A samurai from the powerful Iwashiro clan is killed by Shinbei and Jurota, two members of the smaller Minazuki clan. But Shinbei is the only son of Minazuki clan leader, Katagiri. In an effort to save his son’s life Katagiri begs samurai Takuma (Raizo Ichikawa) to take the blame. Takuma reluctantly agrees to go into exile for a year with … Read the rest
Month: July 2018
Birth of Japan (Hiroshi Inagaki, Japan, 1959)
The Gods create Japan and their human offspring populate the country. But in the peaceful community of Ise, Prince Yamato’s (Toshiro Mifune) nephews led by Otomo (Eiijiro Tono) plot permanent exile for him so they can seize power. Ordered to fight a series of wars Yamato finds solace in the love of servant-girl-to-the-Gods Ototachibana (Yoko Tsukasa) and the legends of … Read the rest
Dream Lovers (Tony Au, Hong Kong, 1986)
Two Hong Kong residents, orchestra conductor Song (Chow Yun-Fat) and Cheung (Brigitte Lin) are haunted by visions of each other as lovers during the Chinese Qin dynasty 2,000 years earlier. After the two meet and spend the night together Song must face Cher (Wah Lei) his heartbroken fiancé of eight years and revelations from Cheung’s father and his business associate … Read the rest
Fantomas (Andre Hunebelle, France, 1964)
In the midst of a reign of terror by the mysterious supervillain Fantomas (Jean Marais), newspaper reporter Fandor (Marais, again) and photographer Helene (Mylene Demongeot) stage a mock interview with the villain that incurs Fantomas’ wrath. Kidnapping Fandor, Fantomas pulls off an audacious jewel robbery disguised as the reporter and then another heist posing as his nemesis, police inspector Juve … Read the rest
Blood On My Hands (Yves Boisset, France/Italy, 1970)
After Robert Dassa (Pierre Massimi) is viciously beaten and then thrown to his death from a rooftop car park his sister Helene (Francoise Fabian) takes over the running of his nightclub but is brutally assaulted by the same men, thugs seeking to use the club to push drugs on behalf of crimelord Tavernier (Francis Cosne). However Robert’s friend Dan Rover … Read the rest
