Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2017 South Korean film, The Villainess. We discuss the film's action, style, and the merits of its questionably derivative revenge story. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/05/s4e10-villainess-2017.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory Follow Jason:

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we talk about The Heroic Trio and its sequel Executioners, both starring three giants of HK cinema, Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, and Maggie Cheung. We discuss the genre-mashing effect of these two films and debate passionately on which is the better one. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/04/s4e9-

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we resume our fourth season to talk about the iconic revenge film, Lady Snowblood (1973). We talk about the historical significance of the film, it's phenomenal action set pieces, and Meiko Kaji's role in the film's everlasting longevity. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/04/s4e8-lady-snowblood

In the first episode of the year, the Heroic Purgatory hosts discuss their favorite films of 2023. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/01/best-films-of-2023.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito Follow John: https://twitter.com/mildly_scifi

For this years Halloween, we go to the prom with one of the most iconic horror movies ever made, Brian de Palma's Carrie (1976). Does the film stand the test of time? What is the social commentary hidden behind Carrie's blood-stained innocence? We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/11/halloween-special-carrie-1976.html Follow the sho

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we resume our fourth season to talk about the iconic revenge film, Lady Snowblood (1973). We talk about the historical significance of the film, it's phenomenal action set pieces, and Meiko Kaji's role in the film's everlasting longevity. We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/10/s4e7-touch-of-zen-1

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2001 South Korean film, My Wife is a Gangster. Does this 20+ year-old action comedy pass the test of time, or is it just another trope-filled product of its time? We hope you enjoy our discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/09/s4e6-my-wife-is-gangster-2001.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2019 American film, Alita: Battle Angel, based on the Japanese manga Gunnm by Yukito Kishiro. Is James Cameron's and Robert Rodriguez' adaptation faithful to the source material, or is it just another run-of-the-mill Hollywood blockbuster. Listen to what John and Jason have to say about the film. We hope you enjoy! Website link:

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 1984 film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, based on his own manga with the same name. We talk about the differences between the film and the manga, the environmental and ecological themes of the movie, as well as its overall place in Miyazaki's remarkable oeuvre. We hope you enjoy! Websi

For the third year in a row, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) which took place between March 10 and March 19. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of NYAFF 2023 (in addition to a general overview of the festival). Additional, this page includes short written reviews by John of the NYAFF movies he manag