Man, talk about a slacker. Okay, I am not a slacker all the time, but apparently when it comes to update this blog, I sure as hell am. It been over two months. I think by now I have lost my last two readers. So what's been going on. Well, as you know from my last post, I have been writing for KFC Cinema, which is pretty damn great. I have had the chance to not only post front page news, but even review films for the site, so you know I am loving it.

Everything else is good too. I am still procrastinating about deciding on a school for my graduate work. Holding down the house and trying to find a close school that deals with film studies, is as you know, pretty freakin' difficult. Damn, near in possible in fact for the area I live in. So the hunt continues.

Caught Babel as planned yesterday. I must say I was not disappointed whatsoever. In my mind it is equal to everything Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (including his amazing short Powder Keg). I just can't fathom why people don't understand what the film is about. That has been the main complaint. It's quite simple in my mind. It's about alienation. It's about miscommunication. It's about the things that pull us apart and ultimately bring us together. The film is just beautiful. Everyone in the film is superb. People also complain that the Japanese story is kind of pointless and beg to differ. People I believe are reading the film the wrong way. Yeah the Japan segment loosely ties into the intertwined storyline but I don't think that was Inarritu's intention. Each story is about family about how horrific experiences just bring us closer to each other. People are missing the big picture in the film. Say what you say about the film but I believe it deserves Best Picture along with a handful of other awards (director, cinematography, screenplay, supporting actor, supporting actress). To be honest, the only thing I wish is that both Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi could both be nominated but more than likely it will only be one.

Call it one more step closer to making my own site. The good people over at KFC Cinema were looking for a good contributor of Japanese Cinema news so I figured I may as well go for it. I sent them a link to this very site and...I'm there new writer. Will I stop with this blog? Hell no, too many fans - and of course this blog is full of my random thoughts, which as you know, goes far beyond Japanese film discussion. But seriously if you wanna check out a cool Asian cinema site they are the place to go (others than Todd and the crew at Twitch, which is central for everything that is great in film).

So if your really bored, you can take a minute to check out KFC Cinema and read some stuff by their new writer, just look for the stories posted by Aaron....that's me.

I know I don't talk about music much on here but I have to say I finally got a chance last night to see the show I have been waiting for, for quite some time now. I saw Envy play in Columbus. If everyone doesn't know already from me ranting and raving I will clue you in. Envy is a band from Japan that would be label as hardcore even though they are so much more than that. They are a wonder. They play the most amazing music which just so happens to involve quite a bit of screaming. But don't shy away because of the vocals they are way beyond that. There are not words to describe how beautiful they are musically. Take a few minutes (roughly six minutes actually) of your day and listen to Further Ahead of Warp, from their new album Insomniac Doze. Its awe-inspiring. Remember listen deeper than the vocals (which you may or may not enjoy). Just do your self a favor and take it all in. You won't be disappointed. This was hands down the best show I have ever seen.

Okay so on with the film ranting now.

So the new schedule for the Cleveland Cinematheque (September/October) has been released and its pretty promising. For starts at the beginning of September they are playing Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 back to back. Pretty damn cool, huh. But thats just the beginning. Miike's The Great Yokai War (a fun movie), Lower City (a film from the producers of City of God), 13 Tzameti (a film from France that I have been hearing about), the Pusher trilogy ( three films from Denmark that have been the talk of many website as of late), Two Drifters (from Portugual directed by a truly bizarre filmmaker that Film Comment speaks highly of).

But no oh no, it does not stop there. October 26th through the 29th is a great weekend for classics with both Polanski's Repulsion and Jean Pierre Melville's Army of Shadows fitting the bill. Both truly great films from two equally spectactular filmmakers.

So do you think thats all. Nope sorry again. The last two weekends of October house for Early Godard films: Le Petit Soldat, Alphaville, Les Carabiniers, and last but surely not least, Pierrot Le Fou. Flashback to the last two weekends of of September and you got yourself a Viva Pedro! Thats right, the Pedro Almodovar retrospective is making its way to Cleveland after beginning in New York. September 22nd through October 1 will be the time to catch up on not olny his most recently masterpieces (Bad Education, Talk to Her, and All about my Mother) but also some early works that made him famous, and which I have also neglected to see including Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Live Flesh, Law of Desire, and Matador).

As usual, I am sure there are more lost treasures hidden inside the Cleveland Cinematheque schedule that I have yet to find. I lost count of the times I have skipped over something listed in their schedule only to read about it months later and being pissed off I didn't catch it at the Cinematheque.

One last thing I will mention before I stopping writing for the day is to let you all know of the slight date change of the release for the Red Angel dvd from Fantoma. I know I know. The original date was August 22nd. And I am sure all of you readers went to your local stores to pick it up and lo and behold it was not there. Well, rest assured, they moved it to September 19th. A sigh of relief, I know.

All kidding aside though this is a disc that everyone should definitely check out. Yasuzo Masumura was an amazing filmmaker from Japan who made some really breakthrough films. Unfortuately Fantoma been the only studio smart enough to release his films on American soil (others than Homevision's release of his entry in the Hanzo the Razor series). Red Angel follows in the footsteps of their previously released Masumura titles Blind Beast, Giants & Toys, Afraid to Die, and Manji. All films I bought cite unseen based souly on my satification of the previous film. If it is even close to the brilliance of both Blind Beast, and Giants & Toys then it should be one hell of a film. Red Angel is a film I truly look foward to and I hope you give it a chance too.

So okay. its been like 10 years since my last post. I apologize to all three of you. I am actually thinking about buying a domain for a few bucks and making a real website hear in the distant (or not so distant) future. would be cool. The plan is to actually go to the dark side and use myspace as marketing and getting the word out about the site. That is of course if I get off my lazy ass and make a really freakin cool website that I would update daily or every few days. That is the thing about some sites. Don't get me wrong I love alot of great sites but damn they update sometimes every three months if I am lucky. That's what you gotta love about Twitch . The man updates daily. what a kick ass site.

Anyways, I should have updated two weeks ago after viewing The Science of Sleep but I didn't lazyness is to blame.

Man, what a killer film. I loved it. Best film I saw this year (okay, maybe a tie with Kamikaze Girls). It is such a beautiful and entertaining film. I would be pointless to try to explain the plot or even the point of the film because its not about that. Just please just see the film when you get a chance. Its a film of beauty about love and happiness and sadness and anger. Its everything and nothing. Just do yourself a favor and see it. I will warn you though, some may just not get it. If you have ever seen a music video by Michel Gondry then you will honestly have a better understanding of his visuals in this film. His vision has finally come full blown. It is one of his videos come to life more than anything he has done previously. I explained to some one the other day that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind will seem straightforward and normal compared to how abstract he goes with this film. But that is truly the genius of him as a filmmaker and more importantly the beauty of the film. That is all I will say.

Also caught World Trade Center over the past weekend. Good stuff. Very moving. Nothing negative really to say. Was pretty much what I thought it would be. Will I watch it again? Probably not. Am I glad I saw it? Definitely. Oliver Stone has got some points back in my opinion. I was starting to worry about 'em.

It only a matter of days (alright maybe like 60 days..but still) before Babel hits theaters and I am dying to see it. After finally seeing a full length trailer of the film I have to say I will continue to tell people that it is going to be the film to beat this year in my opinion. I am already predicting it to be my film of the year. I really hope it gets some recognition this year at the Academy Awards cause it looks absolutely amazing. Please check out the trailer, when you get a chance by clicking on the picture below.

Well, I guess that is good for now. I will write more tommorrow, I promise. My computer has a bad CPU fan it it shuts off from time to time so I don't want to push my limit.

So since my last entry was kinda long I held back to things I really wanted to talk about. The first being My Blueberry Nights the new film by Wong Kar Wai (and his first American feature length film). Below is an interesting picture courtesy of the good folks at KFC Cinema, which was taken on the set of the film.

You can obviously see that it is Jude Law and Norah Jones. I know the picture isnt bunch but damn I didn't realize that he was heading into this film so quickly. Normally his films are in development for quite some time. I really can't wait to see more from this.

The next interesting info I found in the last several days was a nice little storyboard of the new Alejandro Jodorowsky film King Shot, from the fine folks at Twitch who recieved the following straight from the horse's mouth.

Now I thought that the El Topo sequel was supposed to be his next film with Marylin Manson attached but now this came up. Apprentally this will also be a speghetti western which will still star Manson along with Nick Nolte. Now like Nolte or not but you have to say this guy is pretty freakin great at picking films to work on. I mean look at the man's filmography, especially as of late and this guy is very international. Click on the picture above if you want to check out some more storyboards. Man, I can't wait to hear more about this.

So we are back and I am finally ready to write a post. New York was great as usual and the films were a good time too. Antonioni's Red Desert was a a great watch even though it doesn't quite measure up to some of his other classics (not to say it still wasn't was a brilliant film). Funky Forest was just plain strange. It was a bit on the long side (2 1/2 hours ) and I felt it was a bit too up and down. Some things were great about it while others I just couldn't get into. Chiaki, however loved it. The highlight of our movie viewing came in the form of a Korean film called Git. It a simple film but it was just so beautiful. A lot a reviews hyped it up, claiming it to be the best Korean romance film ever. So much talk often times ruin a film in many cases, however, that was not what happen. I don't think it would due the film justice by labeling it as a romantic comedy, which many will call it, but instead I will just leave it as saying its a small little film with a whole lotta heart. Highly Recommended.

Last time we were in New York we kinda skipped over Chinatown. This time we decided to give it another chance and I am glad we did. Yeah it isn't the cleanest place but damn can you find some kick ass films for between 5-10 bucks- yeah, there boots, but who cares.. the films I picked up would have cost me three times that. I don't feel too bad about the purchases because they are not films released here in the states anyways so technically they can legally get a way with it. I was luckily enough to find a copy of Git and another movie I have been dying to see also out of Korea called Welcome to Dongmakgol (it was actually South Korea's submission for Best Foreign film at last year's Academy Awards). We even managed to find a great Korean restaurant between Chinatown and Little Italy. Tasty!

While we were in New York some really solid dvd releases. Cache, Yakuza Graveyard, Cops vs. Thugs, Burst City and my personal favorite, Electric Dragon 80,000 Volts, which I finally picked up yesterday. I know I mentioned this a while back on the blog but man do people need to check out this crazy ass experimental noise rock balls to the wall battle flick. yeah, I know that doesn't make any since but just see it please. The dvd release even has the soundtrack to boot how damn cool is that.

And for those of us living in ohio there is quite a schedule lined up for the next two months at the Cleveland Cinematheque. Three of the films I have seen in the last year or so and would highly recommend the following: Clean, The Hidden Blade, and Woman is the Future of Man. Others I am planning on attending include seven different samurai films (Samurai Rebellion, Three Outlaw Samurai, Kill!, Sword of Doom, Harakiri, Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron, and Samurai Saga). Also of interest is the screening of a bizarre visual stunning film entitled Drawing Restraint 9, which stars Bjork and was directed by her boyfriend Matthew Barney the creature of the Cremaster series. The most exciting screening on the schedule is the early August sneak preview of the new Michel Gondry film The Science of Sleep. The week it is screening is the same weekend it is supposed to open limited in New York and LA, we should feel honored (word is that the film may have even gotten pushed to September now which means we may be very lucky to catch it a month earlier than the rest of the US...pretty damn cool). I am sure there are more goodies playing which I am not too familiar with. Overall a good solid schedule.

Finally, Panik House Entertainment has unveiled a division of their company entitled Casa Negra Films which will introduce the rest of the world to Mexican cinema. I am really looking forward to this because Mexican cinema is one thing I really need to be more educated on. So far their are only two releases with three more planned in the coming months. Check out their site for more info.

Alright so this isn't technically my update yet. this is a teaser for my update. I have a decent amount to talk about which include one amazing film I caught in the big city (along with another good one and another which was just plain bizarre), the release of some great films on dvd this past week, some great bootleg purchases from Chinatown, a new subdivision of Panik House Entertainment that's worth talking about, and finally I will ramble about a great new schedule for the Cleveland Cinematheque which includes an advance screening of a film that is sure to top a bunch of Best film lists this year. So please come back soon to read a rather lengthily update which I am just to lazy to start right now. At least I started it, right.

I am getting really bad at this whole update thing. Not much to report, honestly. I think now a days I am writing for myself anyways.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, I worked as a production assistant on my friend Bo's short film entitled Miles Wynberry of Glendale Lane. It was really a great time. Bo is trying to get his masters in film at Columbia University in New York City. I am pretty damn jealous really. The shoot was very professional. It was great we had a great crew, great equipment (including a jib, a dolly and track, and so much more), and great weather. I was like I was working on a shoot at film school. The camera had like $40,000 lens that makes it look like your shooting on film. Pretty amazing! I can't wait to see how it turns out. I will report more as it unfolds.

I also won some tickets online for the New York Asian Film Festival so it looks like we are catching another film in New York. When we get back I am sure I will have a lot to talk about along with a lot of pictures so I will see you all then.

So in just a few weeks, Chiaki and I are off to New York for a fun little trip. My parents wanted to get us plane tickets for our anniversary but instead I talked them into getting us a few nights in Queens instead. May as well go somewhere you can drive, right. And what so happens to be going on in a few weeks in the wonderful New York City. Well that would be the New York Asian Film Festival. We went last year and it was truly the highlight of our year (others than Chiaki's family coming for our wedding last year, of course). We love New York. Just love it. If we can someday down the line get some great jobs that can easily be found in New York City, then that's where we are heading. But for now good ol' Ohio will suffice, with an annual trek to the big city.

Last year we ended up catching University of Laughs (a truly amazing film which should have been on my top ten last year...oops I forgot), Vital (a film that split us...I dug it alot, while Chiaki was disappointed), and Cafe Lumiere (which we both felt disappointed with). This year we are spending an extra day in the city to explore it more and are once again catching three films:

Funky Forest

A total bizarre looking film from Japan, starring everyone favorite actor Tadanobu Asano which by the view of the trailer reminds me of last years Survive Style 5+ (a film that was on my top films of 2005 list).

Git (Feather in the Wind)

A very poetic looking film that is highly praised where ever you read. It is by a really inventive Korean director who is supposed to be one of the best of the country's independent filmmakers. I have seen his previous work Spider Forest recently and found it to be very unique. I am really looking forward to this film also.

The final film was are going to catch is not part of festival but was something we couldn't pass up while visiting NYC.

Red Desert

This is a film I have been dying to see. Fortuately, the month we are planning on going to New York just so happens to be when the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) are screening a retrospective of Michelanglo Antonioni. It just so happens to be the same week that we picked is when they are playing Il Deserto Rosso (Red Desert) one of his films I haven't been able to get my hands on to see. It was meant to be I guess.

So we are pretty excited to go. Yeah to catch the films of course but also to travel throughout the city. Can't wait.

What do critics know anyways?

Turns out the critically praised frontrunners went home with some small prizes as the Cannes Film Festival came to a close. Babel didn't take home the Palm D'Or or the Grand Prix but managed to grab hold of a Best Director award for Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu which isn't bad at all (hell, head juror Wong Kar Wai has even taken home a few of those in the past). Volver on the other hand took home Best Screenplay and Best Actress (which actually went to the entire ensemble female cast of the film). The big ones went to Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes The Barley (Palm D'Or) and Bruno Dumont's Flanders (Grand Prix).

So was I a litte dissapointed with the picks, yeah...but at least the films I wanted to win didn't go home empty handed.

So apparently all the front runners for the award ceremony tonight at Cannes are all the greats I want to see. Many say the race for the Palm D'or are down to two films Babel and Volver. I will be happy with either film because both directors are extremely talented. They also say Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth has a chance too. Should be a interesting award ceremony with Mexican directors leading the way this year. I am off to work and will find out the winners the minute I get back.

Great, great news.

Remember I was talking a while back about the great dvd company Fantoma that finally got off their asses and started release some great discs again. Remember I said one day maybe they will release a 60's Japanese film called Red Angel, which they mention releasing three years ago. Well, guess what? It finally has a release date. August 22nd. Mark your freakin' calendar. The previous four films they have released by director Yasuzo Masumura - Blind Beast, Giants & Toys, Manji, and Afraid to Die are all stellar films. I truly can not wait for this date to come.

But the great news doesnt stop there. Starting in October, the Turner Classic Movies channel is going to air a new show called "TCM Underground" host by Rob Zombie. It is going to be a great place for some of the truly bizarre and amazing cult films of the last 100 years to get some television broadcast airtime. Not only will Zombie host the show but he will also pick the films. So far lined up already is George Romero's The Crazies, Francis Coppola's debut Dementia 13, Leonard Castle's The Honeymoon Killers, Seijun Suzuki's Tokyo Drifter and Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster. How freakin' cool is that. We have a mix of the Horror channel (which never has been officially broadcast on television, only through the web) and the amazing Z channel ( an insanely brilliant cable channel from the 70's that aired ever cool film imaginable- think a Sundance and IFC playing films from the beginning of film through the 70s).

Very exciting news. I can't wait.

Alright most of you guys out there know by now my guilty pleasure of the last couple months. For the rest of you, I will finally let you in on the secret...I am a Taylor Hicks fan.

And the man, just won, so I need to give him some props on my blog. Come on, any one that covers Elton John, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Elvis, and The Beatles & then nails every one of 'em is pretty freakin' cool in my book.

Soul Patrol!!

Just wanted to post Hollywood Reporter's review of Babel.

CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) - Tense, relentless and difficult to watch at times, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's "Babel" is an emotionally shattering drama in which a simple act of kindness leads to events that pierce our veneer of civilization and bring on the white noise of terror.

Brad Pitt,Cate Blanchett, and Gael Garcia Bernal give committed ensemble performances alongside seasoned character performers and nonactors as the story ranges from Morocco to San Diego to Tokyo.

The film, which also features exceptional work by director of photography Rodrigo Prieto, production designer Brigitte Broch, editors Stephen Mirrione and Douglas Crise and composer Gustavo Santaolalla, is headed for major prizes and large, appreciative audiences.

As with his previous films, Inarritu tells his story using scenes out of order so that the pieces fall together in a jagged form that heightens the tension. It starts in the Moroccan desert, where a man buys a Winchester rifle from a neighbor to help keep the jackals away from his herd of goats. A Japanese hunter had gifted the neighbor with the rifle in gratitude for his work as a guide.

The rifle is entrusted to the goat herder's two young sons, who end up firing it from a mountainside at a coach filled with Western tourists just to see how far the bullet would go.

The bullet, however, strikes an American named Susan (Blanchett) who is traveling with her husband Richard (Pitt) in attempt to patch up their marriage following the death of a child.

Four hours from the nearest hospital, the coach takes a detour to a remote village, where a local man offers shelter while the other tourists argue over whether to stay or leave.

Desperate, Richard phones the U.S. embassy pleading for help and also calls home in San Diego, where their longtime maid Amelia (Adriana Barraza) is caring for their other two children. With Susan bleeding and near death in the desert, he begs Amelia to remain with the kids as he tries to get help.

Amelia's son, however, is getting married across the border and, having exhausted attempts to find another sitter, she decides to take the kids with her to the wedding in a car driven by her friendly but hot-headed nephew Santiago (Bernal).

As Richard fights to keep Susan alive with the help of a wise and calm old Moroccan woman and a veterinarian, the shooting escalates into an international incident with security forces believing terrorists to be responsible and hunting for the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, a young deaf-mute woman named Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi) is grappling with the loss of her mother by suicide, fighting with her equally bereft father (Koji Yakusho) and trying to deal with the frustrations of adolescence.

The filmmakers succeed brilliantly in weaving these stories together, taking time to explore depth of character and relationships. The suspense builds throughout as everyone involved becomes lost in a place they don't understand with people they don't know if they can trust.

Several astonishing Tokyo sequences replicate what it might be like to be deaf-mute, and equal imagination is applied to scenes at night in the wasteland of the Mexico/California border and the barren mountains of Morocco.

This is not a fear-mongering movie, but it is unpredictable and shocking, with compassion hanging on for dear life.

Man, am I dying to see this.

So Babel screened at Cannes today with glowing reviews. It is already being tacked as the festival frontrunner for the Palme d'Or (just in case you are not a big film nerd, this is the award for Best Film). I am dying here. To make matters worse I can't seem to find a broadcast of the closing award ceremonies on Sunday anywhere on television yet (usually someone like Bravo or IFC broadcast them, I can't remember which one). There killing me, man.

So just wanted to throw out some more amazing casting news I heard about today. Apparently, Natalie Portman has joined the cast of Wong Kar Wai's My Blueberry Nights. Could this cast get any better. Man, I can't wait.

Okay so I am not a big monster movie guy. I have never really been a monster movie guy. I have always swayed more toward the horror side of things rather than the Science Fiction. But I will be damned if I don't sure this film out the minute it is available on Korean dvd.

The film is called The Host and is the next hopeful blockbuster to come out of Korea. Two of its stars are some of my favorite actors out of Korea, Song Kang-Ho (of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and JSA) and Bae Doo-Na (also of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Linda, Linda, Linda). It has gotten its world premiere as we speak at the Directors' Fornight at Cannes and the reviews have been very favorable. Can't wait to here more as things keep on rolling on through with this film.

Babel screens tomorrow at Cannes so I will be back in the next day or two to report on whets going on with this promising film. I hope to see some footage from the film pop up in the morning on Cannes website. Richard Kelly's (Donnie Darko ) follow-up film Southland Tales has already not receive the greatest feedback and I hope the response to Babel is a lot more positive. Nonetheless I will be there opening day to see it one way or another.

The films rolling into the New York Asian Film Festival are getting better and better but still know film schedule up on their site. We are planning our trip and schedule based around when Linda, Linda, Linda is playing so it all comes down to the damn times and dates. So hopefully They will update their page so that I can write more about the films we plan on seeing. Can't wait. We have been dying to go to New York since our last visit in June 2005. More on this as things start to come together.

Caught a few flicks over the weekend. The first was The Da Vinci Code.I assumed the film would be a big critically applauded film which would garner all the nods come Oscar time. Then the reviews came. And man did they stink. Matter of fact out of about 30 reviews from top of the line critics only about 3 liked the film. So my hopes as the day dragged along were slowly dropping. Then it came time for the film. And we like it. Chiaki and I enjoyed it a lot actually. Granted neither of us have ever read the novel but still it was a well made film with a great cast. It actually makes me want to read the book and the other novel Brown wrote which deals with a lot of the same things called Demons and Angels. Some of the critics made reference to the film as Hanks worst of his career. I just don't get it. The whole cast was entertaining as hell, at least in my opinion.

Speaking of entertaining as hell, we just got back from catch Lucky Number Slevin at the dollar theater, and damn was it great. Definitely has some Guy Ritchie undertones (granted it was directed by Paul McGuigan, a Ritchie clone), if that's your thing, but I think it has so much more than that in store. Some of it is predictable, yeah, but it throws in enough twist towards the end that at least you won't know everything single think that happens. Many people may get tired of the whole twist after twist ending but we both found it highly entertaining. And man, look at the cast: Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett , Lucy Liu , Morgan Freeman , Ben Kingsley , Stanley Tucci. I mean really, you can't go wrong here. Lucy Liu, in my opinion was the most enjoyable performance out of the bunch because it finally gave her the perky, adorable female role, instead of the total badass roles she usually gets typecast into playing. Definitely worth a buck to see (hell it was even worth full admission) and I would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a clever fun fast-paced movie.

So Cannes has been going on for a few days now. Wish I was there. Man, do I. Anyways some good stuff is playing in and out of competition as always. Wong Kar Wai is at the head of the jury this year so it should be an interesting award ceremony. Speaking of Wong Kar Wai I found this pick on line of a promo billboard for his next project he is starting soon, My Blueberry Nights.

In case your wondering who that is in the picture, it is Norah Jones, of all people and yes she he playing the lead. Other cast members are still in the rumor stage, however, most have been claiming that Rachel Weisz and Jude Law may also star. It will be Wong Kar Wai's first feature length English language film (that is if you count his BMW short film). I have high hopes for this one (if you know me well, you know my obsessions with Wong Kar Wai).

So back to the films at Cannes this year. In competition we have Pedro Almodovar's Volver, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Babel (probably my most anticipated film of the year), Richard Kelly's Southland Tales, Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, and Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. Those are the films I am really curious about in competition. On the other hand in either the out-of-competition or un certain regard sections of the festival we have more films I would kill to see including Johnnie To's Election 2 and the anthology film several years in the making Je T'aime. The latter film consists of 5 minute films each shot in different sects of France from such world renown directors as Walter Salles, Gus Van Sant, Tom Tykwer, The Coen Brothers, Olivier Assayas, Alfonso Cuaron, Alexander Payne, and Christopher Doyle. I have been waiting for this ever since I have heard about it almost 3 years ago.

They are even screening restored versions of both El Topo and The Holy Mountain in a tribute to Alejandro Jodorowsky. Also supposed at the Festivities even though its no where to be found on the website is the new Kim Ki Duk film Time.

So there you have it, a rather wide range of films I would have loved to check out if I was rich and could travel to France to the Cannes Film Festival (I swear I will go before I die). This stuff is just at first glance too. The more I look at the website the more things I find.

Sorry. its been nearly 10 days. Sadly enough, there not much I want to get out of my system recently as far film goes. Cannes started today (or yesterday if you wanna go by French time) so hopefully I should have some steady blogs of opinion as movie goodness leaks out the next week and a half. Also Chiaki and I are in the process of planning another trip to New York this year for The 5th annual New York Asian Film Festival. Last year was a highlight of our lives together. A perfect few days. I think we are going to try to shoot for a few days longer this year (4-5 days, hope, hope) and it should be one hell of a trip. A few flicks we have been dying to see (one of which is Japan's Linda, Linda, Linda) our playing and as soon as the schedule is released I will have a better idea of what we are going to see and when were are going. Check out the Subway Cinema page to learn more about the films and the fest.

That's all for now. I know, short post.

Just found out that my boys, The Blood Brothers, are recording a new record and guess who is co-producing it....Guy Freakin' Picciotto of Fugazi (the orginators of post-punk music) fame. I know that when most people think of Fugazi they think of Ian MacKaye but Guy was equally as important to the bands success and I can't wait to see what direction he take The Blood Brothers in. Exciting stuff, well at least for me it is.

Also of note, the new Tsai Ming-Liang film I Don't Want to Sleep Alone just got picked up by Fortissimo Films, a company responsible for releasing a lot of great films internationally. Tsai Ming-Liang describes the film as being about a group of laborers who enjoy watching Bollywood movies, a Chinese Indonesian girl who works in Chinatown, a man wandering in the streets without an identity, and a mysterious mattress abandoned by a rich man. It is a comedy, but it is also tragic.

Can't wait to here more about this, as Ming-Liang is one of those directors out their that I love everything that he does.

I know its been over a week and I promised there would be more posts and less time in between. Sorry. Who really reads this anyway?

So if you know me well, you know I have a soft spot for Tom Cruise so had to check out Mission Impossible 3 on opening weekend. So I drag Chiaki on Saturday afternoon to avoid the annoying Friday night crowd. So what did I think, you ask? Come on, what do you think. I loved it. Honestly, I think its a hell of a start for the summer and the best of the three films in the series thus far. I won't dive into details and all that boring stuff, but I will let you know that Chiaki was very tired of all Cruise's public appearance and really didn't want to see the film but came out absolutely loving it. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was evil as hell in the film too. He took the more sinister route instead of the over the top cheese of a villain and it worked out great for the film. A brilliant performance.

Also finally checked out my Elevator to the Gallows. Man, please go out and buy this or at least rent it. If you call yourself a film fan at all you really need to see this. Director Louis Malle never touched this genre after this film (which was his first) but could have truly made a living out of it. A French Hitchcockian film about murder, jealousy, mistaken identity, love and lost hope. So much a head of its time really. Also noteworthy is the amazing soundtrack, entirely composed by Miles Davis. I am in the process of digging this one up as we speak.

So you may be wondering what the hell is Aaron listening to nowadays. What albums have blown him away. I know I don't talk about music much on here but if you know me, you know I have a pretty damn wide range of music taste. Granted lately, I have filled my head with some pretty chaotic stuff, but that's not everyday stuff. I do have love for just about anything (others than country of course, what do you think I'm crazy). As long as your orginial and different, I can really dig it (the main reason why country doesn't appeal to me, in my opinion, it all sounds the same....ignorance is bliss).

As far as this year goes already there are at least two extreme good records out. The first, which has heavy rotation in my car since its release almost a month ago, is the new Built to Spill record. Man, is this record awesome. Their first album in almost 5 years is definitely some of the band best work. Even if you are not an indie rocker you really should check out their stuff. The latest record You in Reverse, almost feels like a classic rock record with its great guitar riffs and 70's sound. One of my all time favorite tunes by the band is "You were Right" from their '99 release Keep it Like a Secret, which mixed in famous classic rock lyrics to make a killer track. It seems like they took the band one step forward with this idea and brought it to a whole new level. Amazing record my favorite by far this year so far.

Another record, which matter of fact is in my player right now, is the new Mogwai album, Mr. Beast. Always know for being a great mellow band, whose lyrics never matter seem to matter as much as the beautiful music, hit the new record out of the park. I will admit, I haven't followed them much since their amazing album Rock Action from '01, but when I heard that the singer of Envy was on one of the tracks I figured I would check the album out. Man, am I lucky I did. Really great stuff here. Check it out.

Others than that I have been jamming to the Bloc Party full length for a while now (one of the best albums from last year) and when in Chiaki's car The Postal Service record (I know its way old but damn if its still not a great record years later).

But for those who really want to check out a great band you should really listen to some Death from Above (I refused to call them by their new name since signing to Vice Death From Above 1979, which was changed because they were being sued by the label DFA).

A great band out of Canada that I have been listening to for a good 3 years now. If you are not familiar with them they are a two piecer made up only of a bass and drums (the drummer, Sebastien, sings most of the time). There roots originally started as crazy synth-laced hardcore but has progressed into something even more amazing. Their latest release which consists mostly remixes and a few b-sides is some of my favorite stuff by them. And my favorite record from last year (yes, a remix album, a type of record which I normally don't like to begin with, topped my best of '05). Jesse, the bassist, also has to great side projects, Femme Fatale, a band who hasn't at all drop their hardcore roots over over three eps and I am glad they haven't, and a remix group entitled MSTRKRFT which are finally releasing their first record next month. Please, as I always say, do yourself a favor and check out their stuff.

Alright, enough for now. As always, I will try to update a lot more often even though only about four people read this (you know I love you guys!).

So I have to give it to the people over at American Express. They have some great people over there with great ideas. Seems like their new theme for their "My Life, My Card" commericals is to get innovative directors to self parody themselves in commericals directed by themselves. By now I am sure everyone has seen the M. Night Shyamalan commerical a great spoof of his work while seemingly coming off as a damn cool ad. Wellm now the geniuses have decided to bring the one and only Wes Anderson along for the ride. Man, is this a pure brilliant commercial. To me at least, it seemed very Godard-esque, which is always a good thing. It will most likely be a very love-hate ad, depending on your feelings toward Anderson and his work. If you love him you will throughly enjoy it, while if you despise him you will probably loath it. The fine folks at Twitch gave the heads up this morning that YouTube has the commerical for your viewing pleasure. The spots can also been seen in a better quality although smaller picture at American Express very own "My Life, My Card" page. Pick your poison. Enjoy!

What is this? An update less than three days later. That's crazy.

So today was the big release day. Got my hands on Elevator to the Gallows and The Passenger already. Matter of fact, didn't pay anything for them. Exchanged them for some unopened dvds I had (they started to pile up because I was to lazy to return gifts I got doubles of...saved them for the perfect time...just like this). I tossed them in for a few minutes. Elevator to the Gallows transfer looks beautiful, while The Passenger commentary by Nicholson (yes, it made it on the disc...score!!) is just so damn enjoyable. I had to listen to him talk about the last 8 minute shot (in my opinion, the most amazing one shot in film history...followed by Boogie Nights opening shot). Great stuff. I managed to pick up The Emilio Miraglia Killer Queen Box set from eBay for 30 bucks (also free of charge because I have a paypal gift certificate). Working on the Fists in the Pocket and Scorpion: Grudge Song discs as we speak. Most likely I should be able to obtain these also for little or no money, depending on where I get them (right now a possible eBay purchase or Borders exchange is on the horizon. People may make fun of me for having films I have yet to open but it pays off sometimes when other films come along that you want even more. Hell, I even at one time returned a movie three years later (that I never opened) back to Borders before. What a wonderful place!

So one of the best damn theatrical distribution companies out there right now is Rialto Pictures. Just over the last few years they have released some amazing films from around the world. From French cinema (Masculin Feminin, Woman is a Woman, Classe Tous Risques, Le Cercle Rouge, Band of Outsiders, and most recently Elevator to the Gallows) to Italian classics (Nights of Cabiria) to rarely seen films from Britain (the amazing Peeping Tom).


Opening this week in New York and on May 12 in LA is a Jean-Pierre Melville film that has, until now, never been released here in the States. Army of Shadows is know by many critics as one of Melvillle absolute masterpieces. If you really aren't familiar with Melville's work, you really should be. He is the trend setter for the classic stylish gangster film. From Martin Scorsese to Quentin Tarantino to John Woo, the man and his films (especially his all around perfect film Le Samourai has inspired many of the great films makers of contemporary cinema). Please, please, please do yourself a favor and check out some of his work. I would definitely recommend Le Samourai, Le Cercle Rouge, and Bob le Flambeur to name his greats. So all you LA and New York friends, please go and catch this unreleased film in the theaters ( where everyone should see it) so that you can rub it in my face and tell me how brilliant it is so I can sulk in my tears until the day it gets released here (probably at least three months down the line at the Cleveland Cinematheque) . Check out the trailer here and see what all my ranting and raving is all about.

There I go again. Nearly a week since my last post. I whole hearted apologize.

It has been a good week.

For starters, I got in contact with a old friend I haven't talked to in quite a long time. My good friend, Bo, who if anyone met and talked to would sound like a long lost brother of mine. Our music, film, and literature similarities are rather scary. At least, they used to be. I can't wait to catch up with him. He is of at film school at Columbia University in New York right now getting his Masters (that lucky bastard) but is going to be home for the summer. Should be a good time.

Chiaki and I managed to catch a great French New Wave film over the weekend at our normal stumping ground, the Cinematheque, entitled Classe Tous Risques. Man, what a excellent film. Definitely more along the lines of a Jean Pierre Melville film than one of Jean Luc Godard, not that this is a problem. Part of that whole suave gangster film that countless directors have ripped off or pay tribute to (depending on the director or film) over the last four decades. Melville was definitely the king of the genre but I must admit that Claude Sautet did a stellar job with this film. I am not going to dive into a full review. You guys know that is not my thing. I will just simply say that it is one hell of a film. Its insane what has come out of France since the early 60s. I mean with Godard, Truffaut, Melville, Malle just name some of the great known legends. Its truly amazing if you think about. An they just keep on going with the likes of Jean-Pierre Jeunet who could stand his ground among the greats of yesteryear.

I must also give props to a good friend of mine, Jason Henry, who was also in attendance for the Classe Tous Risques screening. Rarely do I admit that someone knows more than I about a topic in film, especially something I admire as dearly as Jean Luc Godard, but Jason has corrected me not once but twice on different occasions (one of which was a comment I made during the screening) about Godard's films. For that Jason, I salute you. I am hardly wrong about something involving film but when I am, its great to have someone to correct me that has as vast knowledge about the subject as I do.

There I admitted it. Every once in a blue moon I may be off on a fact or two. It doesn't happen very often. But does occur. No ones perfect, right.

Finally, don't forget that April 25th is a great day for dvd releases. The Passenger and Elevator to the Gallows are a given for me with a possible purchase of Scorpion: Grudge Song or Fists in the Pocket, depending on which one I can find and how it will fit into my budget.

So caught a few films over the last couple days. Some great films. Actually. Both a bit on the bizarre side but equally amazing.

The first is a film I have been highly anticipating, Takeshis' the latest from Japan's Takeshi Kitano. And man is it a doozy. For starts, I will tell you I won't recommend this unless you a big fan of Kitano's work. Its a pretty trippy film. A lot of inside humor with reference to Japanese culture and Kitano's previous work. I also say a big Kitano fan because it is mainly a comedy. Big fans of Kitano know that he is not only known for his yakuza films but even more in Japan as a comedian. American audiences don't often see this side of him. It really wouldn't do the film justice for me to describe it because that would simply be damn bear impossible. Let me just say the film is as if you could ramble through the dreams of one's self and bounce a dream of a dream. The more one dreams the more it seems like a reality. I know it makes no sense what so ever. Its not really supposed to. Kitano has said that he wants to make a film that confuses people, a film where people have a lot of questions and not a lot of answers. I think he has succeeded on all levels. If you need a solid explanation to everything you watch then this film is most definitely not for you. On the other hand, if you really, honestly, want to see what is in the mind of one of Japan's greatest madmen then please do yourself a favor and check it out.

On the flipside, Chiaki and I watched Me and You and Everyone I Know last night. Wow, I love this film. Yet another film that I should have seen last year but didn't. I really need to make sure I don't miss all the greats this year. Anyways, the film really impressed me. I have had it on my Netflix list for quite some time but didn't move it to the top until both my friends Jason and Aaron highly recommended it. And I am glad I did. Don't get me wrong, both Miranda July (you also directed and wrote the film) and John Hawkes both impressed me, but the most powerful performance, in my opinion were the three kids. It is so hard to find children that can act these days. It always used to be a joke in the film industry that the death of your career lied in acting with animal or kids. Man, not in the case of this film. They were spectacular. Miranda July should also be recognized for dealing with the subject matter of adolescent sexuality so professionally tasteful. I am really sickened by and have a strong dislike for Todd Solondz, who tends to use this subject as shock value and usually shows it in a very non professional and disgusting matter. Not the case with July. To tell you the truth, I wish the film was longer. I wanted to learn more about these characters. Every single one of them. I highly recommend this film to everyone who is in the mood for a truly great independent film.

Poop back and forth forever! (just watch the damn film...please!)

I have said previously that if I am really excited about something musically I will choose to post it here... and I am. So I will. Deal with it!

What has me all giddy inside you ask? Well, the first exciting news came in form of my email. I haven't checked Dim Mak Records website in a while but suffice to say they emailed me a newsletter instead. And what was in this newsletter, you ask. Well they are going to release the new JR Ewing album in July. The album has been out in Norway for over a year now. I have been searching the internet for a long while trying to find this one but no luck. Now I only have to wait a few more months and I can have it in my greedy little hands soon. After the release of the album, they plan on touring the US again. I can't wait. Last album they toured California when I was in Ohio visiting. It made me pretty sad to miss them, but now is my second chance. If you all aren't familiar with this great ol' band, they are a great listen if you are into things like Refused, Song of Zarathustra, The Chariots, Death of Anna Karina. They are pretty freakin' amazing if that is your thing. If you can just really open up alittle bit to something different, something alittle bit chaotic at times, you would really dig it.

Speaking of chaos, even better news came my way yesterday while browsing the web. I figured since I would check the official page of one of my all time favorite bands, Envy. If you haven't heard me rant and rave about them, I will once again delve into them. Envy, is a hardcore band out of Japan that has been around for nearly 15 years. I stumble across them probably about 4 years ago when Dim Mak Records released one of their previous records. From there they moved on to Level Plane records to release their last record. Last January, they made a small two week tour of the US. You guessed it, I missed them. I was so pissed. It was around the time that we were moving back to Ohio and I had too much on my mind to savage through the web. Sure enough, I missed their due dates showing that they were playing in Columbus, Ohio around the time we arrived back here. Well, now for the good news. They just finished a new album on a new label, Temporary Residence Ltd. , and plan on a album release and North American tour in late summer. I am ecstatic now. Although, with my bad luck, they won't tour until October when we plan on going to Japan. What irony!! Here's to hoping for some good luck!

Oh yeah I almost forgot.....Happy Easter, everybody!

Who is that you ask? Thats Meiko Kaji, one of the coolest damn actresses ever to grace the silver screen. Around these parts you always here me rant and rave about the Japanese exploitation films of the 70s. Well, before the films went over the deep end into total sexploitation, ala the Pinky Violence films, their was the kick ass films of Meiko Kaji. Most people know here as Lady Snowblood and her music in the Kill Bill series. Beyond the Lady Snowblood films, she also starred in a series of films entitled Female Prisoner Scorpion or known in Japan as Sasori. The exposure of Kaji in America has grown in the last two years. Not only are the previous films available now or soon to be, but a hand ful of others should reach the shores by the end of the year. While starring in one of the Battle without Honor and Humanity films (part of the Yakuza Papers boxset, I also rant and rave about) She was also the lead in a series called Stray Cat Rock (which unfortunately the States have only seen third film released on dvd as of right now).

But that is not the end. 2006 keeps the films coming. Kino International has two more Kinji Fukasaku films set for June including Yakuza Graveyard starring Tetsuya Watari and Meiko Kaji. It has also been released recently that Discotek plans to release Blind Woman's Curse with Kaji as a female yakuza. Then there is my new favorite label, Panik House Entertainment, who hopes to release the Gincho Wanderer series within the next year. The love for Meiko Kaji is not about to stop as here popularity grows larger than ever.

Speaking of Panik House, they show no sign of letting up. After the release of 6 great films from the Pinky Violence era of Japan they have more in the pipe. Not only the series I mentioned above but also the Yoen Dokufuden set of films which I actually know nothing about but can't wait to see, since it has been said that they are the films that started the Pinky Violence era. If all these films weren't enough, they also plan to release the godfather of strangeness with a crazy film entitled Horror of the Malformed Man. Not only have I heard this film is a must see but several different people have compared it as a Japanese counterpart to one of my personal favorite films of the strange, El Topo.

So their you have it. More money for me to waste on dvds. But man, it will be well spent. Sadly not many of the films have release dates yet, which I guess is actually a blessing in disguise for my wallet. I can't wait.

I am trying to avoid that whole "it's been a week and no update" deal that most sites are so great at doing, therefore I will post two days shy of a week. Hey, I care. I really do care.

So I caught a few things since the last post. Of course there was Ice Age 2 on Thursday with Isaac. That was a fun time. The theater was completely empty, just Chiaki, Isaac, and myself. It was great we could talk as much as we wanted and be as loud as we wanted. What more could you ask for. Isaac loved the film, which made me feel good.

Last night we made a trek to the Cinematheque to catch The Spirit of the Beehive, a film out of Spain from the early 70s. It was pretty interesting. Not one of my favorites I ever caught there but not mad by any means. I think I really want to read more about it before rushing to judgment. If you really want to respect a foreign country's cinema and truly understand a filmmaker's vision I really honestly believe that you need to read more about the film and its texture before jumping the gun on critiquing it. Let's just say I liked it but was not blown away. I do have to say that the girl that played the lead actress, who had to be no older than 6 or 7 was absolutely amazing. I have never see a better child actor. Imagine Natalie Portman excellence at 12 and kick it back a few years and you will have this quality of work. Nuff said.

Chiaki and I finally sat down to watch the unaired episode of Showtime's original series Masters of Horror. Directed by Miike Takashi, Imprint was definitely the most f'd up of the whole bunch. While the lead actor, Billy Drago, was atrocious, the Japanese cast (which all spoke English), were just fine. The visuals were not only gorgeous (the cinematography was beautiful) but also pretty damn brutal. Miike definitely pulled no punches on this episode and I found it to be a great closer for the first season of the medicore season. It is right up there with the John Carpenter episode Cigarette Burns which I absolutely loved.

On one final note I would like to recommend a great book that I got from the library a few weeks ago. Entitled 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, It starts with A Trip to the Moon from 1902 and goes from year to year picking a dozen or so films from each year. The films come from all over the world and are really some great picks, in my opinion. There are so many films in this book that I have never heard that I am dying to see now. If you want to have a great introduction to world cinema or just want to discover a lot of great films from all over please try to find this book at your local library. You will not regret it.

So April 25th will be the death of me. Their are way to many great releases coming out on that exact day. For starts, Criterion Collection does a one, two punch and releases a double whammy of kick as films. First at the top of my list is Louis Malle debut film Elevator to the Gallows. I have been dying to see this film ever since I missed it at the Cleveland Cinematheque. The second stellar release by the company on that day is the Italian film Fists in the Pocket by Marco Bellocchio (also the debut feature length film by the director). I haven't heard too much about the actual film but I have been doing a fair share of reading about Bellocchio. One of his latest films, ironically also played recently at the Cinematheque (which again I missed).

But the list doesn't stop there. The 25th also brings a film I did see recently at the Cinematheque, Antonioni's amazing The Passenger. I can't wait to own this. I still haven't found out the final specs of this disc, which at one time was supposed to include a commentary track by Jack Nicholson. Media Blasters bust out another stellar film from the vaults of Japanese exploitation Scorpion : Grudge Song the final film in Meiko Kaji's Female Convict Scorpion series. Finally, my peeps at NoShame Films releases one hell of a cool looking set with the Emilio Miraglia Killer Queen Box Set, which even comes with a action figure of the killer Red Queen. In my opinion a release date doesn't come any better than that. It looks like I will finally cash in some of my Borders coupons, certificates, and return my extra copy of Grey's Anatomy that I have been holding on to for a special occasion like this. Hopefully with all this goodness I should be able to pick up at least three films without spending much cash at all. I am really looking forward to this film filled day.

So we are going to see a film very out of character for me tomorrow, Ice Age 2. Before you really start to wonder I will explain. Thursday is hangout day with Chiaki and I favorite person in the whole wide world, my nephew Isaac. This is a big day for us because we have never taken him to the movie. It should be a blast.

So Chiaki and I just got back from checkin' out Slither. Not too bad. Overall, a pretty fun movie a nice mixture of comedy and gore. Entertaining stuff. You see I have a problem though. Every genre film I watch as of late I keep coming back to comparing it to Hostel, which ruins the whole thing cause I love Hostel with a passion. So even though a film horror film might be pretty good it just doesn't live up with Eli Roth's film. After saying that, if you want to see some great gross out gore, check out Slither.

Back to Cache, which I ended up seening last Thursday. Man was it great. Its one of those great films that may piss a lot of people of for several reasons. One of which is the fact that it is often slow movie but builds up the more it goes. The other reason it may bug people is that it doesn't tie everything up at the end. To me, that is two things I actually loved about it. In my opinion it doesn't need to tell me what really happens, its just so powerful with out even knowing. I could care less. I really need to check out more films by Michael Haneke. The other day, my friend Jason asked me how Cache was and I told him it was excellent and that it doesn't leave you with a completely resolved ending, which I loved. He told me that a previous film of Haneke's called Code Unknown does the same thing so we came to the conclusion that this must be a common theme in his work. So I will shut up about it and just plain recommend it to anyone who really wants to experience a great film from a very promising French director.

If you are really open to some fun no budget horror films from Ohio you all should really check out this site. My friends Aaron and Jason are solely responsible for what lies ahead, which is a great trip to watch if you have a few minutes free. Right now they only have two films to their name but are working on a handful more in the not to distant future. Really, take some time out of your busy schedules and visit their site. You will have some fun.

The horror convention this weekend was a blast. I spent a little more money than I planned (I swear their was a little devil around my shoulder that kept on pushing me to buy more....I swear), but that happens when your having to much of a good time.

Here is what was involved in the damage to my wallet:

- Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (this baby retails for 25 bucks and I got it used for 10)

- a great set of giallo films from NoShame Films entitled The Luciano Ercoli Death Box Set, which even comes housed with a cool ass soundtrack

- a film I have praised before on this blog and will continue to praise now that I got my grubby hands on a copy, the one and only El Topo

I also went in half and half with my buddy Aaron on a copy of the new Dario Argento flick Do you like Hitchcock?, which is you guessed it, an homage to one of the greats. I really have been dying to get my hands on this film and am anticipating my first viewing. Speaking of Argento, two great newsworthy truths have come out of late about one of my favorites. One of which is the fact that he will finally be working on The Third Mother a long in the works conclusion to a trilogy of his films which started with Suspiria, continued with Inferno, and will finally come to an end with this film. The other great thing that Argento has talked about recently is his promise to return to more surreal films ala his greats from the 80's. Very good news if you are fans of his work.

Well I am sure I am forget a lot of things I wanted to ramble about but nonetheless I will save it for another time. Until then...

Hell has apparently frozen over cause one of the best distribution companies is back from the dead. Fantoma, one of the best new (well, as far as the last 5 years) dvd companies, has gotten their asses in gear and are up and running again. They had not updated their site in almost a year and had even started a sale on all their films. I figured they were a goner. So their next release is going to be a Rainer Werner Fassbinder film called Why does Herr R. Run Amok? on May 30th. After that comes a Samuel Fuller film entitled Dead Pigeon on Beethoven Street, a film I have been waiting for them to release for over a year now. This is great news. They claim they will have regular updates now and will have a new slate of film release very soon. Let's hope their right. Who knows, maybe they will finally release the two Yasuzo Masumura titles, Red Angel and Black Test Car, that Film comment claimed they were supposed to release 3 years ago. Okay, maybe I am pushing it. Also, if you really want to know more about the people who started Fantoma check out this cool little article.

I am heading off to Cleveland tomorrow to check out the first Cinema Wasteland of the year. If you don't know what it is, I will gladly tell you. Its a convention for us horror film dorks. It's a whole alot fun actually. Last year Sid Haig was their among other horror film guests, while this year hosts some more greats from the genre. Alright maybe not any great this year but still some interesting one, including Priscilla Barnes, of all people (actually its because this year hosts the victims of The Devil's Rejects while last year was home of the killers of the film). Another person this year that is pretty damn blog worthy is the one and only Kane Hodder (the best Jason to ever wear the hockey mask in the Friday the 13th flicks). He also oddly enough was the stunt co-ordinator for The Devil's Rejects. Now isn't that a great coincidence. I must finally give a shout out to Lloyd Kaufman, the head of Troma Entertainment, who will also be attending the convention (and the reason why my brother, Kevin, is planning on going).

On a final note, Chiaki and I saw Cache last night at Canton Palace Theater. It was a great film out of France, that everyone should check out. I will give you all more information about it soon.

I will report back tomorrow sometime, I promise. I know its been almost a week since my last post but I want to put all you naysayers to rest ( yeah you, Nate!) and promise to update the site more. Until then.

So my vacation is over and I am kinda sad. It was great while it lasted. Caught mostly great films over the last week My film festival venture included the Italian film Quo Vadis, Baby, which was pretty damn disappointing despite a very promising lead actress and Midnight, My Love, a great little quirky romance from Thailand with a whole lotta originality. I will definitely try to hunt for that as soon as it reaches dvd somewhere. The best film I caught from the fest was a great western starring Guy Pearce out of Australia entitled The Proposition. And man was it violent as hell. Really reminding me of some of the great spaghetti westerns. Hopefully this thing gets released with all the scenes intacted but at press time it is questionable. When it comes around, and I know it will, everyone should really check it out. I have a feeling it will stack up well with the rest of the great films released this year.

I also caught some mainstream flicks over the past week: V for Vendetta and Inside Man. If I had to choose the better film the ball would definitely be in Spike Lee's court, however don't get me wrong V for Vendetta is still one hell of a ride. Lee's Inside Man just really seemed to have more of a "what the hell is going to happen next" factor.

Some good stuff comes out this Tuesday if you a horror fan. Cigarette Burns, the John Carpenter episode of the Masters of Horror series, along with four Giallo films from the 70's. I am definitely picking up the former and really want to also pick up at least one of the Italian horror films. I guess we will see how bad it damages my wallet.

So I gone and done it again.I just saw a movie I should have gone to see along a time ago. An damn, was it entertaining. I feel so out of touch last year now that I realized I missed two of best films from last year. Cause its hard out here for a pimp...yep you guessed it, I just checked out Hustle & Flow. Man, I love this film. Terrence Howard is amazing in this film. Its great to see him go from Crash to Hustle & Flow. Two different yet equally outstanding performances. I will shut up about the film now cause its kinda too late to praise it and I am sure everyone has heard as much as they want about it but I just have to give it some props. I can't wait to see where Howard goes next in his career. An then theres Anthony Anderson, who up until this point I hated with a passion. He's great in this fim too. If you haven't seen this film yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. I don't care if you love hip hop or hate it, this movie is about so much more than that. Check it out.

How could I be so blind. So lazy. After watching the film I just watched, I keep on asking myself why I hadn't seen it earlier. This film is easily the best film of last year. It touched me more than any of the films I saw last year (including Munich and A Constant Gardener, two films I hold dare to my heart). What is this film, you ask? Well that film is...Crash.

If you know me you know that I always go against the grain I never follow the hype but, man, is this thing powerful. Its real. Its honest. It never holds back. It truly is the way life is. I could shoot myself for not see this last year and raving on and on about it because it truly deserves it. It wholeheartly deserves that Oscar. I am still glad that Ang Lee got the director award because he has had amazing career. Paul Haggis has so much ahead of him. I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve. Hell, he has two screenwriting Oscars already and thats pretty damn great. This film immediately made me think of another Paul. Paul Thomas Anderson (and if you know me well, you know I love PTA). Crash needs to be seen by everyone, it really does. I guess I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about this film, I just want to say that its an exceptional piece of work that really touched the heart and it deserves every ounce of praise that it is given. Actually, why don't you just go pick up the director's cut of the film that comes out April 4th. I know I will!

Just got done watching one powerhouse of a film. But before I go ahead, I would like to back track a few steps. During the late 80's and all through the 90's, Hong Kong cinema was on fire. Matter of fact, my first love of international film (others than a handful of Italian horror films) came by way of Chinese cinema. I am about to mention a best kept secret....I used to be a huge Jean Claude Van Damme fan.

Okay, I am glad that is out of my system, we all can sleep better now.

Anyways, luck for me, I was introduced to John Woo in the early 90s thanks to the Muscles from Brussels (sorry again, I just couldn't resist). From their on it was all over. Everything out of Hong Kong I fell in love with. Slowly but surely, I expanded to other parts of the world of film, Spanish films, French films, Italian films, you name it. To be honest Mr. Tarantino himself, turned my on two great things thanks to his now-defunct distribution company Rolling Thunder, Wong Kar Wai's Chungking Express and Takeshi Kitano's Sontaine. Wong Kar Wai is now one of my favorite directors of all time and Kitano, also one of my favorites, was a great introduction to Japanese cinema. Wong Kar Wai also turned me on to Jean Luc Godard (who has highly influenced Wong Kar Wai) and we all know how highly I respect that director.

But something happened with Hong Kong films...they kinda died. It seemed that the only thing I would watch from their would be a Wong Kar Wai film (which if you are a fan of the man means every 3 or 4 years) or from time to time a good Tony Leung Chi Wai starrer. Nothing really was all that impressive until Infernal Affairs (possibly one of the greatest films out of Asia ever). Recently Korean and Japanese film has been far more successful on all levels than any out of Hong Kong. After Infernal Affairs, came SPL, a nice welcome return, but still not comparable to the other. Until now.


Like I said at the beginning, I just got done watching a pretty powerful film, Election. The film follows the Chairman selection process as two triad (the Chinese Mafia) leaders struggle with each other to head the Wo Sing Society. Matter of fact, the one Chairman is elected rather early in the film (in the first 15 minutes), that's not really what this film is about. Its about the war between them and how they must do what has to be done to stay on top and stay true to their name. The last 30 minutes of this film is right now of a Scorese film. And I don't mean this in a negative way, I think that the director, Johnnie To, has definitely done justice to the genre. It is truly some powerful stuff, especially the ending that really sets you up to wanting to see more (ironically the sequel comes out next month in Hong Kong). My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. I really wanted to see more of what was happening among these people. Do yourself a favor and check this film out please. Its not out state side as of yet but do some internet soul searching (by clicking on the image above) or check your local Chinatown. Trust me you won't be disappointed.

We just got back from Cleveland and I have to say I am pretty satisfied. The documentary we watch, Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story was heartbreaking. God, it was so well crafted. For those that don't know what the hell has been going on in Japan for the last 20 years or so I will try to fill you in. Starting back in the late '70s, North Korea began to kidnap Japanese citizens to bring to their country to teach Koreans how to be Japanese. Over the years North Korean has admitted to kidnap 13 Japanese and 5 have since been returned back to Japan. The others North Korea claims have died. One of which was Megumi Yokota, a 13 year old girl. This is her story ( along with information about the others). Its a very sad story but it was something I am very glad that I saw. Chiaki has been telling me about ever since 2002 (when the 5 Japanese were finally returned home) but the film really helped me in learning even more. It truly is a film everyone needs to see. I wish it would be nominated for an Academy Award this year so that the mainstream audience can discover it. I will be pushing hard for this film to play at the Canton Palace Theatre this year. This is really powerful stuff.

So I know. It has pretty much been a whole week since my last post. I have sorta been busy but that's no excuse really. It's laziness pure and simple. I apologize. So on with the post.

Went to my first meeting of the Art Film Committee of the Canton Palace Theatre. It went good. It was actually pretty damn cool. I was one of three new members, one of which was a friend of mine from work, Jeremy. They meet once a month and I will attempting to attend all of them from now. I have already been email them ideas for future film screenings. Hopefully, this will work out to be a great opportunity for me.

The Cleveland International Film Festival started yesterday. Our first film we are catching is tomorrow. I can't hardly wait. This is one of my favorite times of the year.

I picked up to films the other day while visiting Columbus. Three Times and Election (no, not the Reese Witherspoon film). One from Taiwan, and the other from Hong Kong. Both played at Cannes last year and are supposed to be excellent films. I picked them up at Eday, a relatively new store which sells Chinese films (along with some from Korean and Japanese). They also have a website you can order from if that is your thing.

Caught the The Hills have Eyes remake the other day. Not much to say about it. Most people I talked to loved it. I just thought it was okay. As far as the gore factor, the film blows most out of the ball park. I mean I am not quite sure how they got away with this much blood and gore. But others than that, it didn't grab me much. The actors were fine that wasn't my problem it just didn't do much for me. In my opinion, Hostel is superior on so many more levels.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I will post tomorrow when we get home from the film festival to let everyone know how it went.

So other one bites the dust. I just read that Wellspring, one of the great distributors of international cinema, is shutting there doors forever. To all you out there who don't know them you really should. Over the years they have released nearly a dozen Rainer Werner Fassbinder films, along with classics from Francois Truffaut, Hou Hsaio-hsien, Eric Rohmer, Tsai Ming-Liang, Akira Kurosawa, Takeshi Kitano. While forming named. Formally known as Fox Lorber, and sadly known for bad transfers, by tranforming into Wellspring they changed paths and became a critically acclaimed distributor of solid releases. They will be sadly missed. This news comes of the heels of the recent shut down of another great defunct distributor, Homevision (who was responsible for an amazing array of international films, one of which was the Yakuza Papers boxset that I drool over everyday). Luckily for us, some superb companies our coming out of the wood work to help film fanatics like myself see some of these great lost films from around the world. Tartan Video, Noshame Films, Discotek, Panik House Entertainment, Blue Underground, Synapse Films, Fantoma, Kino, and Criterion Collection are making us proud with their excellent array of releases.

So I always go on and on about the Cleveland Cinematheque and how great it is but I always fail to mention other great theater around me. This theater is even closer to me (as a matter of fact less than 15 minutes away), The Canton Palace Theatre.

This baby has been standing strong for 80 years. Look at that marquee doesn't it make you cry. The theater is a beauty from top to bottom. The coolest thing about them is that about 5 years ago they started to do a art film night every Thursday. A blockbuster Hollywood film would play on the weekend while a foreign or art house film plays on Thursday. Its pretty damn cool. This month we are going to check out Cache, a film from France that one the Prix de la mise en scene (the Best Director Award) at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Some they just started doing, as far as I know, is play Classic films on Sundays. They keep on getting better and better. A friend from work even recently inviting me to be on their Art film committee so you know that I am extremely excited for that. Hopefully I can get them some even great insight on the best films to get there. We will see, I guess.

So we had plans to Bowling Green today to check out the school, when I was reminded of something my friend Andrew, a Bowling Green student, told me last week. It's spring break. So it looks like my school visit will have to wait until next week.

We got back from Dave Chappelle's Block Party a few hours ago. It was quite an enjoyable hour and a half. If you go in wanted a all Chappelle stand up film your not going to get it. If you go in thinking you will see some crazy visuals from Michel Gondry, your not going to get that either. Matter of fact the only signs of Gondry is maybe the opening credits and his voice throughout. I would have to say their is more concert footage than anything else and man is it great stuff. I mean the music in this film is always the artists I have grown to love over the years as far as hip hop goes. The Roots, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Kayne West. Great Stuff. Even the appearance of The Fugees, who I think were a bit overrated, was pretty entertaining. And don't think their isn't any Chappelle comedy mix in because their is definitely a fair share. I mean come on this man is leader of our generation in comedy. He is the second coming of Richard Pryor in my opinion (ironically he was wearing a Pryor shirt throughout most of the film). It really was a well made film. I would go as far as to say it is a groundbreaking film. Their has never been a film I can remember like this, with a wide release at least. Matter of fact I can't even find a film of the top of my head that is a documentary mix comedy with music.

Not much going on these last fool days. Sorry for the absence of posts theses days (for all five people that read this). While I stated early on that I wasn't going to talk much about myself on here I do have some pretty big news.

I have decided to go back to school and get my Masters degree. I seriously sat down and thought what the hell can I do with my life that I will really enjoy. Everyone that knows me knows that I love talking about film all day and night. I feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of and was thinking of the perfect thing that would fit me as a career. I decided that what I would thoroughly enjoy would be to teach film in college. I emailed a film professor I had and truly admired at Kent State, Professor Robert West, and he recommended that I participate in the Pop Culture graduate program at Bowling Green. So right now I am making those steps to see if that is the best thing for me. I am extremely excited to learn more about their program and the college. One of my friends have graduated from Bowling Green while another is currently attending it right now. Both tell me this is a great program. So I am pretty psyched, but enough about me.

I ordered Chiaki and I some tickets for a handful of films at the Cleveland International Film Festival. We are going for a record this year. So far we are planning on see four films. This year we plan on seeing the following films:

Abduction : The Megumi Yokata Story
At 13 years old, Megumi Yokota disappears on her way home from school. After nearly 20 years with no idea what happened to their daughter, Megumi parents learn from a North Korean defector she was one of at least 13 Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean spies in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Five years later, North Korea admits to the kidnappings and reveals the fates of the abducted. Resolving to bring Megumi home, her parents tenacious and untiring campaign takes their personal tragedy to the political forefront, resulting ultimately in a battle between nations. Set to haunting images of Megumi and wrought with half-truths and near triumphs, ABDUCTION (Executive Produced by Jane Campion, the Oscar winning director of "The Piano") is a shocking portrait of the strength of one family and the bureaucracy barring them from the truth. (In Japanese and Korean with English Subtitiles)

The Proposition
Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) is presented with a proposition by British police Captain Stanley to choose between his two brothers. The Captain, fixated on bringing civility to his English settlement and on relieving the settlement of its worst outlaws, creates his own rule of law . Charlie searches for his elusive, vicious elder brother while his younger brother sits, terrified, in a jail cell. In town, the consequences of the Captain proposition begin to spread far, wide, and rather bloodily. The havoc reaches even to the Captain gentle wife, Martha (Emily Watson), who is no longer able to be protected by porcelain teapots and English roses. Nick Cave screenplay astounds, and the haunting soundtrack fits perfectly with the visibly sweltering and audibly painful outback. THE PROPOSITION is a thrilling twist on the Wild West genre, dealing brutally and beautifully with loyalty, revenge, and love in a violent and unforgiving territory.

Quo Vadis, Baby?
Working for her father private detective agency in Bologna, Giorgia is an unglamorous, short-tempered, quick-witted investigator. She spends most of her time trailing cheating spouses and lamenting that she has wasted her life. But when she receives a box containing video diaries of her younger sister Ada, she begins to question whether or not Ada's death 16 years ago was really a suicide. On the tapes, outgoing Ada appears to be happily struggling with her acting career and having a secret affair; nothing that suggests she was suicidal. Convinced that her sister was murdered, Giorgia begins interviewing Ada friends and family members. As she digs deeper into the past, a questionable family history begins to emerge. Wholly clever, atmospheric, and stylishly shot, QUO VADIS, BABY? is a thrilling contemporary noir film that invites the audience in to play detective. (In Italian with English subtitles)

Midnight, My Love
Driving though the Bangkok night is Bati, a shy cab driver who is more interested in listening to dramatic radio shows and the music of a time past than in picking up customers. Reluctant to adjust to modern technologies, Bati is happily stuck in his ways, often lost in his own romantic reveries that play out like old musical films. One evening he picks up a group of four prostitutes in his cab, three of whom loudly tease him and one who sits quietly. Bati and the beautiful woman, Nuan, have dinner together, agree that he shall pick her up each night, and begin a chaste romance. Bati dreams of a more passionate affair and of saving Nuan from her tarnished life, but both have their reasons for keeping the other at a distance. Popular Thai comedic actor Pechtai Wongkamlao brings a spectacular dimension to his sad, sweet character and his uncanny reason for resisting modernity. Soft-lensing, a romantic soundtrack, and stunning images establish the dreamy feel of this memorable, melancholic tale of an unlikely love. (In Thai, with English subtitles)

Alright we are off to see Block Party. I will probably post tonight to give everyone my opinion. Until then...