This extraordinarily complex film is not only a send-up of every samurai film ever made, it is also an extrapolation of the value of life. The Yamatai, represented by Prince Susano-O and elderly advisor Sumuke, hire Yumihiko of Matsuro to hunt the phoenix so that Queen Himiko, sister of Susano-O can have eternal life.Read More »
Fantasy
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Kon Ichikawa – Hi no tori AKA Firebird: Daybreak Chapter (1978)
1971-1980AsianFantasyJapanKon Ichikawa -
Duyu Dan – Pan si dong (1927)
1921-1930AsianDuyu DanFantasyFILM SYNOPSIS/BRIEF REVIEW:
One of the earliest cinematic adaptation of Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. When seeking for food alone, Tang Xuanzang was kept prisoner by seven spider monsters who took the form of seven beautiful women. The Monkey King and the other two of Xuanzang’s disciples managed to rescue him with the help of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva/Guanyin. They renounced the desire for lust and continued the quest for Buddhist Scriptures.Read More » -
Jan Jakub Kolski – Historia kina w Popielawach AKA History of Cinema in Popielawy (1998)
1991-2000DramaFantasyJan Jakub KolskiPolandJan Jakub Kolski has earned himself a strange reputation. His mystical and folklorish films stand apart from the general flow of Central European cinema. Critics have found him to have more in common with the “magic realism” of South American prose than with his fellow Central European film directors.Read More »
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James B. Harris – Some Call It Loving AKA Sleeping Beauty AKA Dream Castle [+Commentary](1973)
1971-1980CultFantasyJames B. HarrisUSAIn this modern day re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty, a disillusioned musician named Robert obtains a carnival act from a sleazy carny and brings home a young girl who has been asleep for many years. After bringing her to his secluded castle and awakening her with a kiss, Robert tries to introduce her to his strange and magical world, but as their relationship develops Jennifer begins to pine for a life that is more complex than Robert can offer.Read More »
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Arthur Lubin – Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944)
1941-1950AdventureArthur LubinFantasyUSAAli Baba, son of the Kalif of Bagdad is brought up by the 40 Thieves after his father is killed by the soldiers of Hugalu Khan, who received the necessary information by traitor Cassim. Ali becomes the leader of the thieves and they are fighting for the freedom of his land. Per chance Ali captures the fiancée of Hugalu Khan, who turns out to be his girl friend Amara. After a few misunderstandings Ali uses her wedding day with Hugalu Khan as the day for the liberation of Bagdad.Read More »
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Egon Günther – Wenn du groß bist, lieber Adam AKA When You’re Older, Dear Adam (1990)
Comedy1981-1990Egon GüntherFantasyGermanyAdam receives a flashlight with special powers: every liar it shines on flies into the air. Production was cancelled in 1965 due to the film’s political content. Only in 1989/90 could the director reconstruct the film, where missing sounds and images are replaced with script inserts.Read More »
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Orson Welles – Don Quijote de Orson Welles (1992)
1991-2000ClassicsFantasyOrson WellesSpain“Perhaps the most fascinating component of the films directed by Orson Welles was the masterpiece he never lived to complete. Beginning in 1957 and continuing on-and-off for the next 15 years, Welles self-financed and directed an audacious film version of Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” which brought the legendary knight and his rotund aide Sancho Panza out of 16th century Andalusia and into the world of (then-) modern Spain. But despite his genius behind the camera, Welles was remarkably neglectful in maintaining and preserving the footage he created and much of his work was considered lost…and the footage that remained was not properly stored!Read More »
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Mel Stuart – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
1971-1980FantasyMel StuartMusicalUSAquote:
A poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.Read More » -
Moustapha Alassane & Anna Soehring – Toula ou Le génie des eaux AKA Toula, or the Water Spirit (1974)
1971-1980African CinemaAnna SoehringDramaFantasyMoustapha AlassaneNigerThe gods have declared the drought of the country. There seems to be no hope. A holy man summoned by the king requires the sacrifice of a young woman to put an end to their anger. A young man in love decides to go in search of water to save the girl from a tragic end, but when he returns with good news it’s too late: the genie had his satisfaction and Toula has already disappeared in the holy swamp.Read More »