The easternKicks.com Podcast

The easternKicks.com Podcast

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The easternKicks.com Podcast episodes

  • Episode 28 - The World of Wong Kar-wai

    In this special edition, we celebrate the return of Wong Kar-wai's classic in newly remastered versions to cinemas. Special guest Bede Cheng, Managing Director at L’Immagine Ritrovata Asia, the laboratory responsible for the new editions, joins us for a chat about the restoration process. Meanwhile, contributors Colette, Theo, Phillip, Yonah, Ethan and Stephen share their thoughts on the filmmakers work. We also have the perfect podcast fuel from Bun House / Wun's Tea Room & Bar.

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:00:56 - Episode introduction

    00:02:08 - Phillip on As Tears Go By
    00:07:19 - Bede Cheng interview part one - What is restoration?
    00:26:30 - Ethan on Wong Kar-wai
    00:30:49 - Bede Cheng interview part two - Working with WKW
    00:33:23 - Theo on Fallen Angels
    00:35:57 - Bede Cheng interview part three - More on working with WKW
    00:47:11 - Yonah on 2046
    00:48:13 - Colette on Wong Kar-wai
    01:01:55 - Stephen on Chungking Express
    01:07:26 - Outro

    Wong Kar-wai films screen at the BFI Southbank and ICA Cinema throughout July.
    1 hr 8 min
  • Episode 27: Time & Tide & Tsui

    On this episode James and Andy are joined by easternKicks contributors Phillip O'Connor and Fedor Tot to chat about the new release of Tsui Hark's 2000 action classic Time and Tide, and the director's career at point, with his fleeting dalliance with Hollywood and USA films, pairing with Jean-Claude Van Damme on Double Team and Knock Off. 

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:00:33 - Episode introduction

    00:03:50 - Time and Tide review
    00:37:05 - Enter JCVD
    00:40:52 - Double Team review
    00:45:26 - Knock Off review
    01:13:33 - easternKicks Picks
    01:22:50 - Outro

    Time and Tide is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. Double Team and Knock Off are available on Uk Blu-ray from 88 Films.
    1 hr 24 min
  • Episode 26: One-Armed Jimmy

    Join Andrew, James and easternKicks contributor Yonah Sichrovsky for some mainly 'armless fun, as we chat about kung fu classic One Armed Boxer, and director and star, the notorious Jimmy Wang Yu! 

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:00:52 - Episode introduction

    00:02:41 - One Armed Boxer review
    00:19:20 - Jimmy Wang Yu: The main who would be Bruce?
    00:34:28 - Will we ever see the popularity of kung fu films return?
    00:44:09 - easternKicks Picks: James
    00:54:54 - More easternKicks Picks: Yonah, including Demon Slayer
    01:02:17 - Outro

    One Armed Boxer is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.
    1 hr 3 min
  • Episode 25: Cliff Walkers and Zhang Yimou

    We look at the acclaimed director's latest film, Cliff Walkers, as well his genre work over the last decade. While easternKicks regulars Phillip O'Connor, Maja Korbecka and Stephen Palmer join us for their thoughts on Zhang's work.

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:00:32 - Episode introduction

    00:02:50 - Cliff Walkers review
    00:28:10 - Other works
    00:30:10 - Stephen Palmer on the 2008 Olympics
    00:36:03 - A Simple Noodle Story aka A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop aka 'Zhang Yimou's Blood Simple' (sigh)
    00:41:20 - Maja Korbecka on The Road Home
    00:47:40 - The Flowers Of War
    00:51:00 - Phillip O'Connor on The Great Wall
    00:53:05 - The Great Wall
    00:57:30 - Shadow
    01:00:15 - One Second and Under The Light
    01:09:30 - Outro

    Cliff Walkers is released in cinemas now, screening in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand via CMC Pictures.
    1 hr 10 min
  • Episode 24: Spotlight on... Battle Royale

    We revisit Kinji Fukasaku's classic Battle Royale and its sequel in honour of the new 4K UHD release. Why is it such a classic, even after 20 years? 

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:01:14 - Episode introduction

    00:02:50 - Ready to rumble? It's time for Battle Royale
    00:34:07 - Battle Royale II: Requiem. Why?
    00:54:54 - easternKicks picks
    00:55:54 - Outro

    Battle Royale is released on Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray 5-disc boxset from Arrow Video from 26 April 2021, with a brand new 4K UHD restoration of the theatrical and director's cut, two cuts of Battle Royale II on separate Blu-rays, and the soundtrack CD.
    57 min
  • Episode 23: Indonesian Folk Horror special

    This episode we explore Indonesian Folk Horror, from the classics of the 80s to the new films of Joko Anwar, Timo Tjahjanto, as well as an exclusive interview with Kimo Stamboel about The Queen Of Black Magic.

    This episode's timecodes   

    00:00:31 - Episode introduction

    00:02:47 - The Queen Of Black Magic review
    00:08:52 - Comparison with the original The Queen Of Black Magic
    00:16:06 - James chats to Kimo Stamboel
    00:52:34 - Indonesian Horror, then and now; Satan's Slave and Satan's Slaves
    01:00:39 - May The Devil Take You and May The Devil Take You Too
    01:07:38 - Impetigore
    01:16:19 - Outro

    The Queen Of Black Magic is available to stream now from Shudder, along with the original and Anwar's Satan's Slaves and Impetigore. The original Satan's Slave is available from Severin Films on Blu-ray and DVD.
    1 hr 17 min
  • Episode 22: Tokyo Dragon Chef vs Crazy Samurai

    James and Andy are joined by Life Of Action and action co-ordinator Mike Fury to chat about Tokyo Gore Police director Yoshihiro Nishimura similarly-titled (but somewhat less gory) Tokyo Dragon Chef, as well as looking back on the career of Japan's 'Tom Savini'. We also discuss the latest from frequent Nishimura collaborator Tak Sakaguchi, Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1, aka Crazy Samurai Musashi, featuring a 77-minute one-take.

    This episode's timecodes

    00:00:31 - Episode introduction

    00:02:00 - Tokyo Dragon Chef review
    00:17:10 - Yoshihiro Nishimura's career and previous work
    00:32:22 - What happened to the Japanese 'splatterpunk' scene?
    00:44:26 - What are the chances of online or Blu-ray releases?
    00:53:44 - Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1 review
    01:11:13 - Outro

    Tokyo Dragon Chef is available now on digital and DVD from Terracotta Distribution. Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1 is on Well Go USA's streaming service Hi-YAH now, with a Digital, Blu-ray and DVD from March 2.
    1 hr 12 min
  • Episode 23: Indonesian Folk Horror special
    This episode we explore Indonesian Folk Horror, from the classics of the 80s to the new films of Joko Anwar, Timo Tjahjanto, as well as an exclusive interview with Kimo Stamboel about The Queen Of Black Magic.
    This episode's timecodes   
    00:00:31 - Episode introduction 00:02:47 - The Queen Of Black Magic review 00:08:52 - Comparision with the original The Queen Of Black Magic00:16:06 - James chats to Kimo Stamboel 00:52:34 - Indonesian Horror, then and now; Satan's Slave and Satan's Slaves01:00:39 - May The Devil Take You and May The Devil Take You Too01:07:38 - Impetigore 01:16:19 - Outro 
    The Queen Of Black Magic is available to stream now from Shudder, along with the original and Anwar's Satan's Slaves and Impetigore. The original Satan's Slave is available from Severin Films on Blu-ray and DVD.
    1 hr 12 min
  • Episode 22: Tokyo Dragon Chef vs Crazy Samurai
    James and Andy are joined by Life Of Action and action co-ordinator Mike Fury to chat about Tokyo Gore Police director Yoshihiro Nishimura similarly-titled (but somewhat less gory) Tokyo Dragon Chef, as well as looking back on the career of Japan's 'Tom Savini'. We also discuss the latest from frequent Nishimura collaborator Tak Sakaguchi, Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1, aka Crazy Samurai Musashi, featuring a 77-minute one-take.  
    Tokyo Dragon Chef is available now on digital and DVD from Terracotta Distribution. Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1 is on Well Go USA's streaming service Hi-YAH now, with a Digital, Blu-ray and DVD from March 2.  
    This episode's timecodes   
    00:00:31 - Episode introduction 00:02:00 - Tokyo Dragon Chef review 00:17:10 - Yoshihiro Nishimura's career and previous work 00:32:22 - What happened to the Japanese 'splatterpunk' scene? 00:44:26 - What are the chances of online or Blu-ray releases? 00:53:44 - Crazy Samurai: 400 x 1 review 01:11:13 - Outro
    1 hr 12 min
  • Episode 21: The Woman Who Ran and Hong Sang-soo

    This episode Tania Hall joins James and Andy for a discussion on that most idiosyncratic of Korean directors, Hong Sang-soo, and his latest film The Woman Who Ran. What is it that makes his films compelling, and where should you start?

    The Woman Who Ran is currently streaming on MUBI from 20 December. Sign up now with MUBI via easternKicks and get 30 days FREE!

    This episode's timecodes

    00:31 - Episode introduction

    01:08 - Discussion on The Woman Who Ran
    24:54 - Where should you start with Hong?
    32:32 - The influence of Hong Sang-soo on other directors
    42:21 - Outro

    43 min

About The easternKicks.com Podcast

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