Michihito Fujii

Rural Japan is struggling. Village would make an excellent double bill with Follow the Light, though Fujii's take is quite a bit darker. It's the tale of a small village trying to keep itself afloat by relying on a big recycling plant that towers over the town. The mix of traditional Japanese culture (Noh), dark thriller elements, and hefty drama is balanced remarkably well. The performances are strong, the styling is meticulous and the finale is impressive. A strong Japanese film, though not one to color outside the lines too much.

Another strong outing from Michihito Fujii. Regardless of what genre he tackles, he seems capable of putting out quality films. Hard Days is a black comedy embedded within a crime story. It reminded me a little of U Turn, another one of those films where someone's day gets increasingly worse. Solid performances, clean cinematography, proper pacing, and several fun twists kept me engaged throughout. The occasional smirk was the icing on the cake.

A somewhat more saccharine take on Koreeada's After Life, but director Fujii's firm hand keeps this film on the rails. I would've preferred a slightly less sentimental take, but I can't complain too much as I adored the warm and fantastic glow that's draped on top of everything. Franky and Terajima are highlights, the story is sweet and Fujii juggles the different plotlines like a pro. The soundtrack is probably the weakest link, but the cinematography offers plenty of compensation. It's an easy recommend if you like somewhat more animated Japanese dramas.

Japan loves a good crime story, it's one of the genres that's had prominent representation since forever. A Family is a nice update of the typical Yakuza story, with some more contemporary visuals, a younger set of actors, but a very familiar and expected plot. If you like a good Yakuza flick, this is an easy recommend.

I used to be a huge Ghost in the Shell fan, but an onslaught of subpar series have taken their toll on the good name of the franchise. I'm not bothering with series material anymore, but whenever they release a recap film I just can't seem to help myself. And so I watched Sustainable War, a new low point in the franchise.