Ryuichi
Sakamoto, a genius composer form Japan has throat cancer, yet his
drive to keep composing is dauntless. This documentary shows him at work in the
creative process, traveling to distant lands, including the North Pole to
record nature’s sounds and then making soundscape music that is breathtaking.
This site will point you to places you've never been to before. You'll also be introduced to films (ratings from 1- 5), festivals, music, getaways travel, restaurants and much more. Commentaries and amusing anecdotes may pop up. I really welcome your comments at the bottom of each article. So join me on the ride into the rugged and the luxurious. We all need to discover open borders in the world and in ourselves. S.N.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Monday, July 23, 2018
PARADOX (Directed by Wilson Yip)****
In Hong Kong, a wonderful little
daughter and Li Chung Chi, her dad – a former cop - are as close as can be. The
mom was killed in a car accident (shown in flashbacks) The daughter, now grown up,
goes missing in Taiwan.
The dad is devastated. The cop in Taiwan likes Li and together they
decide to help one another. Bu Li is on a war path to find his daughter. He eventually
does and the reason for her disappearance is ghastly and full of political intrigue.
Lots of incredible Kong-Fu and just enough violence to make you shudder. What
will happen to Li is not what he wanted, but with revenge, you have to pay the
piper. (Screened at the New York Asian Film Festival)
Sunday, July 22, 2018
1987 WHEN TOMORROW COMES (Directed by Jang Joon-hwan)*****
A stunning tour de force that recaptures the horrific corruption in South Korea used by Chun Doo-hwan that turned the country into a regressive state of repression against students and adults who objected and were portrayed as Communists. But even the cause of democracy was crushed by his henchmen. North Korean defector Park Jeol-won has a personal axe to grind against all commies. He heads the office of against all commies. He heads the office of Anticommunist Investigation. Plot-wise, a student is tortured and a huge cover-up ensues. The Seoul Olympics is not too far off, and so all must look good. Lawyers, journalists and student revolutionaries are murdered. What a gripping film this is, and an important one. In this film, North Korea and South Korea could have been one and the same. (Sceened at New York Asian Film Festival)
RIVER'S EDGE (Directed by Isao Yukisada) ***
In 1860, the Dutch committed a brutal genocide. Led by Captain Van Trach, there was no peace for the oppressed Indonesians. The father of two brothers - the family is from a royal line - is killed. The brothers, Arana, Jamar and their uncle flee in exile. They seek to free their people and decimate Trach and his horrid men. There are many excellent scenes that show the brutality of the Dutch; tragedy and terror reign. But the two brothers are triumphant at the end. This film is superbly executed and entertaining, with much action and suspense that is totally believable. (Sreened at New York Film Festival)
NEOMANILA (Directed by Mikhail Red)***
Toto, a young teen, is taken in by Irma and Raul, two very poor people caught in gang warfare who murder in order to get meth. They both like Toto, but things become heated and complicated for poor Toto.
He can’t find money to get his brother out of prison nor anyone who will confess to the crime he is in jail for. Irma teaches Toto how to shoot, and Raul teaches Toto that suspect and victim are one and the same inManila . This gritty, bare-bones dark film is raw and realistic. Violence and ominous threats
He can’t find money to get his brother out of prison nor anyone who will confess to the crime he is in jail for. Irma teaches Toto how to shoot, and Raul teaches Toto that suspect and victim are one and the same in
INUYASHIKI (DIRECTED BY Shimsuka Sato ***
Based on a Japanese manga series, Inuyashiki garnered the honours of being in Fantasia’s Cheval Noir Competition. This is a supernatural-based film that pits good against evil. One night the ageing Inuyshiki is hit by a strange explosion as is a young man and both become mechanical super-powered android, much in the vein of Robocop. However, Inuyashiki uses his powers to heal people; the other uses his powers like a psychopath to kill indiscriminately. Inuyashiki is almost bullied by his wife and teen daughter. It could well be a case of elder abuse. AS his daughter gets caught in the evil one’s destruction, her own father comes to her rescue. It seems to be Japan's remake of Superman in many ways, this Hollywood type film deftly pits these two compelling nemeses against one another in original ways that rely on excellent special effects and our own suspension of disbelief.(Screened at new York Asian Film Festival)
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