Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast

John Atom, Jason Maher
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A show with reviews and discussions on Asian Cinema. We talk about movies from Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, etc.

  1. FEB 9

    Best Films of 2025

    With another year behind us, it's time for John and Jason to once again reflect on what's passed and list their favorite movies of 2025. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/02/best-films-of-2025.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

    2h 22m
  2. Award Special - No Other Choice (2025)

    JAN 15

    Award Special - No Other Choice (2025)

    In preparation for the upcoming award season, we are covering the highly regarded 2025 gem of filmmaker Park Chan-wook, No Other Choice. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/01/award-special-no-other-choice-2025.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

    1h 60m

  3. 12/22/2025

    Xmas Special - They Live (1988)

    It's that time of the year again, and the Heroic Purgatory crew has decided to celebrate the festive season by revisiting John Carpenter's They Live (1988). John and Jason discuss the symbolism, the politics, the style, as well as the balls to the wall action of this 80s classic. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/12/xmas-special-they-live-1988.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

    1h 54m

  4. 10/27/2025

    Special - Halloween (1978)

    After a longer than usual break, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is back with a Halloween special, covering none other than John Carpenter's Halloween (1978). John and Jason discuss this horror classic's aesthetics, historical significance, and its metaphorical representation of patriarchal norms. We also talk about the sequels. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/10/special-halloween-1978.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

    1h 46m

  5. 07/30/2025

    S5E8 - Project A

    In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we tackle a classic, Jackie Chan's Project A. We hope you enjoy our discussion. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/07/s5e8-project-1983.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia

    1h 45m

  6. 07/15/2025

    S5E7 - War of the Arrows

    In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason travel to the Kingdom of Joseon to witness the Qing invasion of Korea in the War of the Arrows (2011). Both hosts characterized this film as a fairly straightforward historical action flick, albeit one with excellent action scenes, pacing, and historical accuracy. We hope you enjoy our discussion. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/07/s5e7-war-of-arrows.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.social

    1h 22m

  7. 07/01/2025

    S5E6 - The Sword of the Beast (with guest Jack Eason)

    In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, John, Jason, and invited guest Jack (Optimism Vaccine) discuss Hideo Gosha's 1965 chanbara film, The Sword of the Beast. Far from a simple minded samurai flick, the film reflects the anxieties, tensions, and complex politics of the time by deconstructing the faux nobility of a past era. We hope you enjoy our discussion. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/07/s5e6-sword-of-beast-with-guest-jack.htmIn Follow Jack Eason: https://bsky.app/profile/jackeason.bsky.social Listen to Optimism Vaccine: https://www.optimismvaccine.com/ Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.social

    1h 45m

  8. 05/31/2025

    S5E5 - Dragon Inn

    In this episode of Heroic Purgatory we put on our wuxia hats and EastmanColor glasses for King Hu's 1967 iconic piece, Dragon Inn. It is a film of many influences coalesced into a Ming dynasty tale of brave warriors standing up to an evil eunuch's army, with beautiful action pieces and big emotional swings. We discuss how the film holds up today and how it compares with the more recent Tsui Hark produce New Dragon Gate Inn (1992). We hope you enjoy our discussion. Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/05/s5e5-dragon-inn.html Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

    1h 36m
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A show with reviews and discussions on Asian Cinema. We talk about movies from Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, etc.

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