Goemon
Yosuke Eguchi stars as the titular character in this period piece/action romp. He’s a thief who attracts the attention of some very powerful officials in 16th century Japan when he steals a precious box that contains a valuable secret. This mixture of classic feudal intrigue, melodrama and high-impact combat has been praised for its visual innovation but not for its ability to engage with anything more substantial, which might make this Japan’s answer to Zack Snyder’s 300.
More Than a Game
Anyone who suffered through the Taiwanese basketball doco Attitude (態度) could be forgiven for wanting to steer clear of basketball flicks — no matter where they’re from. But this documentary from the US about LeBron James’ famed high school team might make you think twice. Full of action, personality and real personalities, this pulled some good reviews in its limited theatrical release last year, though the Village Voice did warn of fact sanitizing by Nike and LeBron’s PR team. Still, there’s more to this show than LeBron.
Shanghai Film Festival
The Spot theater, in conjunction with the Taipei City Government, is matching the mood of all things detente with this mini-festival of films under the misleading title of “Shanghai” — the selection has nothing to do with the city, and is more a mish-mash of six films of various themes and vintages, including two animated films. Screens from today until Monday, so get in quick.
Zandalee
No, this is not a remake of the Nicolas Cage potboiler about lust and infidelity in the Deep South — it’s the 1991 original, enjoying a brief DVD promotional release amid a more liberal censorship regime. So now’s your chance to see a much younger Cage and Judge Reinhold (Beverly Hills Cop) spar over Reinhold’s smoldering and frequently naked wife Zandalee (Erika Anderson, who hasn’t made a film in the last decade). Real movie buffs will jump at the chance, however, to watch Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix) as a gay confidant. Steve Buscemi and Marisa Tomei also star in this flick, which never made it to US theaters.
Honor
The co-director of the Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle Kickboxer offers up another slice of hand-to-hand combat in this feature from 2006, also a DVD promotional release. Eclectic fighting styles are at the fore as a series of real-life wrestlers (Roddy Piper, for example) and other fighters portray badass Los Angeles thugs and war vets looking for or eschewing criminal glory. Notable for starring Joanna Pacula, who seems to have largely gone under the radar — but who has worked consistently — since coming to fame in 1983’s Gorky Park. Starts tomorrow.
Sema, The Warrior of Ayodhaya
Another film focusing on combat, this time from Thailand, Sema tells the tale of a humble rural lad who becomes a soldier and romances a woman betrothed to a powerful rival, triggering jealousy and many fight scenes. Released in 2003, this is the third DVD promotional release of the week. Low-budget, but there’s enough fight scenes and melodrama to impress uncritical fans.
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