Asian cinema
Asian cinema
Monday Sep 13, 2021
Episode 32 - Spotlight on... A Tale of Two Sisters
Monday Sep 13, 2021
Monday Sep 13, 2021
This episode we look back on Kim Jee-woon's classic Korean horror more patterned wallpaper than John Lewis, A Tale Of Two Sisters, with help from Stephen Palmer and Yonah Sichrovsky. We also announce a new association with Gweilo Beer! Don't forget to get your discount! But most importantly, will someone explain what's going on to Yonah? Find out!
This episode's timecodes
00:45 - Episode introduction03:43 - An introduction to A Tale of Two Sisters07:50 - The house of William Morris13:18 - A very British Asian horror?16:07 - The perfect moment24:10 - When did the American Remakes start?27:16 - The legacy of Two Sisters33:56 - A good time to revisit37:26 - Does it hold up?44:33 - We finally work out the ending for Yonah (spoilers!)48:27 - What else would we like to see getting the special edition treatment? 56:59 - Outro
A Tale Of Two Sisters is available now on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Episode 31 – Spotlight on... Daimajin
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Phillip O'Connor joins Andy and James for a detailed look at everyone's favourite diminutive kaiju, Daimajin, recently restored and on Blu-ray. Okay sure, he's tall, but he's definitely no Godzilla...
This episode's timecodes
00:31 - Episode introduction02:05 - Daimajin's origins06:28 - Shall we talk about the, erm, plot?12:27 - Some of the different elements of the films22:08 - Daimajin's design and special effects31:20 - Production and shooting33:45 - Obligatory Steven Segal cameo36:40 - Original release and popularity39:38 - Where'd the wee fella go?43:52 - Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube's film scores47:57 - Masks and cleft chins49:27 - The three directors52:10 - What next?56:59 - easternKicks Picks59:06 - Outro
The Daimajin Trilogy is available now on Limited Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Episode 30: The best of NYAFF 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
In this episode, we turn our eye to some picks from the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), including an extended chat about Benny Chan's final film Raging Fire. Meanwhile Maja Korbeca chats to the "Grandmother of Hong Kong Cinema" Ann Hui, recipient of the NYAFF 2021 Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award.
This episode's timecodes
00:31 - Episode introduction02:16 - Back to live festivals with NYAFF and Raging Fire15:36 - Hand Rolled Cigarette and Limbo22:59 - Shadows and more from Hong Kong28:59 - Maja interview with Ann Hui41:41 - Some picks screening from South Korea, including Spiritwalker, The Prayer and Midnight49:38 - More picks including Three Sisters and Escape from Mogadishu51:50 - Picks from Japan, including Last Of The Wolves and Junk Head52:10 - Picks from Taiwan, including As You Like It, The Silent Forest and My Missing Valentine58:13 - Outro
The New York Asian Film Festival continues with both in-person screenings and online until 22 August.
Friday Jul 09, 2021
Episode 29: PTU and Johnnie To's crime drama years
Friday Jul 09, 2021
Friday Jul 09, 2021
In this episode contributor Kaj van Zoelen joins James and Andy to revisit PTU and the classic crime dramas of Johnnie To. Will we ever see its like again? Meanwhile Stephen Palmer shares thoughts on a decidedly different example from To, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:35 - Episode introduction00:01:38 - PTU review00:24:01 - PTU and the HK crime drama resurgence of 2000s00:52:10 - Stephen Palmer on My Left Eye Sees Ghosts00:58:54 - James and Kaj share some easternKicks Picks01:06:08 - Outro
PTU is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.
Friday Jun 25, 2021
Episode 28 - The World of Wong Kar-wai
Friday Jun 25, 2021
Friday Jun 25, 2021
In this special edition, we celebrate the return of Wong Kar-wai's classic in newly remastered versions to cinemas. Special guest Bede Cheng, Managing Director at L’Immagine Ritrovata Asia, the laboratory responsible for the new editions, joins us for a chat about the restoration process. Meanwhile, contributors Colette, Theo, Phillip, Yonah, Ethan and Stephen share their thoughts on the filmmakers work. We also have the perfect podcast fuel from Bun House / Wun's Tea Room & Bar.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:56 - Episode introduction00:02:08 - Phillip on As Tears Go By00:07:19 - Bede Cheng interview part one - What is restoration?00:26:30 - Ethan on Wong Kar-wai00:30:49 - Bede Cheng interview part two - Working with WKW00:33:23 - Theo on Fallen Angels00:35:57 - Bede Cheng interview part three - More on working with WKW00:47:11 - Yonah on 204600:48:13 - Colette on Wong Kar-wai01:01:55 - Stephen on Chungking Express01:07:26 - Outro
Wong Kar-wai films screen at the BFI Southbank and ICA Cinema throughout July.
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Episode 27: Time & Tide & Tsui
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
On this episode James and Andy are joined by easternKicks contributors Phillip O'Connor and Fedor Tot to chat about the new release of Tsui Hark's 2000 action classic Time and Tide, and the director's career at point, with his fleeting dalliance with Hollywood and USA films, pairing with Jean-Claude Van Damme on Double Team and Knock Off.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:33 - Episode introduction00:03:50 - Time and Tide review00:37:05 - Enter JCVD00:40:52 - Double Team review00:45:26 - Knock Off review01:13:33 - easternKicks Picks01:22:50 - Outro
Time and Tide is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. Double Team and Knock Off are available on Uk Blu-ray from 88 Films.
Saturday May 29, 2021
Episode 26: One-Armed Jimmy
Saturday May 29, 2021
Saturday May 29, 2021
Join Andrew, James and easternKicks contributor Yonah Sichrovsky for some mainly 'armless fun, as we chat about kung fu classic One Armed Boxer, and director and star, the notorious Jimmy Wang Yu!
This episode's timecodes
00:00:52 - Episode introduction00:02:41 - One Armed Boxer review00:19:20 - Jimmy Wang Yu: The main who would be Bruce?00:34:28 - Will we ever see the popularity of kung fu films return?00:44:09 - easternKicks Picks: James00:54:54 - More easternKicks Picks: Yonah, including Demon Slayer01:02:17 - Outro
One Armed Boxer is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.
Saturday May 08, 2021
Episode 25: Cliff Walkers and Zhang Yimou
Saturday May 08, 2021
Saturday May 08, 2021
We look at the acclaimed director's latest film, Cliff Walkers, as well his genre work over the last decade. While easternKicks regulars Phillip O'Connor, Maja Korbecka and Stephen Palmer join us for their thoughts on Zhang's work.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:32 - Episode introduction00:02:50 - Cliff Walkers review00:28:10 - Other works00:30:10 - Stephen Palmer on the 2008 Olympics00:36:03 - A Simple Noodle Story aka A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop aka 'Zhang Yimou's Blood Simple' (sigh)00:41:20 - Maja Korbecka on The Road Home00:47:40 - The Flowers Of War00:51:00 - Phillip O'Connor on The Great Wall00:53:05 - The Great Wall00:57:30 - Shadow01:00:15 - One Second and Under The Light01:09:30 - Outro
Cliff Walkers is released in cinemas now, screening in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand via CMC Pictures.
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Episode 24: Spotlight on... Battle Royale
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
We revisit Kinji Fukasaku's classic Battle Royale and its sequel in honour of the new 4K UHD release. Why is it such a classic, even after 20 years?
This episode's timecodes
00:01:14 - Episode introduction00:02:50 - Ready to rumble? It's time for Battle Royale00:34:07 - Battle Royale II: Requiem. Why?00:54:54 - easternKicks picks00:55:54 - Outro
Battle Royale is released on Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray 5-disc boxset from Arrow Video from 26 April 2021, with a brand new 4K UHD restoration of the theatrical and director's cut, two cuts of Battle Royale II on separate Blu-rays, and the soundtrack CD.
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Episode 23: Indonesian Folk Horror special
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
This episode we explore Indonesian Folk Horror, from the classics of the 80s to the new films of Joko Anwar, Timo Tjahjanto, as well as an exclusive interview with Kimo Stamboel about The Queen Of Black Magic.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:31 - Episode introduction00:02:47 - The Queen Of Black Magic review00:08:52 - Comparison with the original The Queen Of Black Magic00:16:06 - James chats to Kimo Stamboel00:52:34 - Indonesian Horror, then and now; Satan's Slave and Satan's Slaves01:00:39 - May The Devil Take You and May The Devil Take You Too01:07:38 - Impetigore01:16:19 - Outro
The Queen Of Black Magic is available to stream now from Shudder, along with the original and Anwar's Satan's Slaves and Impetigore. The original Satan's Slave is available from Severin Films on Blu-ray and DVD.