In a season of female action heroes for the Heroic Purgatory podcast, we tackle what may be perhaps the first female action hero in the history of cinema: the iconic Ripley in Ridley Scott's 1979 seminal science-fiction horror film, Alien. From the special effects to the production design to the paradigm-shifting female-led action franchise, we can't help but admire every detail of this masterpiece.

We hope you enjoy our discussion.

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/10/special-alien-1979.html

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In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss Zhang Yimou's 2004 wuxia love story, House of Flying Daggers, staring Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Andy Lau. We discuss the film's impressive visuals, anti-authoritarian themes, and its place in Yimou's expansive filmography.

We hope you enjoy our discussion.

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/08/s4e12-house-of-flying-daggers.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

Once again this year, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the Japan Cuts 2024 film festival which took place between July 10 and 21. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of the festival. Additionally, this page includes short written reviews by John of the Japan Cuts movies he managed to see.

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/07/special-japan-cuts-film-festival-2024.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

Follow John: https://twitter.com/mildly_scifiO

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, in anticipation of the upcoming Japan Cuts 2024 film festival, we interview two members of Japan Society: director of film Peter Tatara, and programmer Alexander Fee.

Find out more about the festival at: https://japansociety.org/film/japancuts/

We hope you enjoy our discussion!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/07/special-interview-with-japan-society.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we take on a Hong Kong Yuen Biao double feature, Righting Wrongs (1986) and On the Run (1988). Both films see Biao share the screen with a female co-star, Cynthia Rothrock and Patricia Ha, two riveting action stars who steal the show and make these movies memorable.

We hope you enjoy our discussion!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/06/s4e11-righting-wrongs-on-run.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2016 kaiju movie, Shin Godzilla, as well as the franchise's various other incarnations that followed it. We talk about the film's themes, social commentary, visual aesthetic, and its place in the Godzillaverse.

We hope you enjoy our discussion!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/05/special-shin-godzilla-2016.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

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: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

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-heroic-trio-1993.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito