Fortunately, his enemy has found himself on the opposing side once again. Will Brick reach a more fitting height for an action hero? Will the gang get their hands on the powerful, if tiny, alien bomb that ensures they will be able to rule over the city? Dollman.
     All that and Dave sings, Tyler gets wet, and Kevin's eye balls fall out of his head. Join us, won't we?
  Episode 290- You Can Call These Al

Bear Naked Ladies

     This week we have no tinsel or cheer or anything like that. We do have an invisible future sex offender and an epic kids show for one.

     Grover Dunn is obsessed with vindicating his late father's memory by perfecting his final mad science experiment. Soon he discovers that the stakes are higher than imagined with a devious dean and a high school sports scandal. Will Grover get the girl next door? Will his only friend get therapy before ending up the most sought after pervert in the tri state area? The Invisible Kid.
     James has spent his whole life living in a bunker with only his parents, a couple friends on a message board, and the monthly delivery of a Brigsby Bear video tape. When police kick in the door and he learns he was abducted 25 years ago, the world is fine, and everything he knew was an elaborate fiction orchestrated by his captors. Can James integrate himself into modern society? Will he and his biological family find a common ground to relate from? Can James finish the adventures of Brigsby Bear?
     All that and Kevin tries to spread seasonal joy, Dave plots a murder, and Tyler needs to find a new place to hide his Mall Santa collection. 
   Episode 289- Bear Naked Ladies

A Confederacy of Dunstes

    This week- teenage rebellion and racism. 

     Jay takes the bus 2-hours each way to get a better education so he can fulfill his dream of carpet bombing the Middle East for the US Navy. Nicole is a Congressman's daughter in the middle of a pretty average teenage rebellion with an added layer of unaddressed trauma. When they get together... stuff happens... kinda... and a lesson is learned... sorta... Crazy/Beautiful.
     Kazuma is searching for his lost sister. He finds help from Mako, leader of the girl gang The Alleycats. Unfortunately, he arrives just hours before Baron, leader of the Eagles, decides to rid the town of its mixed race population. Will Kazuma find his sister? Will Baron succeed? Where will Mako and the Alleycats stand when caught between the two? Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter.
     Also Dave jumps into the Holidays, Kevin Hallmarks the days, and Tyler joins the local Reign in Hell Deer biker gang to burn all festive festoonery.
    Join us, won't you?
  Episode 288- A Confederacy of Dunstes