Movie Review: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior

Ting ropes up for an important battle.

Movie Review: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) directed by Prachya Pinkaew Don (Wannakit Sirioput) had one job. Go to a remote village in Thailand, buy an ancient amulet at way below market price, and return it to mob boss Komtuan (Suchao Pongwilai) for sale on the black market. He failed because the village chief is saving… Continue reading Movie Review: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior

Anime Review: Beastars

Haru and Legoshi don't seem to be a likely couple.

Anime Review: Beastars Legoshi is tall for his age, even for a gray wolf. He’s got a wiry strength that he attempts to hide behind a timid personality, and although he belongs to the drama club, he’s happy behind the scenes on the art crew. (Legoshi’s specialty is lighting.) But the other students at Cherryton… Continue reading Anime Review: Beastars

Manga Review: Wild 7 Vols. 1-4

Manga Review: Wild 7 Vols. 1-4 by Mikiya Mochizuki In the late 1960s, Japan was faced with a rising crime wave. Student radicals, terrorists, gangsters, corrupt politicians; it seemed all too much for the ordinary police to handle. Police Supervisor Katsu Kusanami, a brilliant rising star from a top university, had an idea. What if… Continue reading Manga Review: Wild 7 Vols. 1-4

Movie Review: Dirty Harry

Harry shows off his large weapon.

Movie Review: Dirty Harry (1971) directed by Don Siegel Detective Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) of the San Francisco Police Department is not a nice man. He hates everyone equally (or at least that’s what his coworkers say) and has trouble phrasing things politely. In an establishing moment early in the film, Callahan defuses a potential… Continue reading Movie Review: Dirty Harry

Movie Review: Hanna (2011)

Movie Review: Hanna (2011) directed by Joe Wright Hanna (Saoirse Ronan)has been raised since infancy in an isolated cabin in the Finnish wilderness by her father Erik Heller (Eric Bana). He’s taught her survival, hunting and combat, a bunch of encyclopedia entries, and a cover story to give anyone who asks. Hanna’s grown into a strong… Continue reading Movie Review: Hanna (2011)

Manga Review: From Eroica with Love 2

Manga Review: From Eroica with Love 2 by Aoike Yasuko It is the 1970s, and the Cold War is raging behind the scenes. One of the top front line officers in that war is Major “Iron” Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach of NATO intelligence. He and his team of “Alphabet” agents attempt to thwart plans… Continue reading Manga Review: From Eroica with Love 2

Manga Review: Path of the Assassin, Volumes 11 & 14

Manga Review: Path of the Assassin, Volumes 11 & 14 by Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima It is the last years of the Warring States period of Japanese history. In these volumes, we follow the adventures of Hattori Hanzo, greatest of the Iga ninja (in this interpretation) and vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who would become… Continue reading Manga Review: Path of the Assassin, Volumes 11 & 14

Book Review: The Shadow #61: The Triple Trail & Murder Genius

Book Review: The Shadow #61: The Triple Trail & Murder Genius edited by Anthony Tollin It’s time for more exciting pulp reprints of the mystery man known as the Shadow! “The Triple Trail” is by Walter B. Gibson, the original Maxwell Grant. Stanton Treblaw, collector of letters written by notable people, has been contacted by… Continue reading Book Review: The Shadow #61: The Triple Trail & Murder Genius

Movie Review: The Last Tycoon (2012)

The student has become the master.

Movie Review: The Last Tycoon (2012) directed by Jing Wong Back in the 1910s, when Chen Daqi (Chow-Yun Fat) was just a grocer’s assistant, he fell in love with aspiring actress Ye Zhiqiu (Quan Yuan). After Daqi was framed for murder, he had to flee to Shanghai, while Zhiqiu went to Beijing to join the Opera.… Continue reading Movie Review: The Last Tycoon (2012)

Movie Review: Legend of Eight Samurai

The baddies gloat over a captive maiden.

Movie Review: Legend of Eight Samurai (1983) directed by Kinji Fukasaku After a hundred years, the Hikita Clan is back from the dead to get their revenge on those who overthrew them. They’ve recaptured the family castle/shrine and wiped out all but one of the clan leaders descended from their enemies. Only Princess Shizu remains, but… Continue reading Movie Review: Legend of Eight Samurai