Podcast appearances and mentions of Akira Kurosawa

Recorrer la filmografía completa de Akira Kurosawa es, como muchas de sus películas, un viaje que va creciendo en intensidad y en sabiduría según avanza. Quizá por eso los TODOPODEROSOS están disfrutando cada etapa y, seguro, vosotros también. Ponte unas sandalias, ata un hato a un palo y acompáñalos en la siguiente etapa. ¡Hemos salido desde Espacio Fundación Telefónica y llegaremos vaya usted a saber dónde!

O documentário recém-estreado em Portugal “Mulheres do Interior, Vozes que Inspiram” revela a sabedoria, o humor e a resistência feminina através das lentes e do olhar sensível de dois brasileiros: o cineasta Rafaê e o diretor de fotografia Daniel Saeta. Luciana Quaresma, correspondente da RFI em Portugal Filmado em Marvão, na região do Alentejo, interior do país, o filme é um tributo à força, à simplicidade e a beleza das mulheres alentejanas. Rodado integralmente em preto e branco, com direção do carioca Rafaê, a obra mergulha nas histórias de vida das mulheres  que carregam a memória e a identidade de uma região onde o tempo parece correr em outro ritmo. Entre o silêncio do campo e o eco das vozes femininas, a obra busca captar o que há de mais humano: o pertencimento, a resistência e a beleza do cotidiano. A origem do projeto Rafaê, conta que a ideia nasceu de um convite da Dora Efer Pereira, coordenadora do CLDS 5G Social da Câmara Municipal de Marvão de um convite. “Ela me pediu algumas fotografias para uma exposição sobre mulheres empreendedoras no campo, mas percebi que essas histórias precisavam ir além da fotografia. Precisavam se transformar em um documentário, dar voz e visibilidade a essas mulheres extraordinárias”, explica Rafaê. O cinesta teve então o desejo de registrar o universo feminino em pequenas aldeias do Alentejo, onde o envelhecer e o viver ganham contornos próprios. “O documentário surgiu da vontade de olhar para essas mulheres e perceber o que as move. Elas são as guardiãs da memória do interior português — e, ao mesmo tempo, espelhos de uma força silenciosa. Era sobre o tempo, sobre elas e sobre nós também”, explica o documentarista, vencedor do Prêmio de Direção de Fotografia pelo filme Mais Humano (Reebok) e do Prêmio Bugil de Cinema, na Espanha, pelo documentário Domingo Todos los Días. A decisão de rodar o filme integralmente em preto e branco foi uma escolha estética e emocional. “O preto e branco nos parecia inevitável”, diz Rafaê. “Essas histórias pediam uma linguagem mais crua, atemporal. Era como se as cores distraíssem da essência do que elas diziam”, detalha. O olhar através da lente Para Daniel Saeta, diretor de fotografia com longa experiência em documentários, o desafio foi criar imagens que traduzissem intimidade. “Eu filmava com duas câmeras e, enquanto o Rafa mantinha o tripé fixo, eu me movia muito. A sensação era de procurar, quase como se a câmera fosse uma lupa, buscando uma emoção, um gesto, um fragmento de verdade”, relembra. Essa aproximação com as personagens resultou em planos fechados e movimentos sutis, que revelam tanto as rugas quanto os sorrisos. “O objetivo era esse: fazer parte. Eu mergulhei naquele lugar sem conhecer ninguém e acabei me sentindo pertencente. Estar perto delas era também uma forma de me aproximar de mim mesmo”, completa Saeta. A fotografia do filme traz influências diretas de obras que exploram o cotidiano. Além das influências locais, Saeta cita mestres do retrato e do cinema mundial: “Sempre fui fascinado por fotógrafos da Magnum, como Cartier-Bresson e Robert Capa. Essa ideia de capturar um instante que conta uma história inteira sempre me guiou. No cinema, referências como Akira Kurosawa e Alain Resnais também nos inspiraram a buscar enquadramentos mais densos, quase filosóficos”, indica. Para Daniel, fotografar, no cinema ou na vida, é um ato de síntese. “A boa fotografia fala por si só. É capturar um fragmento da realidade em que se consegue ver uma história inteira. No cinema, esse fragmento ganha movimento, luz e som. Mas a essência é a mesma: captar o que há de verdadeiro”, afirma. Ele lembra que, mesmo com luz montada, a equipe buscava manter a naturalidade das casas e das ruas. “Queríamos que o público sentisse que estávamos apenas abrindo a porta e observando. Que aquelas mulheres tinham nos deixado entrar, não como cineastas, mas como visitantes de suas vidas”, conta. Silêncio, pertencimento e transformação pessoal Durante as filmagens, o convívio com as protagonistas e com o próprio Alentejo deixou marcas profundas em Daniel Saeta. “Lembro que, no primeiro dia, cheguei à casa do Rafa e a primeira coisa que comentei foi sobre o silêncio. Um silêncio sepulcral, que eu já não ouvia há muito tempo. E depois vieram as noites, a luz azulada do céu, a lua, as estrelas. Parecia dia. Foi experiência única”, garante. O reencontro com o tempo e a natureza o levou também a refletir sobre o sentido da vida e do fazer artístico. Segundo ele, “essas senhoras me ensinaram que a vida segue. Mesmo com perdas, solidão ou dificuldades, todas falavam de continuar, de acordar para um novo dia. Havia sempre alegria, mesmo nas falas mais tristes. Isso me marcou muito.” Um cinema de escuta O resultado desse encontro entre olhar e escuta é um filme sensível, que devolve protagonismo a quem, muitas vezes, é invisível nas telas. Para Daniel, esse processo reafirmou o valor da fotografia documental. “Toda vez que você aponta uma câmera, faz uma escolha. É uma afirmação. E, nesse filme, eu quis que cada imagem dissesse: 'isso importa. Essas mulheres importam'.” Entre risos, memórias e silêncios, “Mulheres do Interior, Vozes que Inspiram” é mais do que um retrato do Alentejo. É um lembrete universal sobre envelhecer, resistir e seguir vivendo, um dia de cada vez. Para o diretor do documentário muitas memórias desta experiência vão deixar marcas. Ele revela que "o que mais surpreendeu durante as filmagens foi a generosidade delas. Mesmo com vidas duras, são mulheres de uma alegria imensa. E eu percebi que o filme estava ganhando, de alguma forma, um poder maior de inspirar e de dar orgulho à própria comunidade”. Rafaê conclui: “Eu gostaria que o público levasse essa informação de que o interior tem vida, tem força, tem futuro, tem verdade, tem acolhimento. E que as mulheres são a alma desse lugar. Quero que as pessoas olhem para elas com admiração e respeito”.

O documentário recém-estreado em Portugal “Mulheres do Interior, Vozes que Inspiram” revela a sabedoria, o humor e a resistência feminina através das lentes e do olhar sensível de dois brasileiros: o cineasta Rafaê e o diretor de fotografia Daniel Saeta. Luciana Quaresma, correspondente da RFI em Portugal Filmado em Marvão, na região do Alentejo, interior do país, o filme é um tributo à força, à simplicidade e a beleza das mulheres alentejanas. Rodado integralmente em preto e branco, com direção do carioca Rafaê, a obra mergulha nas histórias de vida das mulheres  que carregam a memória e a identidade de uma região onde o tempo parece correr em outro ritmo. Entre o silêncio do campo e o eco das vozes femininas, a obra busca captar o que há de mais humano: o pertencimento, a resistência e a beleza do cotidiano. A origem do projeto Rafaê, conta que a ideia nasceu de um convite da Dora Efer Pereira, coordenadora do CLDS 5G Social da Câmara Municipal de Marvão de um convite. “Ela me pediu algumas fotografias para uma exposição sobre mulheres empreendedoras no campo, mas percebi que essas histórias precisavam ir além da fotografia. Precisavam se transformar em um documentário, dar voz e visibilidade a essas mulheres extraordinárias”, explica Rafaê. O cinesta teve então o desejo de registrar o universo feminino em pequenas aldeias do Alentejo, onde o envelhecer e o viver ganham contornos próprios. “O documentário surgiu da vontade de olhar para essas mulheres e perceber o que as move. Elas são as guardiãs da memória do interior português — e, ao mesmo tempo, espelhos de uma força silenciosa. Era sobre o tempo, sobre elas e sobre nós também”, explica o documentarista, vencedor do Prêmio de Direção de Fotografia pelo filme Mais Humano (Reebok) e do Prêmio Bugil de Cinema, na Espanha, pelo documentário Domingo Todos los Días. A decisão de rodar o filme integralmente em preto e branco foi uma escolha estética e emocional. “O preto e branco nos parecia inevitável”, diz Rafaê. “Essas histórias pediam uma linguagem mais crua, atemporal. Era como se as cores distraíssem da essência do que elas diziam”, detalha. O olhar através da lente Para Daniel Saeta, diretor de fotografia com longa experiência em documentários, o desafio foi criar imagens que traduzissem intimidade. “Eu filmava com duas câmeras e, enquanto o Rafa mantinha o tripé fixo, eu me movia muito. A sensação era de procurar, quase como se a câmera fosse uma lupa, buscando uma emoção, um gesto, um fragmento de verdade”, relembra. Essa aproximação com as personagens resultou em planos fechados e movimentos sutis, que revelam tanto as rugas quanto os sorrisos. “O objetivo era esse: fazer parte. Eu mergulhei naquele lugar sem conhecer ninguém e acabei me sentindo pertencente. Estar perto delas era também uma forma de me aproximar de mim mesmo”, completa Saeta. A fotografia do filme traz influências diretas de obras que exploram o cotidiano. Além das influências locais, Saeta cita mestres do retrato e do cinema mundial: “Sempre fui fascinado por fotógrafos da Magnum, como Cartier-Bresson e Robert Capa. Essa ideia de capturar um instante que conta uma história inteira sempre me guiou. No cinema, referências como Akira Kurosawa e Alain Resnais também nos inspiraram a buscar enquadramentos mais densos, quase filosóficos”, indica. Para Daniel, fotografar, no cinema ou na vida, é um ato de síntese. “A boa fotografia fala por si só. É capturar um fragmento da realidade em que se consegue ver uma história inteira. No cinema, esse fragmento ganha movimento, luz e som. Mas a essência é a mesma: captar o que há de verdadeiro”, afirma. Ele lembra que, mesmo com luz montada, a equipe buscava manter a naturalidade das casas e das ruas. “Queríamos que o público sentisse que estávamos apenas abrindo a porta e observando. Que aquelas mulheres tinham nos deixado entrar, não como cineastas, mas como visitantes de suas vidas”, conta. Silêncio, pertencimento e transformação pessoal Durante as filmagens, o convívio com as protagonistas e com o próprio Alentejo deixou marcas profundas em Daniel Saeta. “Lembro que, no primeiro dia, cheguei à casa do Rafa e a primeira coisa que comentei foi sobre o silêncio. Um silêncio sepulcral, que eu já não ouvia há muito tempo. E depois vieram as noites, a luz azulada do céu, a lua, as estrelas. Parecia dia. Foi experiência única”, garante. O reencontro com o tempo e a natureza o levou também a refletir sobre o sentido da vida e do fazer artístico. Segundo ele, “essas senhoras me ensinaram que a vida segue. Mesmo com perdas, solidão ou dificuldades, todas falavam de continuar, de acordar para um novo dia. Havia sempre alegria, mesmo nas falas mais tristes. Isso me marcou muito.” Um cinema de escuta O resultado desse encontro entre olhar e escuta é um filme sensível, que devolve protagonismo a quem, muitas vezes, é invisível nas telas. Para Daniel, esse processo reafirmou o valor da fotografia documental. “Toda vez que você aponta uma câmera, faz uma escolha. É uma afirmação. E, nesse filme, eu quis que cada imagem dissesse: 'isso importa. Essas mulheres importam'.” Entre risos, memórias e silêncios, “Mulheres do Interior, Vozes que Inspiram” é mais do que um retrato do Alentejo. É um lembrete universal sobre envelhecer, resistir e seguir vivendo, um dia de cada vez. Para o diretor do documentário muitas memórias desta experiência vão deixar marcas. Ele revela que "o que mais surpreendeu durante as filmagens foi a generosidade delas. Mesmo com vidas duras, são mulheres de uma alegria imensa. E eu percebi que o filme estava ganhando, de alguma forma, um poder maior de inspirar e de dar orgulho à própria comunidade”. Rafaê conclui: “Eu gostaria que o público levasse essa informação de que o interior tem vida, tem força, tem futuro, tem verdade, tem acolhimento. E que as mulheres são a alma desse lugar. Quero que as pessoas olhem para elas com admiração e respeito”.

A 1963 Akira Kurosawa film with businessmen instead of samurai, a powerful movie that has been remade several times. High and Low (1963) - 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review ROCKFILE Podcast 909 #highandlowmovie #moviereview #rockfile  ~ You can subscribe to my podcasts on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Amazon Music/Audible, Google Podcasts, YouTube, iHeart Radio, Pandora, TuneIn, Alexa, Player FM, Samsung, Podchaser, Stitcher, Boomplay, Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro, Castbox, Podfriend, Goodpods, Deezer and more. ~ -Social Media Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockfilesroom -Official Website:  https://therockfile.com/ -YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@rockfile -Interview Archive:  https://therockfile.com/Interviews/    ~ Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/enrique-molano/ants-carnival License code: IV5M5EGLBEBSNUDV  ~ Note: the static pictures in my movie reviews are NOT screen captures. I am not set up to do that yet but one day I hope to be.  

Nella concezione questo doveva essere un classico episodio Double Feature, dove mettevamo in relazione il classico giapponese "High and Low" di Akira Kurosawa con il nuovissimo remake americano diretto da Spike Lee. Ma la visione di Highest 2 Lowest è stata talmente folgorante che abbiamo dovuto mettere da parte il capolavoro nipponico per dedicarci all'esperienza più coinvolgente e stimolante di questo 2025. Se One Battle After Another dimostra la maestria di un regista che mette in mostra tutti i suoi punti di forza, Spike Lee mette a nudo il processo filmico, dimostrando lucidità e uno spirito intraprendente che non appartengono al panorama Hollywoodiano.Con Federico Allocca e Simone CortiRiprese Gianlorenzo Bernabò Di NegroMusica e sound design DEMONA alias Andrea Evangelista e Delio GallmannAnimazione sigla Ida CortiLogo design Chiara QuagliarellaPost-produzione audio Matteo FusiCon il sostegno di Associazione La Terza Via e SidereusUn grazie a Raffaele Allocca, Elisabetta Marrocco, Riccardo Romano, Andrea Sestu

In episode 19 of (Pop) Cultural Marxism, Isi and Ajay are joined by fellow BISR faculty Joseph Earl Thomas to discuss Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch Productions' much-anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. To kick off the episode, Isi and Ajay chat about recent cultural news and highlights, from the Japanese government calling on OpenAI to refrain from using anime and manga as training data, to the #SwiftiesAgainstAI campaign, to Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (2025). Turning to Ghost of Yotei, Isi, Ajay, and Joseph consider where the game succeeds (its strong start, visual beauty, sharp soundtrack, and the satisfying chunkiness and texture of its combat scenes) and where it doesn't (its loadout system, simplistic puzzles, dearth of opportunities for stealth mode, and social and political quandaries its narrative and design raise). They explore the films and television shows that influenced Yotei—from Lady Snowblood and Samurai Champloo to the films of Takashi Miike, Akira Kurosawa, and Sergio Leone) and ask whether and where the game successfully incorporates cinematic techniques and conventions into its storyline. Along the way, they discuss the game's dicey depiction of the Ainu and the colonization of Hokkaido, consider whether the pleasure of open-world gaming has diminished or transformed in the years between Yotei and Tsushima, and interrogate the shape of the game's revenge plot. (Pop) Cultural Marxism is produced by Ryan Lentini. Learn more about upcoming courses on our website. Follow Brooklyn Institute for Social Research on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky. Show notes On Japan and OpenAI: https://www.ign.com/articles/japanese-government-calls-on-sora-2-maker-openai-to-refrain-from-copyright-infringement-says-characters-from-manga-and-anime-are-irreplaceable-treasures-that-japan-boasts-to-the-world One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (2025) Other Paul Thomas Anderson films mentioned: Phantom Thread (2017), Inherent Vice (2014), The Master (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007) Ghost of Yotei (Sucker Punch Productions, 2025) Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions, 2020) Way of the Samurai (Acquire, 2002) Tenchu (Acquire/K2/FromSoftware, 1998-2009) Samurai Champloo (2004) Forspoken (Luminous Productions, 2023) South of Midnight (Compulsion Games, 2025) Infamous (Sucker Punch Productions, 2009-2014) Blue Eye Samurai (2023) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo, 1998) Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) Parul Sehgal, "The Case Against the Trauma Plot" (2021): https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/01/03/the-case-against-the-trauma-plot Kuroneko, directed by Kaneto Shindo (1968) Lady Snowblood, directed by Toshiya Fujita (1973) Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance, directed by Toshiya Fujita (1974) The Samurai Trilogy, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki (1954-1956)

The interaction of Continuous effects, commonly known as the Layers, were first immortalized in the forth century when the monk Evagrius Ponticus increased forms of continuous effects from 6 to 7. Since then they have been part of our shared zeitgeist.We sing about Seven Layers a 'laying at Christmas. We go on rides at Disney based on Snow White and the Seven Layers. The White Stipes write songs about them. Even the king of comedic counter culture did a bit about the Seven Layers you cant say on TV. My personal favorite is the Akira Kurosawa classic where a town recruits the seven layers to defend them from a bandit gang of state based actions. Armed with nothing but bamboo spears and timestamps, our hearty band of continuous effects are able to fend off the bandit gang in a bittersweet pyrrhic victory. In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos talk about the interaction of continuous effects, AKA The Layers, the supposed boogieman of the Magic Rules. Our goal is to help you realize that this Boogieman is more Dog and less John Wick. We talk about what the layers are, how to combine effects both within the layers, and across the layers, then we spend a lot of time going over examples. Too many examples, really. We even help you realize that you've been figuring out dependencies all along, you just didnt realize it. So sit back, give us a listen, or give us a watch on YouTube where we can share card images. Oh, and Bryan spent time thinking about which of the seven deadly sins would map to each layer, so you get to enjoy this rare glimpse into his brain. Do you agree or disagree?Copy - LustControl - EnvyText - PrideType - WrathColor - SlothAbilities - GreedPower/Toughness - GluttonyEverything Else - Acedia

Send us a textMany times, Fairfax criminal defense lawyer Jon Katz  has quoted this great passage from the Kung Fu television pilot with David Carradine (1972): “Perceive the way of nature and no force of man can harm you. Do not meet a wave head on: avoid it. You do not have to stop force: it is easier to redirect it. Learn more ways to preserve rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check. Check rather than hurt. Hurt rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. For all life is precious nor can any be replaced.” This is an ideal way to master courtroom battle and to handle any conflict. When I learned that Kung Fu's creators Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander are still alive, I started looking for them to invite them onto my Beat the Prosecution podcast. Hitting deadends in finding their email addresses, I revisited Kung Fu chronicler Herbie J Pilato, who blew me away in accepting my interview invitation within hours. The Kung Fu stand-alone pilot (Kung Fu: The Way of the Tiger, the Sign of the Dragon) blew away the nearly-nine year old me in multiple ways through multiple layers. Here I was learning both the concept and way to pursue a path other than brute force, whether through studying, verbal combat, sports or physical fighting. That is not to say that I was a quick learner, but that the path was now visible and open to me. By now, it all comes together. The wu wei of acting in harmony with the universe's natural flow. The path of zero, with no chasing while fully engaging with the opponent. The cleaning with self identity through Ho'oponopono. Finding internal peace no matter what is happening around me and beyond. Kung Fu's initial creator Ed Spielman did not spearhead this story from an armchair, but instead studied Mandarin at Brooklyn College, and conducted research for instance in New York's Chinatown while also being influenced by Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai,  Herbie says" "The show's writers gathered information from Confucius, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Zen Buddhism, and the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, all of which share a similar theme: Gentleness, peace and compassion are of the utmost importance if one is to have a spiritually-sound and happy existence." Herbie sent me his great recent extensive Retro Fan Magazine article "Kung Fu and the Eternal Spring of 'Grasshopper'- A Look Back at TV's Classic Eastern Western."This podcast with Fairfax, Virginia criminal / DUI lawyer Jon Katz is playable on all devices at podcast.BeatTheProsecution.com. For more information, visit https://KatzJustice.com or contact us at info@KatzJustice.com, 703-383-1100 (calling), or 571-406-7268 (text). If you like what you hear on our Beat the Prosecution podcast, please take a moment to post a review at our Apple podcasts page (with stars only, or else also with a comment) at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-the-prosecution/id1721413675

Brad and Bob dive deep into the cultural phenomenon that is 1977's Star Wars, exploring its impact on cinema, character dynamics, and the direction of George Lucas. They also discuss the film's pacing, performances, and the influence of Akira Kurosawa. The conversation includes a whiskey review of Old Granddad and comparisons to Raiders of the Lost Ark, culminating in their final thoughts and ratings for both the film and the whiskey.(0:00) Intro (06:49) Brad Explains (11:43) Performances, Themes (36:18) Old Grand Dad bourbon review (46:14) Two Facts and a Falsehood (51:23) Final Analysis (1:06:29) Let's Make it a Double and Final ScoresFilm & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord server!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more episodes and engaging content, visit Film & Whiskey's website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.filmwhiskey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the iconic New York filmmaker reflects on his 35-year collaboration with Denzel Washington, the role of music in his films and how Akira Kurosawa has influenced his work from his first narrative feature through his 24th and most recent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth." - Pablo Picasso said and then painted Guerica in response to the 1937 bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by Nazi and Fascist forces. “The artist's role is not to look away.” - Akira Kurosawa, Japanese filmmaker once said and then directed High and Low, a film about the moral dilemmas of a capitalist society and the consequences. “Art holds up the mirror to nature.” - William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 2) a sentiment similar to Aristotle, who once said "Art imitates life." The duty and role of an artist in society is not always to simply entertain. For more information about the No Kings protest, please visit https://www.nokings.orgAmong the Thorns will be here July 14th - Preorder available following this link herePreorder MAGIC REBORN hereSTRANGE FAMILIAR is liveJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoringYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books!Sign up for my newsletter! Support the show! Buy LoveLitCon tickets here using LOVE8368 for $10 OFF!Signed bookplates available hereThe posture correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself can be found hereAs always, thank you for watching and let me know what you think ~ Jeffe KennedySupport the showSocials Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring Sign up for my newsletter! Support the show! Find me on Threads Visit my website Follow me on Amazon Follow me on BookBub Find me on Instagram and TikTok! @jeffekennedy2016 @jeffe_kennedy The posture correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself can be found here Thank you for watching or listening! See you all soon.

In this multi-part series, we've focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we've left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “The Night of the Hunter”.***Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 12A:“The Fabulous Baron Munchausen” (Karel Zeman, 1962)“Akira Kurosawa's Dreams” (Akira Kurosawa, 1990)“Badlands” (Terrence Malick, 1973)“They Shall Not Grow Old” (Peter Jackson, 2018)Audio quotation in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 12A:“Vintage Movie Projector | Sound Effect | Feel The Past Film Industry” by n Beats, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhUICp5XeJ4“Film Clapperboard Green Screen Effect With Sound” by Jacob Anderson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1sEiCa-yic“Slide projector changing with clicks” by (Soundsnap), https://www.soundsnap.com/tags/slide_projector?page=2

Welcome back folks to the Man Cave Movie Review, the podcast where we review the good, the bad, and the ugly of movies for men. Thanks for joining us tonight for Episode 368 where we talk about that legendary and revolutionary cinematic classic Seven Samurai. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Seiji Miyaguchi, Daisuke Kato, directed by Akira Kurosawa. Thanks for tuning back in. We hope you enjoy the episode. Join us on FaceBook where you can share if you've seen this great and fantastic movie!  Sit back and listen as Ken, Bryan, Jeff, and special guest Cameron tell you why Toshiro Mifune walks around with a big stick...I mean sword.   

durée : 00:59:57 - Les Nuits de France Culture - par : Albane Penaranda - En 1985, les "Nuits magnétiques" proposent une rencontre avec le cinéaste Akira Kurosawa, son producteur Serge Silberman et le directeur de production Ully Pickardt. Kurosawa analyse son oeuvre, dont son dernier film "Ran". - réalisation : Virginie Mourthé - invités : Akira Kurosawa Cinéaste japonais

Featuring Matt Anderson and Ben De Bono This time for The Criterion Challenge, we discuss the films “High and Low” by Akira Kurosawa. VOTE FOR AN UPCOMING EPISODE TOPIC HERE: www.patreon.com/thescifichristian To send in your...

Featuring Matt Anderson and Ben De Bono This time for The Criterion Challenge, we discuss the film “High and Low” by Akira Kurosawa. VOTE FOR AN UPCOMING EPISODE TOPIC HERE: www.patreon.com/thescifichristian To send in your...

In this multi-part series, we've focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we've left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “Marie Antoinette”.***Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 11A:“Flash Gordon” (Mike Hodges, 1980)“Barry Lyndon” (Stanely Kubrick, 1975)“Sleepy Hollow” (Tim Burton, 1999)“Akira Kurosawa's Dreams” (Akira Kurosawa, 1990)“Tron” (Steven Lisberger, 1982)“The Masque of the Red Death” (Roger Corman, 1964)“Elvis” (Baz Luhrmann, 2022)“Lady Snowblood” (Toshiya Fujita, 1973)“Pan's Labyrinth” (Guillermo del Toro, 2006)Audio quotation in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 11A:“Flash Gordon ” (Mike Hodges, 1980), including the song “Flash's Theme” (1980) by Queen“Vintage Movie Projector | Sound Effect | Feel The Past Film Industry” by n Beats, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhUICp5XeJ4“Film Clapperboard Green Screen Effect With Sound” by Jacob Anderson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1sEiCa-yic“Slide projector changing with clicks” by (Soundsnap), https://www.soundsnap.com/tags/slide_projector?page=2

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 326: Matthew Libatique, ASC Cinematographer Matty Libatique, ASC, has had a productive year. Shortly after moving to New York, he began work on Spike Lee's film, Highest 2 Lowest. Immediately after wrapping that project, Matty prepped for Darren Aronofsky's Caught Stealing, and then, following a short break, he collaborated with Bradley Cooper on Is This Thing On? (which releases in December.) He found it fascinating to explore New York City through the lenses of three distinct directors, feeling privileged to shoot three New York-centric movies back-to-back. The New York depicted in Highest 2 Lowest and Caught Stealing are starkly different, depending on where people from different socioeconomic backgrounds live. Both films effectively convey the diverse realities of living there. "When you look at both films, separately, you have a feeling of New York, you feel like you're living in New York inside of these films," Matty explains. "And it's because the directors live in New York and have grown up in New York." During location scouting with both Lee and Aronofsky, Matty noted their deep familiarity and emotional attachment to where they chose to shoot. He feels that movies faking New York locations lack the inherent authenticity of shooting in the real city. Highest 2 Lowest is a reinterpretation of the Akira Kurosawa classic, High and Low. Matty used High and Low as an influence, even though Lee was not making a direct adaptation. He found the Kurosawa film helped him see the hierarchy between the affluent and the poor, and the literal rise to the top of a hill by the wealthy industrialist from his humble origins. These themes became the seed of his visual inspiration. In Highest 2 Lowest, Denzel Washington's record executive David King inhabits a high-rise, literally looking down on the world from a high vantage point. The film is intensely character-driven, and with a large ensemble cast, Matty often shot with two to three cameras per scene. The film used an actual exterior of the Olympia building in Dumbo, Brooklyn while the crew shot on a volume stage set for the interiors. Matty found shooting on the volume stage and working with Unreal Engine to create the background images for the penthouse set to be the most challenging aspect of the shoot. It demanded far more advance planning and preparation to perfect the background images than the production schedule allowed. He had to make early, calculated decisions and plan far in advance for shooting the plates that would be used as the backgrounds. Spike Lee frequently incorporates various film formats in his movies, and Matty saw an opportunity to use both a 16mm and a new KODAK Super 8 film camera once the action in Highest 2 Lowest shifted outside the controlled apartment environment. He use both the 16mm and the Super 8 on the subway and in scenes of the Puerto Rican Day parade, also combining them with different film stocks. Lee cut between these distinct formats, which made a sense of heightened chaos. Matty says, “It was just an effort to create chaos, you know, and having the unmatched visual images cut together to sort of just mimic a chaos around this character.” Caught Stealing recreates the New York City of the 1990s, with Martin Scorsese's After Hours serving as a major reference. Matty felt that the character Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) needed a distinct look to articulate the story. He thought about the rust-red tint of the Lee Marvin film, Point Blank, and used a Camtec Color-Con2 to deliberately bleed red color into a few key scenes. Even though Caught Stealing is entertaining and full of action, it was important to Aronofsky to tell a strong, narratively-driven story, with performance and character making the sequences as exciting and brutal as possible. “Like all Darren movies, there's a construct, there's a box, he sets up the architecture of the film,” Matty says.

This week we review Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee's brazen remake of the 1963 black and white Akira Kurosawa classic, High and Low. A divisive movie with its own modern mind apart from its predecessor, Highest 2 Lowest split audiences at Cannes this year and has now split us on the podcast as well. Akira Kurosawa at the height of his power or Spike Lee's late style curio? We talk about aging masters, baffling scores, and Lee's storied oeuvre as a whole.

A Spike Lee joint starring Denzel Washington is must-see cinema, so the guys discuss this reimagining of an Akira Kurosawa classic. Michael recommends a baseball documentary, Joe champions a new Stephen King adaptation, and Jared offers a Sidney Lumet drama for people who are excited about One Battle After Another.

Todays Episode of the Faqs Project is special as we talk to David Brothers as we talk to David Brothers about his amazing collaborative one shot with Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman) Good Devils Don't Play Fair With Evil where within the book we get 3 amazing stories: Good Devils, Fight like Hell, and Go Back. From a post apocalyptic world affected by climate change, or a self proclaimed Greatest Boxer of the Apocalypse meets his fate but still has fight in him throughout the afterlife, or a bad situation turns worse when you have no one to trust where a young man just wants to get home to his family even as the cops and all of New York is looking for him.David gives a glimpse at his characterization whether it inspired by Fist of the North Star, Japanese Manga, and Big Pun's Capital Punishment Album. We discuss hip hop skits and what they mean to the sequence of an album and the emotional toll Manga brings vs Westernized Comics. Even the latest Spike Lee Joint Highest 2 Lowest- homage to Akira Kurosawa whom David sees this storyline running parallel to just Spike had a bigger budget lol.Good Devils Don't Play Fair With Evil drops October 1stWritten by David Brothers Artwork by Nick DragottaDesigned by Sasha HeadProduction by Erika SchnatzSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-faqs-project-hosted-by-james-grandmaster-faqs-boyce/donations

Akira Kurosawa's High and Low (1963) is a film that is as instructive as it is entertaining. It's a classic police procedural that flexes Kurosawa's directorial prowess, especially in its staging and blocking. The film keeps its tense atmosphere throughout and pays off with an excellent conclusion. Enjoy our review of the original High and Low (1963).   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenwood, and Cameron Tuttle. The show is executive produced by Darrin O'Neill and recorded & produced in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. You can support the show at patreon.com/ecfsproductions. Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter under ECFS Productions (@ecfsproductions). Isaac and Cameron started recording podcasts with their first project, Everything Comes from Something (2018), and are now focusing on new weekly content for Cinema Spectator. Cameron Tuttle is a full-time professional cinematographer who majored in SFSU Film School to collaborate with corporate, private, and creative productions. Cameron is the expert. Isaac Ransom works full-time as a marketing leader, with creative experience in brand, advertising, product, music, and film. Isaac is the student. And Juzo, he knows everything about cinema. The podcast is a passion project between three longtime friends; we hope you can enjoy our project with the limited time we have! Thank you for your time, your generosity, and support. 

In honor of Spike Lee's… interesting… new adaptation, we return to the surprisingly satisfying sub genre of Akira-Kurosawa-crime-thriller with his two-movies-for-the-price-of-one kidnapping procedural.  Join the Random Acts of Cinema Discord server here! *Come support the podcast and get yourself or someone you love a random gift at our merch store.  T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, and more! If you'd like to watch ahead for next week's film, we will be discussing and reviewing Monte Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop (1971).

Ep #87 : Crafting Narratives: Insights from Filmmaker Kristina ThomasSummary of the episodeThis episode of noseyAF dives into the vibrant and multifaceted world of filmmaking through an engaging conversation with Kristina Thomas, a writer and director whose path in the industry is marked by resilience, creativity, and remarkable achievements. From her beginnings in East Oakland to her work in television and independent cinema, Kristina shares her journey with authenticity and humor.We explore her trajectory from aspiring youth attorney to filmmaker, how her legal background shaped her narrative voice, and the role of mentorship and community in sustaining an artistic career. Kristina opens up about navigating the challenges of the industry—pandemic disruptions, the writers' strike, and the evolving digital landscape—while continuing to inspire and uplift emerging voices.Whether you're a filmmaker, storyteller, or creative of any kind, this episode offers insight, motivation, and an invitation to embrace your own unique story.Chapters• 00:07 - Introduction to Kristina Thomas• 01:24 - Exploring the Journey of Filmmaking• 09:29 - The Importance of Kindness on Set• 14:27 - Growing Up in East Oakland• 23:58 - The Journey to Filmmaking• 28:25 - The Influence of Akira Kurosawa on Filmmaking• 32:44 - Reflections on Mentorship and Loss• 40:00 - The Evolution of Indie Filmmaking• 43:21 - The Journey of a Filmmaker• 51:06 - Transitioning Careers in the Arts• 56:09 - The Importance of Storytelling in the Digital AgeWhat we talk aboutGrowing up in East Oakland and the early spark of storytellingTransitioning from music to filmmaking and nearly signing with Def Jam RecordsThe influence of Akira Kurosawa on her creative lensNavigating mentorship, mentorship loss, and the power of guidanceIndie filmmaking today vs. thenThe role of storytelling in the digital ageThings We MentionedAkira Kurosawa FilmsFilm Independent Project InvolveAll about Kristina ThomasYou're gonna love Kristina Thomas—she's a filmmaker, writer, and educator who blends creativity, intellect, and vision to push the boundaries of storytelling.Kristina Thomas was born in East Oakland, California, and has emerged as a rising talent in film and television. She first made her mark in the documentary world by winning a $50,000 contest to direct a compelling TV pilot in New Orleans for MTV/Endemol. From there, she transitioned into scripted storytelling, working as a script coordinator on acclaimed series including Greenleaf, Lovecraft Country, and The Haunting of Bly Manor (S2).Her feature script Worth It has gained recognition as a semi-finalist in competitions such as Women in Film/The Black List and BET's Project Cre8 Feature. She is actively developing the project while also teaching as an Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting at DePaul University.Kristina's short-form work has also made a strong impact. Her comedy short House of Balls earned lead actress Mariah Robinson Best Actress at the Alt Film Festival, along with Best Actor recognition, and was named a semi-finalist in BET's Project Cre8: TV and the Hollyshorts Festival. The concept short for Worth It screened at festivals including the Toronto Black Film Festival (Canadian Screen Award–qualifying) and earned an honorable mention at Lady Filmmakers Festival. Most recently, her Film Independent

The remarkable xwordinfo.com has compiled a list of the maximum number of times each letter has appeared in a crossword. Up until today, K had appeared a total of 18 times, but now -- thanks to Jackson Matz -- that record stands at 24, all in the aid of a good cause, aka "the theme". Both cohosts found this to be a slightly crunchier than usual Wednesday, and Jean in particular had to put on her deerstalker hat for the win. Deets inside.Show note imagery: AKIRA Kurosawa's greatest epic, Rashomon.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

We're back and bringing a FINAL Double Feature of the summer that is only possible because there are masters at work damn it! First up, is Akira Kurosawa's tense thriller involving shoes, kidnapping, drug addiction, jealousy, and of course Toshiro Mifune. It's 1963's High and Low. And then we have Spike Lee's contemporary interpretation of the story involving hip-hop, inept police, more kidnapping, New York City, and of course Denzel Washington. It's 2025's Highest 2 Lowest. Check it out!!

With HIGHEST 2 LOWEST Director Spike Lee remakes Akira Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW taking it from the streets of Tokyo to the streets of modern day New York City. The film marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and star Denzel Washington. Our hosts share a review and then ponder the trailers of two new films coming soon to theaters.   Recommendation from our hosts in this episode - The Roses

Spike Lee's HIGHEST 2 LOWEST is built on the rock-solid narrative foundation of HIGH AND LOW, but the “interpretation” of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime-thriller classic he builds atop it can be shaky at times. We're all in agreement that HIGHEST 2 LOWEST has flaws, but whether those flaws add up to ruin or simply provide texture to a singular filmmaker's singular film is up for discussion in the first part of this week's episode. Then we move into Connections to see where Lee and Kurosawa's films align and diverge when it comes to high-low metaphor and imagery, the intersection of media and public opinion, and the value of police work. And in Your Next Picture Show, Scott recommends an earlier collaboration between Lee and HIGHEST 2 LOWEST star Denzel Washington that has only grown in his estimation since its 1998 release.  Please share your thoughts about HIGH AND LOW, HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730. Next Pairing: Francis Lawrence's THE LONG WALK and Sydney Pollack's THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? Intro: 00:00:00-00:02:02 Highest 2 Lowest discussion: 00:02:02 - 00:30:51 Highest 2 Lowest / High and Low Connections: 00:30:51-01:12:02 Your Next Picture Show and goodbyes: 01:12:02-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

W. Kamau Bell is a noted comedian, author, filmmaker, and activist. He's also the former co-host of the podcast DENZEL WASHINGTON IS THE GREATEST ACTOR OF ALL TIME PERIOD, along with our very own Kevin Avery. Now, we've gotten the former co-hosts (and former roommates!) back together. It's a big deal, but does Spike Lee and Denzel Washington's big reunion rise to the occasion? Find out as we discuss HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, and stay to hear some fantasy pitches for other classic movies that we'd like to see get Denzel-ified.What's Good?Alonso - Petit Grain (and supporting your local bakery…and eating your feelings)Drea - being on festival juriesKamau - pizza; daughter fetching an umbrella for dadKevin - killing a wasp in a beekeeping suitITIDICUnfinished Orson Welles Movie Being Completed By AI…Meanwhile, WB Sues MidjourneyAfter The Smashing Machine, Benny Safdie and The Rock Are Pairing Up AgainStaff PicksAlonso - The BaltimoronsDrea - Preparation for the Next Life (?)Kevin - Love, BrooklynKamau - The Unforgivable Sin of Ms. RachelSubscribe to Kamau's Newsletter, Who's With Me?Akira Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW on Criterion Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

A study released last October showed that movie remakes tend to lose money. Yet the film industry, for a variety of reasons, keeps churning them out. On this week's show, Dan Webster, Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender discuss one recent remake, Spike Lee's film “Highest 2 Lowest,” which is his version of Ed McBain's 1959 novel “King's Ransom,” as well as take a look back at another McBain adaptation, Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's 1963 film “High and Low.”

In this episode, we review the 2025 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and Ice Spice (in her film debut). We discuss whether this English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese film High and Low was a successful attempt by Spike Lee, and we debate if Lee and Washington are the best director/actor combination of the last 35 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's just Kevin and Lauren again this week and they are discussing Splitsville, Highest 2 Lowest, Am I OK?, Daredevil: Born Again, and Emma & Bruce That's right, Andrew has shunned all of us again. It hurts, but we'll move on. He'll be back and we all know it. After getting over our searing sting of rejection, Lauren kicks off the show by talking about the new film, Splitsville, starring Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, and some other people. That sounds a little dismissive, but the overall review is that the film isn't anything too special. It's a comedy-ish, but it opens in a very dark place. Our primary couple decides to enter into an open relationship to save their marriage, and, as you might imagine, it's less than successful. It sounds like this movie leans more into the odd humor than the straightforward and might be worth a viewing, but many reviews label it as somehow both chaotic and boring at the same time, so watch at your own risk. After that, Kevin joins his field guide, Spike Lee, on a tour of New York in Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington. It's a remake of the Akira Kurosawa classic, High and Low. While the review is solid, it really does feel like an advertisement for New York about 40% of the time, and the first half of the film feels a little slow, while the second half flies by. It does end strong, but leaves a few questions in Kevin's mind that make it a little off from some of Lee and Washington's better works, but it's definitely worth a watch. Next up, Lauren continues to feed her Dakota Johnson addiction with a film from 2022, Am I OK? Directed by the great comedian Tig Notaro, this is the story of a woman who discovers a little late in life that she is gay. The film documents how that affects her, her relationships with friends, and what it means for her relationships going forward. It's certainly more heartfelt than the previous Johnson film Lauren watched and is one of her better films, so check it out if you have the chance. Coming off that high of a couple of really solid films, Kevin veers off the road into what might be a hot take. He and his family recently finished the Netflix Daredevil series and began Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. While the show has fared well critically, Kevin is of the opinion that the original Netflix series is the better of the two. And it's not close. The new series leans too much into the special effects and loses a lot of the grit and grime that made the original such a success. That said, it is in no way a bad series, so if you like the MCU, definitely give it a go! Lauren closes out the show on top with a review of the Diane Sawyer interview with Emma Heming Willis about her relationship with Bruce Willis and the complexities they face with his dementia diagnosis. It's not the happiest of topics, but it's a very good interview and leads to some interesting discussion between Kevin and Lauren. Even if you skip this part of the podcast, the interview itself is definitely worth spending your time on. As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let us know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week! Facebook: @apncpodcast Twitter: @APNCPodcast Instagram: AllPopNoCulture

The new HIGHEST 2 LOWEST includes an onscreen credit for “the master” Akira Kurosawa as inspiration for a film that has the same basic shape and mistaken-identity kidnapping premise of 1963's HIGH AND LOW, but is still unmistakably a Spike Lee joint. So in order to better evaluate Lee's modernization of a crime classic, we're returning to the master's version to see how Kurosawa himself reshaped HIGH AND LOW from its pulp-novel origins, utilizing a bifurcated structure and leading man Toshirō Mifune to challenge viewers' assumed sympathies towards a villain and a victim on opposite sides of the class divide. Then in Feedback, a letter from a listener underlines a point about storytelling that HIGH AND LOW handily illustrates: the necessity of a three-act structure has been greatly exaggerated. Please share your thoughts about HIGH AND LOW, HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730. Intro: 00:00:00-00:06:18 High and Low Keynote: 00:06:18-00:13:10 High and Low Discussion: 00:13:10-00:52:06 Feedback/outro: 00:52:06-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, the first of Season 7,  Greg and Patrick argue about whether the number seven is a propitious or an inauspicious omen for the new season. They then explore ways we can spice up our relationship in hopes of avoiding the Seven Year Itch. Along the way they also discuss t-shirt wearing dogs, Mickey Mantle, the seven deadly sins, Akira Kurosawa, the Boeing triple-seven, menage-a-pods, unwritten books, El Duderino, mmmmmmaybe, I see dead people, ROYGBIV, Ozzy Man, dodgy cats, short cons and long cons, and Tate's study group. Stay in contact with Quantitude! Web page: quantitudepod.org TwitterX: @quantitudepod YouTube: @quantitudepod Merch: redbubble.com

The guys discuss Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic, High and Low, which is Ron's Required Viewing choice, and then gab about other things they've watched recently, like Alien: Earth and the new HBO crime drama, Task, starring Mark Ruffalo in scruffy mode. 

At 87, Oscar-winning actor Jane Fonda is pouring her energy into activism. She'll reflect on her decades-long career, and how she first began her fitness empire to fund her activist work. Also, we hear from  Spike Lee. His latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, reimagines Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High and Low, but through the lens of modern-day America and hip-hop culture. Both guests spoke with Tonya Mosley.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Welcome back to Movie Boi! This podcast will feature discussions on movies, new and old alike, as well as some broader movie topics and conversations.In this episode:00:00 – Movie news feat. Gareth. Talking about the Venice Film Fest, Jordan Peele's movie being pulled from Universal's calendar, and a possible Call of Duty movie. 18:00 – A deep dive on Highest 2 Lowest, the 5th collaboration between Denzel Washington and Spike Lee and a re-imagining of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 movie High & Low. 1:04:00 - A frequent collaborators movie draft. If you want to share your thoughts on the movie or send in a mailbag question, contact MovieBoyJack@gmail.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September's going to be a busy month, we can tell already. We took a week off at the end of the summer but we're coming in hot to start the fall here at Breakfast All Day. Supposedly "The Conjuring: Last Rites" is the final film in the franchise -- it says so right there in the title! -- but nothing ever really ends. This is once again the scariest case Ed and Lorraine Warren have ever taken, something to do with a haunted mirror. You've seen it all before, but Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are committed to the bit as always. In theaters. Then we review both Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest" and Akira Kurosawa's "High and Low," the 1963 film that inspired it. The new one stars Denzel Washington as a music industry titan fighting a kidnapping scheme; Toshiro Mifune played a shoe company executive in the original. They have similar bones but are extremely different in how they tell their stories. The Kurosawa film is one of his greats, and Lee's latest is his most purely entertaining movie in a while. (At least one of us thought so.) You can catch "Highest 2 Lowest" on Apple TV+, while "High and Low" is on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel. Finally, we did a lengthy Movie News LIVE! Lots to talk about with fall festival season beginning, plus new trailers including "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," and the gross use of AI to complete Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Ambersons." Join us every Friday at Noon Pacific at our YouTube channel. Thanks for being here! Subscribe to Christy's Saturday Matinee newsletter: https://christylemire.beehiiv.com/  

For this week's main podcast review, Josh Parham, Giovanni Lago, Daniel Howat, Brendan Hodges, and Tom O'Brien join me to review and discuss the latest Spike Lee joint, "Highest 2 Lowest," starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera & ASAP Rocky. It is an English-language remake and reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese film High and Low, itself based on the 1959 novel King's Ransom by Ed McBain. It marks the first collaboration between Lee and Washington since "Inside Man" in 2006. The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews, but what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the direction, themes, performances, music, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean and Amanda start the show by reacting to a handful of recent movie trailers, including Emerald Fennell's ‘Wuthering Heights'—starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi—and Nia DaCosta's ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' (3:33). Then, they unpack Spike Lee's newest film ‘Highest 2 Lowest,' starring Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky. They explore its very high highs and occasional low lows, Washington's fascinating performance style, and what makes this film so different compared to the rest of Lee's filmography (17:09). Next, they cover Darren Aronofsky's ‘Caught Stealing,' starring Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz; they both found it quite disappointing, to the point that they even discussed whether or not Austin Butler is a “leading man” (39:54). Finally, Sean is joined by the legendary filmmaker Spike Lee to talk about his new movie. Lee reflects on the first time he visited Akira Kurosawa's work and touches on what Kurosawa means to both himself and cinema at large, talks through Denzel Washington's brilliant improvisations in this film and explains why he is—in Lee's opinion—the greatest actor of all time, and explores what is missing from Hollywood and the filmmaking industry right now (1:07:01). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Spike Lee Producer: Jack Sanders This episode is sponsored by State Farm®️. A State Farm agent can help you choose the coverage you need. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach Cregger's WEAPONS overlaps with Atom Egoyan's THE SWEET HEREAFTER in both its broad narrative setup — a town grapples with the sudden disappearance of a group of children — and its non-traditional structure, but diverges considerably in its tone. Then again, WEAPONS diverges considerably from its own tone as it goes on, artfully shifting gears as it makes its way through a story that prioritizes entertainment value over horror allegory. We're joined once again by Vulture movie critic Alison Willmore to talk about why that approach worked so well on us, and less so on the film's detractors, before bringing THE SWEET HEREAFTER back in to discuss how each film's broken timeline serves to reveal the intricacies of a community shattered by grief and anger. Then in Your Next Picture Show, we offer two recommendations for follow-up viewing, one for each half of this pairing. Please share your thoughts about THE SWEET HEREAFTER, WEAPONS, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730. Next Pairing: Spike Lee's HIGHEST 2 LOWEST and Akira Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW. Intro: 00:00:00-00:02:14 Weapons discussion: 00:02:14 - 00:36:00 Weapons/The Sweet Hereafter Connections: 00:36:00-00:58:58 Your Next Picture Show and goodbyes: 00:58:58-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highest 2 Lowest is a 2025 American crime thriller film directed by Spike Lee from a screenplay by Alan Fox. It is an English-language remake and reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese film High and Low, itself based on the 1959 novel King's Ransom by Ed McBain. The film stars Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, ASAP Rocky, John Douglas Thompson, Dean Winters, LaChanze, Princess Nokia, and Ice Spice (in her film debut). It marks the first collaboration between Lee and Washington since Inside Man (2006).Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

For their fifth collaboration, HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reimagine Akira Kurosawa's 1963 masterpiece “High and Low.” Adam and Josh review the film coming to Apple TV+ Sept. 5. Plus, spoiler feedback for Zach Cregger's WEAPONS, Massacre Theatre, and revisiting the show's 2020 Sacred Cow review of JAWS. This episode is presented by ⁠Regal Unlimited⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:59) Highest 2 Lowest (00:02:00-00:47:59) 20th Anniversary Messages (00:48:00-00:54:43) Weapons Spoilers Feedback (00:54:44-01:25:12) Notes (01:25:13-01:30:16) Massacre Theatre (01:30:17-01:40:53) Jaws at 50 (01:40:54-02:17:57) Credits / New Releases (02:17:58-02:25:24) Links: “How to Watch Jaws in Theaters for Its 50th Anniversary” https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/how-to-watch-jaws-in-theaters-for-50th-anniversary Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠. -⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. ⁠⁠http://filmspottingfamily.com⁠⁠ -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. ⁠https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠ Follow: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in nineteen years, Oscar-winning director Spike Lee and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington have re-united for their fifth collaboration after Mo Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.  Washington stars as David, a New York City music mogul with ONE goal at the outset of this story: to retain full control of the record label he had built over the past several decades to reconnect with the music.  However some other mysterious figure has other ideas as he calls David out of the blue claiming to suddently have kidnapped the mogul's son Trey (Aubrey Joseph) and he is demanding a LOT of money in return. :o In his corner is personal driver/bodyguard Paul played by Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright.  And what results is a high-energy thriller/musical/New York movie which also happens to be a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High and Low.    Host: Geoff GershonEdited By Ella GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

On this week's show, Dana, Julia, and Steve are joined by special fourth guest host: Wesley Morris of the New York Times. The foursome wield their sharpest critical tools for a discussion of the horror hit Weapons. Whether the twisty thrill ride hits its intended target— and what exactly is said target— is up for debate. Next, they take up the latest Spike Lee joint Highest 2 Lowest which reunites the legendary director with Denzel Washington and riffs on an Akira Kurosawa classic. Finally, they examine the “Performative Male” trend popping up in TikTok, style sections, and costume contests around the globe. Is it an embodiment of real gendered anxiety or internet nonsense? In an exclusive Slate Plus bonus episode, the panel gets into all the shocks and surprises of Weapons's finale in a spoiler-filled conversation. Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com.  Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Endorsements Steve: Music by the jazz pianist Bobo Stenson, specifically his album Serenity. Julia: Wesley Morris's stellar new culture podcast Cannonball, specifically the episode with Taffy Brodesser-Akner about And Just Like That. Wesley: Watching the great New York sporting event the US Open. If you can't make it to Flushing Meadows, you can watch on ESPN or stream on Fubo, and shop the enviable merch at the US Open Store. Dana: Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's show, Dana, Julia, and Steve are joined by special fourth guest host: Wesley Morris of the New York Times. The foursome wield their sharpest critical tools for a discussion of the horror hit Weapons. Whether the twisty thrill ride hits its intended target— and what exactly is said target— is up for debate. Next, they take up the latest Spike Lee joint Highest 2 Lowest which reunites the legendary director with Denzel Washington and riffs on an Akira Kurosawa classic. Finally, they examine the “Performative Male” trend popping up in TikTok, style sections, and costume contests around the globe. Is it an embodiment of real gendered anxiety or internet nonsense? In an exclusive Slate Plus bonus episode, the panel gets into all the shocks and surprises of Weapons's finale in a spoiler-filled conversation. Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com.  Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Endorsements Steve: Music by the jazz pianist Bobo Stenson, specifically his album Serenity. Julia: Wesley Morris's stellar new culture podcast Cannonball, specifically the episode with Taffy Brodesser-Akner about And Just Like That. Wesley: Watching the great New York sporting event the US Open. If you can't make it to Flushing Meadows, you can watch on ESPN or stream on Fubo, and shop the enviable merch at the US Open Store. Dana: Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After nearly two decades apart, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are reunited with Highest 2 Lowest — a bold reimagining of Akira Kurosawa's classic High and Low. Alongside an all-star cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, and even newcomer to the screen Ice Spice, this film marks a powerful return to the big screen, and Spike Lee personally encourages everyone to see it in theaters! On today's episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, Digital Style Director Leah Faye Cooper spoke to Spike about what it was like working with Denzel after all these years apart (the Batman to his Robin as Spike says). He also shared his secret to scouting new talent (the internet plays a big role!) and his guide to the best spots in Brooklyn.The Run-Through with Vogue is your go-to podcast where fashion meets culture. Hosted by Chioma Nnadi, Head of British Vogue; Chloe Malle, Editor of Vogue.com; and Nicole Phelps, Director of Vogue Runway, each episode features the latest fashion news and exclusive designer and celebrity interviews. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jason and Rosie dive deep into Spike Lee's latest film 'Highest 2 Lowest', exploring its themes, character dynamics, and cinematic techniques. They reflect on their experience at the premiere, analyze the adaptation from Akira Kurosawa's 'High and Low', and delve into the cultural significance of New York City as portrayed in the film. Follow Jason: IG & Bluesky Follow Rosie: IG & Letterboxd Follow X-Ray Vision on Instagram Join the X-Ray Vision DiscordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spike Lee's new crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest reunites him with his favorite leading man, Denzel Washington. The film is based on Akira Kurosawa's classic High and Low, and it's a tense story about a very rich man with a very big problem. Part morality play and part action movie, Washington plays a music mogul who confronts questions of responsibility and power when he believes his son has been kidnapped.Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopcultureLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Spike Lee and Denzel Washington first worked together on “Mo' Better Blues,” released in 1990. Washington starred as a trumpet player trying to make a living in jazz clubs; Lee, who directed the film, also played the musician's hapless manager. They later worked together on “Malcolm X” and other films, but it has been nearly twenty years since their last collaboration, the hugely successful “Inside Man.” So the new film “Highest 2 Lowest” is something of a reunion. “I've become a better director, working with Mr. Denzel Washington,” Lee tells David Remnick. “It's not about just what's on the script.  It has to be deeper than that.” “Highest 2 Lowest” is an adaptation of a 1963 movie by Akira Kurosawa, who has been a major influence on Lee. “The script came to me first,” Washington explains. “I hoped that Spike would be interested in it, so I called him up. He said, ‘Send it to me.' He read it. He said, ‘Let's make it,' and here we are.” Washington plays a music mogul targeted in a ransom plot; the feature is a crime drama with a message. “This film is about morals, and what someone will do and won't do,” Lee says. The audience “will ask themselves, ‘If you're in this situation, would you pay the ransom?' ”