Custom favorites (114 films)

"A-grade Oshii material that should please his fans. It's an impressive tour de force, delivering a perfect mix of intriguing philosophy, intelligent writing and stunning audiovisual stimuli."

"It's a very mature, accomplished and delicate film and it may take people a couple of viewings in order to fully grasp all the details, but there is plenty of beauty and wonder to return to."

"A simple screenshot cannot capture the amount of love and detail this film houses. The animation is exceptional, the music a blast and the film consists of one big succession of memorable moments."

"Visually it's starting to show its age, but the soundtrack more than makes up for that. This is still an exemplary film that should appeal to anyone with a taste for the different."

"One of Oshii's true masterpieces, dazzling and surprising its audience each chance it gets. If you don't mind the vague narrative, it's a succession of fun, interesting and challenging moments."

"Oshii's film remains a monument of film making that still knows to impress and entrance. It's a superb sci-fi film, boasting tons of highly atmospheric scenes and a good story to boot"

"Kitano's humor is simple, somewhat childish and often improvised, but thanks to the typical editing and his superb comical body language it works wonders."

"The perfect showcase for Kitano's versatility. It's funny, poetic, violent and leaves you with a perfect dramatic punch in the gut that lingers long beyond the end credits."

"Anthology projects offer the world a glimpse of the diversity of Japanese animation. Memories is one of the best of its kind and probably one of Studio 4°C's most prestigious undertakings so far."

"A film that combines strong social commentary with a terrific sense of paranoia, leading you on with each successive twist but scoring purely on execution rather than surprise effect."

"This is one of the most fun-filled films I've ever seen, one of the few contenders to the current Japanese splatter wave and one of my all-time favorite horror flicks."

"Wildly funny, surprisingly off-center and grimly amusing. It might be a little difficult film to blindly recommend to others, but if you're into black comedy, make it your top priority."

"Add stellar performances by Auteuil and Paradis, superb black and white visuals and a fun soundtrack and what you have is a modern (though often overlooked) French cinema classic."

"A pretty simple film. You either like the madness, or you hate it. There's very little middle ground as everything in the film is made to be as intense, loud, and explosive as possible"

"The blend of sudden violence with quirky fun forms an explosive cocktail that's not only great to watch, but helps to get a feel for what would otherwise be lifeless characters."

"After Life is about enjoying and appreciating the good things you have in your life. Warmly recommended for anyone who doesn't mind the modest pacing and styling."

"Porco Rosso remains one of my favorite Miyazaki films. Personally, I prefer his softer, smaller films over his big epics, as they are more aimed at atmosphere and less at getting a message across"

"Boyle's breakthrough film is pretty crude and edgy, but it's also a cinematic wonderland about a bunch of drug-craving friends, drenched in thick accents and presented with plenty of wit."

"There aren't any big dramatic swoops, nor any major events or surprising plot twists. The setup in simple, the setting is simple, but the execution is absolute perfection."

"While Ritchie would go on to make some nice variations on this blueprint, he would never again reach the level of tongue-in-cheek wittiness that makes this film so adorable."

"An exceptional audiovisual experience, a worthwhile drama, and a lesson in how to properly film a boxing match. It's a pretty short film that packs quite a punch."

"Caro and Jeunet make an excellent team and while Jeunet has the skills to put out a great film by himself, Caro's magic touch is dearly missed in his later work."

"Gemini is a stylish, dark, and twisted mix of Rampo and Tsukamoto elements, complementing each other perfectly. It's a film that still stands proud and hasn't lost any of its appeal."

"Even though it's not a typical Ishii film, there are enough stylistic remnants to please the fans while at the same time making sure it's not just a rehash of his earlier films."

"There is no excess here and Iwai's youthful enthusiasm creates a lovely blend of traditional drama and genre elements, resulting in a condensed bundle of joy."

"It's a great little film that survived its first 20 years remarkably well, but it will forever be a film for a niche audience, always on the verge of slipping out of sight."

"The film remains witty, and smart and contains just the right amount of drama and depth besides the obvious comedy. Sabu is a master filmmaker and deserves more international exposure."

"It's one of the few films that manages to have a physical effect on its audiences, something I can truly appreciate. To endure is to overcome, and once the film is finished you do feel somehow reborn."

"Quality film making, sporting a superb cast, a solid soundtrack and eye-popping cinematography. A slice of urban fantasy/retro sci-fi that mixes classic and contemporary cinema to great effect."

"It's a pretty crazy ride that revels in the violence on display, while at the same time lashing out at the media's sensationalism and the audience's lack of critical standards."

"Bangkok Dangerous is a film that's surviving the test of time surprisingly well."

"The build-up is strong, the scares are effective and while It may not be as fancy or orchestrated as some of the newer offspring, it actually uses that defect to its advantage."

"Postmen in the Mountains is one of China's hidden gems, made by a director who sprinkles his films with soul and warmth. It's an easy recommend, if you can stand the slow pacing that is."

"So yeah, Noé could've opted to make a more pensive, explanatory version of the story, but that's not really his style."

"The film has aged surprisingly well. The action scenes are still amazing, Reno and Portman continue to impress and there's an edgy playfulness that keeps the film from becoming overly serious."

"From a professional and critical point of view, Magnolia is probably PTA's most accomplished film. It's a three hour long ensemble film that feels playful, energetic and upbeat."

"Shark Skin Man is starting to show its age a little. It's a bit dreary and murky for a comedy and more recent films have improved greatly on the formula."

"The stylish cinematography, the moody score, and the devastating central performance all help to flesh out and strengthen a captivating drama about processing loss."

"Iron Monkey is a film that doesn't disappoint. There's enough creativity, silliness and genuine love for the genre to keep me coming back for more."

"A Chinese Odyssey is entertainment in its purest form. The comedy is hilarious, the pacing is excruciating, the film rolls from one memorable scene to the next and the level of variation is exemplary."

"Tsui Hark at his best, the film is lush in its visuals and score, is entertaining to the core and wastes no time on unnecessary things. Very likeable and extremely well-made."

"Spriggan is a pretty fun and over the top anime feature, but only for those who can handle the silliness."

"You have to be a fan of wire-fu antics and elongated martial arts scenes to appreciate a film like this, but if you do then you're getting one of the most spectacular and creative films in the genre."

"Kawamori presents a worthy and classy tribute to the genius of Miyazawa, a film that may not be your average biography, but is much better because of it."

"The second time around I was little let down by the acting performances of the secondary cast. For a film that puts more focus on drama than usually the case, that's somewhat of a problem."

"The actors are on point, the film looks great and there's a lot of fun to be had, especially whenever the films endorses its own mean streak."

"It's delightfully and excessively violent, sporting superb creature designs, a bold and expressive art style and brisk pacing. Everything you'd ever want and need in a gory, macho action film."

"If you take the silly premise for granted, there's actually a rather large variety of comedy on display here and even though not every joke will hit, a lot of them do. "

"Not only are the dynamic camera work, spirited performances and insanely choreographed action scenes a pleasure to behold, there's also not an ounce of fat to the film."

"An incredibly slick, funny and unique film. Fincher opens up his bag of tricks and sprinkles them everywhere, keeping the audience on its toes while dragging them in deeper and deeper."

"Jet Li is superb, the fight choreography raised the bar, the pacing is perfect and everything just feels extremely dynamic."

"Delivers a rather tricky and thorny topic with the proper nuance and depth, sugarcoats it with excellent animation and a proper score, and makes sure it remains entertaining from start to finish."

"Audition will lull you to sleep with its understated, consciously tepid build-up, only to shake you away and leave you stunned and surprised after unleashing its madcap finale."

"If you're looking for something totally different, strangely off-beat and pleasantly absurd, dressed in up utter stylistic wackiness, then Schizopolis definitely has you covered."

"Focusing solely on technical qualities, Fudoh is ripping apart at the seams, but that would mean ignoring all the creativity, joy and sheer disregard for proper taste on display here."

"Oshima delivers a very polished and accomplished film, offering splendid cinematography, a lovely score, stellar performances of its main cast and an intriguing plot."

"With its wonderful cinematography, outstanding score and enigmatic lead, Okuyama serves a puzzling trip through the mysterious mind of one of Japan's most prestigious horror writers."

"An ambitious, raw, vibrant and energetic gem, sporting fine cinematography, a great soundtrack and some stand-out performances that all help to give birth to a unique universe."

"Built on quirky fantasy elements, lots of visual flair, a fun vibe and a light narrative. And if something doesn't work, the insane pacing makes sure you won't remember it for long."

"A very touching, very dear yet very sad story about a boy that got a lot less out of life than he deserved."

"Hard Boiled is one of the best action flicks out there, touting majestic gun fights and epic body counts, with a prime cast and a talented director keeping everything in check."

"The pairing of Liu and Chan results in some of the coolest and frantic martial arts moments ever put on film, making it that much easier to forget about all the film's shortcomings."

"It's hard to recommend this film without prior knowledge of the previous films."

"Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh are a delight to watch, the action choreography is spectacular and the mix of daft comedy and sprawling martial arts makes for amazing entertainment."

"The acting is good, the stories are smart and the sense of humor is typically Welsh: dark and tragic. The Acid House won't disappoint Welsh fans, but a Danny Boyle film it is not."

"Wong created a touching portrait of a flailing soul. Thanks to the moody soundtrack, sumptuous cinematography, and strong performances, this turned out to be a film for the ages."

"The solid cinematography coupled with the nice soundtrack, the fine performances and the pleasantly subdued drama all help to highlight Kitano's talent as a bona fide director."

"Probably one of his most accessible films, though there is still plenty of wonder and authorship to be admired."

"Thanks to the strong performances of the central cast, the stylish black-and-white cinematography, and the fitting soundtrack it is still an impressive film with a gutwrenching finale."

"Swordsman II is a very typical film and definitely won't win any fans to the genre. It's pretty chaotic, all style and no substance and not the least bit interested in telling a coherent story."

"A dark mood piece, experimental cinema infused with a strong dash of genre, not quite devoid of a plot, but a downright struggle for anyone who wants to have things spelled out."

"Solondz' unique talent is making extreme tragedy fun, pushing things into uncomfortable territory, and there is no better film than Happiness to illustrate this very particular skill."

"The elaborate plot, the quirky characters, the explicit cinematography and atmospheric soundtrack all build up to a beautiful finale that anchors the film as a future classic."

"Dark, dry wit, a can of excellent performances, deliberate styling choices and a series of iconic scenes make this a film that is armed to withstand the test of time."

"Kondo's first film is a perfect match for the Ghibli brand."

"A vibrant action spectacle, sporting some of the most impressive fights in the genre, colorful background drama and perfect pacing that won't leave you a chance to get bored."

"The film quickly won me over the second time around, thanks to the polished cinematography, a strong lead performance, a pleasant score, and some poignant moments."

"The film offers a fun and creative peek into one of Japan's most acclaimed popular exports, never too loving or too damning, finished off in typical Gainax fashion."

"Kitano's strict visuals and dry sense of humor, combined with Hisaishi's wooly soundtrack and the stoical but affectionate performances make this a wonderful experience."

"The cinematography isn't top notch and the score is forgettable, but the jokes are memorable and Chow's delivery is best in class, making this a 90-minute-long delight."

"If only Besson had bet a little less on the special effects. Almost 20 years later they have lost much of their shine, leaving the film looking a bit cheaper than intended."

"Nolan never managed to allocate the extra budget for his following films in any meaningful way."

"In the end, Ruang Talok 69 is a very fun ride, nicely shot and awesomely scored, presented with a great sense of humor and key scenes that are wonderfully executed."

"The action choreography is superb, Li is at the top of his game, the comedy is bonkers and there are at least a few scenes that will linger well beyond the credits."

"High concept, highly original, and impossible to reproduce, and Jonze has a proper handle on his film at all times, even when things get pretty hectic and confusing."

"Like most of Lynch's films, Lost Highway aged considerably. But while the visuals, the soundtrack and the score failed to impress this time around, the atmosphere has remained pretty much intact."

"The soundtrack is nice, the rhythm of the film is pretty unique and the bold approach to cutting up the story line is a refreshing change. Kurosawa proves himself an interesting director."