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Recent Reviews
- Godzilla Minus One (2023)
- Midnight (2021)
- Magnificent Warriors (1987)
- Odd Couple (1979)
- Three (2016)
- Dreadnaught (1981)
- Decision to Leave (2022)
- Once Upon a Time in China & America (1997)
- Bad Guy
- Dali & Cocky Prince
- A Korean Odyssey
- Special Delivery (2022)
- Hwarang
- My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho
- Strong Girl Bong Soon
Recent Articles
Elsewhere on the Web
A new challenger appears!
Welcome, everyone, to the third incarnation of Heroic Cinema!
Version two served us well for several years, but the world has moved on: everyone is blogging and tweeting these days, their microformatted meanderings spat out into the ether like so many rounds of ammunition. Our rather sedate "gather up reviews, then publish every now and then" approach was getting antiquated, and many of the features we used to have — World Movies TV times, screening data, etc. — aren’t necessary … (read more)
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Merantau (2009)
It seems that every time I read or hear anything about Merantau, the new action film from Indonesia, it is invariably being compared with the Thai martial arts classic Ong Bak. Having just seen Merantau myself, I can certainly appreciate some similarities between the 2 films, in particular the starring of an unknown actor who has amazing fighting skills, combining speed, agility and fearlessness to wow the audience. However, there are also quite a lot of very obvious … (read more)
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Feel the Wind (2009)
I am not a runner, and when I do run, I feel the pain (in my legs) more than I feel the wind (on my face). So after learning in Feel the Wind that anyone can run and enjoy running, I have decided I ought to get off my bottom a little more and do some exercise. Yes, Feel the Wind is that kind of movie. It is uplifting and inspirational, as it describes an incredible level of fitness that … (read more)
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Hanamizuki (Flowering Dogwood) (2010)
Hanamizuki is a personal favourite of mine amongst all the films that I have seen at this year’s Japanese Film Festival. It is perhaps not as accomplished in various aspects as a few of the others, but it has managed to touch me and tug at my heartstrings in a way that no other films have done.
Based on the lyrics of a moving love song by Yo Hitoto (played in full at the end of the film), this story … (read more)
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Zero Focus (2009)
If I were to make a film about my life right now, ‘Zero Focus’ would be a most appropriate title. But no, the Japanese film Zero Focus is not about some dude who is overworked, underpaid, struggling to juggle multiple commitments, while trying to watch as many good films as possible, all resulting in chronic sleep deprivation and therefore a pathologically shortened attention span. Instead, it is a suspense mystery drama.
The main character is Teiko (Ryoko Hirosue), a newly … (read more)
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Villon’s Wife (2009)
”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Otani (Asano Tadanobu) does not know what love is, but his wife Sachi (Matsu Takako) certainly does. He is a talented writer, but … (read more)
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14th Japanese Film Festival 2010 Preview
The fabulous Japanese Film Festival, now into its 14th year, is almost here! This year, fans will get to choose from an incredibly strong line-up of Japanese films, many of which have never been shown in Australia previously.
Whether you are in the mood for something inspirational (Feel the Wind), delicious (Flavor of Happiness), bittersweet (Solanin) or suspenseful (Zero Focus), it is guaranteed that you will not be disappointed. Plus there are … (read more)
A Lone Scalpel (2010)
Imagine this: You are in a situation where you could save someone’s life, but in doing so you risk losing everything (and I mean everything) that you have. Would you do it? ‘Perhaps not’, I hear you say. How about if you are a doctor and that person you could save is your patient, would you be prepared to carry out your duty by performing that life-saving operation despite the possibility that you may lose your medical licence and … (read more)
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