Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast

Once again this year, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the Japan Cuts 2024 film festival which took place between July 10 and 21. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of the festival. Additionally, this page includes short written reviews by John of the Japan Cuts movies he managed to see. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/07/special-japan-...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, in anticipation of the upcoming Japan Cuts 2024 film festival, we interview two members of Japan Society: director of film Peter Tatara, and programmer Alexander Fee. Find out more about the festival at: https://japansociety.org/film/japancuts/ We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/07/special-interview-with-japan-...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we take on a Hong Kong Yuen Biao double feature, Righting Wrongs (1986) and On the Run (1988). Both films see Biao share the screen with a female co-star, Cynthia Rothrock and Patricia Ha, two riveting action stars who steal the show and make these movies memorable. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/06/s4e11-r...

In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2016 kaiju movie, Shin Godzilla, as well as the franchise's various other incarnations that followed it. We talk about the film's themes, social commentary, visual aesthetic, and its place in the Godzillaverse. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/05/special-shin-godzilla-2016.html Follow t...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2017 South Korean film, The Villainess. We discuss the film's action, style, and the merits of its questionably derivative revenge story. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/05/s4e10-villainess-2017.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory Follow Jason: https://twitter....

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we talk about The Heroic Trio and its sequel Executioners, both starring three giants of HK cinema, Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, and Maggie Cheung. We discuss the genre-mashing effect of these two films and debate passionately on which is the better one. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/04/s4e9-heroic-trio-1993....

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we resume our fourth season to talk about the iconic revenge film, Lady Snowblood (1973). We talk about the historical significance of the film, it's phenomenal action set pieces, and Meiko Kaji's role in the film's everlasting longevity. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/04/s4e8-lady-snowblood-1973.html Follo...

In the first episode of the year, the Heroic Purgatory hosts discuss their favorite films of 2023. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/01/best-films-of-2023.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito Follow John: https://twitter.com/mildly_scifi

For this years Halloween, we go to the prom with one of the most iconic horror movies ever made, Brian de Palma's Carrie (1976). Does the film stand the test of time? What is the social commentary hidden behind Carrie's blood-stained innocence? We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/11/halloween-special-carrie-1976.html Follow the show on Twitter: htt...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we resume our fourth season to talk about the iconic revenge film, Lady Snowblood (1973). We talk about the historical significance of the film, it's phenomenal action set pieces, and Meiko Kaji's role in the film's everlasting longevity. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/10/s4e7-touch-of-zen-1971.html Follow...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2001 South Korean film, My Wife is a Gangster. Does this 20+ year-old action comedy pass the test of time, or is it just another trope-filled product of its time? We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/09/s4e6-my-wife-is-gangster-2001.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgato...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2019 American film, Alita: Battle Angel, based on the Japanese manga Gunnm by Yukito Kishiro. Is James Cameron's and Robert Rodriguez' adaptation faithful to the source material, or is it just another run-of-the-mill Hollywood blockbuster. Listen to what John and Jason have to say about the film. We hope you enjoy! Website link: https://www.heroi...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 1984 film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, based on his own manga with the same name. We talk about the differences between the film and the manga, the environmental and ecological themes of the movie, as well as its overall place in Miyazaki's remarkable oeuvre. We hope you enjoy! Website link: https://w...

For the third year in a row, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) which took place between March 10 and March 19. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of NYAFF 2023 (in addition to a general overview of the festival). Additional, this page includes short written reviews by John of the NYAFF movies he managed to see. Websi...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2008 Thai action film, Chocolate. From the makers of Ong Bak and The Protector, this is another entry in a series of Thai films that found significant international success. Is chocolate worthy of its predecessors? Listen to our discussion and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/07/s4...

In the 2nd episode of season 4 of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason take on a Michelle Yeoh double feature, Yes Madam (1985) and Royal Warriors (1986). They discuss the importance of these two films in the "girls with guns" genre, their merits, their flaws, and how they hold up in midst of the Hong Kong Golden Age. We hope you enjoy! Timestamps 0:01:46 - Film Discussion 1:01:34 - News 1:07:28 - Cul...

Welcome to season 4 of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, centered around female action heroes . We start the season with none other than Police Story: Supercop, staring Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh. One of the best action movies of the 90s, Supercop catapulted Yeoh into international fame and started a new chapter in Jackie Chan's career. We hope you enjoy! Timestamps 00:00 - Film Discus...

In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason talk about John Carpenter's 1986 classic, Big Trouble in Little China. They talk about the film's influence's, legacy, and Kurt Russell's underappreciated comedic chops. We hope you enjoy! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/03/osaka-asian-film-festival-2023.html Follow the show on Twitter: https:/...

For the second year in a row, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) which took place between March 10 and March 19. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of OAFF 2023. We hope you enjoy! Timestamps 1:29:05 - News 1:46:50 - Cultural Consumption Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/03/osaka-asian-film-festival-2023...

In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason rank their favorite films of the 2022. Let us know what your favorite films were. Website link: https://heroic-purgatory.blogspot.com/2023/01/best-films-of-2022.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito Follow John: https://twitter.com/mildly_...

In the final episode of the season, John and Jason discuss Wong Kar-Wai's In the Mood for Love (2000), perhaps his most famous film. A seminal film in the history of Hong Kong cinema, it denotes a transitional period in the director's career. But is it his best? Listen to our discussion and let us know what your opinion is. We hope you enjoy. Timestamps 2:23 - Media Consumption 28:12 - News 35:26...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason discuss Park Chan-wook's 2003 masterpiece, Oldboy. A film as dark as it is entertaining, it contains themes of class, religion, fate, and vengeance. Listen as we attempt to analyze one of the most well known Korean films of all time. We hope you enjoy. Timestamps 2:03 - Media Consumption 14:20 - News 19:44 - Film Discussi...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason discuss the 2010 Palme D'or winning film, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall his Past Lives, directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. They attempt to decipher some of the film's most cryptic imagery and its place in the director's illustrious career. We hope you enjoy. Timestamps 1:42 - Media Consumption 31:14 - News 36:52 - Film...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason discuss the 2002 Yoji Yamada (of Tara-san fame) film, The Twilight Samurai. Along with its sequels and related films, we discuss the historical setting, multitude of themes, and Yamada's expertise in everyday drama. We hope you enjoy. Timestamps 2:18 - Media Consumption 32:03 - News 34:12 - Film Discussion Website link: h...

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason discuss the highly acclaimed 2015 film, The Assassin, directed by Taiwanese master Hou Hsiao-Hsien. We talk about the film's cinematography, editing, action, its mythic origins, and whether or not it deserves its numerous accolades. We hope you enjoy. Timestamps 3:04 - Media Consumption 27:29 - News 31:49 - Film Discussio...