films
-
Akahige (Red Beard) (1965); Yoi-dore Musoken (Drunken Sword) (1962)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa / Directed by Tadashi Sawashima Both of the films that are the subject of today’s review feature an unorthodox middle-aged doctor and his arrogant young disciple who clash when the younger man joins the older man’s… Continue reading
-
Gorotsuki-bune (Ship of Outlaws) (1950)
Directed by Kazuo Mori I discovered this action-packed gem from Daiei hidden in the depths of YouTube. The YouTube copy has no English subtitles and is a low-resolution transfer of a poor quality print. You know it’s a good movie… Continue reading
-
Tange Sazen Yowa: Hyakuman Ryō no Tsubo (Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryō) (1935)
Directed by Sadao Yamanaka I’m delighted to say that today’s film has no shortage of reviews online. Unlike my blog’s usual fare, it’s a comedy. I tend to avoid reviewing comedies from other countries because appreciating humor typically requires a… Continue reading
-
Hangyakuji (Conspirator) (1961)
Directed by Daisuke Itō A bleak historical drama about a young nobleman caught in the middle of a dynastic power struggle, Hangyakuji is stunning to look at, gorgeously shot in Eastmancolor by cinematographer Makoto Tsuboi and features strong performances across… Continue reading
-
Jūsan-nin no shikaku (13 Assassins) (1963)
Directed by Eiichi Kudo To my astonishment 13 Assassins currently has four reviews on IMDb. I’m sorry but that’s just wrong. A classic movie deserves better than four paltry reviews. One of the purposes of my blog is to introduce… Continue reading
-
Tenpō Rokkasen – Jigoku no Hanamichi (Passage to Hell / Runway to Hell) (1960)
Directed by Masahiro Makino In a departure from his upright samurai detective character the Bored Hatamoto, Utaemon Ichikawa is on the wrong side of the law this time around. I’m not sure which crimes he’s supposed to be guilty of.… Continue reading
-
Bored Hatamoto: Island of No Return (1960); Bored Hatamoto: The Cave of the Vampire Bats (1961)
Directed by Yasushi Sasaki Crime-fighting samurai Saotome Mondonosuke aka the Bored Hatamoto aka the Idle Vassal was Utaemon Ichikawa’s signature role. He portrayed Mondonosuke over the span of more than 40 years in 30 movies as well as a television… Continue reading
-
Yotsuya kaidan (The Ghost of Yotsuya) (1959)
Directed by Kenji Misumi Because the current is swift, even though the rapids blocked by a boulder are divided, like them, in the end, we will surely meet, I know. — Sutoku-in (1119 – 1164) Daiei’s gorgeous production of the… Continue reading
Ukiyo-e Owl 