The easternKicks.com Podcast

The easternKicks.com Podcast

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The easternKicks.com Podcast episodes

  • Episode 38 – Spotlight on... Zatoichi

    This time Jonathan Wroot, senior lecturer in film studies, joins James and Andy to chat in detail about the topic of his new book, Zatoichi! As well as the various influences and successors. And yes, we chat Rutger Hauer too!

    This episode’s handy timecodes

    00:00:44 - Episode introduction

    00:02:12 - Before we start, how did our guest get into Asian film?
    00:06:05 - Kitano's Zatoichi, was it a remake?
    00:13:10 - Let's go back to the start 
    00:17:08 - How star Shintaro Katsu's previous work fed into the film series
    00:20:22 - Zatoichi begins
    00:25:05 - A minor diversion on Shintaro Katsu's brother
    00:29:09 - Something for everyone, the Daiei way
    00:30:23 - How wacky did the films get?
    00:32:46 - Are there roots to disabled swordsmen?
    00:38:14 - The Marvel connection
    00:40:45 - Good ol' Westerns
    00:45:34 - Zatoichi The Last
    00:47:54 - The female versions
    00:52:13 - Let's talk about Rutger (and other influences)
    01:07:26 - Recommendations on where to start
    01:15:43 - Outro

    Jonathan's book, The Paths of Zatoichi, is available now from rowman.com/lexington. Use discount code LXFANDF30 and get 30% off!

    Music played on the show: 

    Zatoichi’s Lullaby, sung by Shintaro Katsu. The most commonly known version of the Zatoichi theme song, which first turned up in Zatoichi and the Fugitives (#18).

    Festivo – the musical number from the end of Zatoichi 2003, written and composed by Keiichi Suzuki.

    1 hr 18 min
  • Episode 37 – The Long Walk special

    Seriously cutting into their Giallo viewing time, James and Andy chat to Laos film director Mattie Do and her other 'alf, screenwriter Christoper Larsen in detail about their superb genre-crossing sci-fi horror, The Long Walk and much more.

    This episode’s handy timecodes

    00:00:31 – Episode introduction

    00:02:16 – Interview with Mattie Do and Chris Larsen
    00:52:32 – The easternKicks take on The Long Walk
    01:08:05 – Outro

    The Long Walk is available on digital now via Light Bulb Film Distribution in the UK, and Yellow Veil Pictures in the US.
    1 hr 9 min
  • Episode 36 - The End of the Year Show

    This episode is a real meeting of minds, as Panos Kotzathanasis of Asian Movie Pulse joins James and Andy to chat about the trends and topics of the year, all bizarrely summed up by titles of soul and funk songs (?) Meanwhile easternKicks regulars Niina and Theo share thoughts on their favourite films of the year. 

    This episode's handy timecodes   

    00:00:44 – Episode introduction

    00:02:39 – What's in Santa's hat (don't ask!)
    00:03:33 – Smoke.Netflix.Chill
    00:18:26 – (Get on the) Partyline 
    00:34:55 – Niina on Howling Village
    00:37:43 – Sitting in Limbo
    00:45:07 – East West Shuffle
    00:53:54 – Theme For "Five Fingers Of Death"
    01:05:03 – Spice Of Life (Oh Yes, You're the Best)
    01:06:21 – Theo on Drive My Car
    01:19:56 – Outro

    1 hr 21 min
  • Episode 35 – All Aboard... for Hellbound!

    Is this deja vu? A Korean streaming series taking Netflix by storm. No, it's not Squid Game, but Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho's Hellbound. James and Andy chat about the series and wonder, will there be another? Meanwhile James has some more easternKicks picks.

    This episode's handy timecodes   

    00:00:44 - Episode introduction

    00:02:28 - Putting Hellbound in context
    00:07:52 - A brief synopsis
    00:11:29 - How it fits with Yeon's other work
    00:22:29 - Just what are the demons?
    00:24:12 - Comparison with Yeon original Jiok/The Hell animations
    00:29:50 - Ah man, more 'VIPs'? 
    00:31:17 - Other throwaway elements (or are they?)
    00:33:43 - On the cast (and casting choices)
    00:37:05 - Will there be more?
    00:46:06 - Other Korean series making waves
    00:55:05 - easternKicks picks
    01:07:52 - Outro

    1 hr 9 min
  • Episode 34 - The horror of Hong Kong!

    Yes, it's that time of year again, and we turn our focus to modern Hong Kong horror, from the tail end of the Shaw Brothers right up to Fruit Chan's Coffin Homes. Meanwhile, Niina and Stephen share some of their favourites...

    This episode's handy timecodes   

    00:00:49 - Episode introduction

    00:02:18 - Why Hong Kong horror?
    00:08:00 - Into the 80s
    00:10:34 - Niina on Seeding Of A Ghost
    00:13:51 - The evolution from Shaw Brothers
    00:25:01 - The glorious descent into Category III
    00:27:17 - The 1990s
    00:38:07 - Post-handover and the 2000s
    00:46:03 - Stephen on Hex
    00:49:56 - The last decade
    00:56:04 - The future of Hong Kong horror...(?)
    01:03:17 - Outro

    1 hr 5 min
  • Episode 33 - Do you like calamari?

    This time we look at a certain very popular streaming series that seems to have taken over the world (or at least every news platform). That's right, it's Squid Game time! Meanwhile, James has a few more picks to choose from. And don't forget, you can still take advantage of a discount with our friends at Gweilo Beer! 

    This episode's handy timecodes   

    00:45 - Episode introduction

    01:52 - Let the Squid Game commence
    06:52 - Hwang Dong-hyuk, hardly a talent from outta nowhere
    11:28 - Korea's so hot right now...
    16:06 - High production values, quirky style
    19:59 - Wrong-footed pacing
    26:48 - Subtitle 'controversy'
    30:32 - Superb acting performances
    35:28 - How about those other controversies?
    43:11 - Do You Want More?!!!??!
    47:00 - Time for more easternKicks Picks
    57:26 - Outro

    Squid Game is streaming now on Netflix!
    58 min
  • Episode 32 - Spotlight on... A Tale of Two Sisters

    This episode we look back on Kim Jee-woon's classic Korean horror more patterned wallpaper than John Lewis, A Tale Of Two Sisters, with help from Stephen Palmer and Yonah Sichrovsky. We also announce a new association with Gweilo Beer! Don't forget to get your discount! But most importantly, will someone explain what's going on to Yonah? Find out!

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:45 - Episode introduction

    03:43 - An introduction to A Tale of Two Sisters
    07:50 - The house of William Morris
    13:18 - A very British Asian horror?
    16:07 - The perfect moment
    24:10 - When did the American Remakes start?
    27:16 - The legacy of Two Sisters
    33:56 - A good time to revisit
    37:26 - Does it hold up?
    44:33 - We finally work out the ending for Yonah (spoilers!)
    48:27 - What else would we like to see getting the special edition treatment? 
    56:59 - Outro

    A Tale Of Two Sisters is available now on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
    58 min
  • Episode 31 – Spotlight on... Daimajin

    Phillip O'Connor joins Andy and James for a detailed look at everyone's favourite diminutive kaiju, Daimajin, recently restored and on Blu-ray. Okay sure, he's tall, but he's definitely no Godzilla...

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:31 - Episode introduction

    02:05 - Daimajin's origins
    06:28 - Shall we talk about the, erm, plot?
    12:27 - Some of the different elements of the films
    22:08 - Daimajin's design and special effects
    31:20 - Production and shooting
    33:45 - Obligatory Steven Segal cameo
    36:40 - Original release and popularity
    39:38 - Where'd the wee fella go?
    43:52 - Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube's film scores
    47:57 - Masks and cleft chins
    49:27 - The three directors
    52:10 - What next?
    56:59 - easternKicks Picks
    59:06 - Outro

    The Daimajin Trilogy is available now on Limited Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
    1 hr 1 min
  • Episode 30: The best of NYAFF 2021

    In this episode, we turn our eye to some picks from the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), including an extended chat about Benny Chan's final film Raging Fire. Meanwhile Maja Korbeca chats to the "Grandmother of Hong Kong Cinema" Ann Hui, recipient of the NYAFF 2021 Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award.  

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:31 - Episode introduction

    02:16 - Back to live festivals with NYAFF and Raging Fire
    15:36 - Hand Rolled Cigarette and Limbo
    22:59 - Shadows and more from Hong Kong
    28:59 - Maja interview with Ann Hui
    41:41 - Some picks screening from  South Korea, including Spiritwalker, The Prayer and Midnight
    49:38 - More picks including Three Sisters and Escape from Mogadishu
    51:50 - Picks from Japan, including Last Of The Wolves and Junk Head
    52:10 - Picks from Taiwan, including As You Like It, The Silent Forest and My Missing Valentine
    58:13 - Outro

    The New York Asian Film Festival continues with both in-person screenings and online until 22 August.
    59 min
  • Episode 29: PTU and Johnnie To's crime drama years

    In this episode contributor Kaj van Zoelen joins James and Andy to revisit PTU and the classic crime dramas of Johnnie To. Will we ever see its like again? Meanwhile Stephen Palmer shares thoughts on a decidedly different example from To, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts. 

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:00:35 - Episode introduction

    00:01:38 - PTU review
    00:24:01 - PTU and the HK crime drama resurgence of 2000s
    00:52:10 - Stephen Palmer on My Left Eye Sees Ghosts
    00:58:54 - James and Kaj share some easternKicks Picks
    01:06:08 - Outro

    PTU is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.
    1 hr 7 min

About The easternKicks.com Podcast

From the publisher's feed

A regular magazine programme about East Asian film, with the latest news, reviews and interviews