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

Riding the Starfish

      This week joyrides both across a country and the void of space.

     When Nanae comes back into Rei's life, it kicks off events that will change everything. Soon they are on the run with only each other and their complicated history as support. Based on the influential manga, Gunjō. Will they find some kind of peace with each other and their past? Will they be able to forge a new future? Will they Ride or Die?
     Japan's first science fiction film shot in color. A rogue planet is hurtling towards a blissfully unaware Earth while strange visions of  giant starfish begin terrifying fishermen. At the same time Dr. Matsuda has just made a huge breakthrough in his work on a new nuclear bomb and Professor Isobe takes in a woman his son found floating down stream. Will the waterlogged woman be able to deliver her urgent Warning from Space in time for humanity to survive?
     All that and Tyler has to adjust his list, Dave starts a new starfish cult, and Kevin spoils a party. Join us, won't you?

Episode 239- Riding the Starfish

Wicked Project

   This week we kick off the New Year and Japanuary with a double dip of classic anime from the 1980s. 

     For centuries a treaty between the demonic Black World and our own has kept both sides living in relative peace. A peace enforced by the Black Guard. As the timeframe of the original treaty draws to the end, radicalized extremists from the Black World begin a campaign to stop a new treaty from being signed. Human Taki and Black Worlder Makie are tasked with protecting the ratifying human signatory. Will they be able to deliver him safely? Will the radicals succeed in breaking the peace? Can Taki suppress his Bondian sexual compulsions? Can anyone stop molesting Makie? Who will make it out of Wicked City.
     Magical, super powered, and ginger A-ko Megami, and her best friend C-ko Kotobuki, are starting their first day at a new high school. Unfortunately, they immediately land in the sights of Biko Daitokuji, a jealous rich kid with a murderous mecha building hobby, and intergalactic forces speeding their way to Earth searching for their lost princess. Will Biko steal away C-ko? Will the aliens find their royal? Will A-ko ever make it to class on time? Just what is going on with Project A-ko?
     All that and Kevin drags himself across the holly jolly finishing line, Dave doesn't understand the appeal, and Tyler goes completely digital.
     Join us, won't you?

Episode 238- Wicked Project

Tangentially Xmas

    This week we bring 2021 to a close with a three pack of movies that are firmly winter holiday adjacent. 

     Christmas Eve 1918, a lawyer comes to visit Mrs. Allen and her three children. He brings an amazing offer that will get them out of not their squalid apartment and give them a chance to improve their lives greatly. That is, if they don't mind a few ghosts. Before they can say some cockney rhyming slang two of the kids are off on a time leaping adventure that will change their lives forever. Just don't think of The Amazing Mr. Blunden and his paradoxes.
     After a month as classifieds editor at the Los Angeles Eye and finding that she has been sleeping with the wrong reporter to get a career boost, wannabe reporter Kim takes matters into her own hands and, without editorial sanction, begins to look into a woman's strange death by spontaneous human combustion. At her very first stop, she becomes the target of a coven of lesbian witches. Crammed full of ideas cut from a previous feature, cult hero Brian Yuzna brings a tale that appropriately hates everyone but loves giant cockroaches. Who will survive Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation?
     Three odysseys across LA. Sean Baker's raw and up close ground level view of a distinctive and specific sex-trade subculture. Anchored by three phenomenal central performances and filmed with bleeding edge technique and stuffed with style, Tangerine.
     All that and Kevin get serenaded, Dave wonders if Killer Santa was inside him all alone, and Tyler learns the true meaning of Life Day. Join us, won't you?

Episode 237- Tangentially Xmas

Evilnauts

     This week a pair of effects heavy movies from the past. 

     Jason returns home to take back what was stolen in his infancy. In order to rally support for this, he decides to head out and steal the Golden Fleece. With some support from the goddess Hera, his crew set out to confront a whole bunch of stop motion monsters brought to life by the brilliant Ray Harryhausen. Will he succeed? Will any of his crew return home? Will they all meet grizzly ends and join the skeleton army? Who dares sail with Jason and the Argonauts?
     The second installment in Paul W.S. Anderson's wildly successful video game adaption series. When Umbrella finds they are unable to contain the infection from overtaking Raccoon City, they pull their assets and begin an operation to remove all evidence. Tragically, Dr. Ashford's daughter was misplaced in the rush. Now Ashford is reaching out to game protagonists Jill Valentine and Carlos Olivera to support film protagonist Alice to save his daughter before nukes rain down and Tyrant rips them all in half. Who will pull themselves out of the wreckage of Resident Evil: Apocalypse?
     All that and Dave burns chrome, Kevin is filled with the Holiday Spirit, and Tyler learns that he bleeds T-virus. 

Join us, won't you?

Episode 236- Evilnauts

Ruthless Charles

     This week- psychopaths hiding in plain sight and a disdain for social morality.

     A young couple kidnap their former boss's wife as revenge for his stealing their work. The boss hoping his wife never comes back. The boss's lover's blackmail attempt doesn't go anything like planned. A serial killer terrorizing a neighborhood. 80s fashion, premium speakers, nightmare inducing masks, home video cameras that weigh over 100lbs, and a gaggle of  Ruthless People.
     Uncle Charlie's visits are always welcome in the Newton home. Young Charlie, his namesake, has always felt a deeper connection to him than anyone else. Unfortunately, Uncle Charlie might possibly be the notorious Merry Widow serial killer. The incompetent men hunting him see fit to burden young Charlie with this knowledge. Is his charm and their connection enough to remove her Shadow of a Doubt?
     All that plus Kevin and Dave both peer into the wild world of Holiday films and Tyler learns he only responds to tank controls. Join us, won't you?

Episode 235- Ruthless Charles

Rothrock and Roll

      This week- two movies, four women, and multiple trios of bumbling idiots.

     Naama lives in an Israeli suburb with little to do except drugs and casual hook ups. When she meets a new student, they are immediately attracted to each other. Meanwhile, he racist parents are desperately searching for her AWOL sister who might have run off with a nice young Palestinian boy. Blush (aka, the much better title, Barash).
     Two of the best action stars of all time together in the second film directed by Hong Kong legend Corey Yuen and produced by Sammo Hung which started an entire subgenre. Tragically, the draws are pushed aside for some of the worst garbage outputted by the painfully unfunny Luck Stars but when allowed to do what they do best, they rival any other of the period and force you to say... Yes, Madam. 
     All that and the Spencer Mansion collapses on Dave and Tyler's heads while Kevin leaves his noir funk behind for candy colored holiday cheer. Join us, won't you?

Episode 234- Rothrock and Roll