Asian Cinema Film Club

Elwood and Stephen check out the legendry CAT III action thriller Naked Killer in which Hong Kong cop Tinam (Simon Yam) is assigned two series of murders to investigate. One has been carried out by lesbian hitwoman Princess (Carrie Ng) and her sidekick, Baby (Madoka Sugawara), while the other takes the form of revenge killings by Kitty (Chingamy Yau), seeking vengeance for her father's murder. How...

Elwood and Stephen look at Zhang Yimou's Wuxia epic "Curse of the Golden Flower" based on the classic Chinese play "Thunderstorm" as Emperor Ping (Chow Yun Fat) finds his kingdom under threat from a plot from within the walls of the palace.  Buy us a coffee and support the show Check out our sponsor: Yes Please Vintage

Elwood and Stephen look at the surreal The Face of Another as an engineer disfigured in an industrial accident works with a doctor to create a new face, which soon begins to affect his personality. At the same time a young woman with a scar-ridden cheek tries to deal with the problems it brings her.  We also look at Byung-gil Jung's C arter, breakdown the Shawscope Vol. 2 set and ask you the...

Elwood and Stephen look at one of the more random entries in the Shaw Bros. back catalogue with Mighty Peking Man as an expedition to find the legendry monster in the Indian jungle leads not only to the discovery of the giant ape Utam but his human companion Samantha. Brought back to Hong Kong it's not long until Utam sets out on the rampage. We also look at the history of Apesploitation, Pooch th...

Elwood and Stephen look at the satirical comedy Giants and Toys as rival candy companies battle for control of the market as two advertising executives believe they have a secret weapon in the working class girl Koyoko whose rising star soon makes her as big a problem as their competition. We also reveal the picks for this years Halloween episode, Elwood reveals his film of the year and obsessive...

Elwood and Stephen look at the violent ballet of professional wrestling with The Foul King which sees a bullied bank clerk (Song Kang-ho) finds an outlet for his frustration by moonlighting as a professional wrestler. Buy us a coffee and support the show Check out our sponsor: Yes Please Vintage

Elwood and Stephen check out the 2004 comedy Swing Girls in which a group of delinquent and lazy school girls find a way out of remedial summer math class when they end up taking over for the schools brass band. Buy us a coffee and support the show Check out our sponsor: Yes Please Vintage

UK-China Film Collab recently hosted a series of Johnnie To screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema and while we weren't able to make it to London to see these screenings the lovely Riley Wong hooked us up with some screeners which on this bonus episode we share out thoughts on along with the career of Johnnie To, muscle suits, To's regular collaborators and unexpected plotting. 

Elwood and Stephen look at Wong Kar-wai's "Fallen Angels" in which two tales set in present-day Hong Kong intertwine as a coolly detached hitman wants to finally escape a life of violence while his partner who is secretly besotted with him. Elsewhere a mute ex-convict repeatedly encounters a girl during his nights of wreaking havoc. Plus - Daichi Nagisa's Anatomia Extinction, Japanese Splatterpunk...

Elwood and Stephen look at another title from the Studio Ghibli back catalogue with Kiki's Delivery Service in which a young witch arriving in a costal town, finds her flying skills in demand as she sets up a delivery service. But when her self doubts cause her to lose her powers she must find a way to restore them.

Elwood and Stephen look back at the classic Michelle Yeoh movie "Magnificent Warriors" in which she plays a bi-plane flying, whip cracking mercenary for hire who finds herself caught up in the battle to save the city of Corn from the Japanese army who plan to build a chemical warfare plant. Stephen also shares his thoughts on "The Funeral" while Elwood looks at the much overlooked Shaw Bros. class...

Elwood and Stephen look at Shōhei Imamura's "The Insect Woman" following the life of Tome who despite being born into poverty in a rural village in 1918 only to soon set out in search of a better life with the film following her various attempts over the eras. We also bid farewell to Jimmy Wang Yu, the Sion Sono scandal and Japanese TV Shows plus more!!

Elwood and Stephen go over another week of Anthony Wong fuelled viewing as they continue thier goal of watching 31 of his movies in 31 day  this time looking at * Madame City Hunter * Executioners * Exiled * A Moment of Romance 2 * Colour of the Truth * Motorway Opening Music "Hold My Hand" by Death Valley Girls

Continuing our month long look at the filmography of Anthony Wong we run down the weeks viewing including * The Untold Story * Hard Boiled * The Medallion * Black Mask * Cook Up A Storm Opening Theme - Fire Starter - L.A. Witch

Our month long celebration of the filmography of Anthony Wong continues as we head towards our goal of 31 movies in 31 days which this week sees us looking at * Gangster Payday * The Twins Effect * Beast Cops * The Heroic Trio * Initial D * Taxi Hunter * The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

If you could see two minutes into the future what would you use it for? This is the question at the heart of this episodes pick as we check out the festival favourite "Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes" as a group of friends discover a two min time loop but what will they use it for?

Our chapter by chapter breakdown of "Battle Royale" comes to a close as Kawada, Noriko and Shuya have a final confrontation to Kitano aswell as being subjected to some questionable art work. 

Elwood and Stephen check out the raunchy "Erotic Ghost Story" inspired by Witches of Eastwick as a trio of fox spirits find thier powers being drained by a mysterious stranger who enters thier lives. We also look at the career of Amy Yip, the history of the CAT 3 rating and we announce the details of our next themed month.

The Chapter by Chapter breakdown of "Battle Royale" now sees our group narrowed down to it's final three members but could Kawada just have been waiting for a chance to betray them? 

Elwood and Stephen look at Sion Sono's "Hate Trilogy" comprised of Love Exposure, Cold Fish and Guilty of Romance. Three films all memorable in thier own ways while covering everything from serial killers and cults to weird fetishes and of course Sono's trademark violence to make for one of the more unique viewing experiences on the show as we breakdown all three films. 

It's the most magical time of the year once again KAIJU CHRISTMAS!! Nick Rehak ( French Toast Sunday / Rehak Radio ) join us to look at the final film of the Millenium saga with Godzilla Final Wars in which aliens controling the world monsters and plans for world domination see the Earth Defense Force reviving a previously frozen Godzilla to help them in a final battle for the Earth! Check out our...

As is the tradition that every 25 episodes will be marked by a big movie being covered on the show, we also add another 50 titles to our countdown of our favourite asian cinema as we reveal the next 50 films being added to our list. Check out the full list on Letterboxd

The Chapter by Chapter breakdown of "Battle Royale" returns as we pick up the action right were we left off as the Third Man's plan to disrupt the game reaches an explosive climax while Kiriyama and Kawada finally meet in a decisive showdown. 

Elwood and Stephen look at Mika Ninagawa's psychological horror "Helter Skelter" in which the model Lilico has turned herself into the manifestation of beauty, but when a new model on the scene threatens her top spot she soon begins to loose her grip on reality quickly proving she will do anything to keep her spot!

Elwood and Stephen look at the Takashi Miike's "Rainy Dog" in which a Yakuza member exiled to Taiwan makes ends meet as a hitman, while his problems only increase when his ex dumps thier son on his doorstep. Elsewhere brother of one of his former hits sets out to get his revenge.