Film / Reviews Sep 15, 2022
'Hell Dogs': Mayhem with a touch of noir
Masato Harada's fast-paced film starring Junichi Okada as an undercover police officer in a yakuza gang delivers blood-spattering action scenes and a flurry of movie references.
Film / Reviews Sep 11, 2022
‘The Fish Tale’: Non exudes natural charm as an oddball fish devotee
Non brings a bubbly energy and rock-solid commitment to Shuichi Okita’s film based on the autobiography of TV personality Sakana-kun.
Film / Reviews Sep 2, 2022
'Green Bullet': Assassin sextet brings on the action
Yugo Sakamoto’s mockumentary-style film about a group of aspiring hitwomen whose training camp comes under attack features gritty fights that deliver a realistic gut-punch impact.
Film / Reviews Aug 25, 2022
‘Violence Action’: Quirky killer lacks an element of surprise
Toichiro Ruto’s film, adapted from a webcomic, features artfully choreographed action scenes, but leaves out details from the manga that gave the story much of its flavor.
Film / Reviews Aug 18, 2022
‘It's All My Fault’: Who's to blame for strained familial relationships?
Although Yusaku Matsumoto’s drama doesn’t have much of a plot, Joe Odagiri is effortlessly likeable as a friendly homeless man who takes a young boy under his wing.
Film / Reviews Aug 4, 2022
'Let Me Hear It Barefoot': Charming love story spins its wheels
Given the variety of LGBTQ experiences now depicted on screen, the term “gay-themed” sounds like a catch-all. What links the films of Ryosuke Hashiguchi, which reference his own life as an openly gay man, and the steamy, dreamy flicks adapted from BL (boys’ love) ...
Film Jul 29, 2022
A cinematic plea for peace in Ukraine
Slovakian filmmaker Juraj Mravec Jr. presents firsthand accounts from a war zone in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in his 2016 documentary “Peace to You All.”
Film / Reviews Jul 28, 2022
Akane Sakanoue shines in ‘Lovely Little Ai’
Candice Mana Ono’s LGBTQ-friendly debut features Akane Sakanoue as a teenage girl who goes from a lonely wallflower to a confident fashionista with the help of a friend and confidante.
Film / Reviews Jul 21, 2022
‘Cat and Salt, or Sugar’: Absurd family drama offers a glimpse into the NEET life
Takashi Komatsu’s somewhat autobiographical drama about an idle young man who lives at home with his dysfunctional family provides some insight into unconventional lifestyles.
Film / Reviews Jul 15, 2022
'Amiko': Newcomer Kana Osawa steals scenes as a force-of-nature protagonist
Kana Osawa gives a fearless and natural performance as an isolated preteen finding her way in an idyllic seaside town in Yusuke Morii’s first feature.