Horror
Horror
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Episode 53 - easternKicks Picks for November
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
In the first of a new format, James and Andy curate a selection of new and recent releases from streaming platforms, cinema and festivals. Plus Andy catches up with Geran and Walid director Areel Abu Bakar in trendy Hackney Wick.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:00:19 - Introduction00:02:36 - But first, what easternKicks Picks IS, and what it ISN'T00:06:24 - Streaming picks, including Ballerina, Yellow Door 90’s Lo-Fi Film Club and In my Mother’s Skin.00:39:44 - Cinema picks, including Back Home, Past lives and Where the Wind Blows.00:46:49 - Areel Abu Bakar interview01:03:16 - Festival roundup, including BFI London Film Festival and London Korean Film Festival.01:21:52 - Outro
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Episode 52 - Halloween Special: Visible Secret
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
James and Andy look back on Ann Hui's unsung ghost comedy Visible Secret, newly released by Radiance Films and screening in London, as well as more Hong Kong horror in the form of new cinema release Back Home.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:35 - Introduction01:38 - Visible Secret introduction06:40 - Great talent in front and behind the camera14:09 - The plot16:57 - Lost in the crowd - why was it overlooked?36:20 - Back Home44:51 - Outro
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Episode 47 - Calamity of Snakes special
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Oh, the Calamity! The Calamity of Snakes! Andy and James discuss the controversial exploitation flick, released by Unearthed Films in a glorious 2K restoration, and wonder... just where is the fourth floor? Listen in if you dare, but don't get too distracted knitting. That might not be a bundle of wool...
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:33 - Introduction02:53 - The new restoration11:24 - Background to the production and cast15:55 - The "plot"!!!18:10 - The missing floor mystery19:39 - Snake carnage22:28 - Context and style32:01 - The unavoidable bad side44:06 - Outro
Calamity of Snakes is released on Blu-Ray and DVD from April 25th by Unearthed Films
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Episode 45: The Horror of Junji Ito
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
With the new series Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre debuting on Netflix, James and Andy are joined by self-confessed Ito fans Colette Balmain and Niina Doherty to chat about his works and how they've been adapted to film and television over the years. Has anyone done him justice...?
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:00:33 - Introduction00:01:37 - Junji Ito in context 00:10:46 - Early adaptions00:12:34 - Tomie film and TV series00:34:12 - Uzumaki (2000)00:40:05 - Other adaption in early 2000s 00:44:22 - Gyo Tokyo Fish Attack (2012)01:47:37 - Junji Ito Collection (2018) and Junji Ito Maniac (2023)01:00:50 - Uzumaki, Tomie and other potential adaptions01:13:55 - Outro
Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre is streaming now on Netflix.
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Episode 39 - The Sadness special
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Wednesday May 11, 2022
To celebrate the global release of gruesome horror The Sadness on Shudder, James and Andy chat through the film, with an exclusive interview with the films director, Rob Jabbaz.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:31 - Episode introduction01:54 - The Sadness, a quick explainer08:39 - Rob Jabbaz interview28:11 - Reactions to the interview34:52 - easternKicks Picks!42:40 - Outro
The Sadness is available to exclusively stream on Shudder from 12th May.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Episode 35 – All Aboard... for Hellbound!
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Is this deja vu? A Korean streaming series taking Netflix by storm. No, it's not Squid Game, but Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho's Hellbound. James and Andy chat about the series and wonder, will there be another? Meanwhile James has some more easternKicks picks.
This episode's handy timecodes
00:00:44 - Episode introduction00:02:28 - Putting Hellbound in context00:07:52 - A brief synopsis00:11:29 - How it fits with Yeon's other work00:22:29 - Just what are the demons?00:24:12 - Comparison with Yeon original Jiok/The Hell animations00:29:50 - Ah man, more 'VIPs'? 00:31:17 - Other throwaway elements (or are they?)00:33:43 - On the cast (and casting choices)00:37:05 - Will there be more?00:46:06 - Other Korean series making waves00:55:05 - easternKicks picks01:07:52 - Outro
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Episode 34 - The horror of Hong Kong!
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Yes, it's that time of year again, and we turn our focus to modern Hong Kong horror, from the tail end of the Shaw Brothers right up to Fruit Chan's Coffin Homes. Meanwhile, Niina and Stephen share some of their favourites...
This episode's handy timecodes
00:00:49 - Episode introduction00:02:18 - Why Hong Kong horror?00:08:00 - Into the 80s00:10:34 - Niina on Seeding Of A Ghost00:13:51 - The evolution from Shaw Brothers00:25:01 - The glorious descent into Category III00:27:17 - The 1990s00:38:07 - Post-handover and the 2000s00:46:03 - Stephen on Hex00:49:56 - The last decade00:56:04 - The future of Hong Kong horror...(?)01:03:17 - Outro
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Episode 33 - Do you like calamari?
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Friday Oct 15, 2021
This time we look at a certain very popular streaming series that seems to have taken over the world (or at least every news platform). That's right, it's Squid Game time! Meanwhile, James has a few more picks to choose from. And don't forget, you can still take advantage of a discount with our friends at Gweilo Beer!
This episode's handy timecodes
00:45 - Episode introduction01:52 - Let the Squid Game commence06:52 - Hwang Dong-hyuk, hardly a talent from outta nowhere11:28 - Korea's so hot right now...16:06 - High production values, quirky style19:59 - Wrong-footed pacing26:48 - Subtitle 'controversy'30:32 - Superb acting performances35:28 - How about those other controversies?43:11 - Do You Want More?!!!??!47:00 - Time for more easternKicks Picks57:26 - Outro
Squid Game is streaming now on Netflix!
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.
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.