Kaneto Shindo, Onibaba and Kuroneko
The Gutter’s own Carol was kindly invited to discuss director Kaneto Shindo and his ghostly films, Onibaba and Kuroneko on Monster Island Resort Podcast. If you’re curious, feel free to listen here.
Jiraiya the Hero
A silent fantasy/folktale film from 1921 Japan, Jiraiya the Hero / Goketsu Jiraiya. (Thanks, Keith!)
A Hero Dies 50,000 Deaths!
In chanbara, Japanese sword-fighting movies, actor Seizo Fukumoto is a master of the art of dying. Anthony Kuhn interviews him about his life dying on screen. “In a trademark move, Fukumoto is dealt a fatal blow, then bends over backward, seemingly suspended in midair for a moment of […]
Happy Birthday, Akira Kurosawa!
Gutter Comics Editor Carol wrote a little piece on Akira Kurosawa and action films over at the ActionFest Blog in honor of Kurosawa’s 102nd birthday.
Manga Eiga: Old Japanese Animation
The Japan Society had a program featuring Japanese animation from the 1910s-1940s. Even if you missed it, you can still see some shorts —a beautiful 1929 silent featuring Tengu; sing along with a 1930 papercut animation village festival; an unfortunate butterfly from 1931; tricks between a fox spirit […]
David Brothers on Stan Sakai and Usagi Yojimbo
“The true beauty of Sakai’s work in Usagi Yojimbo isn’t just his cartooning (which is very good) or his writing (which is refreshingly to the point). It’s how Sakai manages to take things we’re used to, things that are considered rote or mundane, and make them compelling simply […]
The Cultural Gutter 