The Seven Swords China (2019) Dir. Francis Nam Chi-Wai This is something of anomaly for me as I can’t find any sufficient information about this wu xia fantasy film at all online. Aside from the poster, a trailer, and ironically, the film itself, The Seven Swords is shrouded in mystery - it doesn’t even have … Continue reading The Seven Swords
My Hero Academia – Two Heroes
My Hero Academia - Two Heroes (Cert 15) 1 Disc DVD/Blu-ray/Steelbook (Distributor: Manga Entertainment) Running time: 96 minutes approx You know a shonen action show has made it to the big time when it gets its own big screen spin-off, so welcome to the major leagues My Hero Academia! Kōhei Horikoshi’s creation manga has seen … Continue reading My Hero Academia – Two Heroes
The Guilty (Den skyldige)
The Guilty (Den skyldige) Denmark (2018) Dir. Gustav Möller An aphorism that paraphrases Edgar Allan Poe asserts “Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear”. Taking this as its premise, being on the end of a telephone can fuel an inquisitive mind but does this lead to right decisions being made? … Continue reading The Guilty (Den skyldige)
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Part 1
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Part 1 (Episodes 1-12) (Cert 15) 4 Discs DVD/Blu-ray Combo (Distributor: Manga Entertainment) Running time: 290 minutes approx Judging by this first instalment of this dark fantasy series, the title The Ancient Magus’ Bride feels a little misleading as no marriage has taken place yet; scratch that, there hasn’t even been … Continue reading The Ancient Magus’ Bride Part 1
The Wild Pear Tree (Ahlat Agaci)
The Wild Pear Tree (Ahlat Agaci) Turkey (2018) Dir. Nuri Bilge Ceylan It’s funny how young people always think they know it all, especially the precocious ones who read a few highbrow books and suddenly believe their take on the world is the only “right” one and everyone else is an ignoramus living in the … Continue reading The Wild Pear Tree (Ahlat Agaci)
Terra Formars
Terra Formars (Cert 15) 1 Disc Blu-ray (Distributor: Arrow Video) Running Time: 109 minutes approx. If there is an anime or manga most people would not think of trying to adapt into a live action film you can always count on Takashi Miike to step up. Whether it is the camp silliness of Yatterman, the … Continue reading Terra Formars
Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu Complete Collection
Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu Complete Collection (Cert 15) 2 Discs Blu-ray (Distributor: MVM) Running time: 299 minutes approx. In Japanese folklore is a belief that everyday objects, tools, and weapons can acquire the spirit of a living being after they have died, known as tsukumogami. This the central premise behind Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu but in reverse - the … Continue reading Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu Complete Collection
Shoplifters
Shoplifters (Cert 15) 1 Disc Blu-ray (Distributor: Thunderbird Releasing) Running Time: 121 minutes approx. The family that steals together stays together - or something like that. Okay, that isn’t the exact quote but in the context of the latest masterwork from Japan’s top chronicler of modern life in the Land of the Rising Sun, it … Continue reading Shoplifters
Lost Love aka A Sicilian Dream (Perduto amor)
Lost Love aka A Sicilian Dream (Perduto amor) Italy (2003) Dir. Franco Battiato When films are based on personal experiences and told through that same personal lens, the director often runs the risk of losing his or her audience if they present their story in an arcane manner only they understand. Lost Love is such … Continue reading Lost Love aka A Sicilian Dream (Perduto amor)
The Captain (Der Hauptmann)
The Captain (Der Hauptmann) Germany (2017) Dir. Robert Schwentke World War II is full of incredible stories and has proven to be a vast source of inspiration, both in fact and fiction, yet despite the war being over for almost 75 years, there are still tales being inspired by or dramatised from this period by … Continue reading The Captain (Der Hauptmann)
MIB's Instant Headache 