The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 28th edition with another densely packed slate of events and programming running from July 18 through August 4, 2024, returning yet again at the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas, with additional screens and events at Montreal’s Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Musée.
The festival’s full lineup will be announced on July 3, but in the meantime, Fantasia 2024 has revealed a select first wave of premiere titles. With premieres for Chuck Russell’s Witchboard remake, the Mike Flanagan-presented found footage Shelby Oaks, the latest from La Llorona filmmaker Jayro Bustamante and more, Fantasia’s shaping up to have another can’t miss slate of films.
The first wave of select titles, from the press release:
Witchboard
From A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and the beloved1988 remake of The Blob to The Mask, Eraser, and The Scorpion King,...
The festival’s full lineup will be announced on July 3, but in the meantime, Fantasia 2024 has revealed a select first wave of premiere titles. With premieres for Chuck Russell’s Witchboard remake, the Mike Flanagan-presented found footage Shelby Oaks, the latest from La Llorona filmmaker Jayro Bustamante and more, Fantasia’s shaping up to have another can’t miss slate of films.
The first wave of select titles, from the press release:
Witchboard
From A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and the beloved1988 remake of The Blob to The Mask, Eraser, and The Scorpion King,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
A great respect to traditions and rituals, makes possible that in Japan there is a “do” (way) for almost everything. Therefore, a few years ago scriptwriter Kundo Koyama of Oscar-winning “Departures” fame, came out with the idea that a “yu-do” (the way of the hot water/bath) would be not only possible but also very believable. From this reflection, the original script of “Yudo: The Way of the Bath” stemmed and developed to the 2023 film directed by Masayuki Suzuki.
Yudo: The Way of the Bath is screening at Five Flavours
After shining briefly as a rising star of the Tokyo scene, architect Shiro Miura (Toma Ikuta) struggles to find his way as a solo professional, and – after his father's passing – decides to go back to his provincial hometown and take hold of the dying family business, the Marukin Hot Springs, a small-town bathhouse (sento) that his father had run until the end of his days.
Yudo: The Way of the Bath is screening at Five Flavours
After shining briefly as a rising star of the Tokyo scene, architect Shiro Miura (Toma Ikuta) struggles to find his way as a solo professional, and – after his father's passing – decides to go back to his provincial hometown and take hold of the dying family business, the Marukin Hot Springs, a small-town bathhouse (sento) that his father had run until the end of his days.
- 11/17/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Absence haunts the streets of Masaya Takahashi’s Maebashi City: as absent as the rains are during the apex of summer is the nurturing essence of humanity. Parched of comfort and joy, the inhabitants, so jaded by circumstance and experience, find their ability to thrive has diminished beyond comprehension; instead, fear from just a knock on the door flourishes where little else can. Yet there exists a responsibility to keep up appearances so those whose innocence remains intact are not doomed to follow those same footsteps. Based on Mitsuru Kawabayashi’s 1990 novel of the same name, Takahashi’s ‘Dry Spell’ explores the insurmountable hardships of growing older amidst the harsh realities of a world plundering itself of human decency. Thirty years after the novel’s publication, its examination of poverty, especially amongst children, remains as true and as poignant as ever.
Dry Spell is screening at Camera Japan
Bearing the...
Dry Spell is screening at Camera Japan
Bearing the...
- 10/2/2023
- by JC Cansdale-Cook
- AsianMoviePulse
Chicago, Il – Asian Pop-Up Cinema (Apuc) announces its upcoming Season 17 lineup, running between September 8 and October 7 in Chicago. For the first time, this year's programming will include film selections from Mongolia, Iran and Afghanistan, along with entries from Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and more. This season's special guests attending with their films include Amarsaikhan Baljinnyham, Ben Yuen, Dornaz Hajiha, Lawrence Kan, Lee Won Suk, Ng Siu Hin, Park Dong-Hee, Rachel Leung, Roya Sadat and Wong You Nam. South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun will be Apuc's Excellent Achievement in Film Award recipient and will receive his award before the feature presentation of closing night film Killing Romance.
Apuc's Season 17 opens with a screening of director Masayuki Suzuki's Yudo, following architect Shiro Miura's (Toma Ikuta) attempts to modernize his outdated public bathhouse family business. As he immerses himself in the new role, Shiro connects with customers and begins to...
Apuc's Season 17 opens with a screening of director Masayuki Suzuki's Yudo, following architect Shiro Miura's (Toma Ikuta) attempts to modernize his outdated public bathhouse family business. As he immerses himself in the new role, Shiro connects with customers and begins to...
- 8/30/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Season 17 (September 8 – October 7) kicks off with a screening of director Masayuki Suzuki's Yudo, architect Shiro Miura's (Toma Ikuta) and his return to his family-owned public bathhouse. Intent on modernizing the outdated establishment, Shiro faces unexpected challenges from both his brother Goro (Gaku Hamada) and a fire that lands him as the bathhouse's temporary manager. As he immerses himself in the role, Shiro connects with customers and begins to understand the happiness and democratizing power the place offers. The film will be presented at AMC Newcity 14, 1500 N. Clybourn, (September 8).
Centerpiece film Harvest Moon is Mongolian actor Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam's debut feature as director. An award-winning screenwriter, he adapted this father-son story from a short novel by T. Bum-Erden, following a city chef who must fulfill the harvesting in his village after his father dies. Representing Mongolia in the international feature 2022 Oscar submission, the film will be presented at AMC Newcity...
Centerpiece film Harvest Moon is Mongolian actor Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam's debut feature as director. An award-winning screenwriter, he adapted this father-son story from a short novel by T. Bum-Erden, following a city chef who must fulfill the harvesting in his village after his father dies. Representing Mongolia in the international feature 2022 Oscar submission, the film will be presented at AMC Newcity...
- 8/23/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
A great respect to traditions and rituals, makes possible that in Japan there is a “do” (way) for almost everything. Therefore, a few years ago scriptwriter Kundo Koyama of Oscar-winning “Departures” fame, came out with the idea that a “yu-do” (the way of the hot water/bath) would be not only possible but also very believable. From this reflection, the original script of “Yudo: The Way of the Bath” stemmed and developed to the 2023 film directed by Masayuki Suzuki.
“Yudo: The Way of the Bath” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
After shining briefly as a rising star of the Tokyo scene, architect Shiro Miura (Toma Ikuta) struggles to find his way as a solo professional, and – after his father's passing – decides to go back to his provincial hometown and take hold of the dying family business, the Marukin Hot Springs, a small-town bathhouse (sento) that his father...
“Yudo: The Way of the Bath” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
After shining briefly as a rising star of the Tokyo scene, architect Shiro Miura (Toma Ikuta) struggles to find his way as a solo professional, and – after his father's passing – decides to go back to his provincial hometown and take hold of the dying family business, the Marukin Hot Springs, a small-town bathhouse (sento) that his father...
- 4/30/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
What can one say about a film which opens with a secret agent chained to a cross, beseeching a mermaid for help whilst seagulls attack his genitals, which have been covered in mascarpone, and ends by shifting into a completely different genre after our hero has saved the world from mind altering pasta? Only that it is obviously the work of Takashi Miike.
To fans, this will be obvious, because it is the third part of a trilogy. The final part, we are assured, as even its hero begs for there to be no more sequels, and long-running plot strands are brought to a conclusion. To summarise, these concern the fate of the aforementioned agent, Reiji Kikukawa (Tôma Ikuta), who, at the start of the series, went undercover to investigate the yakuza, endearing himself to powerful Sukiya-kai boss Shuho Todoroki (Kôichi Iwaki) and inadvertently becoming best friends with clan leader Hiura.
To fans, this will be obvious, because it is the third part of a trilogy. The final part, we are assured, as even its hero begs for there to be no more sequels, and long-running plot strands are brought to a conclusion. To summarise, these concern the fate of the aforementioned agent, Reiji Kikukawa (Tôma Ikuta), who, at the start of the series, went undercover to investigate the yakuza, endearing himself to powerful Sukiya-kai boss Shuho Todoroki (Kôichi Iwaki) and inadvertently becoming best friends with clan leader Hiura.
- 8/19/2022
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
A new month has arrived, which means a fresh batch of movies and TV shows streaming on Netflix. While many are no doubt still making their way through “Stranger Things” Season 4, June brings the arrival of a new season of another beloved Netflix series: “The Umbrella Academy.” The third season of the semi-superhero show premieres June 22 and finds the gang stranded in a timeline where the Umbrella Academy does not exist, while battling not only a rival team but also plenty of timeline-altering shenanigans.
In terms of new Netflix original films, June 17 sees the debut of “Spiderhead,” a psychological thriller starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller and Jurnee Smollett and directed by “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmaker Joseph Kosinski.
June will also see the debut of the new Adam Sandler-fronted basketball inspirational drama film “Hustle” on June 8, while a litany of comedy specials from the likes of Pete Davidson and Amy Schumer...
In terms of new Netflix original films, June 17 sees the debut of “Spiderhead,” a psychological thriller starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller and Jurnee Smollett and directed by “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmaker Joseph Kosinski.
June will also see the debut of the new Adam Sandler-fronted basketball inspirational drama film “Hustle” on June 8, while a litany of comedy specials from the likes of Pete Davidson and Amy Schumer...
- 6/10/2022
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Production has wrapped on Miike Takashi’s latest film, “Mogura no Uta Final” (translation: Mole Song Final), the third and final part of his “Mole Song” action-comedy trilogy about a bumbling cop who goes undercover — and becomes a full-fledged yakuza.
The new film will open on November 19, 2021 with Toho distributing. Like the two previous films, “The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji” in 2013 and “The Mole Song: Hong Kong Capriccio” in 2016, it is scripted by Kudo Kankuro, a scriptwriter-director who is almost as in-demand in his own sphere as the notoriously prolific Miike is in his.
The stories are based on a comic by Takahashi Noboru that has been running since 2005. As of May this year, it had sold 9.3 million copies in paperback editions.
In the film, which wrapped in mid-June, the cop-gangster hero, Reiji (Ikuta Toma), goes on a mission to stop a drug shipment with a $5.4 billion street value,...
The new film will open on November 19, 2021 with Toho distributing. Like the two previous films, “The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji” in 2013 and “The Mole Song: Hong Kong Capriccio” in 2016, it is scripted by Kudo Kankuro, a scriptwriter-director who is almost as in-demand in his own sphere as the notoriously prolific Miike is in his.
The stories are based on a comic by Takahashi Noboru that has been running since 2005. As of May this year, it had sold 9.3 million copies in paperback editions.
In the film, which wrapped in mid-June, the cop-gangster hero, Reiji (Ikuta Toma), goes on a mission to stop a drug shipment with a $5.4 billion street value,...
- 6/28/2021
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Fantasia International Film Festival 2014 runs July 17 to August 6. Follow all of our coverage here. Reiji (Tôma Ikuta) is not a good cop. Not only did he score the lowest in the police academy’s history, but the citizens he’s serviced have had nothing but complaints about his lack of work ethic and unprofessional behavior. The latest incident — one that leads him to defend and qualify his own level of perviness as compared to real criminals — ends in his long overdue dismissal from the force. But as that door closes a new window opens, and Reiji jumps right through. In a manner of speaking. His boss, in collaboration with Japan’s version of the DEA, want him to go undercover in the yakuza, specifically with the Sukiya-kai gang, to discover the source of a deadly new street drug and arrest the man at the top. It won’t be easy, but...
- 7/18/2014
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Plot75% Acting78% Directing83% Visuals/Style85%Over the top fun; Miike styleColorful visuals, very stylishLoses its crazy speed towards the endHumor and Manga style might be too much for some 80%Overall Score Reader Rating: (1 Vote)97%
Starting the day at 9:15 Am with the screening of the newest Takashi Miike film: pure stupidity or pure genious. Still a bit tired with a long day ahead of you, the explosion of colors and absurdity that the newest Miike brings is either too much for the start of the day or a great adrenaline rush to kick the day off. In my case, it certainly was a great start, cause oh boy, Miike has done it again.
Welcome in the world of Reiji, a cop who gets an undercover assignment to infiltrate the most dangerous Yakuza-clan in Japan. This kind of story we’ve seen many times before, but I assure you, you’ve...
Starting the day at 9:15 Am with the screening of the newest Takashi Miike film: pure stupidity or pure genious. Still a bit tired with a long day ahead of you, the explosion of colors and absurdity that the newest Miike brings is either too much for the start of the day or a great adrenaline rush to kick the day off. In my case, it certainly was a great start, cause oh boy, Miike has done it again.
Welcome in the world of Reiji, a cop who gets an undercover assignment to infiltrate the most dangerous Yakuza-clan in Japan. This kind of story we’ve seen many times before, but I assure you, you’ve...
- 1/30/2014
- by Thor
- AsianMoviePulse
Plot76% Acting77% Directing75%Mysterious story element works well Smooth camerawork and editingCan't avoid becoming melodramatic Is better as a Mystery than a Thriller 76%Overall Score Reader Rating: (1 Vote)59%
The Brain Man (original title Nô Otoko) is a film adaptation of the novel by Shudô Urio with the same title that was published in 2000. Director Tokiyuki Takimoto, mainly known for his film Ikigami (2008), manages to bring Shudô Urio’s story to live for the big screen.
A series of bombings occur in Tokyo and the police, including detective Saya (Yôsuke Eguchi), is thoroughly investigating to find the person responsible for these horrible crimes. When a lead brings them to a deserted warehouse, they encounter a mysterious man (Tôma Ikuta). They take him into custody, thinking he is the culprit. But during interrogation, the man appears to be abnormally intelligent, physically powerful and unable to sense any emotion. Psychiatrist Mariko Mashiya (Yasuko Matsuyuki...
The Brain Man (original title Nô Otoko) is a film adaptation of the novel by Shudô Urio with the same title that was published in 2000. Director Tokiyuki Takimoto, mainly known for his film Ikigami (2008), manages to bring Shudô Urio’s story to live for the big screen.
A series of bombings occur in Tokyo and the police, including detective Saya (Yôsuke Eguchi), is thoroughly investigating to find the person responsible for these horrible crimes. When a lead brings them to a deserted warehouse, they encounter a mysterious man (Tôma Ikuta). They take him into custody, thinking he is the culprit. But during interrogation, the man appears to be abnormally intelligent, physically powerful and unable to sense any emotion. Psychiatrist Mariko Mashiya (Yasuko Matsuyuki...
- 12/6/2013
- by Thor
- AsianMoviePulse
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