Japan

THE BOY AND THE HERON: Hayo Miyazaki's Masterful Swan Song, Explores Enchanting Fantasies, Harsh Realities, And The Resilience Of The Human Spirit
THE BOY AND THE HERON: Hayo Miyazaki’s Masterful Swan Song, Explores Enchanting Fantasies, Harsh Realities, And The Resilience Of The Human Spirit

The film is both historical and deeply personal in a way that will resonate with those who have been through similar experiences.

EROS + MASSACRE: Explorinag Kijū Yoshida’s Anarchic Magnum Opus
EROS + MASSACRE: Exploring Kijū Yoshida’s Anarchic Magnum Opus

A prime example of what political cinema should be, Eros + Massacre is an intriguing and challenging work from one of Japanese’s singular talents.

Horrific Inquiry: AUDITION (1999)

Audition is a slow burner of a horror, an almost perfect example of a frog in boiling water.

New York Film Festival 2023: EVIL DOES NOT EXIST & PERFECT DAYS
New York Film Festival 2023: EVIL DOES NOT EXIST & PERFECT DAYS

Two of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Wim Wenders, screened their new films that at this year’s New York Film Festival.

TOKYO COWBOY: More Than A Japanese City Slickers
TOKYO COWBOY: More Than A Japanese City Slickers

Tokyo Cowboy is a bit shaggy in places, but we stick around for the character moments because they feel mostly benevolent and genuine.

New York Film Festival 2023: THE BOY AND THE HERON
New York Film Festival 2023: THE BOY AND THE HERON

The Boy and the Heron is a dark, dreamlike vision of life, death, and creation as seen through the eyes of a magical cinematic storyteller.

Toronto International Film Festival 2023: MONSTER: Finding Happiness In A Perplexing World
Toronto International Film Festival 2023: MONSTER: Finding Happiness In A Perplexing World

With a simple premise but endless complexity, Monster sees Hirokazu Kore-eda’s compassion and empathy presented at such a masterful level.

Toronto International Film Festival 2023: PERFECT DAYS & LES INDÉSIRABLES
Toronto International Film Festival 2023: PERFECT DAYS & LES INDÉSIRABLES

While Perfect Days is minimalistic and quiet, almost to a fault, Les Indésirables is a bombastic cinematic experience.

Rebel Yell: Shinji Somai’s P.P. RIDER & TYPHOON CLUB
Rebel Yell: Shinji Somai’s P.P. RIDER & TYPHOON CLUB

Both P.P. Rider and Typhoon Club showcase many aspects of Somai’s signature style, Lee Jutton takes a look at both.

TOKYO POP: Lost—And Found—In Translation
TOKYO POP: Lost—And Found—In Translation

Few filmmakers can say they’ve made a movie as fun, free, and ultimately bittersweet as Tokyo Pop.

Animation Sensation: THE SEA PRINCE AND THE FIRE CHILD: A Classic Waiting To Be Rediscovered
Animation Sensation: THE SEA PRINCE AND THE FIRE CHILD: A Classic Waiting To Be Rediscovered

The Sea Prince and the Fire Child is a classic waiting to be discovered.

New York Asian Film Festival 2023: MOUNTAIN ONION, NOMAD (DIRECTOR’S CUT), MOUNTAIN WOMAN

In this report from NYAFF, Lee Jutton takes a look at Mountain Onion, Nomad and Mountain Woman!

New York Asian Film Festival 2023: GAGA, #MANHOLE & GLORIOUS ASHES
New York Asian Film Festival 2023: GAGA, #MANHOLE & GLORIOUS ASHES

The NY Asian Film Festival provides movie lovers in the tri-state area with a great opportunity to see films across a wide range of genres.

STREET FIGHTER: Pure Popcorn Campy Goodness
STREET FIGHTER: Pure Popcorn Campy Goodness

Street Fighter reminds us that even a bad movie can be loads of fun and make you feel like a little kid again.

SUZUME: Makoto Shinkai's Heartfelt Road Movie Memorial
SUZUME: Makoto Shinkai’s Heartfelt Road Movie

Although it fits squarely into his oeuvre following another plucky heroine coming of age in Japan, it has some very meaningful inspiration.