If Cats Disappeared from the World

0601
If Cats Disappeared from the World review

"A film that aptly blends the more serious elements of Japanese drama with some fantastical touches and a slightly more accessible front, without going full commercial tearjerker."

The Divide

0602
The Divide review

"With The Divide, Gens created another stylish genre flick."

Accident

0603
Accident review

"Accident is a very good film. Not really excelling in anything particular, but strong and stylish in every department, forming a very solid and tight whole."

Infinity Pool

0604
Infinity Pool review

"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."

Lips and Soul

0605
Lips and Soul review

"As is the case with most (if not all) genre films, in the end it's the execution that matters and that's where this film shines bright."

The Boy and the Heron

0606
The Boy and the Heron review

"The animation is wondrous and detailed, the dub is powerful, the fantasy world feels exciting and adventurous and the finale is appropriately overwhelming."

Frankenweenie

0607
Frankenweenie review

"Everything about Frankenweenie shows that this a film made with lots of passion and dedication."

Wrong

0608
Wrong review

"With Wrong Dupieux delivers a refreshing slice of absurd comedy that few other directors out there are able to match."

Anomalisa

0609
Anomalisa review

"Anomalisa is an interesting film. On the one hand there's the superb work that went into animating the entire film."

The Monster

0610
The Monster review

"The Monster is one of the best straight-up horror films I've seen in the past couple of years. It's creepy, it's dark and tense from start to finish."

Ab-normal Beauty

0611
Ab-normal Beauty review

"Oxide Pang's signature style is on full display here, with superb visuals, an atmospheric score and some dark and gauntly material that forms the basis for a unique and haunting horror film."

Welcome to the Game

0612
Welcome to the Game review

"Welcome to the Game is straight-up genre fare, a puzzling power struggle between two camps, dressed up nicely and executed with the proper amount of flair."

The Maus

0613
The Maus review

"It's moody and stylish but also grim and harsh when needed, while strong camera work, a solid cast and a unique blend of familiar elements sets it apart from its peers."

Crows Zero

0614
Crows Zero review

"The film never slacks and even gives the viewer a nice look into the whole gang structure in between the fights, making it a little more than just another butt-kicking action flick. "

Weathering with You

0615
Weathering with You review

"The animation is absolutely stunning, the balance between fantasy and romance is perfect and the ending is quite challenging, which makes it, at least in my book, a better film than Your Name."

Inexorable

0616
Inexorable review

"The plot is kept pretty basic, but the performances are superb, the cinematography is polished and the score is on point, resulting in prime edge-of-your-seat cinema."

Xuan Zang

0617
Xuan Zang review

"I thoroughly enjoyed Zang's trip, not in the least because of Huo's skilful presentation."

Mukoku

0618
Mukoku review

"It's a stylish, relentless and moving drama, sporting excellent performances, a superb score and some high quality cinematography."

The Possession of David O'Reilly

0619
The Possession of David O'Reilly review

"That said, The Torment is one of the most tense and gripping horrors I've seen in quite a while. A true genre film that gets all the details right and creates a perfect sense of distress."

The Fountain

0620
The Fountain review

"The Fountain is a unique experience, an amalgam of three different timelines that come together to create one dramatic romance. "

A Town Called Panic

0621
A Town Called Panic review

"If you have a soft spot for claymation or you're just looking for a zany comedy, A Town Called Panic will not disappoint."

The Crab Cannery Ship

0622
The Crab Cannery Ship review

"Kanikosen is a solid come-back for Tanaka. Visually impressive, boasting a superb setting and a strong cast."

Poser

0623
Poser review

"There is something wildly intriguing about young people carving out their own way through life, for that reason alone a film like Poser is worth championing."

Raw

0624
Raw review

"Raw is a great film for a director just starting out in the business."

Antarctica: A Year on Ice

0625
Antarctica: A Year on Ice review

"Antarctica: A Year on Ice is a template for what I look for in a good documentary. It's factual, it's fair and it has strong filmic qualities."