Storyline: O Roshiya koku suimu tan 1992 This epic story starts out interesting, if rather gently paced, and gradually builds up to involving and terrific The scenery and cinematography range from grim to spectacular, and are always effective The Japanese actors do a sterling job, whilst the Russians are adequate though a cut above the typical one dimensional gaijin so often seen in Japanese film I, along with others in the audience, was captivated by and feeling for every one of their considerable number of hardships, knockbacks and their few triumphs The gritty determination of a continuously reducing number the sailors to return home, despite the passing of months leading to years, was a joy to behold I had the pleasure of being in the audience at the Japan Foundation to hear a talk about the author, Yasushi Inoue, before the screening of the film Inoue was passionately concerned with bridging the gap between Japan and foreign countries, and this passion is forcefully expressed throughout the movie with respect to relations between Japan and Russia Or rather, considering the story was set in the 1790s during the reign of Catherine The Great, the potential for relations This period was perhaps the darkest days of Japans period of self imposed isolation, and the feeling of opportunities lost looms large here This being a tale of sailors bearing hardships through a long journey inevitably draws comparison with Ulysses, as does the journey across Siberia to Doctor Zhivago, and the film comes up quite respectably in comparison In summary, this is an film epic in scale which also manages to show the humanity of the main characters as well, and equally well Recommended
Unmade Beds (1997)
A black comedy about vanity and lust in contemporary America In the middle of the sexual jungle of New Yorks singles world, two men and two women try to achieve their dreams
Extraction 2 (2023)
After barely surviving his grievous wounds from his mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tyler Rake is back, and his team is ready to take on their next mission
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (1979)
The marriage and romantic problems among a group of several male friends
A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad
Fire & Ice (2008)
Ruled by King Augustin, Carpia is a peaceful kingdom in a world inhabited by dragons and knights The lands serenity is unexpectedly shattered by a Fire Dragon that spreads almighty fear and death amongst the kingdoms innocent people
Life After You (2022)
A suburban family struggles with the death of their 19 year old son, following an overdose of heroin that was laced with fentanyl The film explores the question of who and what is responsible for this tragedy
I D S Rising (2012)
IDS RISING is the 3rd and final installment in Cory J Udlers wild and controversial Incest Death Squad series Amber Wayne isnt quite dead and neither are the ghosts of her past IDS RISING tells the story of how a woman name
Malnazidos (2020)
Months after bloody combats leave behind thousands of dead in the trenches Jan Lozano, Captain of the Fifth Brigade has fallen prisoner by an opponents platoon along with a young driver while carrying out a mission that has been
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
A daydreamer convinces his radio personality brother to help fund one of his get rich quick schemes
Captain Conan (1996)
The war exploits of French captain Conan and his men during World War I and during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War
Vacances portugaises (1963)
Francoise and her husband Jean Pierre invite some friend couples to spend a weekend in their large villa on the Portuguese coast What follows is a romantic intrigue, with each character discovering a little more about himself
Overland Stage Raiders (1938)
After gold shipments from a mining town have been hijacked, the three Mesquiteers buy a plane to fly the gold out The owner of the shipping line brings in Eastern gangsters to thwart them
The Beast Within (2024)
It is told through the eyes of a 10 year old girl, as she begins to question her unusual life in her familys fortified compound in rural England
My Blind Brother (2016)
The rivalry between two brothers reaches a fever pitch during a charity swim competition