Cub

0701
Cub review

"With his first feature, Govaerts delivers a rock solid genre film. It's tense and moody, never too gory, beautifully shot, aptly scored and generally well-directed."

The Acid House

0702
The Acid House review

"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."

Last Night in Soho

0703
Last Night in Soho review

"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."

Shadow of Fire

0704
Shadow of Fire review

"Shadow of Fire has the marks of an aging director, but Tsukamoto is aging in style. What the film lacks in vigor and energy, it makes up for with piercing emotion and a stylish finish."

And Your Bird Can Sing

0705
And Your Bird Can Sing review

"Minor details, like some very smart soundtrack choices, noticeably elevated cinematography, superb performances and more tempered dramatic influences make the real difference here."

Kids Return

0706
Kids Return review

"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."

The Furthest End Awaits

0707
The Furthest End Awaits review

"If you feel like watching a smooth, agreeable and warm-hearted drama on a leisurely summer day, The Furthest End Awaits is a perfect match."

In the Pool

0708
In the Pool review

"There's plenty of variation comedy-wise, Miki keeps it visually interesting and Suzuki Matsuo is a true sight to behold. The result is a very pleasant film with plenty of rewatch value."

Rinco's Restaurant

0709
Rinco's Restaurant review

"It's hard to say which of Tominaga's films is better. Rinco's Restaurant is definitely more accomplished, illustrating Tominaga's growth as a director."

L'Amant

0710
L'Amant review

"The subject is taboo and Hiroki's approach is unflinching, yet the result is a subtle, nuanced and touching drama that well exceeded any expectations I had up front."

The Dog of Flanders

0711
The Dog of Flanders review

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

Bad Lands

0712
Bad Lands review

"Bad Lands is a ride, a film that takes a personal story and turns it into a sprawling crime film. The styling is pristine, Ando is exemplary and there isn't a boring moment in sight."

Rage

0713
Rage review

"The superb cast and impeccable styling ease you into the film while Lee's bold and contrasting touches keep you engaged throughout."

Adrift in Tokyo

0714
Adrift in Tokyo review

"Adrift In Tokyo is a rather lovely film. It knows how to blend comedy and drama into a perfect mix of blanket-like warmth, covering the viewer with a world he'd somehow like to inhabit."

Love in a Puff

0715
Love in a Puff review

"On the surface a simple romantic comedy, the film itself is grounded in a more realistic setting and allows a good look into the lives of contemporary HK citizens."

Hard Boiled

0716
Hard Boiled review

"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."

Dancing Mary

0717
Dancing Mary review

"Dancing Mary is a beautifully crafted, constantly surprising and joyous little film that entertains and delights, while also offering something extra to chew on for those who care."

Two Pigeons

0718
Two Pigeons review

"Two Pigeons is a small delight. It's not a big, swooping movie, but it offers plenty of nasty smiles, some genuine wonder and a very balanced ending."

Left Bank

0719
Left Bank review

"The atmosphere is pleasantly bleak, dark and loaded, there's a little audiovisual bravoure, the actors are on point and the plot keeps you guessing."

Inugami

0720
Inugami review

"Inugami offers a unique trip through Japanese folklore, serving rural mysticism and respect for tradition with fine cinematography, a beautiful score and solid performances."

Deerskin

0721
Deerskin review

"If you love absurd comedy, executed with a deadpan disposition and styled conform the overall tone of the film, with some additional horror elements to boot, then Deerskin is bound to delight."

Wonderful World End

0722
Wonderful World End review

"one of the many Japanese dramas dealing with adolescents, but it manages to stand out thanks to its original setting, its unpredictable plot, and its youthful presentation."

Crows Explode

0723
Crows Explode review

"Toyoda made an impeccable sequel to Miike's first two films."

Howl's Moving Castle

0724
Howl's Moving Castle review

"The animation is superb, the characters are charming, it's fun to explore the fantasy realm and the pacing is nigh perfect. Good, old-fashioned Ghibli quality in other words."

M

0725
M review

"If you want another character drama, M might prove to be a too big a challenge and there are plenty of other Hiroki films you could and should be watching instead."