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

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

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.