Written & directed by Akira Kurosawa.
In a story somewhat similar to then contemporary situations in the U.S., propagandist banners hang from the rafters as the wives and daughters of Japan pick up the slack in the factories when the men go out to fight in WWII. With it come the additional burdens of leaving their families behind to live in state dorms, of being required to simultaneously form a marching band to play moral-boosting anthems on the streets, and of dealing with a constant "always increase production" mentality which looks upon sickness and injury as dishonorable acts committed against family, company, and nation.
July 31, 2008
July 30, 2008
Sanshiro Sugata (1943 film)
Written & directed by Akira Kurosawa. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita. Kurosawa also worked on the film as an editor.
Legendary director Kurosawa made his debut with this little known martial arts film about a young man who sets out to master a new form of fighting, Judo, and finds himself involved in an old rivalry between schools.
June 12, 2008
Krash Bastards #1: Honor and Sacrifice (2008 comic)
Written by Joe Casey. Illustrated by Axel #13.
Pop-bizarre writer Joe Casey quickly became one of my favorites with off-beat titles like Intimates and Godland, so when I saw he was scripting an original manga-style graphic novel, I just had to pick it up.
I wish to whatever omnipotent universe-creating being which may or may not exist that I hadn't.
Pop-bizarre writer Joe Casey quickly became one of my favorites with off-beat titles like Intimates and Godland, so when I saw he was scripting an original manga-style graphic novel, I just had to pick it up.
I wish to whatever omnipotent universe-creating being which may or may not exist that I hadn't.
April 24, 2008
The Prince of Nothing #3: The Thousandfold Thought (2006 novel)
Written by R. Scott Bakker.
In the last two months, I've had the pleasure and horror of witnessing a year and a half in the life of Bakker's rich and twisted world. The clash of armies. The death of friends. The execution of enemies. The changing of beliefs. The manipulation of masses. The sorcery of concepts. Blood. Hope. Love. Rape. Famine. Faith. Pestilence.
In the last two months, I've had the pleasure and horror of witnessing a year and a half in the life of Bakker's rich and twisted world. The clash of armies. The death of friends. The execution of enemies. The changing of beliefs. The manipulation of masses. The sorcery of concepts. Blood. Hope. Love. Rape. Famine. Faith. Pestilence.
April 11, 2008
The Prince of Nothing #2: The Warrior-Prophet (2004 novel)
Written by R. Scott Bakker.
The Holy War marches on.
Once again, I find my pathetic reviewing skills put to the test as I try to sum up this, the second in a truly astonishing trilogy of books.
The Holy War marches on.
Once again, I find my pathetic reviewing skills put to the test as I try to sum up this, the second in a truly astonishing trilogy of books.
March 23, 2008
The Prince of Nothing #1: The Darkness That Comes Before (2003 novel)
Written by R. Scott Bakker.
This tome, the start of a trilogy from first-time novelist Bakker, is graced on its front cover by a plug from Steve Erickson which reads:
"Take note, one and all, something remarkable has begun."
This tome, the start of a trilogy from first-time novelist Bakker, is graced on its front cover by a plug from Steve Erickson which reads:
"Take note, one and all, something remarkable has begun."
March 17, 2008
Masters of Horror #26 "Dream Cruise" (2007 script/episode)
The Script
Undated draft. Written by Naoya Takayama and Norio Tsuruta. Based on the story by Koji Suzuki.
Man, what a mess.
Undated draft. Written by Naoya Takayama and Norio Tsuruta. Based on the story by Koji Suzuki.
Man, what a mess.
February 24, 2008
Dark Water (1996 story)
Written by Koji Suzuki.
To bookend the seven tales of his collection, Suzuki gives us an interesting character study of an elderly woman named Kayo, who takes daily walks along the beach, dreaming up stories to go with debris drifting along the shore. In the opening piece, her granddaughter tags along during a visit. Kayo promises she'll give the girl a treasure if she'll walk with her all seven days and listen to seven stories. Cute, but a bit unnecessary.
To bookend the seven tales of his collection, Suzuki gives us an interesting character study of an elderly woman named Kayo, who takes daily walks along the beach, dreaming up stories to go with debris drifting along the shore. In the opening piece, her granddaughter tags along during a visit. Kayo promises she'll give the girl a treasure if she'll walk with her all seven days and listen to seven stories. Cute, but a bit unnecessary.
February 17, 2008
Forest Under the Sea (1996 story)
Written by Koji Suzuki.
Ah, Suzuki, Suzuki, Suzuki. I don't know what to do with you. You give me so many mediocre horror tales that you become easy to dismiss, then something as beautiful as Paradise, or Loop, or this marvelous little gem comes from your mind and leaves me conflicted. Sure, the ghastly ghost stories sell better and get people chatting on message boards, but I feel your true talents are going to waste.
Ah, Suzuki, Suzuki, Suzuki. I don't know what to do with you. You give me so many mediocre horror tales that you become easy to dismiss, then something as beautiful as Paradise, or Loop, or this marvelous little gem comes from your mind and leaves me conflicted. Sure, the ghastly ghost stories sell better and get people chatting on message boards, but I feel your true talents are going to waste.
February 12, 2008
Watercolors (1996 story)
Written by Koji Suzuki.
As with many Suzuki stories, we open with a realistically described little piece of Japan. In this case, a former S&M disco where a small theatre troupe is staging a play. And also like many of his previous parables, Suzuki populates it with morally grey, everyday people. Our main focus today is on the overbearing director and his disgruntled sound technician, both of whom have the hots for the leading lady. It's mainly a bit of throw-away melodrama which Suzuki would rework to slightly better effect in his Ring related short, Lemon Heart.
As with many Suzuki stories, we open with a realistically described little piece of Japan. In this case, a former S&M disco where a small theatre troupe is staging a play. And also like many of his previous parables, Suzuki populates it with morally grey, everyday people. Our main focus today is on the overbearing director and his disgruntled sound technician, both of whom have the hots for the leading lady. It's mainly a bit of throw-away melodrama which Suzuki would rework to slightly better effect in his Ring related short, Lemon Heart.
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