Log: week 15 / 2025
A movie that is high on concept, executed in a very personal way. Director Nagahisa made a name for himself directing We Are Little Zombies, and took a chance with the credit he built up directing that film. Death Days comes with a highly original premise, a unique presentation, and some killer dramatic moments. It's not the most accessible film, but it's short and direct, so even if you don't like it, you won't have wasted a lot of time. I adored it and hope Nagahisa will continue down this path, as the world needs more films like this.
The premise is smart and funny, the presentation is lush. But Taiwan struggles with comedies, and Dead Talents Society falls victim to the usual traps. The performances, despite the presence of a solid cast, aren't that great, and the comedy feels a little flimsy and toothless, which takes away from the mood. The introduction is great and the premise is original. I had good hopes after the first fifteen minutes, but then things got a bit sillier and the film also became more repetitive. It's still a good option if you're looking for something a little different. The presentation is fine too, but it's just not funny enough.Read all
A stylish horror film told in three acts. The film isn't too scary, in part because it sticks closely to the genre clichés that have been defining Asian horror for the past two decades. But the film is very atmospheric, and there's plenty of intrigue beyond the pure horror scenes, so the net result is positive. The cinematography is lush, the performances are strong, and the plot structure is smart, with enough revelations and minor twists that kept me interested. The CG was a tad disappointing, and I wish the core horror moments had been a bit tenser, but all in all, this was a very capable film.Read all
A stylish Soderbergh. It's another one of his smaller projects, but these are often the best ones. There are some extremely familiar faces here, but the cast is small and the plot is very contained. It's an excellent little thriller that builds up to a tense finale, but it lacks something special to make it truly stand out. Fassbender is excellent, and the rest of the cast is on point too. The cinematography is stylish, the score is proper, and the runtime is perfect. There's no fat to trim, no lulls, just don't expect an action flick, because this is a core thriller. One of the better Soderberghs in recent times.Read all
A fun premise, a cast that is all in on the joke, and a nice mix of comedy and horror. Death of a Unicorn is a film that doesn't disappoint, but it doesn't quite do justice to its potential either. Like most A24 films, it's different enough to stand out, but I can't shake the feeling that they've gone a bit further. The unicorns look a bit shoddy, Ortega & Rudd are a weird pair (I never got father/daughter from them), and the horror is a little tame. On the other hand, the setup is pretty original, the comedy is goofy, and the film never even tries to be serious. Solid entertainment, but not quite as weird as I'd hoped.Read all
A stylish arthouse drama about a troubled relationship. Isomura is an interesting director, but also a bit unpredictable based on the films I've seen. This is his most serious work I've watched so far, and it's a style that comes easy to him (more so than the commercial stuff). It's just a little too long and repetitive to be an uncontested masterpiece. The performances are strong, the cinematography is lush (with lots of blue, dark monochrome), and the drama is intriguing. But the characters are a bit one-dimensional, and after a while, the narrative elements get a bit too forceful. Still, this was a nice little find. Fans of turn-of-the-century Japanese dramas should give this a go.Read all
If you want to do sci-fi on a budget, post-apocalyptic storylines are a solid option. You can just go to a remote place and start filming, no fancy CG needed. Gale's The End of all Things does a decent enough job, not in the least thanks to the strong soundtrack and some interesting details, but it can't hide its low-budget roots. The performances are decent, the grim setting is appropriate, and the lore is interesting (especially the one based on the relic they find). The cinematography's a little bland, and the film is a little repetitive, but the finale does make up for it. This isn't a film that will appeal to a large audience, but core genre fans might find something they like.Read all
This is my kind of humor, dry and utterly cynical. But I will say that this second time around, the presentation felt a little lacking. Sure, the stark camera work and the tepid editing mimic the lead character and the overall feel of the film, but there are more elevated ways to accomplish this. Dillon does a good job, the mix of drama and comedy is on point, and despite the rougher edges, there are also more genuine and emotional moments. The film is a little monotone, though, and without cinematic prowess, it does feel a bit empty. Still a fun film for those who haven't seen it yet, but not quite a personal favorite anymore.Read all
This one is part of the Police Story series, but in true 90s Hong Kong fashion, they made it difficult to keep track of film series due to all kinds of spin-offs, sequels, semi-remakes, and rip-offs. Just think of this film as Police Story with Michelle Yeoh stepping in for Jackie Chan, and you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Supercop 2 serves classic 90s Hong Kong action. With Yeoh in the lead and a talented team behind the cameras, that is all you need for a fun genre flick. There's nothing too memorable or exceptional about this film, I don't think I'll be able to distinguish this one from a handful of others one month from now, but at least it was good fun while watching.Read all
Fly Me to the Saitama: From Biwa Lake with Love
A sequel that gives you more of the same, which isn't a bad thing, especially if you liked the first film. It's a rather unique franchise that blends extreme anime clichés with a surreal take on local differences in Japanese culture. It's one of those films that works a lot better for people familiar with Japan, but it manages to be entertaining regardless. The performances are over-the-top by design, the visuals are extremely bright and colorful, and the comedy is overtly goofy. Takeuchi's direction is a little soft, it would've been even more fun if he'd dared to take a few more chances, but if you're looking for a madcap Japanese comedy with a hefty budget, this won't disappoint.Read all
Anwar's latest horror film is nothing you haven't seen before, but it's executed with enough enthusiasm and love for the genre to turn this into an enjoyable genre exercise. Indonesian horror cinema has been doing well for a while now, the only problem is that it has become a little too predictable. There's some nifty gore on display, though most of the film relies on built-up tension. The cinematography is stylish, the performances are solid, and the score is on point. At nearly 120 minutes, the film's a tad long, but thanks to a pretty impressive finale, it never felt like it overstayed its welcome. Good fun.Read all
A decent enough mix of drama and comedy that lacks bite or originality, but still manages to entertain. The film could've been a bit shorter (but Chinese blockbusters need to be 2+ hours), and it's far from the most memorable film I've seen from China this year, but it was decent enough filler. Sure, the messaging isn't subtle, nor are the performances. But the premise is amusing, and the film finds a nice balance between the drama and comedy elements. It's light and frilly, also quite forgettable, but if you're looking for a simple Chinese blockbuster, there are worse films to pick.Read all