A Bloody Aria

This is one of the more seriously fucked up Korean films you're likely to see any time soon. Hillbilly hijinks, violent rage and some questionable Korean BBQ are in store, but first a smoldering slow burn as you get to know four freaky local yokels and their chosen victims. Think you've seen it all before? You haven't. This is the kind of film that elicits a sustained "WTF?" during viewing, but stays with you over the coming days and weeks, your mind returning again and again to the perversely messed-up moments of the film. In short, a mold-breaking bit of cinematic trauma that defies expectation at every turn. What's that you say? "Any good?" Oh yes, of course, absolutely. (Keep an eye out for former big-time movie idol Han Suk-yoo as the motorcycle cop, his once-striking features now looking somewhat bizarre on an older face.)

New Book Out Spring '09

I met with my publisher recently and was pleased to learn my forthcoming book, Warring Clans, Flashing Blades, is, in fact, scheduled for a Spring '09 release. (I had been informed previously that it would have to wait until the Fall.) So good news for my fans out there, all three of you!

In the meantime, you can read an extended Q&A I did recently over at the Samurai Archives Citadel, in which I discuss the new book as well as all things samurai.