Miyazaki creates a moody narrative that highlights the equivocal functionality of music for the subject as well as the destructive impact of not being able to create an inter-subjective between two…
Aug 19, 2023 • Subscribe
More like this
Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Konaka offers the spectator a heartwarming invitation to re-find, within oneself, one’s (nearly extinguished) passion for creation.
Winny (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Matsumoto offers a serene insight in how the Other of the law curtails a subject and, indirectly, sabotages the prospects of a new industry.
Hand (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Matsui avoids delivering an exploitative erotic piece merely to be enjoyed by male audiences.
Amiko (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
A fabulous narrative that explores the destructive effects caused by the radical misunderstanding that marks the field of speech and the refusal to speak to one’s child as…
JAPAN CUTS Announces 2023 Lineup
At Japan Society New York July 26 to Aug. 6
Best Wishes To All (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
A surprisingly satisfying horror-narrative
Father of The Milky Way Railroad (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
By being able to rely on such talent, Narushima is able to deliver a narrative that gracefully moves the spectator and elegantly provokes spectator’s emotions and tears.
The Legend and The Butterfly (2023) [Japan Cuts 2023]
The combination of historical anchor points, a phantasmatic romance to link those points together, and satisfying burst of action will surely be able to satisfy those who thirst…
Amiko Wins Obayashi Prize at 2023 JAPAN CUTS
Prize introduced in 2020 is awarded an independently produced narrative feature from an emerging filmmaker.
The Three Sisters of Tenmasou Inn (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Those spectators that love to release their stress by releasing tears will be very satisfied by Kitamura’s narrative.
Plastic (Daisuke Miyazaki, 2023)
Bonding over their shared love of a ’70s glam rock band, a young couple find their romance undermined by the demands of adulthood in Daisuke Miyazaki’s coming-of-age tale.
B/B (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Grant Watson reviews Kosuke Nakahama’s debut feature B/B.
Wonderful Paradise (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Epoy Deyto reviews Masashi Yamamoto's eccentric comedy Wonderful Paradise.
Plastic Little Review
There are a lot of silly OVAs from the late 80s to early 90s. While not every one of them is of the type of high quality you’d…
Spaghetti Code Love (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Maruyama’s narrative speaks powerfully to the spectator’s subjectivity – his fears and hopes – and enables his evocation of a glimmer of hope that remains present in this…
Mari and Mari (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A beautiful narrative that seems to bear no relation to our romantic life at first, but ultimately hits close to home.”
Town Without Sea (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A visually engaging narrative about the nature of happiness and the importance of desire that is highly relevant for Japanese youth.”
Hiroku The Goblin (1991) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
‘A classic that offers an unforgettable experience that is as touchingly lighthearted as is it disturbingly horrifying.’
Talking The Pictures (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Mayayuki’s celebration of cinematic history deeply satisfies the spectator’s desire to see cinema as an experience that can touch our being and the art of the benshi triumph.R…
A Preview of Japan Cuts 2023 (July 26th – August 06th)
Details on the line-up for Japan Cuts 2023 (July 26th – August 06th)
The Blue Danube (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Epoy Deyto reviews Akira Ikeda's anti-war satire The Blue Danube.
Mari and Mari (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Tatsuya Yamanishi's romantic mystery Mari and Mari.
Kiba: Fangs of Fiction (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Daihachi Yoshida succeeds in turning Shiota’s interesting story and fascinating world of publishing and bookstores into an engaging and pleasant filmic narrative.”
Short Movie Time: Honeymoon (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A pleasing narrative about the arbitrariness of language and culture.”
Robinson’s Garden (1988) [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Yamamoto is not able to create a composition that engages the spectator with its highly relevant message.”
Japan Cuts 2018 Film Festival at the Japan Society
This past few weeks I volunteered for the Japan Society Film Department’s annual Japan Cuts film festival, which screens a host of new Japanese blockbusters, avant-garde films, and…
The Great Yokai War – Guardians (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A pleasant and truly satisfying ride for the whole family.”
Short Movie Time: Born Pisces (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Yamanaka does not only reaffirm that she has talent but also that she improved her compositional style and her storytelling.”
Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Arthi Vasudevan reviews Daihachi Yoshida’s workplace comedy Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction.
School Radio to Major Tom (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Takuya Chisaka's short film School Radio to Major Tom.
Anime Review #111: Plastic Memories
I… don’t even know how to begin this opening paragraph. Usually I try to explain how I came to know about this series, be it through a friend,…
The Goldfish Dreaming Of The Sea (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Ogawa’s thoughtful lyricism that gives the emotionality of the performances their power to touch the spectator and enables her exploration of the difficulty to separate from one’s mother…
Tora-san, Wish you were here (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“Yamada’s latest offers not only a powerful homage to the late great Kiyoshi Atsumi but also a moving nostalgic ride along many of the iconic scenes of the…
Blind Bombing, Filmed by a Bat (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
Introduction Kota Takeuchi is man of many creative talents, but whatever he does – be it painting, filming, or sculpting – it is related to historical or contemporary…
Short Movie Time: Go Seppukku Yourselves (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“An enthralling audiovisual experience and a powerful critique of the Japanese political system.”
To Sleep So as to Dream (Japan, 1986) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Kaizo Hayashi's debut feature To Sleep So as to Dream.
Among Four of Us (Japan, 2020) [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Mayu Nakamura’s short Among Four of Us.
Japan Cuts Announces Lineup for 2021 Hybrid Edition
In-person & online Aug. 20 – Sept. 2
Anime short review: Plastic Nee-san
Some anime you can’t find on streaming services, and today’s subject is one of those series. Plastic Nee-san (also listed as Plastic Elder Sister, Plustic Nee-san, and +tic Nee-san/Elde…
Short Movie Time: Bath House of Whales (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
Introduction Mizuki Kiyama’s graduation short film Bath House of Whales is a creative reworking of her memories of accompanying her mother, a person of Korean descent living in…
Ninja Vs Shark (2023) review [Camera Japan 2023]
A pleasant B-film action experience.
Ripples (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival]
With her quirky sense of humor, she delivers one of the most illuminating explorations of the effect the gap between the imaginary equilibrium of the ego and the…
Natchan’s little Secret (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival 2023]
Introduction More and more directors take the opportunity to explore the complex dimensions of sexuality within the Japanese societal field within their films. In recent years, more films…
A Preview of Japan Cuts 2021 (August 20th – September 02nd)
Japan Cuts 2021 Line-up and ticketing details
Tea Friends (2023) review [Camera Japan festival]
Sotoyama investigates, in a very touching way, the radical discordance between the societal field and the elderly subject.
Plastic Little (Purasuchikku Ritoru)
Hello! Seems it’s been a long while since I wrote a review for an entire series here on the blog – maybe December of 2022? I actually found…
Plastic Memories Anime Rant
Has there ever been an anime that deeply moved your emotions and spoke to your heart despite not actually being a great series? If you’re reading here at…
Double Layered Town / Making a Song to Replace Our Positions (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Haruka Komori and Natsumi Seo's documentary Double Layered Town / Making a Song to Replace Our Positions.
FiGPiN: 2023 Anime NYC Plastic Empire Retailer Exclusive Usagi Tsukino Pin
Anime NYC via Plastic Empire exclusive Usagi Tsukino LE FiGPiN Usagi Tsukin (FiGPiN Number: 1303...
Is This Heaven? (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival]
An experimental narrative that gives the idea of wandering spirits a fresh and whimsical spin