“A highly entertaining and cleverly constructed sci-fi film that not only underlines the power of romantic desire, but also reveals how tricky knowing the future can be.”
Category: Comedy
Stormy Family (2019) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
“A great narrative that succeeds in exploring the very way that imaginary injuries and resentments erode family bonds, by causing a subjective blindness for the suffering of the other.”
Wonderful Paradise (2020) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
A great experiment of the absurd, but its full potential to satisfy the spectator is hindered by its somewhat lackluster composition.
Tora-san, Wish you were here (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“Yamada’s latest offers not only a powerful homage to the late great Kiyoshi Atsumi but also a moving nostalgic ride along many of the iconic scenes of the series.”
Our 30 Minute Sessions (2020) review
A very pleasant narrative that vividly underlines the importance of social bonds for the integration of a subject within the social field as well as the fundamental role the O/other plays in the process of becoming a desiring subject.
LOUDER! Can’t Hear What You’re Singing Wimp (2018) review
“A jack of all trades but a master of none.”
Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020) review
Nishimura succeeds in delivering a visually pleasing and crazy love-letter to the culinary art of ramen.
Not Quite Dead Yet (2020) Review
While Not Quite Dead Yet is about the importance of communication and about assuming a desire as subject, Hamasaki’s narrative delivers its message in manner that is, when all is said and done, not alive enough.
Red Post on Escher Street (2020)
Sion Sono does not only offer an eloquent celebration of the beauty of the crazy little thing called desire, but also delivers a truly powerful encouragement for the contemporary subject to unshackle himself from the societal or psychological imposed restrictions and fight for his/her desire.
Tora-san Meets the Songstress Again (1975) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
Yamada still delivers that what makes Tora-san so enjoyable for audiences: his problematic truth; that the little freedom he has in relation to the Other condemns him to an existence of being, over and over again, duped by that very Other
Tora-san, Our lovable Tramp (1969) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“A piece of Japanese cinema history that no cinephile should miss.”
Be My Baby (2013) review
While the narrative has subtle comical flair, “Be My Baby” does not fail to confront the spectator with the two most important obstacles to romantic happiness: the refusal to take one’s own and the other’s subjective position into account and the unquenchable power of sexual desire.
Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats (2014) review [Fantasia 2020]
“With his low-key dramedy, one will laugh, one will tear up, but above all, one will come to understand that matters of romance always require a leap of faith.”
Wotakoi: love is hard for Otaku (2020) review [Fantasia 2020]
Fukada offers plenty of comical moments, a myriad of pleasing musical sequences, and endearing romantic segments but fails to deliver the emotional powerful moment the narrative needed.
Hentai Kamen: Abnormal Crisis (2016) review [Fantasia 2020]
“Despite offering plenty of fun moments and tons of silliness, the sequel fails to truly surprise and explore the thematic riddle of the structural role perversion plays in human subjectivity in a truly meaningful way.”
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