Season 10
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Episode #80 (S10E9) – Nightmare Detective [悪夢探偵] (2007)
Author Frank Schildiner returns to the show for the final episode of the season. This time, we discuss Shinya Tsukamoto's serial killer thriller, Nightmare Detective. Though it has some unique ideas and impressive filmmaking, there are some shortcomings that we discuss.
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Episode #79 (S10E8) – Kwaidan [怪談] (1965)
Podcaster Mike Lund visits the show to discuss Kwaidan, an adaptation of four of Lafcadio Hearn's Japanese ghost stories. We discuss our favorite stories from this anthology, some of the impressive things the director did with the settings, and talk about the backstory for these tales.
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Episode #78 (S10E7) – Red Beard [赤ひげ] (1965)
In this episode, Ian Buckley joins the show to discuss Red Beard, one of Kurosawa's most renowned films. With a lot of similar themes to Kurosawa's earlier film, Ikiru, it's also got some other stuff that we have fun discussing. And the film is notable for Kurosawa going to excess with detail and creating a rift between him and star Toshiro Mifune.
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Episode #77 (S10E6) – 2LDK (2003)
Director and writer Claire Downs appears on the show to discuss the minimalist 2LDK. Featuring two actresses whose roommate quarrels spiral into violence, there's also a lot of stuff in here about the treatment of the Japanese entertainment industry's treatment of women.
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Episode #76 (S10E5) – Getting Any? [みんな〜やってるか!] (1995)
We're going lighter this time with comedy podcaster Chris Andersen. In this episode, we discuss Getting Any?, Takeshi Kitano's 1995 comedy/parody film about a middle-aged guy obsessed with sex and his zany adventures to try to get some. Kitano called it one of the most fun times he had making a movie, and it's easy to see why.
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Episode #75 (S10E4) – Cure [キュア] (1997)
Author and Japanese film scholar Jennifer Upton comes on the show to discuss Kiyoshi Kurosawa's psychological thriller, Cure. There's a lot to unpack in this movie, so get ready!
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Episode #74 (S10E3) – A Colt is My Passport [拳銃は俺のパスポート] (1967)
In this episode, we dip into Nikkatsu's noir catalog. Illustrator Joey Weiser joins the show to discuss A Colt is My Passport, a fun noir film featuring Joe Shishido, the man with the most distinctive cheekbones in Japanese cinema.
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Episode #73 (S10E2) – Sukiyaki Western Django [スキヤキ・ウエスタン ジャンゴ] (1997)
New guest Nick Frame joins the show to discuss Takashi Miike's gonzo ramen western film, Sukiyaki Western Django. Clearly inspired by spaghetti westerns and trying to mix the western genre with Japanese history, there's some good stuff here, but also some strange choices.
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Episode #72 (S10E1) – Princess Mononoke [ もののけ姫] (1997)
We kick off Season 10 with one of the most internationally renowned animated films of all time. Derick McDuff of the Underrated network returns to discuss Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. We discuss the many themes in the movie and its enduring legacy.
