Robert Frederick Movies

Based on a popular Japanese comic, this stylish, romantic French-Canadian actioner features many exciting pyrotechnic effects, elegantly executed murders, and some nifty-doodle gadgets, but very little on-screen bloodshed as it follows the adventures of Yo, one of the world's greatest hit men. Yo works for a mysterious Chinese organization and has been given the dubious honor of being called Freeman, the name the tong gives to its chief enforcer. Yo doesn't want the honor, but there is little he can do; obligation is more important than personal want. Still, after each killing, Yo sheds a few tears for the victims. One day he bumps into Emu O'Hara, a beautiful painter who has avoided people after mobsters killed her father, who was a rigidly honest judge determined to wipe out crime. Emu witnesses Yo's killing three Yakuza on a rugged stretch of California coastline where she is painting. Yo sees her see him, and though they never speak, both know that necessity dictates she be his next victim. Following the police investigation of the killings, Emu goes back to Vancouver, BC. Yo has also been sent there to kill her and a Yakuza don. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

After a series of setbacks and mishaps have resulted in the suicide of her fisherman husband, Jodie Cauldwell (Christine Hirt) hires Eric (R. H. Thomson), a reluctant, very troubled Vietnam War veteran, to man their boat in an attempt to keep her family's livelihood intact. Gradually, his deep anger and unhappiness eases, as the hard physical work and the kindness of the dead man's family heals him. A plus for this easygoing film is its footage of the gorgeous waters and coast of British Columbia. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide