Home Song Stories (2007)

(from , dir: )
Posted on April 21, 2010 by Samson

After my recent venture into World Cinema territory, I thought I might bring you a review of something closer to home. So here is my review of Home Song Stories, a wonderful Australian drama. However, unlike the French action flick that I reviewed for you recently, I do not think I really need to justify the existence of my review of Home Song Stories on Heroic Cinema, because it is very much an Asian film. Its cast consists of … (read more)

Comments Off on Home Song Stories (2007)

Samurai Deeper Kyo (2002)

(from , dir: )
Posted on April 5, 2010 by Deni

What with all the popular culture featuring one of the most famous periods in Japan’s feudal history – the Battle of Sekigahara – it’s not a wonder we all feel like we know simultaneously everything and nothing about it. But this is what happens when you rely on TV for all your factual information.

So it might be easiest to just assume that Samurai Deeper Kyo has absolutely nothing to do with the events of the Realm Divide, and that … (read more)

Comments Off on Samurai Deeper Kyo (2002)

Sword of the Stranger (2007)

(from , dir: )
Posted on April 5, 2010 by Deni

Patrick Galloway’s excellent book Samurai films: Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves has this to say about the prerequisites of any self respecting Samurai film:

  • The hero is probably a swordsman
  • He’s a samurai, or an ex-samurai (or yakuza) and he’s usually motivated by either:
    • Revenge
    • Loyalty
    • Self-interest
    • The desire to protect innocents
    • A combination of 2 or more of the above
  • He has a mission
  • He has an enemy (who likely has a lot of sword-wielding henchmen)
  • There will be
    • … (read more)
    Comments Off on Sword of the Stranger (2007)

    Ong Bak 2 (2008)

    (from , dir: /)
    Posted on April 5, 2010 by Samson

    Back in 2003, a little film from Thailand introduced international audiences to a unique form of martial arts known as Muay Thai and a promising new action star called Tony Jaa. That film was of course Ong Bak. It became a blockbuster in its native country and went on to become an international hit. With no CGIs or wires, the movie simply relied on the amazing physical abilities and athleticism of its main actor – Tony Jaa. It made … (read more)

    Comments Off on Ong Bak 2 (2008)

    Days of Being Wild (1990)

    (from , dir: )
    Posted on April 2, 2010 by Samson

    Days of Being Wild is one of the early films by renowned Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai. It has all the trademarks of Wong’s later works, such as Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love. But despite being less well-known in the West, Days of Being Wild is certainly no less impressive than any other film by Wong. It is a beautiful movie that features unforgettable characters played by some of Hong Kong’s best actors and actresses working … (read more)

    Comments Off on Days of Being Wild (1990)

    Shaolin Soccer (2001)

    (from , dir: )
    Posted on April 2, 2010 by Samson

    I can just imagine how one day, this strange idea suddenly crossed filmmaker Stephen Chow’s mind: what would happen if I combine martial arts and soccer to make a ‘sports movie’? He must have thought it was a good idea, and went on to realise it. And he was absolutely right. The result was Shaolin Soccer, one of the funniest and most original films ever made, in Hong Kong and in fact anywhere in the world.

    Shaolin Soccer tells … (read more)

    Comments Off on Shaolin Soccer (2001)

    CJ7 (2008)

    (from , dir: )
    Posted on March 31, 2010 by Rhys

    Off the shelf; it’s a Sony.

    It’s not after every trip to the local video store that I leave pondering global marketing, cross-cultural hybridization, computer generated aliens and region coded DVD players. I was recently, however, pleasantly surprised to have seen a copy of Stephen Chow’s CJ7 (a local release, not an import) propped up amongst the latest plethora of Hollywood’s finest – a dim, yet shining, beacon. It seemed to me that this film was once destined to carry … (read more)

    Comments Off on CJ7 (2008)

    Madman hits Blu-Ray

    Posted on February 21, 2010 by Andy

    Welcome to the future people – Madman has begun issuing some of their best and brightest on Blu-ray disc. So pound for pound, feature for feature how do these hi-def versions stack up against their DVD superseded forbears? Are they worth your hard-earned bucks? Do you need to not pass Go and head straight to the upgrade? This preamble has posed enough questions. Let’s get to the main event.

    Disclaimer: Word of warning to the uninitiated. As compelling and persuasive … (read more)

    Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Madman hits Blu-Ray