Tag: Drama

When Jia Zhangke’s Caught By The Tides is Sweeping Into Art House Screenings Nationwide….

… viewers interested in what life is like in China will find it rather maudlin. What people need to know about Caught by the Tides is that it’s made from bits and pieces of other films, and in what ties everything together is its focus on the leading lady.

Jia Zhangke's Caught By The Tides Movie PosterCaught by the Tides is a curious film that can be tough to deconstruct. When writer/director Jia Zhangke is assembling bits from his other works, the result can feel like a jumble. He either never had in mind a plan to create this latest movie, or he just wanted to play around. Even I had to check where the footage came from. The movies he pulled from are Unknown Pleasures, Still Life, and Ash is Purest White. I’ve only seen one, but the rest were a mystery.

I suspect the idea for this film comes from the idea that whatever random pieces of celluloid film are from the cutting room floor, he can collect into a tale. The film partially captivated me at times, but, like the receding tide, my interest waned. At least I can appreciate the moment where the protagonists are dancing to Butterfly on Dance Dance Revolution.

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At This Year’s Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, These Three Short Works Deserve Special Attention

Time flies at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and what’s offered is a look at the shorts that show why the magic is alive for new talents looking to make a difference.

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival LOGOSome folks may well say the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival moved quite fast this year. I seem to recall that some years had more days added to it than others, and I’d have to check my archives to verify if that’s true or not.

As I reported before, I’ve chosen to look at the shorts presented this year and I suspect half of what’s presented will be available at other similarly themed events. When my focus is on the genre of magical realism, what I offer is a look at these shorts which really caught my attention above all other screenings. Sadly, when doing remote coverage, some films might not be accessible, and that’s okay. They may show up at Fantasia Film Festival or another local Asian celebration of movies next, and I’m crossing my fingers!

Ruya

Sany (Bernadette Balagtas) is a dreamweaver, and in this world, they are more than storytellers. They interpret life’s major events and it’s woven into a tapestry. Not everyone can read the colours and patterns put into the t’nalaks. I couldn’t help but want to be reminded about how strings intertwine in what The Fates from Greek legend weave; however, those threads have a different meaning. And unlike what the dreamcatcher does, what’s made here is more about remembering one’s heritage more than anything else.

Ruya Movie Picture Still

Sadly, after she suffers a heart attack, she can’t continue making this long piece of cloth. And it’s up to her daughter Ruya (Yssamei Panganiban) to understand what this tapestry means to the family. And when not everyone is familiar with indigenous Filipino culture, what’s revealed is fascinating!

I was captivated by the later moments as the film attempts to explain who Fu Dalu, the Spirit of Abaca, is. Even then, what this story presents is scratching the surface. Afterwards, I researched further, and I’m glad the aboriginal fascination with the Dreaming isn’t limited to Australia!

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A Nerd’s Guide to the 2025 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Although the number of genre films seems small in this year’s Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, the number of drama are always high as the 2025 event is ready to rumble starting tomorrow!

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival LOGORuns: May 1st to 7th, 2025

When I have a fondness for films made in Asia, I’m always excited to see what the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will screen. This event kicks off tomorrow, and I’m always curious about who may become the next Bong Joon Ho. Or rather, wonder if this event will premiere the next exciting genre flick! My coverage over the years always considers this side of the show before extending the list to other movies that pique my interest.

And while some years offer more fantastical works than others in the short film category, there’s still some good drama to find! This top picks in what to see also considers this category too.

Chinatown Cha-Cha
China, Directed by Luka Yuanyuan Yang

CHINATOWN CHA-CHAThe 92-year-old previous nightclub dancer Coby Yee decides to get back on stage again after joining the senior dance troupe Grant Avenue Follies. Together they go on a tour for the last time, bridging once isolated Chinese communities in the US, Cuba, and China.

From Okinawa With Love
Japan & USA, Directed by Hiroshi Sunairi

In the 1970s, Okinawan photographer Mao Ishikawa worked as a barmaid for African American GIs and published an impressive photography book.

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In the Movie Trapezium, Not Every Idol Singer Will Have Another’s Back

Although Trapezium is not a true look at the Japanese idol industry, what’s presented certainly scratches the surface.

Trapezium Movie PosterAvailable to view on Crunchyroll

Another star is born and whether the anime movie Trapezium truly explores what goes on in creating an idol singer depends. This tale is allegedly based on a story by Kazumi Takayama, a former member of Nogizaka 46. If true, the insights are not that many. I believe this film is more of a satire than anything else.

When this character drama is atypical, there’s none of that hyper intensity from Pompo the Cinephile (movie review) here. Here, the much slower story focuses on Azuma Yuu (Asaki Yuikawa), whose desire to be famous requires her to be something worse. While she’s almost like Ally Campana from the aforementioned film, her charming attitude isn’t immediate. Ranko (Reina Ueda), Kurumi (Hina Yomiya) and Mika (Haruka Aikawa) are her friends. Together, they are training to be Japan’s next top talent.

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15 Animated Films That You May Have Missed or Not Heard Of…

In this list of animated films that you may have missed, thankfully most of them have surfaced online to stream on demand.

Dreambuilders Movie PosterAs we enter halfway into this decade, I wondered what animated films have I missed watching? Kids aren’t the only target audiences; the medium also works to tell biographies, visualize experimental ideas and explore adult topics. Also, not all animated films are American productions. What I offer are titles that have caught my interest as I count from 2020 to 2024.

Depending on whether I’ve seen it during my construction of this list, I’ll include either the official synopsis or my thoughts on that title. Some of these releases might still be unreleased. To note: I’ll be limiting my choices to three per year. And, where possible, will provide links on where it’s available to stream or purchase.

Animated Films of 2000

Dreambuilders (Plex)

Minna misuses her newfound ability to create and control other people’s dreams to teach her bothersome step-sister a lesson. When her stepsister can no longer wake up, it is up to the is young girl has to enter the dream world to save her.

Nahuel and the Magic Book (Apple TV)

Nahuel and the Magic Book (Apple TV) - Animated Films

I overlooked this Chilean-Brazilian animated fantasy coming-of-age adventure despite its considerable praise since release. It’s a work that certainly lives up to its name, and there’s an early Studio Ghibli type of charm that I like. When the title character has a fear of playing near water, especially the sea, all he can do to get over it is to search for a magical solution!

Unfortunately, there’s an evil sorcerer who figured out that this boy intruded upon his home, and kidnaps this kid’s father. And in true Ghibli-style fashion, this lad will have to confront more than just a wizard. His unprepared adventure is fraught with dangers, and it’s best not to spoil the details.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie (Netflix)

After the aftermath of a war, a young girl who was used as a tool in battle learns how to live for herself. With the scars of burns, she goes back to her past to discover her true feelings towards the Major.

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When Aaron Poole’s Film Dada is More Than Just Arthouse

There’s no easy way to categorize what Aaron Poole’s movie, Dada, is about. Just watch it for the experience.

Dada (2025) Movie PosterGame Theory Films

When actor turned filmmaker Aaron Poole is making his directorial debut in Dada, this is a movie I have to check out. This talent doesn’t limit himself to genre works. When I know him for his work in The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh and The Void, I’m taking a chance at what this film he wrote and directed is going to be about.

In what I read from an interview published in Variety, “The story is a love letter and a suicide note. It was written in response to being a single father and scraping out a living in entertainment while living in a country with a history of violence and resource extraction.”

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