Description
Title: Love & Pop (1998)
Alternate Title: ラブ&ポップ (Rabu & Poppu)
Genre: Drama
Plot Synopsis: Set in Tokyo, “Love & Pop” follows Hiromi Yoshii, a high school student who, along with her friends, engages in “enjo kōsai” or compensated dating—where older men pay young girls for companionship. When Hiromi becomes enamored with an expensive ring, she delves deeper into this world to earn the money needed to purchase it. The film explores themes of adolescence, materialism, and the moral ambiguities faced by youth in modern society.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Hideaki Anno
- Writers: Hideaki Anno, Akio Satsukawa
- Based on the Novel by: Ryū Murakami
- Cast:
- Asumi Miwa as Hiromi Yoshii
- Kirari as Chisa Noda
- Hirono Kudō as Nao Yokoi
- Yukie Nakama as Chieko Takamori
- Tadanobu Asano as Captain EO
IMDb Link:
Love & Pop (1998)
YouTube Trailer:
Love & Pop Trailer
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Valeofruin – ★★★★★ “A compelling critique of Japan in the late ’90s. Anno’s experimental style captures the essence of a society in transition.”
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NimmUwU – ★★★★☆ “Anno’s direction offers a unique perspective with creative camera angles, making the film both visually and thematically engaging.”
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Omar – ★★★★½ “A unique and compelling cinematic journey that critiques the overtly sexual subculture in modern Japan.”
Meta Description: “Love & Pop” (1998), directed by Hideaki Anno, is a Japanese drama exploring the life of Hiromi, a high school girl who engages in compensated dating to afford a coveted ring. The film delves into themes of adolescence, materialism, and societal pressures in modern Japan.
Title: Cosmic S&x (2015)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot Synopsis:
Kripa, a young man fleeing from a night of s&x and violence in Kolkata, encounters Sadhavi, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to his deceased mother. She offers him refuge and guides him on a journey of self-discovery through s&xual practices. The film explores the intertwining of sexuality and spirituality, delving into the concept of Dehotatva, or worshipping through one’s own body.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Amitabh Chakraborty
- Writers: Amitabh Chakraborty, Liaquat Ali, Surojit Sen
- Producer: Putul Mahmood
- Cast:
- Rii Sen as Sadhavi
- Ayushman Mitra as Kripa
- Murari Mukherjee as Ruhul
- Papia Ghoshal as Devi
- Rwik as Jonaki
IMDb Link:
Cosmic Sex (2015)
YouTube Trailer:
Cosmic Sex | Trailer
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Prasath T – ★★★★★
“This movie is at the end of our world…. I have a very very big respect to the Director Amitabh Chakraborthy for making this movie and to the Actress Rii for giving a bravest performance ever… Hats off to the crew…” -
sagnik. – ★☆☆☆☆
“One star for the t*tties.” -
JKM – ★★½
“Interesting and bold with some great performances and some terrible performances. If the self indulgence was used after having a bit more understanding of the medium it could have been better which I would like to say was intentionally looked over.”
Meta Description:
“Cosmic S&x” (2015), directed by Amitabh Chakraborty, is an Indian Bengali-language drama exploring the journey of Kripa, a young man who, after a tumultuous night, meets Sadhavi—a woman resembling his late mother. She leads him on a path of self-discovery through s&xual practices, intertwining themes of s&xuality and spirituality.
Title: The Candy Man (1969)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Plot Synopsis:
American actress Julia Evans travels to Mexico with her young daughter for a film project. There, drug dealer Sidney Carter, known as the “Candy Man,” devises a plan to kidnap Julia’s daughter for ransom. He enlists the help of his addict associate, Rick Pierce, and his girlfriend, Greta Hansen, who is hired as the child’s nanny. However, the scheme unravels when Greta has second thoughts, leading to unexpected complications. The situation escalates, involving local authorities and culminating in a tense confrontation. The film explores themes of crime, desperation, and the lengths individuals will go to achieve their desires.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Herbert J. Leder
- Writers: Herbert J. Leder (adaptation), Francis Swann (screenplay and story)
- Cast:
- George Sanders as Sidney Carter
- Leslie Parrish as Julia Evans
- Manolo Fábregas as Lt. Garcia
- Gina Romand as Greta Hansen
- Carlos Cortés as Rick Pierce
IMDb Link:
The Candy Man (1969)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Brian Saur – ★★☆☆☆
“This did not deliver on the ‘George Sanders as sleazy drug dealer’ movie premise I was hoping for. More of a tepid child kidnapping thing.” -
joelnox – ★★☆☆☆
“This could have been a better film with a stronger directorial hand and about 15 minutes less running time. As it is, the movie just meanders along.” -
DFvideodiary
“Shot in Mexico thriller with a sinister George Sanders creeping everyone out as a scumbag drug dealer who kidnaps the daughter of a famous actress. No classic, but not a total waste of time.”
Meta Description:
“The Candy Man” (1969) is a crime drama thriller directed by Herbert J. Leder. The film follows American actress Julia Evans, portrayed by Leslie Parrish, who, while in Mexico, becomes entangled in a kidnapping plot orchestrated by drug dealer Sidney Carter, played by George Sanders. The narrative delves into themes of crime and desperation, highlighting the extents individuals will go to achieve their desires.
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Plot Synopsis:
Investigative reporter Jack Lynch becomes entangled in a web of corruption and deceit when he delves into the activities of two corrupt LAPD detectives, Ray Dillon and Phil Gallo. After receiving a mysterious call from Victoria Dillon, Ray’s wife, Jack uncovers a series of dark secrets that blur the lines between love, betrayal, and murder. As Jack and Victoria’s relationship intensifies, they must navigate a dangerous path to expose the truth.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Scott McGinnis
- Writer: Travis Rink
- Cast:
- Clayton Rohner as Jack Lynch
- Mia Sara as Victoria Dillon
- Tim Daly as Ray Dillon
- Judd Nelson as Phil Gallo
- Virginia Madsen as Susan Prince
IMDb Link:
Caroline at Midnight (1994)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- Murray Ross – ★★½
“For a crappy little er0tic thriller this film has an all-star cast, many of whom show up for very small parts. Clayton Rohner looked ill and out of sorts in this film; he’s the hero. Mia Sara is her usual pretty blandness. Tim Daly and Judd Nelson play very believable scumbag cops. There was no passion here; I didn’t buy any of it, and the twist is obvious and predictable. Virginia Madsen looks good as a brunette. Pretty meh but generally inoffensive.”
Meta Description:
“Caroline at Midnight” (1994) is a romance thriller directed by Scott McGinnis. The film follows investigative reporter Jack Lynch as he uncovers corruption within the LAPD, leading to a dangerous affair with Victoria Dillon, the wife of a corrupt detective.
Title: La Orca (1976)
Alternate Title: Snatch
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Plot Synopsis: Alice, a teenage girl from a wealthy Lombard family, is kidnapped by three men and held captive in an abandoned countryside house. Forced to write her own ransom letter, she soon realizes that one of her captors, Michele, develops feelings for her. Exploiting his infatuation, Alice manipulates Michele to survive and navigate her captivity. The film explores themes of power dynamics, manipulation, and the complexities of human relationships under duress.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Eriprando Visconti
- Writers: Eriprando Visconti, Roberto Gandus, Lisa Morpurgo
- Cast:
- Rena Niehaus as Alice
- Michele Placido as Michele
- Flavio Bucci as Gino
- Bruno Corazzari as Paolo
- Gabriele Ferzetti as Valerio
IMDb Link: La Orca (1976)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Lou (rhymes with wow!) – ★★★½ “Not as sleazy as I had hoped, but that’s a me problem. Still, La Orca is a more than decent kidnapping drama. Rena Niehaus does an excellent job as the kidnapped teen who has to seduce one of her captors (naive Michele Placido) to escape. Contains a pretty smokin’ s&x scene. The sequel looks interesting as well, so I might check that one out eventually.”
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matt lynch – ★★★★ “A real scorcher. PATTY HEARST meets ROCCO AND HIS BROTHERS with heavy doses of both misogyny and class warfare. Directed by Visconti’s nephew.”
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Julian – ★★★ “Ever watched a film because you’ve heard the score before and it made you want to watch it? Well, imagine first having to see its predecessor, in order to see the film; only for its score. If that isn’t dedication, I don’t know either. I didn’t hate this as much as I thought I would. In fact, there were quite a few great moments in this (for a 70’s s&xploitation film). The score and cinematography don’t deserve to be as great as they are.”
Meta Description: “La Orca” (1976), directed by Eriprando Visconti, is an Italian crime-drama thriller that follows the story of Alice, a teenage girl kidnapped and held captive, who manipulates her captors to survive. The film delves into themes of power dynamics and human relationships under pressure.
