“An elegant and moving exploration of a how certain subjects unwillingly compose their own romantic failures.”
Category: Reviews
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021) review
“An essential viewing for all who holds the art of cinema dear.”
Kakegurui 2: Ultimate Russian Roulette (2021) review [Fantasia Festival 2021]
“Hanabusa’s second outing proves to be as enjoyable and thrilling as the first.”
The Sun Does Not Move (2021) review
“A highly pleasant action spy thriller that will satisfy both those hungry for exciting action and those who love a dense narrative with twist and turns.”
The Invisible Man Appears (1949) review
“Adachi’s mystery sci-fi film remains, after all these years, a highly entertaining narrative.”
Frantic (2021) review
“Fuji delivers his best movie yet and, quite possibly, the cult-film of the year.”
Daimajin (1966) review
“A wonderful and refreshing blend between the jidai-geki/chanbara and the kaiju genre.”
Short Movie Time: Honeymoon (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A pleasing narrative about the arbitrariness of language and culture.”
Onibaba (1964) review
A veritable horror classic.
Baby Assassins (2021) review
“One of the most satisfying Japanese action films of this year.”
Irezumi (1966) review
“Masamura delivers a phenomenal narrative, a true post-war classic.”
Legends of the poisonous seductress: Quick-draw Okatsu (1969) review
“Nakagawa offers everything a spectator and fan has come to except from the genre: exciting action and violent exploitation.”
Short Movie Time: Bath House of Whales (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
Introduction Mizuki Kiyama’s graduation short film Bath House of Whales is a creative reworking of her memories of accompanying her mother, a person of Korean descent living in Japan, to the public baths. Bath House of Whales (2019) was also screened at the Pia Film Festival, where it won the special jury prize.
Spaghetti Code Love (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Maruyama’s narrative speaks powerfully to the spectator’s subjectivity – his fears and hopes – and enables his evocation of a glimmer of hope that remains present in this dark depressive modern relational mess to positively impact his audience.”
Short Movie Time: Go Seppukku Yourselves (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“An enthralling audiovisual experience and a powerful critique of the Japanese political system.”
psycho-cinematography 