FOREIGN MOVIES. “Sukiyaki Western Django.” / “Colors of Evil: Red” and “Colors of Evil: Black.” / “A Yard of Jackals.” / “White Trash.” / “Moka.” / “Partisan.”

“Sukiyaki Western Django” (2007, Filmrise) English-language Japanese Western film. In a desolate Nevada town, two warring clans—the white-clad Genji and the red-dressed Heike—fight over a hidden gold stash. A nameless gunslinger arrives, playing both sides while secretly helping a widowed prostitute exact revenge on the clans. 

       The title refers to the Japanese dish “sukiyaki” as well as Sergio Corbucci's film “Django.” The genre is mainly Spaghetti Western, as inspired by Akira Kurosawa's jidaigeki film “Yojimbo.”

       Talk about horror royale, think “Audition” (1999) and “Ichi the Killer” (2001). Action? “13 Assassins” (2010) and “Blade of the Immortal” (2017). The director: Takashi Miike. I am not saying he is outstanding but definitely, his treatment of his projects is different, meant to stay with you.

       “Sukiyaki” appears like a costume fest comedy. The Heian Period (794-1185) interspersed with America's 17th century wild west. So Shintaro The Samurai and a Sergio Leone cowboy gunplay, with some Hong Kong martial arts confection in between. Well-choreographed, fast-paced action with Kabuki style drama. 

       Plus the protagonist/antagonist Hideaki Ito (as the Gunman) and Yusuke Iseya (Yoshitsune) look like members of BTS. And Quentin Tarantino has cameo appearances.

       The word: Entertaining. 🎥💻📽

“Colors of Evil: Red” (2024, Netflix) Polish mystery crime thriller, based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Malgorzata Oliwia Sobczak, about the murder of a young woman in Tricity, Poland. Rookie prosecutor Leopold Bilski teams up with the victim's mother, Judge Helena Bogucka, in investigating the crime.    

       “Red” is easier to navigate than “Blue,” but both still pose storyline holes or maybe it's about the scripting? I haven't read the source books so I can't know what's missing or lacking. Maybe if they instead prolonged this into a TV series? 

     Nevertheless the acting in “Red” is a lot better than “Blue,” especially Maja Ostaszewska (as Helena, a judge) and Zofia Jastrzebska (as Monika, the daughter). But the lead performer, Jakub Gierszal as prosecutor Leopold Bilski lacks charisma or charm, no dramatic tension at all. 🎥💻📽

“Colors of Evil: Black” (2026, Netflix) Polish crime-thriller. A reassigned prosecutor uncovers dark town secrets and a missing child case. 

       The plot is a continuation of the “Colors of Evil” franchise that began with the 2024's “Colors of Evil: Red.” The source book is “Kolory Zla” or “Colors of Evil” by Malgorzata Oliwia Sobczak. I haven't seen “Red” though.

       Slow-burning coldness, with some jarring scenes, this film is more of a psychological ministration than a cat-and-mouse thriller. Yet I still have some questions about character progression and plot development. 🎥💻📽

“A Yard of Jackals” (2024, Tubi) Chilean psychological thriller. During the oppressive Chilean dictatorship, a lonely model maker takes refuge in the apparent peace of his neighborhood. However, his life is upended when mysterious neighbors arrive, unleashing a spiral of horror and violence that will leave deep scars. 

       This movie won several awards. Although the treatment of a tragic era was inventive and crafty, I still got bored. 🎥💻📽

“White Trash” (2022, Amazon Prime) Canadian dark comedy-drama. Two feuding, grizzled families in a freezing, poverty-stricken town vow to kill each other following the death of a child. Chaos quickly ensues as they grapple with the practical realities of disposing of a corpse in the dead of winter. 

       This is Canadian “white trash,” not American “white trash,” so it's a bit tame on that derogatory stereotype. I don’t get why this greyish thriller drama is called that even. For what it is, this little movie, directed by Adrian Langley, isn't so bad, anyhow. 🎥💻📽

“Moka” (2016, Tubi) French-Smopwiss psychological thriller. A grieving mother travels to Evian on Lake Geneva to track down the driver of the mocha-colored Mercedes responsible for a hit-and-run that killed her son. 

       Frederic Mermoud’s minimalist direction can be a bit boring and the plot progression, contrived or painstakingly slow. But Emmanuelle Davos’ restrained but intense handling of Diane/Helene's emotional ebbtide kept me glued. 🎥💻📽

“Partisan” (2015, Tubi) Australian psychological thriller. A charismatic cult leader raises a commune of children to act as assassins. Meanwhile, an inquisitive and defiant young boy threatens the secluded community. Stars Vincent Cassel. 

        This movie's time and location aren't identified or even hinted at. Dystopian and seemed futuristic? But all these are erased by Vincent Cassel's crafty and deft control of his character, Gregori. Meanwhile, the performance of the two boys, Jeremy Chabriel as Alexander and Alex Balaganskiy as Leo render substance to the drama. 🎥💻📽