High school is filled with nostalgic memories. Some are good, others are not so great. After a fallout within a girl group rock band, the remaining girls from the band decide to perform regardless at the high school cultural festival. They recruit a Korean exchange student as their singer and they prepare tirelessly within the three days until the festival. Music weaves the friendship of the girls in Linda Linda Linda (2005). Melodic Movies Series: 1) Swing Kids (2018) 2) Secret (2007) 3) Linda ...
Mar 19, 2021•44 min
A new student at a prestigious music school encounters a mysterious girl in an old room with an antique piano. What secrets are they hiding in their eccentric relationship? Find out together as we discuss the film Secret (2007) ! (Forgive us for the bad audio quality. There were some technical issues.) Melodic Movies Series: 1) Swing Kids (2018) 2) Secret (2007) 3) Linda Linda Linda (2005) 4) Our Shining Days (2017) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMwCEPYI47Mq7W997iJkbg?view_as=subscr...
Mar 15, 2021•45 min
We dance off in our first film Swing Kids (2018) , which is about a rag-tag group of prisoners, refugees, and soldiers that find joy in tap dance and music in light of their situation at a POW camp. This mash-up of drama, music, and dance is an eccentric twist on the musical genre and one that is worth the watch! Melodic Movies Series: 1) Swing Kids (2018) 2) Secret (2007) 3) Linda Linda Linda (2005) 4) Our Shining Days (2017) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMwCEPYI47Mq7W997iJkbg?vie...
Mar 06, 2021•50 min
When the atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, a young teenage girl is the only person capable of driving the trolley to serve the people of Hiroshima. This TV film depicts the lives and events of the people of Hiroshima that mustered together to overcome a great devastation. It is a glimpse into the lives of normal citizens who had to suffer through the consequences of war. This is the last in our Asian War Film Series and we will move into the world of music next! Melodic Movies Series: 1) Swin...
Feb 26, 2021•53 min
Admiral Yamamoto (2011) recounts the final years of the admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was the commander-in-chief of the joint fleet of the Japanese Imperial Navy during WWII. He disagreed with many of the decisions of the Japanese Imperial Army and attempted to prevent a conflict with the United States. It delves into the life of a man conflicted with his opposition to the war with United States and the pressures from his superiors to carry out the first blow. Asian War Film Series: 1) The Battl...
Feb 20, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Taegukgi (2004) drops us in the advent of the Korean War; two brothers find themselves drafted in the South Korean army and their brotherly love puts them at odds against each other in a paradoxical way. In their struggle to survive a torrent of destruction and chaos, their love for one another is tested and brought to light. Asian War Film Series: 1) The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019) 2) Taegukgi (2004) 3) Admiral Yamamoto (2011) 4) Ichiban Densha Ga Hashitta (2015) Youtube: https://www.youtube...
Feb 12, 2021•54 min
To kick off our series, we watched The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), a film about the first victory of the Korean resistance in battle. It was the first victory the Korean people had won after its declaration of independence through the March 1st Movement. The Japanese forces cross the river into China to pursue of a band of independence fighters in order to crush the morale of the Korean resistance. However, they are met with a surprise as the guerilla tactics of the freedom fighters lure the...
Feb 05, 2021•49 min
We end the series with one of Miyazaki's great loves: planes! The Wind Rises explores the life of Jiro Horikoshi, whose obsession with planes sparks a desire to make the best airplane ever. However, with the rumblings of war in the country, Jiro is faced with the dilemma of his airplanes being used as weapons. Join us as we explore how this movie resonates with his past works as well as push the boundaries of his work into new territories. The Wind Rises may be Miyazaki's greatest love letter to...
Jan 31, 2021•1 hr 1 min
What happens when a magical goldfish girl escapes her home and falls in love with a sea-side boy? Ride the waves with Ponyo and find out what her heart truly longs for! Miyazaki Magic Series: 1) Spirited Away (2001) 2) Howl's Moving Castle (2004) 3) Ponyo (2008) 4) The Wind Rises (2013) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMwCEPYI47Mq7W997iJkbg?view_as=subscriber Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastthesubtitles?fan_landing=true Instagram: @pastthesubtitles...
Jan 24, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Our second film tackles the exploits of an unassuming young girl whose unfortunate encounter with the Witch of the Wastes forces her to embark on a journey to break the curse that turned her old. When she finds the mysterious wizard Howl's moving castle, she makes herself welcome and does whatever she can to try and convince Howl to help her. Join us as we go through the portal doors of Howl's castle and delve deep into the heart of this film! Miyazaki Magic Series: 1) Spirited Away (2001) 2) Ho...
Jan 15, 2021•56 min
For our first film of the series, we revisit the nostalgic masterpiece, Spirited Away, one of Hayao Miyazaki's most acclaimed animation. We follow a timid girl who mistakenly steps into a spirit world full of wonder but also danger, guided by an enigmatic boy whose motives are not fully known. Join the journey with Chihiro as she navigates a fantastic world with hard work, kindness, and a sprinkling of luck! Miyazaki Magic Series: 1) Spirited Away (2001) 2) Howl's Moving Castle (2004) 3) Ponyo (...
Jan 08, 2021•1 hr 12 min
For our fourth and last film, we take a look at a recent zombie film that enthralled us with surprising twists and brought interesting takes on tried and true tropes of the genre. Find out what happens to Jjong-Bi (play on word of zombie) in this hilarious and polished flick. Zombie Attack Series Films: 1) One Cut of the Dead (2017) 2) Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight (2017) 3) Peninsula (2020) 4) Odd Family: Zombie for Sale (2019) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMwCEPYI47Mq7W997iJ...
Dec 27, 2020•59 min
For our third film, we take a look at a fresh zombie film that is a sequel to the acclaimed Korean zombie flick Train to Busan that released recently. It deals with the aftermath of the virus 4 years later in a quarantined South Korea. Does it live up to the standard that its predecessor set? Come and listen to find out! Zombie Attack Series Films: 1) One Cut of the Dead (2017) 2) Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight (2017) 3) Peninsula (2020) 4) Odd Family: Zombie for Sale (2020) Youtube: https:/...
Oct 29, 2020•55 min
The second film of our zombie series takes us to Hong Kong for a night of action packed, crazy, zombie mayhem that originates from a totally unexpected source. It mixes live action with animation, (comic heroes meet Resident Evil?) to bring us an eccentric take on the tried and true zombie comedy genre. Join us as we examine the monstrosity that is Zombiology! Zombie Attack Series Films: 1) One Cut of the Dead (2017) 2) Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight (2017) 3) Peninsula (2020) 4) Odd Family:...
Oct 29, 2020•59 min
Our first film of this new zombie series is a eccentric Japanese zombie comedy that oozes genuine charm. A director, his cast, and crew begin to shoot at an abandoned warehouse but things are not as they seem as people become infected and turn into zombies. This fresh take on the zombie comedy is definitely worth the watch! Zombie Attack Series Films: 1) One Cut of the Dead (2017) 2) Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight (2017) 3) Peninsula (2020) 4) Odd Family: Zombie for Sale (2020) Youtube: http...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 7 min
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** For our last film in the series, we watch the 3-hour long Taiwanese family drama of a family who deals with external and internal conflicts that threaten to shatter the family structure. Beautifully filmed and directed, this film is perfect in ending out the series. A Time to Live and a Time to Die(1985) Tokyo Sonata (2008) Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013) Our Little Sister (2015) Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016) A Sun (2019) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMwCEPY...
Oct 16, 2020•1 hr 24 min
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** Sean's personal favorite, Her Love Boils Bathwater is a tale of a dying mother's last effort to rebuild a dysfunctional family. With her husband, daughter, step-daughter, and surprising friends along the way, experience the beauty of relationships that are built on more than blood. Definitely an emotional one. A Time to Live and a Time to Die(1985) Tokyo Sonata (2008) Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013) Our Little Sister (2015) Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016) A Sun (2019) Youtu...
Sep 25, 2020•57 min
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** Sean's first pick in the series, we are invited into a family of sisters who find out that they have... another SISTER. Who would have thought? This warm and gentle story is a slice of life of three unique sisters who invite their step-sister to live with them after the death of their father. Throughout the seasons, we see the sisters bond -- as well as confront external forces that try to shake their familial bond. It is a story of reconciliation, forgiveness, and accep...
Sep 11, 2020•1 hr
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** Fair warning: excuse the audio quality. For this episode we recorded remotely and had some adjustments in audio. The last of Lee's picks comes with a more polarizing movie for the series. We ask: is this even a family drama? A commercial hit, the story follows a father with autism (presumably) and his super cute daughter together in...prison. Wrongly accused of murder, the father finds himself in quite the situation, but just wants to be with is daughter. His cell mates ...
Aug 22, 2020•1 hr 10 min
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** Talk about expectations! This movie threw off any we had prior to watching. What starts of as a pretty straight forward movie about a man losing his job, gradually flips the switch under our noses into some "theater" like story where reality feels...allusive? That sounds crazy, but we know, because that's how we felt too. FAMILY SERIES: A time to Live and a Time to Die(1985) Tokyo Sonata (2008) Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013) Our Little Sister (2015) Her Love Boils Bathwate...
Aug 09, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 2
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** It's time to start fresh again! Our new series tackles all around the subject of family. We though there would be a lot of discussion and variations when it comes to films about family, hopefully this deep dive won't disappoint. We begin with a Taiwanese film set in the late 40's through 60's about a kid named Ah-ha and his family adjusting to life in Taiwan after moving from the mainland. There is such a stillness and a certain beauty to this movie in all aspects from s...
Aug 01, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 1
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** The last film in this seemingly never ending series of action, an industry favorite star lead movie, Donnie Yen! We begin first to rank our series so far, taking a look back at how each film tops or drops one another. Spoiler alert, A company man didn't make it. Then we dive right into the... well, mediocre tidbits of this movie. What is supposed to be a super cop comedy with a fat Donnie, turns out to be an "eh" comedy starring a "why is Donnie Yen fat again?". Trust us...
Jul 29, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 6
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** In this awkward comedy, not so serious action movie, we follow a man, a myth, a LEGEND... scratch that, a FABLE. One guy who's born to be a killer, except he's really like a 10 year old trapped in a grown mans body. He LITERALLY has a "switch" for changing personalities or traits. Some of you may find it amusing, others may find this out right silly and stupid; but somewhere in the mix, there's a few things to love about the Fable. NEXT IN THE SERIES: Man from Nowhere (2...
Jul 03, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 5
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** Ever feel like ditching your boring, mundane office job? Ever thought of punching that annoying co-worker in the face? Well, in this movie, Hyeong-do does that and more! Violence is a no-no in real life so why not live vicariously through this film! A literal company of assassins using a corporation as a cover, they fulfill contracts and rise the ranks of the company but what happens if one decides to "retire?" Watch to find out! NEXT IN THE SERIES: Man from Nowhere (201...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 4
**SPOILER FULL PODCAST** It's the ideal action movie for the series! there's nothing more action-ish than this action western, non-cowboy, but instead Asian's with little bullets; I mean seriously, those gunshots sound like a BB gun with a bit of extra pop. This movie's a classic in Korean cinema (to Sean's opinion), starring a triad of top tier A-list actors, honestly there is no going wrong here. NEXT IN THE SERIES: Man from Nowhere (2010) Police Story (1985) The Good, The Bad, and the Weird (...
Jun 21, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 3
** SPOILER FULL PODCAST** We jump back, way way back, to 80's with a true classic starring Jackie Chan. He considers this to be his favorite film in terms of stunts, and there are so many insane stunts. Lee and Sean talk about them all, laughing at their pain, and saying the word "glass" one too many times. This is an exciting movie for an exciting series! NEXT IN THE SERIES: Man from Nowhere (2010) Police Story (1985) The Good, The Bad, and the Weird (2008) A Company Man (2012) The Fable (2019)...
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 2
** SPOILER FULL PODCAST** Alas!! The kick off of a new series with one of South Korea's most famous action films. Truly you have been under a rock if this is your first watch through; but hey, that's what we're all about. Listen to Sean say how many times this movie is perfect, and our love for the gruesome, hardcore, and dark themes. There's a reason why this film holds so well after a full decade or release. NEXT IN THE SERIES: Man from Nowhere (2010) Police Story (1985) The Good, The Bad, and...
May 28, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 1
** SPOILER FULL PODCAST** The final romance comedy movie in the series, comes a stylish Hong-Kong film with plenty of humor. Sean thinks the series ends with a bang, as this is particular rom-com is the pick of the litter. The movie is as genre as can be and sticks to it's material, but in the most rewarding fashion. We couldn't get enough fancy foodie jokes, lovingly hate-able characters, and drunk or high Shengnan. Next Film: Man from Nowhere (2010) Full Series List: On Your Wedding Day (2018)...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 4
** SPOILER FULL PODCAST** A staple in South Korean movies. A true cult classic, arguably one that put the country on the map in this new age. There's romance, comedy, lousy drama, and it's covered with the absurdity of one sassy girl. Her name, literally just "the sassy girl". In 2001, the world loved this abusive relationship, and we unpack why that was the case; along with other sidetracked details of course (interested in a John Wick comparison?). Next week's film: 200 Pound Beauty (2006) Ful...
May 08, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 3
** SPOILER FULL PODCAST** This week is our first Taiwanese film. A quirky, full of weirdness, but yet really funny and fun movie that yet again re-defines the Rom-Com genre. There are so many odd ball characters to dive into: from a literal angel, a man with a questionable sense of fashion and hobbies, a roommate addicted to bricks, and a lesbian bartender who works without a menu. We chat about so much more, and we're sure you have many thoughts as well. Next Weeks Movie: My Sassy Girl (2001) F...
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 2
