Hello everyone,  In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we resume our fourth season to talk about the iconic revenge film, Lady Snowblood (1973). We talk about the historical significance of the film, its phenomenal action set pieces, and Meiko Kaji's role in the film's everlasting longevity. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Follow us: Follow Heroic Purgatory on Twitter Follow John Atom on Twitter Follow Jason Maher on Twitter Follow Jason's blog Read John Atom's reviews on VCinema Read Jason Maher's reviews on VCinema ..read more

  Hello everyone,  In the first episode of the year, the Heroic Purgatory hosts discuss their favorite films of 2023.  We hope you enjoy our discussion. Follow us: Follow Heroic Purgatory on Twitter Follow John Atom on Twitter Follow Jason Maher on Twitter Follow Jason's blog Read John Atom's reviews on VCinema Read Jason Maher's reviews on VCinema Credits: Intro music: "A Good Bass for Gambling" by Komiku Outro music: "Bleu" by Komiku ..read more

Hello Everyone,  For this years Halloween, we go to the prom with one of the most iconic horror movies ever made, Brian de Palma's Carrie (1976). Does the film stand the test of time? What is the social commentary hidden behind Carrie's blood-stained innocence? We hope you enjoy our discussion! Follow us: Follow Heroic Purgatory on Twitter Follow John Atom on Twitter Follow Jason Maher on Twitter Follow Jason's blog Read John Atom's reviews on VCinema Read Jason Maher's reviews on VCinema ..read more

  Hello everyone,  In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we visit Taiwan to discuss of King Hu's most notable films, A Touch of Zen (1971). A seminal piece of the wuxia genre, the film features impressive acting, stunning cinematography, and nail-biting martial arts sequences. Does the film stand the test of time. Listen and find out.  We hope you enjoy! News Hawaii International Film Festival 2023 (October 12th – 22nd on O’ahu and through November 05th on neighbouring islands) Chicago International Film Festival 2023 (October 11th – 22nd) Tokyo International Film Festival ..read more

  Hello everyone,  In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2001 South Korean film, My Wife is a Gangster. Does this 20+ year-old action comedy pass the test of time, or is it just another trope-filled product of its time? We hope you enjoy our discussion! News London Film Festival 2023 (October 05th - 16th) Vancouver International Film Festival 2023 (September 28th to October 08th) Follow us: Follow Heroic Purgatory on Twitter Follow John Atom on Twitter Follow Jason Maher on Twitter Follow Jason's blog Read John Atom's reviews on VCinema ..read more

  Hello everyone,  In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2019 American film, Alita: Battle Angel, based on the Japanese manga Gunnm by Yukito Kishiro. Is James Cameron's and Robert Rodriguez' adaptation faithful to the source material, or is it just another run-of-the-mill Hollywood blockbuster. Listen to what John and Jason have to say about the film.  We hope you enjoy! Podcast News Toronto International Film Festival 2023 (September 07th - 17th) opens with Hayao Miyazaki’s “How Do You Live?” - Picked up by Gkids in America and renamed “The Boy and the Hero ..read more

  Table of Contents Hello everyone,  In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 1984 film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, based on his own manga with the same name. We talk about  the differences between the film and the manga, the environmental and ecological themes of the movie, as well as its overall place in Miyazaki's remarkable oeuvre. We hope you enjoy! Podcast News The Boy and the Heron (aka How do you Live) – new film by Miyazaki released in Japanese cinemas on July 14.  Opening film at the Toronto Intern ..read more

Table of Contents For the third year in a row, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) which took place between March 10 and March 19. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of NYAFF 2023 (in addition to a general overview of the festival). Additional, this page includes short written reviews by John of the NYAFF movies he managed to see.  Podcast News Arrow releases Blu Ray of Ringu Junk Head Blu ray release, August 15. Available on Amazon   Reviews This page will be updated as more reviews are added.  ..read more

  Table of Contents Hello everyone, In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2008 Thai action film, Chocolate. From the makers of Ong Bak and The Protector, this is another entry in a series of Thai films that found significant international success. Is chocolate worthy of its predecessors? Listen to our discussion and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy! News New York Asian Film Festival 2023. The festival runs from July 14–30, 2023 at Film at Lincoln Center (FLC), with a special weekend of screenings (July 21–23) at the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, New ..read more

  Table of Contents Podcast Hello everyone, In the 2nd episode of season 4 of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason take on a Michelle Yeoh double feature, Yes Madam (1985) and Royal Warriors (1986). They discuss the importance of these two films in the "girls with guns" genre, their merits, their flaws, and how they hold up in midst of the Hong Kong Golden Age. We hope you enjoy! Timestamps 0:01:46 - Film Discussion 1:01:34 - News 1:07:28 - Cultural Consumption Trailer News Cannes Film Festival 2023 – Asian Winners: Best Director - Tran Anh Hùng for The Pot-Au-Feu Best Scre ..read more