Japan

In the Realm of the Senses: Pretentious Pornography? Or Something More
In the Realm of the Senses: Pretentious Pornography? Or Something More

Overall it may fall short, but In the Realm of the Senses is a beautiful-looking film with a calming yet haunting score that touches on some urgent themes.

ONODA: 10,000 NIGHTS IN THE JUNGLE: A Lonely Thirty Years' War
ONODA: 10,000 NIGHTS IN THE JUNGLE: A Lonely Thirty Years’ War

Onoda’s story, as exceptional as it may be, embodies the plight of every soldier sent to fight and die.

London Film Festival 2022: HOLY SPIDER, SAINT OMER & LIVING
London Film Festival 2022: HOLY SPIDER, SAINT OMER & LIVING

The London Film Festival rolls on. Our latest review round-up covers stories of real life…

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM CUCURUZ DOAN'S ISLAND: A Better-Built Version Of A Mecha Classic
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: CUCURUZ DOAN’S ISLAND: A Better-Built Version Of A Mecha Classic

Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island transforms a forgotten Gundam episode into one of the most exciting Gundam movies ever.

Fantastic Fest 2022: MISSING
Fantastic Fest 2022: MISSING

Missing retains the feeling of a J-horror, slowly building the intensity of its mystery while examining the potential compassion and deliverance of death.

Animation Sensation: UROTSUKIDOJI: One Of The Most Shocking Exports Of Japan
Animation Sensation: UROTSUKIDOJI: One Of The Most Shocking Exports Of Japan

Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend begins with all of its cards on the table, from the first scene it shocks and only increases from there.

AIR DOLL: That Empty Feeling
AIR DOLL: That Empty Feeling

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 2009 fantasy-romance Air Doll is an introspective film where a blow-up doll begins to turn into a living woman.

SEXUAL DRIVE: Empty Calorie Food Porn
SEXUAL DRIVE: Empty Calorie Food Porn

Sexual Drive has its moments, but you’ll likely find more satisfaction in a bowl of that fatty ramen than you will in this undercooked film.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2: Speeding Into A Standard Sequel
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2: Speeding Into A Standard Sequel

For setting low goals, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 mostly delivers what it promises for the fans and families. 

Horrific Inquiry: JU-ON: THE GRUDGE (2002)
Horrific Inquiry: JU-ON: THE GRUDGE (2002)

And unforgiving and relentless curse, Ju-on delivers on its promise to terrify – even long after the movie has ended.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE: War Crimes and Christmas Time
MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE: War Crimes and Christmas Time

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is a beautiful film, and despite its grim subject matter, there is an underlying sense of warmth to it.

LABYRINTH OF CINEMA: The Final Masterpiece From Nobuhiko Ôbayashi
LABYRINTH OF CINEMA: The Final Masterpiece From Nobuhiko Ôbayashi

Labyrinth of Cinema tells an empathetic and energetic story about the power of cinema to change the world — one that we would all do well to take in. 

PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND Trailer
PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND: Balls to the Wall

Sion Sono’s English-language debut stars Nicholas Cage as a criminal forced to track down the granddaughter of an Old West-meets-Mad Max warlord.

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY: A Sublime Spy Thriller With Mecha
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY: A Sublime Spy Thriller With Mecha

For a franchise that has been around for 40 years, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway emerges as one of the best films in the Gundam universe.

ANGEL'S EGG: A Charlatan's Musings
ANGEL’S EGG: A Charlatan’s Musings

It’s films like Angel’s Egg that make the critic feel like a charlatan, aimlessly looking for patterns in the entrails.