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Dong Ju: The Portrait of a Poet is an eloquent story woven around the poet's own insightful words. Shot in black and white, the monochrome film beautifully fits the quiet, intense mood of the short lives of these two young men.
I will leave the historical aspect of this film to those who have a personal stake in it or are more well versed in it than I am.
This film is as much about Yun Dong Ju's cousin and revolutionary, Song Mong Gyu, as it is the poet. Their lives are intertwined, two different ideals in how to resist during a time of hated occupation. One willing to use a gun, the other a pen though at times those lines blur. Their friendship though challenged never waivers.
The story begins and ends with the young men in prison. The present takes place during Yun's interrogation by the Japanese. As Yun is questioned, the past is revealed to show the steps they took to end up in prison. Quoting Yun's poetry to the corresponding events paints the conflicted feelings he had over his role during the dark times and his attempt to find hope in the moment. The tripod of present, past and poetry is perfectly balanced.
Kang Ha Neul gives a restrained and poignant performance as Yun's younger self and later as the tortured prisoner knowing death is imminent, reflecting on his actions and inactions. All the performances are good but his stood out as the titular character.
Dong Ju is an elegantly filmed story of an inelegant and agonizing time told through the courage, defiance and beauty of poetry and a poet.
Prelude
Wishing not to have
so much as a speck of shame
toward heaven until the day I die,
I suffered, even when the wind stirred the leaves.
With my heart singing to the stars,
I shall love all things that are dying.
And I must walk the road
that has been given to me.
Tonight, again, the stars are
brushed by the wind.
-Yun Dong Ju
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The cinematography is dark and melancholic, reflecting the mood of anger, guilt, sadness, and regret. The score embraces those same feelings.
JDY gives a good performance as the angry son, Zhen Chen, who travels from China to South Korea to find his mother due to his dying father's wish. What he finds only deepens his anger and resentment. Lee's mother shows restrained emotions, a woman who has long dealt with sacrifice and hardships. The story deepens when a disappointed Zhen Chen on the return trip home finds the diary his mother left him and her long buried secrets and his are slowly revealed.
The film dips into the overly dramatic waters on occasions, but never completely sinks into them. Though not for everyone, and not a perfect movie, I found the struggles of this mother and son compelling.
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This review may contain spoilers
A kill or be killed world and love
When a film begins with a traditional marriage where the bride wants to murder the groom on their wedding night you are left with the question, "Which one is the The Legend and which one is the Butterfly?" A political marriage of the uncouth Fool of Owari and the cunning Viper's Daughter made for an explosive and potent combination.The story was a reimagining of Oda Nobunaga and Nohime's marriage as little was known about it. Historically, she was thought to be beautiful, intelligent, and skilled with a blade. In this version of the life story of the first "Great Unifier" of Japan, she was the genius and fire behind the man.
Nobunaga and Nohime clashed, sometimes violently, in early scenes in the film. The story takes place over thirty years, giving short amounts of time to major events in their lives, usually converging with battles for power outside of the marriage. Eventually, they come to a place outside of Nohime's role as a spy for her father and her infertility where they could move beyond tolerance and reluctant admiration to love. But true love rarely flows smoothly with pride, vengeance, and illness creating problems.
Kimura Takuya was able to portray Nobunaga's carefree and coarse youth with buddies outside of his caste. He also conveyed the weight of the battles and familiar lives lost, showing the transformation from the Fool of Owari into the Demon King capable of ordering women and children to be killed. Ayase Haruka transcended many of her drama roles as the tough as nails and brilliant strategist, Nohime. I was saddened as her role diminished once she fell in love and yet she still wrung as much out of Nohime's shadow as she could.
The gorgeous sets, elaborate costumes, music, and cinematography were all well done. It would be hard to fault unless there were some anachronisms involved. I am not well versed in the history of this era so I can only comment on the entertainment value of the film for an outsider. While I enjoyed the fast-track history lesson, the romance between Nobunaga and Nohime was difficult to comprehend as both held their emotions close to their vests. They only allowed their true feelings to show a couple of times. It could be hard to keep up with their emotional "growth" because of the constant short time jumps and quick changes in attitudes as Nobunaga strengthened his resolve to kill everyone who opposed him and she softened desiring a normal life with him more and more. As much as I wanted to care about the two, it was difficult to emotionally connect to them and their conflicts. Perhaps this would have worked better as a short drama so that their personality changes could have been delved into more and not be seen as so abrupt.
The Legend and Butterfly was entertaining even if it lacked the emotional depth I was looking for between the spouses. Regardless of historical accuracy, it was refreshing to see Nohime shown as a capable and intelligent woman, a wife Nobunaga could turn to for sound advice. Whether Nobunaga was a Fool or a Demon, neither, or a little of both is for people far more educated on the subject than me to comment on. As a film, a nearly 3 hour film covering 3 decades, focusing on the marital harmony and disharmony of one of Japan's most famous historical figures, The Legend and Butterfly succeeded largely on the likeability and skills of the performers. It was a kill or be killed world and for a time, marriage.
5/19/23
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Qiao Yan is a successful actress with an overly clingy manager. She’s rigidly unhappy and desperately seeking her freedom from the life she’s living. Her manager has other plans for her future and is unwilling to take no for an answer. Into this abyss her pregnant sister from Myanmar walks in. Her sister is looking for her deadbeat husband who is trying to escape his gambling debts. Due to Qiao’s secret slipping out, a long list of people line up to extort an exorbitant amount of money from her. Qiao will have to decide how far she’s willing to go to protect herself.
The characters were thinly and inconsistently written. The old, “if I’d had the opportunities you had, I’d be a famous actress and wealthy instead of you,” trope was used because yeah, life just works that way. Anyone can become rich and famous. That petulant phrase was overused. The older sister’s emotions and ethics swung back and forth like a pendulum. Her husband was utterly vile and made me wonder why she stayed with him.
What actually intrigued me about this film was that the entertainment industry was shown to be a patriarchal, capitalistic den of iniquity where wealthy men thought they owned the talent and could do what they wanted with them. I’d heard rumors about this type of behavior for years, just never thought I’d see a Chinese movie airing that dirty laundry. (I write this knowing Hollywood has had its issues, too. It’s always a problem when people hold unchecked power.) They also showed the negative side of the “one child” rule. Another shocker.
The story itself was uneven and dragged on too long. The actors did the best they could with the material. The movie Qiao was shooting gave Zhao Li Ying more of a chance to shine than the actual movie she was in. The Unseen Sister was watchable, but could have been better.
20 August 2025
Triggers: Lots of smoking if that bothers you
Attempted Sexual Assault
Dismembered finger
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"I went far away only to find nothing was different"
The Breaking Ice was a slice of life film that was more mood than plot. Filmed during the frigid winter in Yangi, China near the North Korean border, the snowy mountainous setting was easily the fourth main character in the story of three young adults disenchanted with their lives and in need of healing and connection.Na Na leads tours in the Korean prefecture of Yanbian and doesn’t hesitate to ask for tips and good reviews with a smile on her face. Han Xiao works at his aunt’s restaurant in Yangi where Na Na brings the tour groups to eat. Hao Feng has come to town for a wedding. He spends most of his time dodging phone calls about his missed mental health appointments and staring down from the building wondering whether he has the courage to jump. He sees Na Na’s tour group and joins it the next day. When Na Na lets her mask slip around him, he finds a kindred spirit. After his phone is lost with his virtual wallet, Na Na invites him to dinner with Xiao. The three drink, dance, and later sleep it off at Na Na’s apartment. The next day they jump on Xiao’s motorcycle and travel on their own tour of the area.
“Whether I like it or not, I still have to do it.”
Zhou Dong Yu managed to lift dour Na Na above the material and give her emotional depth where the script did not. Liu Hao Ran brought a fragility to Hao Feng even though the writers were stingy with his backstory. Qu Chu Xiao’s Han Xiao wisely underplayed any jealous feelings Xiao might have had as Na Na and Hao became more intimate. The men’s friendship overcame hurdles that would usually derail them. Xiao was a good apple who even gave Hao a coat when they went hiking in the knee-deep snow, showing that the German saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes,” worked in China as well. Though Xiao wasn’t a well-developed character his compassion toward a stranger was revealed in different significant layers.
“I’ve been away so long, I’m not even sure where home is.”
Xiao and Na Na had moved to Yangi and became stuck professional and emotionally. Both of their jobs had been adversely affected by the pandemic and both dealt with family separations. Hao may have had a good job in Shanghai, but he was equally disaffected. The three people were as isolated and closed off as the snow-covered mountains surrounding them. Yet they found warmth and healing connections as they spent time together.
“I don’t want to be alone.”
Director Anthony Chen and cinematographer Yu Jing Pin created beautiful shots of ice and mountainous roads and trails, lighting everything with exquisite care. The interior shots in contrast were warm, although the clubs highlighted the remoteness of the individuals as they drank and danced in the crowd. The film was gorgeous to watch and the music set the mood perfectly. The acting was all on point. My only complaint is that little was revealed about the characters, especially Hao Feng. Sometimes I had to create my own dots to connect. Despite my reservations, I quite enjoyed this film of three people reaching out and accepting each other where they were for the time they had together.
2 November 2024
7.75
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"Only the cloud knows the feather"
Spies, assassins, poison, sword fights, and a struggle for the leadership of one of the last sects not under the thumb of the evil Wufeng sect, My Journey to You attempted to cover a lot of ground. Populated with beautiful people and costumes, this drama was sometimes more stunning to look at than compelling.What drew me to this drama was the promise of not one, but at least two female “assassins”. This felt like a bad translation, as they were more spies than killers. Yun Wei Shan had real possibilities for a dark and intriguing character. Once the Gong male characters were introduced, it often felt like the Wufeng spies had little to do other than talking in whispered tones. When a double tragedy left the underachiever, Gong Zi Yu, as the only choice for Sword Wielder, I had to agree with the snide Gong Shang Jue. Zi Yu was pitifully unprepared for such a task. Of course, it was difficult to side with Shang Jue and his “brother” Yuan Zhi, as they could be insufferably contemptuous. Much of the drama focused on Zi Yu’s trials in the Three Realms of the Back Hill with some assistance from Yun. Shang Jue had his own undercover bridal spy to deal with as well.
At the beginning I was completely engaged with this drama. Then it began to rinse, lather, repeat for me one too many times. Zi Yu and Shang Jue kept being hauled before the elders where they could accuse the other of causing problems. At this point I felt like neither one deserved to be the Sword Wielder. The Back Hill provided some interesting characters and trials when the two Gongs weren’t arguing over who was prettiest. There were multiple attempts at humor, usually involving the overly dramatic and over acted role of Gong Zi Shang and her crush on Zi Yu’s bodyguard, Jin Fan. Which brings up the point, this was the martial world and only the “bad” girls knew martial arts. The Gong women all seemed to be rather defenseless. To quote Eowyn from LOTR: TT, “Those without swords can still die upon them.” The oldest surviving Chinese wuxia starred a woman! I was disappointed by the lack of Gong women wielding swords.
The beginning was strong and I enjoyed some of the middle until it became bogged down in recrimination after recrimination. The last part with the fights that had real consequences was more engaging. Then the big “twist” was almost a movie length of exposition. “I suppose you all wondered why I gathered you here today…” The acting varied from adequate to excellent. This drama should help Ryan Cheng graduate from web dramas for good. I also quite enjoyed Wen Zheng Rong’s performance as Lady Wu Ji. She was able to go from calculating to maternal in the blink of an eye.
Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and binge-worthy, if flawed, drama. Had it not been for my least favorite ending-the open end, I would have bumped it up to at least an 8. Maybe there will be a S2, maybe there won’t. If they develop a compelling S2 that coincides with this story well, I’ll revisit my rating. Even with the disappointing ending, this was a journey worth making.
1 July 2024
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Flawed drama about flawed and broken people
The Trunk was filled with deeply flawed and wounded people. No one walked away looking like a hero by the time it was all over. There were many moments of frustration over truly idiotic decisions and the never welcome noble idiocy. Through it all Gong Yoo showed why he is a top actor regardless of country.Han Jeong Won cannot get over his ex-wife, Lee Seo Yeon, and takes the pills she supplies to sleep and get through the day. In order to maintain any contact with her he has to agree to a 1 year contract marriage to Noh In Ji. Lee married a younger man, Ji O, and uses him like a Boy Toy. Jeong Won and In Ji tie the knot by signing a contract which is stored in her designer trunk. The trunk and a dead body are later found with the police investigating this damaged group of people.
When a drama or movie bounces back and forth repeatedly in time, it’s usually a clue that the story isn’t that deep but the writers want to make it appear to be mysterious. Such was the case with this drama.
The story itself dragged most of the characters over the coals of desire and despair. Han made a terrible decision during a moment of anger and desperation. In Ji seemed to see what Han could not, yet made numerous idiotic decisions. Lee had a right to be angry even though she created a deadly situation, yet decided to punish Han into self-destruction. Not exactly the most likeable lot, yet Jeong Won and In Ji slowly dragged their way toward atonement. I was disappointed that a few of the familial elements were never cleared up.
The Trunk was stylishly shot and had a beautiful OST. Some of the acting was exemplary while some of it was perfunctory. The scattershot approach to storytelling was confusing at first but by the fourth episode was clearly laid out. Han’s mansion resembled a fun house with mirrored scenes and wild swirling circles and lines. The cold, severe decorating scheme would be enough to cause isolation issues. Shortcomings in stalking laws were brought up as well as a tyrannical view of bisexuality and terrible invasion of privacy and internet laws. For me, the only thing that held it together and made it worthwhile viewing was seeing Gong Yoo once again in a starring role even if his character was often shoved to the side. This was closer to a 7.5 drama but the cinematography, music, and GY’s acting bumped it up to an inflated 8 for me. Welcome back, Gong Yoo, don't stay away so long next time!
29 November 2024
Triggers: Sexual content and nudity. One gratuitous scene and other more “artistic” ones and two shower scenes that go lower than Kdramas.
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Monstrously bad
It has been a long time since something irritated me as badly as Hoshi 35. Ostensibly billed as a kaiju flick, it underperformed in that manner epically. The kaiju was on screen for less than five minutes--in all forms. The rest of the film was a disturbing tale of human sacrifice, brain washing, and murder. If that sounds more exciting…it wasn’t.1000 years ago, in a remote village near the Tengen Mountain, a young woman is sacrificed to the Beast of the Star. Whenever the meteor appears in the future, young women are sacrificed to keep the Beast happy. Two geology employees studying the crater stumble upon the deadly and very creepy secret. They manage to escape when the villagers decide the outsiders are too big a risk. Thirty-five years later when a meteor approaches Earth headed for the mountain, the two return to the village hoping to save the villagers and keep another tragedy from happening.
Why are young women always sacrificed and not the village elder, warriors, or virgin boys? And in this case also offered up as some sort of companions? The film started turning into a village horror story but didn’t commit to that angle. Instead, it came across as misogynistic religious rites gone very wrong. After a bloody beginning it strayed into very boring territory.
A rubber costume was created, so why not use it more? Aside from the lack of a kaiju presence, because dear goodness I was truly wanting the villagers to be stomped on, the biggest transgression was in regards to the actors. Many of the older actors had been in numerous kaiju films. Odaka Megumi who played Aki starred in multiple Heisei Era Godzilla films. They even wasted Moll (Kobayashi Megumi) one of the Elias from the Mothra Rebirth trilogy. Almost no kaiju scenes and Godzilla/Mothra alums being relegated to this dreck-monstrous.
24 April 2026
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"Even if life is bumpy, you must live vibrantly!"
I love these kinds of dramas and films set in extraordinarily beautiful and remote places where people have lived to their own rhythm and nature’s for generations. To the Wonder did an excellent job of showcasing the scenery and people as they moved from their winter homes to summer ranches.What I liked:
The different people with different languages and religions communicating, negotiating, and also showing great hospitality. Separate cultures bonding through marriage and friendship.
Respect for nature.
The stunning vistas and grass ranges.
The sharing of games and celebrations.
The burgeoning writer element.
The love for horses.
Ba Tai didn’t have much character development, but he was pretty to look at.
What didn’t work as well for me:
Going to be an unpopular opinion, Li Wen Xiu felt like a character copied and pasted from a high school or college romcom Cdrama. My least favorite Cdrama FL stereotype---described as clumsy, stupid, bad at math, lazy with homework, but creative. Apparently, it is not possible to be competent and creative. How many times could she be covered in poop or water? She was also emotionally rash which resulted in dire consequences.
To the Wonder brought forth the age-old dilemma regarding changing times, as the older generations lamented their ways of life disappearing, the younger generation had to determine what was right for them. What to keep, what is lost, what is gained? I honestly could have done without the “fish out of water” character that became an avatar for more urban viewers and just reveled in the mountains, fields, and herds as the families navigated the land and changing social and political environment.
9 April 2026
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"It's a mawashi, not a jock strap"
Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t was a funny, lighthearted story of young college men finding something they were missing through a failing sumo club. “The players are pink giants,” with lots of skin showing and a determination to win and maintain age old traditions, well, at least some of them. And none of these boys were giants.Yamamoto Shuhei is called into Professor Anayama’s office. Due to his absences, Shuhei is going to fail and not graduate unless he joins the sumo club, just until the first tournament to keep the club open. Shuhei and the club leader, Aoki, search for new recruits. They manage to field a team with a guy wanting to impress a girl, another who can’t pay his rent and needs a place to live, and finally someone who just desperately desires friends. Unimpressed with the ancient art of sumo, Anayama’s losers may not be able to do enough to keep the club open.
Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t was the Bad News Bears of sumo. No one was really invested in sumo, but the more they competed the harder they worked at training. I did feel like Masayuki left out crucial moments that led to the boys’ decisions to dedicate themselves to the discipline of the sport and the respect for the ancient traditions. Most of their hardcore training was off-screen.
The film was funny, but not usually in a slapstick manner, more born out of the conditions the wrestlers found themselves in. I actually laughed out loud numerous times, a rarity for me with films. There were also deliciously heartwarming moments.
Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t was an entertaining, at times even rousing, sports film. Given that it was made for less than $1 million (USD), writer/director Suo Masayuki got a lot of bang for his buck. It was impossible for me to not root for this group of likeable underachievers. Each member of the team discovered something in himself through the rigors of sumo and the gift of friendship. Definitely worth a try if you enjoy sports or unexpected friendship films.
28 March 2026
Trigger warnings: I’ve seen other sumo fare and maybe the mawashi were ill fitting, but there was a lot of unkempt pubic hair exposed. Also, diarrhea gags.
Surprising note: I’m not sure how prevalent it was in the 1990s but this school had an American style football team complete with cheerleaders.
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The Good Guys led by Qi Shan Yun are searching for a band of masked killers for hire who have been plaguing the area. While staying at an inn, Zeng Jun thinks the cook is paying too close of attention to the goings on. After the cook saves their lives, Zeng goes out of his ways to befriend the prickly, secretive man. The Good Guys’ numbers continue to dwindle at the hands of the trident wielding murderers leading them to believe that someone within is a traitor.
It’s been a while since I’ve watched a Chang Cheh film so I pulled out my handy-dandy CC checklist:
No discernable female presence. Check. Usually, older actresses like Got Ping or Mama Hung were in a background somewhere. In this film a sister had a couple of minutes of air time. Might be a new record for this period
Bare oiled up chests and fishnet “shirts”. Check and check. Shirts were optional in his homoerotic atmosphere.
Sado-masochistic murders. Check. He went out of his way to kill people in torturous new methods.
Buckets O’ Blood. Check. Though he was rather restrained with his artery spewing extravaganzas. The body count was typical for one of his films. Don’t get emotionally attached to anyone.
Drama Queen Bad Guys. Check. Check. And Check. All the baddies made entrances like on a corny game show in the spotlight. “When he’s not murdering people for hire, he enjoys oiling his weapon and walks along the beach.”
Not necessary, but often included when the Venoms were involved: Mutton chops. Some very serious sideburn action going on.
The story was thin with the requisite hidden identities. Though one look at the cast list tells you all you need to know. I was disappointed Lo Meng couldn’t join Philip Kwok, Chiang Sheng, and Lu Feng for the reunion. But I was pleased with the addition of Chin Siu Ho. Also, the English title is misleading. The bad guys wore the masks. The Venoms and Chu Ko acted as martial arts directors. They sped things up this time around, no kung fu posing. The fights were fast and furious and the final fight gave an appropriate just deserts to the villain.
Because it was a Shaw Brothers production, it has been maintained through the years and still looks sharp. I’m not a huge Chang Cheh fan with his exclusion of female characters but his films from this era were always a spectacle to behold. Rated on a curve.
9 March 2026
Trigger warnings: A chicken was skewered. Numerous impalements and lots of blood. Drinking of “blood”. Sexual assault off-screen.
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"Love can be used to trick people"
Clans of Intrigue was another bonkers whodunit extravaganza from Chor Yuen, Ti Lung, and Gu Long. Maybe not a cast of thousands, but certainly a large and unwieldly who’s who among Shaw Brothers staples wandered onto screen only to be murdered soon thereafter.Chu Liu Xiang, the ethical thief, is accused of stealing the Tianyi Divine Water poison and killing four clan leaders. Kung Nan Yen from the Divine Water Palace gives him a month to find the real killer or his life is forfeit. Chu crisscrosses the area hunting down clues and thwarting murder attempts on himself. The renowned swordsman will discover that enemies may be allies and allies might be enemies as he seeks to uncover the truth while trying to stay alive.
Ti Lung shone in this role. He seemed to take delight in the light-hearted, skilled thief and swordsman. Ling Yun would have a larger role in Legend of the Bat but made the most of his sword for hire role here. Nora Miao, Li Ching, and Betty Pei Ti all played swordswomen with Chu in their sights for various reasons. Tien Ching and Yueh Hua’s characters had their own secrets to bear. This was one of Yueh’s stronger roles. He could be rather stiff in other roles so it was fun to watch him exercise his acting muscles in this one. Ku Feng showed up at a clan’s gambling den, another interested in party in who killed the chiefs.
This film was a wuxia detective story as Ti searched for clues with killers on his trail. I’m always amused when the bad guy wears an unassuming bright red costume. To quote My Cousin Vinny, “Oh, you blend.” There were surprising twists and turns for a 1970s martial arts movie.*** I’m finding that Tang Chia and Huang Pei Chih worked well together as martial arts directors. The action was fast and acrobatic. As much as I love Ti, he could border on kung fu posing at times and this choreography seemed to suit him.
If you enjoy old kung fu flicks and don’t mind a rapid release of characters and information, this is one to try. I’m disappointed that I’ve watched all the Ti Lung and Ling Yun “buddy” movies, they had a nice bromance. As always, I rate these films on a curve.
6 March 2026
Triggers: An arm ripped off. Suggested sexual encounters off screen. Suicide.
***The film had a lesbian relationship without making it too weird. A major feat for the time.
***Spoiler comment below:
There was also an “intersex” character which at first made me nervous because I feared the character might be shown in a derogatory manner. Thankfully, this character was also not ridiculed. It was a “gotcha” moment but for 1977 they didn’t get gross in their language about the character. The situation was simply accepted matter of factly which was a nice surprise even if it might have pushed the bounds of realism.
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"I'll check the shark fins"
Johnnie To’s Exiled was a thrill a minute ride with four gangster friends + 1 exiled ex-gangster friend who had to choose between triad loyalty to the boss or to each other. Throw in a wife and new baby making the stakes even higher.Wo left the gang years ago after an assassination attempt on the boss. He came back to Macau with his wife and new baby where four old friends are waiting on him. Two are determined to protect him and the other two are assigned to kill him. After a gun fight in his apartment which led to moving furniture and dinner, friendship won out but that left them all in a precarious position with not just one gang, but two.
This is one of those films that I rated on the genre as well as the film itself. The gangster genre can be a lot of lather, rinse, and repeat with double crosses and triple crosses. I was pleased that the friends’ bond was stronger than their triad bond. Of course, that meant copious amounts of blood and flying lead and bodies. The cinematography, music, and lighting were all well above average. The acting was perfect for the characters. Anthony Wong reined in his scenery chewing abilities as did Francis Ng while still making their characters edgy, unique, and decidedly human. Roy Cheung with his gorgeous long hair and Lam Suet made for loyal backseat friends. Given their profession, all of the characters had made acquaintances with Death and found the gallows’ humor in their strange situations.
Wo’s wife played by Josie Ho had an important role to play as did Ellen Chan’s “Hooker.” Simon Yam came to life as the ruthless crime boss. Benz Hui’s retiring cop showed up occasionally to inject humor into scenes and explain why the police never swarmed the buildings being torn apart by gunfire and littered with dead bodies. A Red Bull product placement might have been the best commercial for it ever as that can definitely proved it had wings. The fight choreography was often highly stylized and at other times straight forward yet always highly effective.
I loved the look and feel of the film but it was the friendships that sold me. I had no illusions about how this film would end but still cheered when Ng closed the door. If you enjoy bloody buddy adventures and a different approach to a gangster flick this might be one to try. Probably an 8.0 but I enjoyed it to the end so I gave it an 8.5.
28 February 2026
Trigger warnings: Sexual content, brief nudity, graphic operating scene, lots of blood and violence.
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"In my boring life a chance for adventure has arrived"
There are some films that resonant not because of extraordinary acting or a compelling story, but rather the way the director wields his brush and paints a film alive with deft and mysterious strokes. Such was Labyrinth of Dreams for me.Tomiko is jarred when her friend Tsuyako, a bus conductor like herself, is killed in a tragic accident. Tomiko and her other friend, Chieko, do not believe it was an accident. Rumor of a bus driver who is a serial killer has been making the rounds for some time. When he tires of a conductor romantically, he kills her, making it look like an accident. When Niitaka Tatsuo is hired at Tomiko’s bus line, Tomiko becomes determined to avenge her friend. The only problem is…she falls in love with the handsome, and possibly deadly driver.
The movie was filmed in black and white and based on a story written in the early 1930s. Due to the clothes, hairstyles, and bus model, the setting was ambiguous, but suffice to say it was set in the days of yore. Much of the “dialogue” was in letter writing form between Tomiko and Chieko and prior to her death between Tsuyako and Tomiko. A young Asano Tadanobu played the enigmatic Tatsuo. A man of few words he was served up as a sizzling sexy entre with a side order of menacing eyes. Seventeen-year-old Komine Rena wasn’t as strong in the acting department but did her best as the bored conductor who had a sexual awakening in the dangerous arms of Tatsuo. As Tomiko said, “Life was miserable and lonely. I wrestled with fate until the end.”
Director Ishii Gakuryu created a gauzy dreamlike film often obscuring the audience’s view with darkness, rain, clouds, even forest leaves. Blurred frames swirled the changes of scenes. The film was filled with symbolism. Battered moths struggled to free themselves from a vase or were attracted to a hot light impotently bashing their wings against it. There was little music and what there was of it was simple. Most often the natural sounds of rain, wind, or surf filled in for the lack of score. Several times complete silence or a blank screen were used to jar the viewer. Ishii kept the audience guessing whether Tatsuo was a cold-blooded killer or a figment of an overactive imagination.
Labyrinth of Dreams was an odd story of love, lust, and the intoxication of danger. Dreamily shot, the monochrome format only added to the mystery and claustrophobic atmosphere. This art house film will not be for the broader audience, but if you enjoy a film that is more experience than narrative it might be one to try. I’ll be looking for more of Ishii’s films to be sure.
“If both held their courses, then they would collide in 9 seconds and catastrophe would be inevitable.”
6 February 2026
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This review may contain spoilers
Black River aka Kuroi Kawa reminded me of one of my least favorite Kurosawa Akira films, The Lower Depths. Like Lower Depths, this film is centered in a decaying tenement filled with unlikeable people. The underlying theme of the society decaying as well after WWII became lost for me in the toxic “love” triangle and reprehensible view of women. Please forgive me if I change up my normal review style for diary writings of the main characters. Warning-A disturbing event that happens early in the film is mentioned.Dear Diary,
I recently moved into a slum with a cranky landlady. She’s probably that way because only one tenant pays the rent. The local communist tries to talk the tenants into paying their fair share of the electricity bill and poop removal, but no one seems very interested in it. I just want to be left alone with my books while I’m studying civil engineering. Holes in the wall and nosy neighbors make it difficult. The house husband next door constantly bothers me. His wife works at a “salon” and is always coming onto me in her slip. I think she might be a prostitute. In fact, most of the women wander around in their slips and are either hitting on me or watching others have sex through the holes in the walls. Thinking I might be living in a house full of perverts. I have fallen in love with a beautiful waitress who picked up one of my books that had fallen in the street. New entry-she ditched a date we had for her to “borrow” some books to hook up with the local gang leader, Joe the Killer. Heartbroken, will continue to focus on my studies. Believe one of my pervy neighbors is stealing my things.—Nishida Kenzo
Dear Diary,
Work as a waitress is going well. I take the same route every day with my parasol. I picked up a book a fellow dropped and kismet! I think I’m completely in love. I have a date to “borrow” more books. Latest development-last night on my way to see the student, I was roughly kidnapped by a group of men. Another man beat them off and saved me! Then he threw me on the ground, declared his love for me, and brutally raped me. I, of course, went to him the next day and demanded he marry me. Joe the Killer laughed at me. Guess I’m stuck with this loser after losing my virginity to him. What a ridiculous name for a gangster, must get him to change it. Maybe Joe the Delusional Rapist? Will play the part of a tart and dress more seductively. I should leave him but I am strangely attracted to his brand of violent affection…Think I will write a love letter to that book nerd to keep my options open. Love, Shizuko
Dear Diary,
Things are going my way. Have talked the crooked landlady into hiring me to drive out her tenants so that we and my business partner can build a “Love Hotel.” Last night I wooed the good girl in town and convinced her that violence is how I show affection. Women are so stupid. I also take particular delight in tormenting her and that idiot student she loves. Everything is great! Yay me! –Joe the Killer
Black River had some important insights into life after WWII outside an American military base that became uselessly bogged down in the “love” triangle. Rape as foreplay will never sit well with me. Despite strong performances from Nakadai Tatsuya and Arima Ineko and a somewhat satisfying ending, the whole triangle premise left a bad misogynistic taste in my mouth.
1 February 2026
Trigger warnings: Implied rape and sexual situations though nothing shown. Physical abuse of women which was shown.
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