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East Asian Cinema

This category contains 108 posts

‘Kingdom’ & ‘Ashin of the North’ (2019-2021): Unique Genre-Blending Joseon Drama

Created by: Kim Eun-hee || Written by: Kim Eun-hee Directed by: Kim Seong-hun, Park In-je || Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Sung-kyu, Jeon Seok-ho, Kim Hye-jun, Kim Sang-ho, Huh Joon-ho, Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Si-a, Park Byung-eun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Roi-ha No. of Seasons: 2 || No. of Episodes: 12 + 1 Special … Continue reading

‘Sanctuary’ (2023): The Big Boys of Japan

Created by: Kan Eguchi|| Written by: Kanazawa Tomoki Directed by: Kan Eguchi || Starring: Wataru Ichinose, Pierre Taki, Shioli Kutsuna, Shōta Sometani, Hiroki Sumi, Koyuki Kato, So Kaku, Suzuki Matsuo, Tomorowo Taguchi, Kimiko Yo No. of Episodes: 8 (~380 minutes total) The dominant stereotypes I’d wager most Americans/Westerners have of the Japanese are their (1) … Continue reading

‘The Shadow Strays’ (2024): Timo Tjahjanto Returns to Serious Bloodshed

Directed by: Timo Tjahjanto || Produced by: Timo Tjahjanto, Wicky V. Olindo, Anne P. Ralie Screenplay by: Timo Tjahjanto || Starring: Aurora Ribero, Hana Malasan, Taskya Namya, Agra Piliang, Andri Mashadi, Chew Kin Wah, Naomi Hitanayri Christy, Mawar Eva de Jongh, Adipati Dolken Music by: Fajar Yuskemal || Cinematography: Batara Goempar || Edited by: Dinda … Continue reading

‘Outside’ (2024): Stage Plays Should Stay on Stage

Directed by: Carlo Ledesma || Produced by: Paul Soriano, Mark Victor Screenplay by: Carlo Ledesma || Starring: Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez, Marco Masa, Aiden Tyler Patdu Music by: Paul Sigua, Myka Magsaysay-Sigua|| Cinematography: Shing-Fung Cheung || Edited by: Mark Victor || Country: Philippines || Language: Filipino Running Time: 142 minutes Certain movies, particularly those limited to one or … Continue reading

‘Bangkok Breaking’ (2024): Over-the-Top in Every Way

Directed by: Kome Kongkiat Komesiri || Produced by: Kome Kongkiat Komesiri, Piyaluck Mahatanasab Screenplay by: Kome Kongkiat Komesiri || Starring: Sukollawat Kanarot, Sanya Kunakorn, Atitaya Tribudarak, Yasaka Chaisorn, Isariya Chanupala, Sonny Chatwiriyachai, Ekkamol Jamsai Music by: Terdsak Janpan || Cinematography: Thanat Kittikhun || Edited by: Weerapat Tembundit || Country: Thailand || Language: Thai Running Time: … Continue reading

‘Fable’ (2019, 2021): The Goofy, Lovable ‘John Wick’

Directed by: Kan Eguchi || Produced by: Naoto Fujimura, Takeshi Udaka, Mitsuru Sato Screenplay by: Yûsuke Watanabe [1], Kan Eguchi, Masahiro Yamaura [2] || Starring: Jun’ichi Okada, Fumino Kimura, Mizuki Yamamoto [1, 2], Sôta Fukushi, Yûya Yagira, Kôichi Satô [1], Yurina Hirate, Masanobu Andô, Shin’ichi Tsutsumi [2] Music by: Antongiulio Frulio || Cinematography: Kazunari Tanaka … Continue reading

Another Korean Genre Sampling: ‘Believer’ (2018) & ‘Ballerina’ (2023)

Directed by: Lee Hae-young [1], Lee Chung-hyun [2] || Produced by: Jung Hee-soon [1], Choi Ji-young [2] Screenplay by: Jeong Seo-kyeong, Lee Hae-young [1], Lee Chung-hyun [2] || Starring: Cho Jin-woong, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Sung-ryung, Park Hae-joon, Cha Seung-won, Kim Joo-hyuk [1], Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Yu-rim [2] Music by: Dalpalan [1], Gray [2] … Continue reading

‘Mallari’ (2023): The Limits of Nonlinear Storytelling

Directed by: Roderick Cabrido || Produced by: John Brian Diamante, Ronalyn Bana-ag Screenplay by: Enrico Santos || Starring: Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Elisse Joson, Gloria Diaz Music by: Von de Guzman || Cinematography: Pao Orendain || Edited by: Noah Tonga || Country: Philippines || Language: Filipino, Kapampangan, Spanish, English Running Time: 130 minutes … Continue reading

‘The Pig, the Snake, & the Pigeon’ (2023): Go Out With a Bang

Directed by: Wong Ching-po || Produced by: Lee Lieh, Roger Huang Screenplay by: Wong Ching-po || Starring: Ethan Juan, Ben Yuen, Chen Yi-wen, Gingle Wang, Lee Lee-zen, Cherry Hsieh Music by: Luming Lu, Lin Hsiao-Chin, Lin Sih-yu, Baobu Badulu || Cinematography: Jimmy Wong || Edited by: Wong Ching-po || Country: Taiwan || Language: Mandarin, Cantonese … Continue reading

‘Death Whisperer’ (2023): Characters as Cannon Fodder

Directed by: Taweewat Wantha || Produced by: Narit Yuvaboon Screenplay by: Sorarat Jirabovornwisut, Thammanan Chulaborirak || Starring: Nadech Kugimiya, Rattanawadee Wongthong, Denise Jelilcha Kapaun, Peerakit Patcharabunyakiat, Kajbundit Jaidee, Arisara Wongchalee Music by: Terdsak Janpan, Banana Sound Studio || Cinematography: Unknown || Edited by: Unknown || Country: Thailand || Language: Thai Running Time: 121 minutes A … Continue reading

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