Movie top list: 576 to 600
Asako I & II
"There's quite a lot of quirkiness to get through, but on the other side of that lies a beautifully made, emotionally touching and deeply humane drama."
New Dragon Gate Inn
"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."
A Gentle Breeze in the Village
"A film like this may not be the easiest sell as it lacks a strong dramatic undercurrent, but Yamashita compensates with lovely characters, a beautiful setting and tons of charm."
The Advent Calendar
"Patrick Ridremont serves a delightful mix of horror and dark fantasy, with stylish visuals, a fitting soundtrack, a solid cast and a great ending to boot. Perfect for the holidays."
Domino
"Domino is loud, bold and in your face, but it's also fun and entertaining while staying clear from Hollywood's usual pitfalls."
High & Low: The Worst
"High & Low: The Worst has everything I want from this type of film. Cool gangs, dystopian settings, huge brawls and lots of posing. And for every checkbox, it's best in class."
Hotel Iris
"The cinematography and score are polished and stylish, the performances are top-notch and the themes are dark and challenging, resulting in a very fine drama that underlines Okuhara's talent."
Smoking Causes Coughing
"The Tokusatsu angle is cool, the anthology structure is something new to Dupieux's work, other than that you can expect the dry delivery of wackiness that makes his films such a joy to watch."
Ninja Scroll
"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."
Last Night in Soho
"A beautiful fever dream that transports you to the seedy underbelly of a different place and time, built on dazzling cinematography, a well-tailored score and excellent performances."
Ribbon
"The loveable characters, the stylish score and cinematography, and the slightly fantastical moments all add up to a very likeable and capable drama without any real weak points."
Ánimas
"Two excellent leads, a stylish and poignant presentation and a solid central mystery that stretches well into the second half of the film make Ánimas a very successful mindfuck."
Night's Tightrope
"I do think Night's Tightrope is a film that could please a broader audience, but it's pretty obvious that it's not going to get that chance."
Sick Nurses
"Exuberant colors, a rather stylish ghost and bucket loads of devious fun make this worth your while, unless you desperately demand thrills and scares."
Shady
"Shady is a film that takes a bunch of familiar elements, rearranges them slightly but deliberately and adds a dash of its own uniqueness."
Paprika
"That said, Paprika is still an amazing film with plenty of memorable moments and a superb finale. If I sound a little negative that's only because his first two films are hard to surpass."
A Chinese Fairy Tale
"If you think you can handle an update of A Chinese Ghost Story bathing in CG visuals, this one is definitely recommended, otherwise you best stay clear."
Kamome Diner
"It's a truly pleasant experience from start to finish, but the lack of dramatic events is sure to leave some scratching their heads."
No Longer Human
"Stylistically slightly more subdued compared to Ninagawa's other films, but all her core qualities are still very much present and No Longer Human is all the more interesting for it."
Willy's Wonderland
"A film you need to watch if you appreciate the weird, the goofy and the incredulous. It's a film that fully commits to its silly premise and is willing to take it to its extreme."
Robot Carnival
"Like most anime anthologies, Robot Carnival is a film that seeks out the boundaries of anime. The animation is exemplary, the art styles wildly original and the stories support the madness."
Green Tea
"The lush cinematography, the quirky and tantalizing soundtrack and the effective mystery, supported by some stellar performances, make for an intriguing and refreshing film that defies expectations. "
Infinity Pool
"The mix of sci-fi and horror is interesting, and the narrative is challenging, but ultimately it's the oppressive and enveloping audiovisual experience that grounds Infinity Pool."
Tony Takitani
"Tony Takitani is one of the finest exercises in balancing style and content I've ever seen. Form, narrative and characters are really one here and feed off each other the entire time. "
Poor Things
"A fun, brave, and creative film that manages to surprise on every level, mixing a unique universe with spectacular performances and stylistic prowess."