Jizo statues are a fascinating part of Japanese folklore. Often sighted near Buddhist temples, graveyards and sometimes on roadsides, they provide protection to travelers and the souls of children and unborn babies. They can be small and unassuming, with friendly faces like a classic Buddha, but sculpted more in the shape of a garden gnome. One such statue can be found in Sayama City on a small modern-day intersection; the statue and adjoining temple have been there for over 300 years, standing as a preserved relic of the Edo era, but the world around it has changed drastically. It sits awkwardly in the road, like a chunky doorstop that wedges open a portal between the past and present; Sayama resident and director Mitsuo Kurihara has built a strange, whimsical story around that very idea with his extravagantly-titled micro-budget feature film, “The Haunted Jizo of Shimo-Mizuno, Sayama City”.
“The Haunted Jizo of Shimo-Mizuno,...
“The Haunted Jizo of Shimo-Mizuno,...
- 5/12/2023
- by Simon Ramshaw
- AsianMoviePulse
Up until now, the Karate Kid franchise has lived on solely through the "Cobra Kai" TV series, but in 2024, it's set to return to the big screen with a brand-new movie. The untitled project will mark the sixth installment in the franchise and will release exactly 40 years after the first Karate Kid film premiered in 1984. The original movie starred Ralph Macchio as a teenager named Daniel Larusso, who learns karate from martial arts master Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) in order to defend himself against a group of bullies, one of whom includes Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Since their rivalry is also at the center of "Cobra Kai," we're left to wonder whether the new film will bring the iconic pair back once more.
In September 2022, Macchio told Entertainment Weekly that he wasn't attached to the project, however, since the movie was still in its early stages, anything could happen. "I...
In September 2022, Macchio told Entertainment Weekly that he wasn't attached to the project, however, since the movie was still in its early stages, anything could happen. "I...
- 4/24/2023
- by Michele Mendez
- Popsugar.com
The movie: "Uzumaki"
Where you can stream it: Prime Video
The pitch: Imagine if there was something like a deadly virus that made people become obsessed with spirals, to the point that they will do anything to either become part of a spiral or get as far removed from them as possible. "Uzumaki" is the directorial debut of Ukrainian-born director Higuchinsky, based on the acclaimed manga by master of horror Junji Ito, and it is a film unlike any other. It's low-budget, it's grainy, and it's absolutely bizarre, but it's also a fascinating take on the work of one of the greatest visual minds in all of horror.
"Uzumaki," which translates to "spiral," follows Kirie (Eriko Hatsune) and Shuichi (Fhi Fan), a pair of teens in a small town in Japan who start noticing strange happenings around them. Shuichi's father, Toshio (Ren Ôsugi) becomes obsessed with snails and anything that...
Where you can stream it: Prime Video
The pitch: Imagine if there was something like a deadly virus that made people become obsessed with spirals, to the point that they will do anything to either become part of a spiral or get as far removed from them as possible. "Uzumaki" is the directorial debut of Ukrainian-born director Higuchinsky, based on the acclaimed manga by master of horror Junji Ito, and it is a film unlike any other. It's low-budget, it's grainy, and it's absolutely bizarre, but it's also a fascinating take on the work of one of the greatest visual minds in all of horror.
"Uzumaki," which translates to "spiral," follows Kirie (Eriko Hatsune) and Shuichi (Fhi Fan), a pair of teens in a small town in Japan who start noticing strange happenings around them. Shuichi's father, Toshio (Ren Ôsugi) becomes obsessed with snails and anything that...
- 11/22/2022
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Daniel Larusso is no stranger to romance. In "The Karate Kid," his crush on Johnny Lawrence's (William Zabka) girlfriend Ali Mills (Elizabeth Shue) is what gets him into trouble in the first place. Determined to win her heart and give Johnny a beating in the process (Johnny sympathizer over here!), Daniel sets out to master the art of karate, which is a pretty crazy and impressive thing to do for love. Because this is Hollywood, he ends up getting the girl and the first place trophy, but by "The Karate Kid Part II," he and Ali have parted ways.
Clearly not too heartbroken over the breakup, Daniel embarks on a journey to Okinawa with Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) where he meets Yukie, Miyagi's former crush, and her charming niece Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita). He then spends the rest of the film trying to win over Kumiko's heart with his sick karate moves and American charm.
Clearly not too heartbroken over the breakup, Daniel embarks on a journey to Okinawa with Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) where he meets Yukie, Miyagi's former crush, and her charming niece Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita). He then spends the rest of the film trying to win over Kumiko's heart with his sick karate moves and American charm.
- 9/7/2022
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
Fans of director John G. Avildsen's "The Karate Kid" franchise will no doubt remember the emotional scene in the first film where a drunk Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) reflects on his early life in America. Dressed in his old army uniform, he toasts to a photograph of his late wife and shows a picture of her to Daniel (Ralph Macchio) who is just now learning of his sensei's complicated past.
Born in Okinawa, 18-year-old Miyagi immigrated to the United States after he unsuccessfully professed his love to Yukie, the woman who was arranged to marry his best friend, Sato. He met his wife in Hawaii while working in the cane fields, but their romance was quickly complicated by the United States' decision to enter World War II. When President Roosevelt ordered the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese and Japanese American citizens in concentration camps, both Miyagi and his wife were relocated to Manzanar,...
Born in Okinawa, 18-year-old Miyagi immigrated to the United States after he unsuccessfully professed his love to Yukie, the woman who was arranged to marry his best friend, Sato. He met his wife in Hawaii while working in the cane fields, but their romance was quickly complicated by the United States' decision to enter World War II. When President Roosevelt ordered the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese and Japanese American citizens in concentration camps, both Miyagi and his wife were relocated to Manzanar,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
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