This time I’m taking a look at the documentary, Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone’s Magic Man. I was provided with a copy of this documentary at no cost for purpose of review from the film’s director at OryCon 2014. Read more
Film Review: Executioners from Shaolin
It’s been a while since I reviewed a martial arts film from Hong Kong, and even longer since I reviewed a film from Shaw Brothers. With Netflix including more and more of the Shaw Brothers filmography, now is as good a time as any to revisit the studio and their works. Read more
Film Review: The Yakuza Papers Pt. 3 – Proxy War
Proxy War, along with the second film in the series, Hiroshima Deathmatch, are really where the Yakuza Papers series really kicks into high gear with showing the real nature of the Yakuza life. Where the sophomore film in the series introduced a new character, followed him through his induction into the yakuza, until his ultimate death, Proxy War returns us to following Bunta Sugawara’s character, Shozo Hirono, as factions within the old guard start playing the new generation of yakuza against each other, while Hirono himself tries to reconcile this current chain of events with the yakuza code of honor. Read more
Sealed Envelope – Star Wars, The New Era, and The Prophecy
This week I’m putting together a video with some speculation on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and how The Prophecy from the prequel trilogy might tie in to the film’s plot (if it comes up at all). This was recorded Thanksgiving Weekend, well before the film came out, as a little sealed envelope – if my predictions are right, then I’m a genius! If I’m wrong, I look like a moron! Either way, you win! Read more
Film Review – A Christmas Carol (1999)
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is probably the work of literature that has been most frequently adapted to the screen that wasn’t written by William Shakespeare. With so many adaptations, it’s probably hard to pick the best. I’d probably put the Muppet version at the top of my list, but aside from that, the 1999 made-for-TV version starring Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge is my number two pick. Read more
Film Review: The Yakuza Papers Pt. 2 – Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
After the original The Yakuza Papers came out and did incredibly well at the box office, a sequel came out with a relatively fast turnaround. Unlike the first film, the sequel, Deadly Fight in Hiroshima, bypasses Bunta Sugawara’s character, Shozo Hirono (who does appear in this film as a cameo appearance), for a new character, and new story of induction into the world of the Yakuza.
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Film Review – Rashomon
It’s weird watching Rashomon after seeing multiple films and episodes of TV shows that used the central narrative device of Rashomon after the film came out. On the one hand, it’s a film that did a lot of this stuff first, but on the other hand, it is still, in a way, somewhat old hat.
Probably what makes Rashomon work as well as it does is how the lies in the story are presented. We have the initial witness testimony, showing the discovery of the body. Read more
Movie Review – The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 1: Battles Without Honor and Humanity
Due to the copyright strike on my Youtube channel, I’m going to hold off on doing film video reviews for the immediate future, aside from works from companies with a proven track record as being forgiving when it comes to film criticism (such as the Criterion Collection). However, I still want to keep talking about film so, for now, I’m going to do those review as prose reviews. If there is an interest from my Patreon Backers (which you can be one of), once the copyright strike is up, I’ll go back to re-do some or all these reviews as video reviews (depending on what films they’d like to see reviewed).
These reviews are also being posted on my Letterboxd page. I’m cross posting them here because I remember what happened to Screened, and I’d like to make sure I don’t lose any of my reviews.
With that out of the way, I’m taking a look at a Japanese Yakuza film from the 1970s – and the first part of the Yakuza Papers/Battles Without Honor Or Humanity series of films. Read more
Movie Review – Kuroneko
This time I’m reviewing another Japanese Horror film – Kuroneko. Read more
Movie Review – Black Sabbath
I haven’t done a movie review in a while and it’s October, so this week I’m reviewing a horror anthology film from Mario Bava, starring Boris Karloff.
Anime Review – Rage of Bahamut: Genesis
This time I have another anime review, of the recent title “Rage of Bahamut: Genesis”, licensed by Funimation.
Video Review – The Ackermonster Chronicles
This week I’m doing a documentary review of the film “The Ackermonster Chronicles” Read more
Movie Review – John Wick
New film review this week, as I take a look at John Wick – the film, not the RPG designer.
Anime Review – Hayate The Combat Butler, Seasons 1 & 2
This week I’m doing an anime review, with a look at the first two seasons of the anime series “Hayate the Combat Butler”. Read more
Movie Review – Sabotage
I’ve still got a pending copyright claim on my review of Jamie’s Food Revolution by Jamie Oliver’s production company, so I’m doing a vlog-style review of the Arnold Schwarzenegger film “Sabotage”. Read more
Vlog – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – And Also New Super Mario Bros. 2
This time I give my thoughts on the conclusion of Peter Jackson’s latest Tolkein Trilogy, as well as New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the 3DS.
Vlog – Guardians of the Galaxy Review
Yesterday morning I went and saw “Guardians of the Galaxy”, the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here’s my thoughts on the film.
I do want to apologize, as I’m currently getting over a cold, so I’m currently sounding wonky.
Thoughts from my re-watch of Akira
Akira (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’m re-watching Akira again, for the first time after having seen the first part of Megazone 23. It’s interesting to compare Megazone 23 Part 1 and Akira. Both came out within 3 years of each other – Megazone 23 in 1985, the year I was born, and Akira in 1988. Both have similar leads – biker punks who get in over their heads with sinister government conspiracies. Both series have hawkish military figures who overthrow the elected government in a coup, and both figures are certainly antagonists. However, it’s interesting to see how in Megazone 23, the military figures are clearly evil, while in Akira, the Colonel’s actions are given a stronger justification.
This is kind of a spoiler for Megazone 23, so don’t read further if you’re worried about having the story spoiled:
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Vlog – Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, and 2312
Well, this month I’ve been swamped with school, but I have had a little time to watch a couple movies, and read one book, so I might as well give my thoughts on them. Specifically, I’ll be discussing the films Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, and the Hugo Award nominated (and now Nebula Award Winning) science fiction novel 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson.
Related articles
- SF and Fantasy Awards Season Heats Up; Hugo and Nebula Awards Still to Come (kindlepost.com)
- Nebula Award Winners Announced: Kim Stanley Robinson, Nancy Kress, and More (omnivoracious.com)
Film Review – Heaven & Hell
This week I’m reviewing a little known film from the Shaw Brothers. How little known is it? So unknown that I couldn’t find an IMDB page for this film! Read more
Film Review – Is Paris Burning?
This week I’m doing another film review – this time of a World War II Ensemble film – Is Paris Burning?
Naturally, this includes some discussion of this sub-genre as a whole. Read more
Vlog – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
On New Years Eve I saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Here’s what I thought of the movie.
Movie Review – Sword of the Beast
This week I’m reviewing another film in the Criterion Collection – the samurai film “Sword of the Beast”.
Vlog – Skyfall
After a short break caused by school work, I have a vlog for the new James Bond film, Skyfall.
Related articles
- James Bond film Skyfall breaks seven day box office record (telegraph.co.uk)
- ‘Skyfall’ Co-Writer Is Already Writing The Next James Bond Film (screencrave.com)
- Skyfall Becomes The The Biggest Movie Of The Year In The UK! (lukewilliamsgossip.wordpress.com)
- Movie Review: Skyfall (cwtampa.cbslocal.com)
- James Bond Film Skyfall Inspired By Stuxnet Virus (entertainment.slashdot.org)
- Skyfall Filmmakers 3D-Printed This Rare Aston Martin So They Wouldn’t Damage the Original (gizmodo.co.uk)