war of the monsters (1966)

AKA Gamera vs. Barugon, Daikaijū kettō: Gamera tai Barugon, Great Monster Duel: Gamera vs. Barugon
"The lives of all our people will be in danger.
After a brief introduction to Gamera we are transported to a remote island where a small group are hunting an opal stashed in a forbidden cave. Upon retrieval one of the gang betrays the others stranding one of the gang on the island. There an islander tell's the stranded man that their opal is not really a jewel and they have to retrieve it! But they are too late as a lizard, Barugon, hatches and sets about destroying Kobe and in turn attracting Gamera...
This creature feature was bought by AIP who Americanised it for television, presenting a monster not as compelling as Godzilla, but with a nice crime drama sub-plot.

st. martin's lane (1938)

AKA Sidewalks of London
"who does this lovely world belong to, eh?"
Charles (Charles Laughton) is the head of a troop of buskers who spots pickpocket Libby Vivien Leigh and takes her under his wing. He trains her up and falls for her, but recognises that she is well out of his league. Then along comes theatrical composer Harley (Rex Harrison) who spots her charms along her talent.
Laughton and Leigh excell in this forgotten gem.

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island(1956)

AKA Miyamoto Musashi kanketsu-hen: Kettô Ganryû-jima.
"How long must he remain a ronin?"
Musashi Miyamoto (Toshirō Mifune) returns to the farming life and finds contentment, but continues to be plagued by women problems as Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) and Akemi (Mariko Okada) vie for his attention. All whilst he must also contend with his nemesis, Kojiro Sasaki (Kōji Tsuruta).
The third and final film continues the journey of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi leading to a set piece finale.

samurai II: duel at ichijoji temple (1955)

AKA Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijô-ji no kettô
"My heart has chosen the way of the sword."
Musashi (Toshirô Mifune) is spending his time fighting duels as the lives of his old friends whirl around him and he waits to fight the samarai master Sasaki (Kōji Tsuruta).
Continuing the lifestory of the famous Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi and now the characters are all established the story can now ramp up the action whilst the master swordsman tries to find inner peace.

samurai I: musashi miyamoto

AKA Miyamoto Musashi
"We left home thinking we could become samurai so easily. What a dream."
Takezo (Toshirô Mifune) is convinced by his friend Matahachi (Rentarō Mikuni) to run away to become samurai, dreaming of the glamourous life it promises. Matahachi leaves his betrothed Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) with not even a backward glance and eventually runs off with a bandits wife. Meanwhile Takezo returns to the village but is by now a wanted man. Eventually he is convinced by a Buddhist priest to give himself up and the priest sets in motion his plan...
The first in a trilogy of films loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, and tells a tale of love and loss.

the two faces of dr jeykll (1960)

"You vile disgusting degenerate!"
Dr. Henry Jekyll (Paul Massie) proposes that inside every human is two personalities, a theory dismissed by his colleagues. So he sets out to prove it. Tied up in his work he doesn't seem to notice his wife (Dawn Addams) is having an affair with his louche friend Paul Allen (Christopher Lee). But then Jekyll finds a formula that transforms him into the confident and handsome Edward Hyde who sets out to enjoy the sordid nightlife of London...
A well worn tale told with some panache.

uprising (2024)

"I cannot go on this way any longer." AKA Jeon, Ran
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, a nobleman's son is given a slave to take his punishments for him, as no noble can be marked. They somehow develop a bond, especially when Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min) is discovered to have an aptitude for martial arts and it is decided he tutor Cheon-young (Gang Dong-won) and even takes the entrance exams for military school for his now friend. But only if he is made a freeman. Unfortunately he is betrayed and thus develops a vicious feud that fans a slave revolt.
An engaging tale of betrayal and class divides.