AT THE MOVIES / AU CINÉMA

TRAILER // BANDE ANNONCE

 FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche / fnc plus bas

THE EQUALIZER 3 // LE JUSTICIER 3

I always loved Denzel Washington so it was quite a delight to see him perform the role of Robert McCall, a retired CIA assassin,  in IMAX, in this third instalment of The Equalizer. Dakota Fanning is also part of the cast where she plays an emerging CIA agent. This is a sharp action film with scenes of great violence and gore. Viewer discretion is advised. In this film, Robert McCall finds himself mixed up in a complex financial crime that appears political involving terrorists groups. After being shot by a little boy he did not fear, he is taken to a doctor, Enzo Arisio played by Remo Girone, a kind good hearted man who informs him that their small coastal town is plagued by organized crime.

Antoine Fuqua directs this movie that the public enjoyed tremendously. The structure of the film reminded me of three big circles, three big storylines,  trying to come together. At some point in the middle I wondered if this would happen. There are a few clumsy dénouements that would have made it a superior film, but I guaranty you will have a good time.

I highly recommend the IMAX experience if you ever dreamed of visiting Italy. The movie is shot on location in Sicily, Naples and along the coast. This decision by the movie makers adds a flavour to the film that is darker and different from similar action films. There is brilliant cinematography, gorgeous interior designs and art, plus that Italian elegance even in the most evil characters. 

Playing now in theatres

SIRONA

Wesley Clark wrote, directed and played the part of Tuck, a member of a mercenary group hired to find a young girl who escaped from a secret medical facility where experiments are conducted to develop superior humans, superior soldiers. 

I was curious to see this movie because the trailer looks good. The idea behind the film is excellent. Although there are worthwhile moments, the action film is plagued by filler dialogue and superfluous exchanges between the characters. There is no sense of timing or thrilling set up between the interactions of the good guys and the bad guys. That's too bad because if they could have tighten up the package it could have been exciting and innovative. This one got slaughtered by verbosity!

Available via Amazon TVOD, Vudu, AppleTV, Tubi, Google Play, YouTube Movies as of September 5, 2023.

TWICE COLONIZED

A Documentary Film by Lin Alluna it's the story of Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter who takes her two colonizers, Canada and Denmark, to justice. It opened in Montreal at Cinéma Impérial at the 33rd International First Peoples' Festival Présence Autochtone, where Aaju Peter was present. It was part of the official competition at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

What human beings do to each other is unreal. As the movie unfolds, we see Aaju first in her bed, in her home, on her homeland. She has a remarkable presence and we can sense her inner strength in her grounded composure amidst the loss, the grief and humiliation. There is profound poetry in the images and dialogues with others.

There is an upcoming screening 09/13 – CBC TV Broadcast | Canada and more screenings will be announced. INFO

WE KILL FOR LOVE

This documentary explores the evolution of erotic movies and books during the last decades of the last millenium. There is a narrator who plays the role of an archivist working on his typewriter, played by Michael Reed, and he puts what we are seeing into context. Producers, writers, actors speak of their work in the context of this genre that knew great popularity and is now an artefact of a bygone era. The movie creator is Anthony Penta. Release date to be announced.

PROJECTIONS EN PLEIN AIR SUR L’ESPLANADE TRANQUILLE DU QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES En préambule de sa 52e édition, qui aura lieu du 4 au 15 octobre prochain, le Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal (FNC)

Vendredi 1^er septembre à 19h

Puis, le public sera invité à célébrer le 25^e anniversaire du film UN 32 AOÛT SUR TERRE de Denis Villeneuve. Présenté dans une version restaurée par Éléphant - mémoire du cinéma québécois, le film met en vedette Pascale Bussières et Alexis Martin dans un road movie à (re)découvrir. Premier long métrage de Denis Villeneuve, ce classique du cinéma québécois revient sur grand écran, le temps d’une soirée à la belle étoile, pour le plus grand plaisir des cinéphiles. 

 

Samedi 2 septembre à 19h

Haïti s’invite sur l’esplanade Tranquille avec la projection de KITE ZO A de Kaveh Nabatian. Récipiendaire du Prix du film pour la paix (Prix du public) lors de la dernière édition du Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, KITE ZO A est un film festif et sensoriel sur les rituels en Haïti. Véritable célébration des expressions artistiques locales, le long-métrage a été réalisé en collaboration avec des poètes, des danseurs, des musiciens, des pêcheurs, des amateurs de patins alignés et des prêtres vaudou, sur des poèmes de l'auteur haïtien Wood-Jerry Gabriel.

 

Dimanche 3 septembre à 19h

En clôture de l’événement, les estivaliers pourront profiter d’une projection spéciale de FUMER FAIT TOUSSER du prolifique réalisateur français Quentin Dupieux, grand habitué de la programmation du FNC. Présenté au Festival de Cannes en 2022, le film met en vedette Gilles Lellouche, Anaïs Demoustier, Vincent Lacoste, Oulaya Amamra et Adèle Exarchopoulos dans une comédie absurde et déjantée sur des justiciers anti-tabac. 

 

Soulignons que les spectateurs pourront se procurer le Passeport illimité de la 52e édition du Festival du nouveau cinéma au tarif exceptionnel de 150$ (25% de rabais sur le tarif régulier) sur place durant l’Estival. Tarif disponible exclusivement à l’esplanade Tranquille pendant l’ouverture du site de 18h à 23h.

LENA GHIO   

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LE BAL DU MAC 2023 • 30 septembre 2023 • DETAILS

 

Le Bal du MAC :: OUVERTURE DU CLUB ÉPHÉMÈRE PALACE – UNE SOIRÉE UNIQUE AU PROFIT DE LA FONDATION DU MAC

Montréal, le 30 août 2023. – Le Bal du MAC tiendra son événement-bénéfice annuel au centre d’art privé Arsenal art contemporain le 30 septembre 2023 et fait preuve d’innovation en offrant un club éphémère à ses invités. Sous le thème PALACE, l’esthétique club de cette édition promet une ambiance audacieuse propre à l’art contemporain, sous la direction artistique du renommé Dick Walsh. La présidence d’honneur sera assurée par Éric Bujold de la Banque Nationale du Canada et Jade Raymond des Studios Haven. Un encan silencieux aura lieu en soirée, où des lots d’exception regroupant des œuvres d’artistes au rayonnement international tels que Françoise Sullivan, Marc Séguin et Caroline Monnet seront mis aux enchères. Quelque 700 invités sont attendus, parmi lesquels des personnalités connues, des membres de la communauté artistique et des professionnels du milieu des affaires. L’événement affiche complet. PALACE : une soirée électrique et mystérieuse Le très attendu Bal du MAC permet à la Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal de remettre au Musée des fonds destinés à soutenir les différentes activités éducatives du MAC, à enrichir la Collection du Musée, à favoriser le rayonnement d’artistes québécois et à présenter à Montréal des artistes internationaux parmi les plus prestigieux du moment.  Cette année, les invités du Bal franchiront les portes d’un lieu sélect, caché aux yeux du monde, qui ne se dévoilera qu’à eux, l’instant d’une soirée. En effet, l’Arsenal se métamorphosera en boîte de nuit éphémère, énigmatique et glamour pour ses convives portant des tenues de soirée chic et crazy. Son nom : PALACE. L’atmosphère y sera électrique, créant une nuit où la réalité se trouble et où l’impossible devient possible. L’ambiance musicale sera assurée par DJ Frigid. Cette soirée-bénéfice promet de revoir la formule des bals et des galas en proposant un univers où l’art se mélange à la folie, où l’audace est célébrée et où l’exubérance devient la norme. Sous la présidence d’honneur d’Éric Bujold (chef des relations clients, Banque Nationale du Canada) et de Jade Raymond (présidente et fondatrice, Studios Haven), l’édition 2023 du Bal du MAC doit son succès au comité organisateur dévoué et engagé composé de Marie-Josée Simard (présidente du comité), Elizabeth Camiré, Violette Cohen, Josée Dufresne, Sara Joli-Cœur, François Lachance, Stéphanie Larivière, Patricia Lemaire et Cathy Samson.  Un encan silencieux d’œuvres d’artistes au rayonnement international Un encan silencieux sera à nouveau au programme de la soirée et mettra de l’avant des artistes d’ici tels que Anahita Akhavam, Nicolas Baier, Trevor Baird, Ludovic Boney, Jason Cantoro, Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux, Jérôme Fortin, Rosalie Gamache, Moridja Kilenge Banza, Trevor Kiermander, Benjamin Klein, Suzelle Levasseur, Howard Lonn, Luce Meunier, Caroline Monnet, Anne-Marie Proulx, Robert Rahal, Marc Séguin, Lorraine Simms, Heidi Spector, Françoise Sullivan, et Ewa Monika Zebrowski. Les œuvres mises à l’encan seront disponibles exclusivement aux participants de la soirée. « Le Bal du MAC demeure l’événement phare de la Fondation du MAC, et il est essentiel pour soutenir les besoins du Musée et maintenir son engagement auprès des amateurs d’art contemporain. L’édition de cette année promet encore d’être un incontournable de la rentrée montréalaise. Je remercie nos donateurs, bénévoles, partenaires ainsi que l’équipe du MAC et de la Fondation pour leur inestimable et précieuse collaboration. » - Anne Lebel, directrice générale de la Fondation du MAC. « C’est pour moi un privilège d’amorcer une nouvelle rentrée culturelle du Musée en tant que présidente du comité organisateur du Bal du MAC. Le Bal 2023 sera l’occasion de renouveler notre amour et notre soutien au Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, dans une ambiance audacieuse des plus conviviales. » - Marie-Josée Simard, présidente du comité du Bal du MAC. « Que ce soit comme président d’honneur ou en tant que passionné d’art contemporain, je suis fier du soutien accordé par la Banque Nationale du Canada à titre de partenaire officiel du Bal du MAC de cette année. Ensemble, nous participons à la poursuite du mandat du MAC, qui vise à favoriser le rayonnement d’artistes d’ici et d’ailleurs. » - Éric Bujold, chef des relations clients de la Banque Nationale du Canada. « Le Bal du MAC est un catalyseur culturel qui nous inspire, en reliant les communautés artistiques et commerciales de toute la ville. C'est un événement à ne pas manquer, et je suis honorée et fière de travailler avec la Fondation du MAC pour souligner l'importance de l'art contemporain, l'influence et l'impact en constante évolution de la créativité humaine, et la voix qu'elle donne aux diverses perspectives qui façonnent notre monde d'aujourd'hui. » - Jade Raymond, présidente et fondatrice des Studios Haven. Remerciements  La Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal tient à remercier chaleureusement la présidente, Marie-Josée Simard, et les président.e.s d’honneur, Éric Bujold et Jade Raymond, de la soirée et tous les membres du comité organisateur du Bal, Elizabeth Camiré, Violette Cohen, Josée Dufresne, Sara Joli-Cœur, François Lachance, Stéphanie Larivière, Patricia Lemaire et Cathy Samson, ainsi que ses précieux partenaires qui rendent possible la tenue de cet événement : Arsenal art contemporain, Banque Nationale et Studios Haven. La Fondation remercie également tous les partenaires biens et services de leur précieux soutien, dont Club Local, Société des Alcools du Québec et Vins Balthazar. Nous remercions également Baillat Studio pour la signature visuelle du Bal du MAC 2023. À propos de la Fondation du MAC  La Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain a pour mission de soutenir le Musée dans ses divers pôles d’activités, soit l’enrichissement de sa collection, la production d’expositions, la promotion et les programmes éducatifs. Elle a donc le mandat de solliciter des fonds auprès des entreprises, des fondations philanthropiques et des individus intéressés à la diffusion et à la conservation de l’art contemporain québécois, canadien et international. La Fondation participe ainsi au rayonnement de la toute première institution d’importance vouée entièrement à l’art actuel au Canada : le Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal. macm.org/fondation/ À propos du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal  Depuis plus de cinquante ans, le Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal assure la rencontre entre des artistes locaux et internationaux, leurs œuvres et des publics variés, célébrant l’art comme une composante essentielle de la vie à Montréal et au Québec. Le siège social du Musée, situé au cœur du Quartier des spectacles, est sur le point de faire l’objet d’une refonte architecturale majeure. En attendant, le MAC a temporairement relocalisé ses activités à la Place Ville Marie, un lieu emblématique du quartier des affaires de Montréal. À partir du 1er décembre 2021, et pendant toute la durée des travaux d’agrandissement et de réfection, le Musée continuera d’interpeller le public au moyen d’expositions temporaires mettant en lumière des artistes exceptionnels et présentant une variété de pratiques. En plus de deux expositions principales par an, le MAC à PVM continuera d’offrir des programmes publics ainsi qu’une gamme de services éducatifs et d’activités de sensibilisation communautaire. www.macm.org Source : Fondation du MAC

M.A.D. Festival • 24 août > 27 août 2023 un dernier clin d'oeil

 

ENGLISH translation app left

J'ai assisté à la parade de mode des finissants du Collège Lassalle lors de M.A.D. festival et j'ai adoré cela! Alors je partage ces quelques images! J'ai observé une forte tendance vers la mode des années 80.

 photos ©  LENA GHIO  2023

LENA GHIO   

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FESTIVAL ARCTH

DÉCOUVREZ ce Festival dédié aux arts visuels:

Pour sa 6e édition, le festival artch habitera pour la première fois Place Ville Marie (au lobby du 1 PVM et sur l'Esplanade PVM), du 7 au 10 septembre 2023, où 20 artistes multidisciplinaires de la relève seront mis en lumière. En plus de l'exposition, qui sera accessible de midi à 19h, cette édition offre une riche programmation avec plus de 30 activités gratuites pour les amateurs.rice.s d'art contemporain. Les passionné.e.s et les néophytes d'art visuel pourront admirer et faire l'acquisition de plus de 200 oeuvres originales durant le festival. Telle une pépinière, artch identifie, forme, finance, mentore et expose chaque année une cohorte d’artistes qui se démarque et qui forgeront la relève de demain en art contemporain. artch accompagne ces artistes dans leurs premières étapes de professionnalisation en offrant une formation étoffée s’échelonnant sur plus de 4 mois, une plateforme de diffusion, à travers le festival, en plus de leur offrir une bourse pour un projet artistique. Le festival est devenu un incontournable pour les amateur.rice.s d'art, les collectionneur.e.s et les professionnel.le.s, transformant l'espace public en un lieu d'échange et de diffusion pour la relève artistique montréalaise.

“Nous sommes fiers de soutenir et de participer au déploiement de la relève en art contemporain à travers notre programme, qui aide les talents prometteurs à se professionnaliser et à réaliser leurs projets en tant qu’artistes entrepreneur.se.s. Le festival artch, nos projets à l’année et nos partenariats ouvrent des portes inattendues et laissent une marque dans le parcours des artistes émergent.e.s.” - Sarah Kitzy Gineault-Delyon, directrice de artch

Plusieurs activités accompagnent cette exposition qui vous propose des oeuvres irrésistibles dont vous pourrez faire l'acquisition.

Voir la programmation complète : artch.org

LENA GHIO   

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MONTREAL IS THE PLACE TO BE THIS SUMMER • CENTRE PHI • FONDATION PHI •

CENTRE PHI
Sex, Desire and Data / August 1 → October 31

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

a clip of ALGO MATCH that uses the technology 
of augmented reality 

Our experience of sexuality, gender identity and identity fluidity is expanding beyond our imagination as evolving technologies increase who we meet, what we see, what we share. This exhibition offers a serious at times amusing view of the contemporary quest for love.

Sex, Desire and Data begins with ALGO MATCH by Club Sexu. You will be paired with four other people at a console table where you will be asked to put on dark glasses. There are two buttons to help the group decide democratically which character you want to interact with. The image on the left reveals one of the characters, Bastien, and the style of representation of the piece. It reminded me of a game show and the experience is intriguing and amusing.

We then walk into a RESULTS by Sandra Rodriguez. By using artificial intelligence she created a series of interconnected videos that evoke sex scenes from pornography. The images are all AI generated and no human has contributed to the smushy pink orgie before your eyes. The work is also interactive and will react to your movements. Words appear suggesting sex acts like anal sex. 

As you observe the wavy pulsating forms, you get the impression that you will spot a recognizable image, but they are only suggestions. A very cheeky piece.

HELLO , Confessional and Queering the map are installations where we are invited to chat with a transgender person, listen to confessions from the spectrum 2SLGBTQIA+ or leave one ourselves and read queer messages from around the world on an interactive map by touching a marker.  

Sam Greffe Photo © LENA GHIO   2023

Vibrato is an installation that challenges questions of intimacy and pleasure as it suggests, in its red massiveness, various human pleasure points like nipples, buttocks, vaginas and dares you to play.

Finally, Show me yours  confronts us with the daily life of those who earn their living as webcam sex workers. Sam Greffe and Juliette Langevin recreated the full experience using many technological tools and building a screen room like those where performers greet their clients. You can lie on the bed, interact with the technology and experience what the performer and the client experience. Sam Greffe told me they researched every aspect of this universal practice through seven practitioners and he was quite taken aback to observe how seriously the performers protect their privacy.

PHI FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
Moridja Kitenge Banza: Inhabiting the Imaginary August 4 → September 3
Forgotten Traces August 4 → September 3
REMEMBER, PERFORM, FORGET: Binding Space Through Utopia August 16 → August 27

Moridja Kitenge Banza Photo © LENA GHIO   2023

One of the most eloquent artist I have met, Moridja Kitenge Banza has many stories to weave. He is a brilliant colourist who is fascinated by lines as in palmistry or maps. He will spend hours painting the lines of his hands or exploring the trajectories on maps.

The paintings are well executed with crisp lines slicing the colour expanses of his luminous canvases. He is also inspired by photography. He is fascinated by space distance and their impacts on politics. As he was recounting the inspirations of his work and his origins in Congo I found out that of all the African countries Congo is different because of the influence of Dr. David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley.

On the third floor, Moridja recreates a multinational enterprise that makes its money by recycling racisme since, obviously, it seems to exist in infinite quantity.

This exhibition was curated by Cheryl Sims.

In the second building you will see Forgotten Traces by Amélie Brisson-Darveau and Pavrita Wickramasinghe where secondary 3 level students collaborate to examine the impacts of gentrification on their neighborhoods. You will see their photos documenting certains features of the buildings. There is an interactive area and a huge installation made from plaster casts of real sites. Daniel Fiset curated this project.

Finally, REMEMBER, PERFORM, FORGET: Binding Space Through Utopia Kerstin Honeit, The Society of Affective Archives, and Rodolfo Andaur curated by Victoria Carrasco is a series of meaningful gatherings that examine the role of public art. This intriguing event ends this week. Below, the events of the coming week. For all the information HERE.

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MUTEK 2023 • INSCAPE New Homeostasis

 

MUTEK Festival

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

Although the MUTEK Festival begins on the 22nd of August, the artistic director Alain Mongeau decided to add this innovative Korean project curated by Jay Jaehoon Bang, INSCAPE New Homeostasis. 

Jay Jaehoon Bang and Alain Mongeau from where I lived the experience. Photos © LENA GHIO   2023

I was offered one ticket for one night because I was curious to investigate the idea behind this show that features four different artists for each of the two nights: 

INSCAPE NIGHT 1 Friday, August 18th, 8 pm Olivia Lathuilliere CA/QC – Déliquescence Cosmique | Sahar Homami IR/DE – New Homeostasis | GRAYCODE, jiiiiin KR – orbital formality | Martin Messier CA/QC – 1 DROP 1000 Years

INSCAPE NIGHT 2 Saturday, August 19th, 8 pm Kohui KR – Perceive | Ida Toninato & Pierre-Luc Lecours CA/QC – Homeostasis | SUSY.TECHNOLOGY CA/QC – ASTATIC | YEONO KR – Real vs UnReala

I went to night 1. I found it difficult to get enlightenment. It seems the creators prefer that participants feel what the work is about instead of having an intellectual reference. From my perspective, I saw a lot of people from all demographics joyfully gathering. There was good upbeat rhythms music in the background as we waited for it to begin.

Basically, I came away with the notion that what was happening was poetry. I was hoping to get insight into "the imbalanced homeostasis in Humanity now that derived from the disequilibrium between the material civilization developed by mankind and human’s spiritual capability for managing it" because the presentation includes "present the vision of restoration alongside with the landscape of post-pandemic reality." Quotes from https://inscape.net/. It is a pretty inspiring introduction.

So I went with it and experienced this poetry of the new after-pandemic pre-climate change apocalypse creation from gifted multimedia artists.

What I do understand is that through all manners of exploration, humanity, whatever part of it will go on, will find solutions and this is one way of getting there.

At the entrance we were offered a selection of Korean products and during the intermission some lovely sausage style delicacies were served. Photos © LENA GHIO   2023

Above, some of the samples we were offered. They were very pleasant, not too sweet but of a texture I had never experienced before. Below, a few seconds of Olivia Lathuilliere CA/QC – Déliquescence Cosmique.

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THE ETERNAL MEMORY

TRAILER

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

AGAPE is the highest form of devoted and selfless love.

Augusto, a journalist and coach, and Paulina, an actress, have been together in Chili for 25 years. Augusto has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's eight years already. The movie follows the deeply personal effect of this disease on the couple and the steps they take so Augusto will not forget his wife.

I am so profoundly moved by the gentleness they show each other everyday. 

Love is the greatest mystery of all of our lives. There is no way to enjoy it without eventual loss and grief. Queen Elizabeth II said upon losing her husband Prince Philip:" Grief is the cost of love."

What this movie shows us is no doubt the ending of a wonderful marriage, but it is full of what I call Spirit, that force that makes us rise above all else. The cinematography is excellent and supports what is shared in this love story.

Maite Alberdi's gorgeous documentary THE ETERNAL MEMORY will be opening this Friday, August 18 in the following locations:  

TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto

Cinema Cineplex Forum, Montreal 

City Centre Cinemas, Edmonton  

Fifth Avenue Cinemas, Vancouver

La version française sous-titrée sortira au Québec le 25 août 2023.

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BECOMING MONTREAL The 1800s Painted by Duncan at the McCord Museum until APRIL 21, 2024

 

Detail from the front page of a Montreal newspaper underlining an important event.

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

The McCord Museum offers an insightful exhibition where you can discover the life, times and works of James Duncan an Ireland born artist who documented the wonderful landscape of Montreal during the 19th century.

Laurier Lacroix Photo © Lena Ghio, 2023    

Two wonderful art historians and curators, Laurier Lacroix and Christian Vachon, took us through the exhibition that is rich with paintings of the Montreal Landscape, historical events, yearly events as well as the more mundane life of the early Montrealers. 

Christian Vachon Photo © Lena Ghio, 2023    

It is a very moving exhibition for me because I have always sensed the magical nature of this island city. Through the years I have had many occasions to encounter historical artifacts of our city but this is different. I loved to see how Mount Royal and St-Helen's Island looked like before our interference with these landmarks. I loved the drawings of events that marked the society of that era like Burning of Hayes House Dalhousie Square, Montreal 

The tour ends with a three-dimensional virtual world of computer-generated images, below, Daniel Iregui presenting the interactive piece Mental Maps by Iregular that is built on the drawings and paintings of James Duncan done as Montreal was growing into its own.

A wonderful look at our history, a discovery of an often neglected artist, special events and a celebration of art not to be missed.

INFOS

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Exciting Action Films I adored!

Night if the Assassin  Directed by Kwak Jeong-deok

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

I was lucky to screen a series of exciting asian movies in tandem with this years Fantasia Fest. You can find these movies at some theaters, some streaming services and on this site that specializes on martial arts and action films: Hi-YAH! (www.hiyahtv.com).

Yoshitaka Amano

Night if the Assassin  first impressed me with it's visual style that evokes the dramatic drawings of Yoshitaka Amano. 

The hero of the story, Lee Nan played by Shin Huin-joon, is renowned as the best hired assassin of Joseon. Unbeknown to him, he is afflicted with an almost incurable, deadly, heart disease that saps his energy as easily as blowing out a candle as soon as he engages in battle. There is only one mysterious plant that can heal him but bandits overwhelm the mountains where they grow.

His only option is to go into hiding in the hope that he can somehow reach this plant. He becomes an employee of Yawol, a single mother who operates an eatery played by Lee Jung-Min.

The above descriptions set the stage for the complex puzzle of crime and corruption that will force Lee Nan to fight to the death. The fight scenes are excellent and Lee Nan is swift and efficient. He has an equally talented enemy Dal-gi, played with wicked undertones by Hong Eunki. DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

Hidden Blade Directed by Er Cheng

This movie embodies the meaning of the word sleek! I devoured every minute of it with delight. It is so well scripted you will not guess who is the mysterious hidden blade until the end. 

We rarely see a movie that addresses how China was devastated by World War II where it lost 14 million people. On this link you can read more about the impact of WW II on China. I

In this movie, we see how a group of Chinese citizens formed a secret spy ring of double-agents who successfully gathered information that would turn the tide in the Japanese occupied land. Beside it's exquisite elegance, the movie speaks in dramatic symbolism sprinkled with scenes of unbearable cruelty and betrayal. The movie is based on actual historical events that you may wish to explore. Here is a good starting point.

The cast is brilliant! SLEEK! Tony Leung, Wang Yibo, Zhou Xun, Huang Lei to name a few. The intricacies of the plot compelled me to look at the movie twice. It is such an attractive film that just seeing the images flow one into the other is a worthwhile experience.

Kill Shot Directed by Ari Novak

This movie opens with a heist somewhere in the Afghanistan. A suitcase containing a huge fortune is taken across the ocean and is lost somewhere in the Montana wilderness where a battle for the money begins. 

The construction of this film is particular. For example, the carrier of the money filled suitcase is a tiny little girl, played by Anaya Patel, who crosses snowcapped mountains to drop off the money filled bag. Then, a stunningly gorgeous woman, Dina Diablo played by Mara O'hara, appears! She is part of a group that will steal this 100M$ fortune. Back in Montana, we meet Jackson Hardison played by Rib Hill. He is not a likeable character! He meets Kate, Rachel Cook, at the bar where he rents a room. By this point I was thinking: the best looking cast I have ever seen! 

The problem with this film, for me, was that the acting is subpar and the script not very well thought out. What I liked about it: it reminded me of the times growing up where I would play war with my brothers and our friends. We carried weapons we made out of wood and had so much fun.

See this movie with a spirit of fun.

Bad City Directed by Kensuke Sonomura | Hitoshi Ozawa | Masanori Mimoto

Kaiko City in Japan plagued by poverty and corruption, is besieged by competing mob gangs. Hitoshi Ozawa plays Torada, a falsely accused imprisoned police captain who is recruited to secretly head a small group of police officers mandated to investigate just how high up the governmental echelon the corruption goes.

This is a martial arts movie structured like the classical martial arts movies from back in the day where schools would fight other schools with hundreds of students fighting each other for supremacy or revenge. Both motives exist here, it is gang warfare on crack. The style of combat is mostly boxing but there is one terrifying hired assassin who uses the knife.

It is an action packed flick with an unexpected plot twists and a surprising ending.

Do enjoy these action films that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

LENA GHIO   

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