Papa 学爸 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 117 mins. Director: Su Liang 苏亮. Rating: 5/10. A working-class widower becomes obsessed with his young son’s education in this light drama with a serious message. STORY A city in Sichuan province, southwest China, 2015. Thanks to a personal connection with an official (Wang Xun) in the registration department, … Continue reading Review: Papa (2023) →
Sep 23, 2023 • Subscribe
More like this
The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw, Carl Joseph E. Papa, 2023)
Plagued by a mysterious alien a young man without a mouth must stare down childhood trauma in Carl Joseph E. Papa’s meta animation.
Papa to Oyaji no Uchi Nomi
A spinoff series to Papa to Oyaji no Uchi Gohan that focuses on food that goes well with alcohol. Continue reading →
Updated Thoughts on Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!
Y’know, this series actually looks pretty cute. A dude raising three young girls to the best of his ability—that’s different! It would’ve been great if it wasn’t bogged…
Papa and Daddy's Home Cooking GN 1-3
Toyota's tale establishes that fathers adjusting to single parenthood and realizing that even if they don't feel like adequate parents, they'll ultimately be just fine, no matter what…
1990’s TV Anime – Cooking Papa Episode 1 (1992)
Cooking Papa had been running in Weekly Morning for seven years at this point, and this first episode does feel a little like you are meant to have…
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 36 (Papa Makes His Move! #Yashahime)
AstroNerdBoy reviews Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 36. Towa is tormented by Zero & Nanahoshi. Sesshoumaru races to find Setsuna to save Rin.
AstroNerdBoy's Anime & Manga Blog
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, Otogi Zoshi: The Legend of Magatama, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - The Second Act
![Featured image for Cafune (2023) review [OAFF 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20230328/1679965210.56239.89158.jpg)
Cafune (2023) review [OAFF 2023]
A very strong debut by Haruki Kinemura.
Review: Revival (2023)
Revival 回廊亭 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 98 mins. Director: Lai Mukuan 来牧宽. Rating: 4/10. Atmospheric, well-cast whodunit, set in a remote villa, is severely unbalanced by an over-twisty…
Review: Cyberheist (2023)
Cyberheist 断网 Hong Kong/China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 109 mins. Director: Huang Qingxun 黄庆勋 [Danny Wong]. Rating: 5/10. Crime drama centred on an IT specialist targeted by a money-laundering…
Review: Hachiko (2023)
Hachiko 忠犬八公 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 124 mins. Director: Xu Ang 徐昂. Rating: 8/10. A high-quality heartwarmer, inspired by a true story of canine loyalty, that features strong…
#Manhole (2023) review
A highly engaging and twist-rich narrative that beautifully illustrates the continued importance of the image for the subject as well as the disastrous effects of the frustration of…
Village (2023) review
Introduction Michihito Fujji might not be a big name in Japanese cinema, but he has, over the last few years, put himself on the international map, be it…
Undercurrent (2023) review
Imaizumi delivers an engaging but understated emotional experience that explores the deceptive nature of imaginary veil that binds two subjects together.
Review: Flashover (2023)
Flashover 惊天救援 China, 2023, colour/b&w, 2.35:1, 113 mins. Director: Peng Shun 彭顺 [Oxide Pang]. Rating: 5/10. Solid, procedural firefighting movie is short on character development and has a…
Monster (2023) review
Kore-eda succeeds in delivering an utterly engaging narrative about the fundamental misunderstanding that underpins our fabrication of our truth.
Yoko (2023) review
A complex full-bodied filmic wine that cannot but stir the spectator’s emotions.
Immersion (2023) review
Spectators looking for something new and fresh will find little to like about Shimizu’s latest.
2023 in Review
A year of retreads and repeats, none of them good: War in Ukraine. War in the Middle East. Covid, flu, and RSV. Donald Trump and Joe Biden r...
Laughing Salesman, Noel's Fantastic Trip, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Tomo-chan Is a Girl!, Undead Murder Farce
![Featured image for Plastic (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20230819/1692410921.66848.102075.jpg)
Plastic (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
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…
![Featured image for Winny (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20230805/1691243321.66097.101192.jpg)
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.
![Featured image for Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20230816/1692176321.66687.101896.jpg)
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.
Mama, Papa: How the Japanese Words for Parents Lost Out to English
"Mama" and "papa" are such ubiquitous terms in Japan that it's easy to forget they're foreign words - words the government once tried to ban.
Episode 55: 14: I Love It When You Call Me Klaus Papa
In this episode of Boku No Stop! we discuss episodes 45-48 of Monster. Content warning: rather intense scene of gun violence/PTSD and possibly-too-real discussion of dementia. Both brief. On today's…
Spiraken Manga Review Ep 171: Cooking Papa (or A Real Man Not Only Provides, But Can Cook Too)
In this episode of the Spiraken Manga Review, Xan reviews a mouthwatering Food Manga, which is also the 4th longest running manga of all time, Cooking Papa by…
![Featured image for Side by Side (2023) review [OAFF 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20230319/1679205610.55672.88465.jpg)
Side by Side (2023) review [OAFF 2023]
A peaceful dream-like visual experience that celebrates both the impact subjects have on each other as well as the manner in which the subject remains opaque to himself…
![Featured image for Ice Cream Fever (2023) review [Japannual 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231019/1697676721.70884.106919.jpg)
Ice Cream Fever (2023) review [Japannual 2023]
A gorgeous stylish exploration of the subjective struggles and the solutions subjects invent within the field of love and desire.
![Featured image for River (2023) review [Fantasia Film Fest 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20230801/1690853321.65844.100891.jpg)
River (2023) review [Fantasia Film Fest 2023]
If you like low-key humour and some time-twisting fun, you should not miss Yamaguchi’s latest.
Lonely Glory (2023) review
Sakon succeeds in infusing his narrative about selfish benevolence with a rough emotional naturalness that engages and affects the spectator.
Bad Lands (2023) review
The incredibly well-crafted narrative structure, fuelled by Sakura Ando’s extremely satisfying performance, ensures that the spectator remains engaged from start and finish
River (2023) [Film Review]
River; or, The Edge of Afternoon What will you wish for? The year 2023 is coming to an end soon, but I managed to find some time…
Review: The Procurator (2023)
The Procurator 检察风云 China, 2023, colour/b&w, 2.35:1, 112 mins. Director: Mai Zhaohui 麦兆辉 [Alan Mak]. Rating: 6/10. Part courtroom drama, part crime procedural, this ends up being not…
MAD CATS (2023) review
A dose of cinematic pleasure that does not only provides the laughs but also engages the spectator with well-choreographed action.
Review: Moonlight Warrior (2023)
Moonlight Warrior 月光武士 China, 2023, colour, 16:9, 109 mins. Director: Hong Ying 虹影. Rating: 5/10. Decent but conventional light drama between a young teenage boy and an older…
Review: All Ears (2023)
All Ears 不虚此行。 China, 2023, colour, 16:9, 117 mins. Director: Liu Jiayin 刘伽茵. Rating: 4/10. Over-long study of an introverted funeral eulogist and his various clients doesn’t go…
Review: Trending Topic (2023)
Trending Topic 热搜 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 120 mins. Director: Xin Yukun 忻钰坤. Rating: 8/10. Actress Zhou Dongyu shines in a quality mainstream drama centred on corporate corruption…
Review: Death Stranding (2023)
Death Stranding 困兽 China/Hong Kong, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 96 mins. Director: Peng Fa 彭发 [Danny Pang]. Rating: 5/10. Generic, Hong Kong-style crime drama is poorly scripted, but watchable…
Review: Endless Journey (2023)
Endless Journey 三大队 China, 2023, colour, 1.85:1, 132 mins. Director: Dai Mo 戴墨. Rating: 6/10. The best is in the first half in this performance-driven drama centred on…
Review: Wolf Hiding (2023)
Wolf Hiding 怒潮 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 105 mins. Director: Ma Yuke 马浴柯. Rating: 7/10. A hard-driven, stygian tale of gangsterly ambition, deceit and murder is a striking…
Review: Death Notice (2023)
Death Notice 暗杀风暴 Hong Kong/China, 2023, colour/b&w, 2.35:1, 99 mins. Director: Qiu Litao 邱礼涛 [Herman Yau]. Rating: 6/10. Despite a shapeless script, this serial-killer mystery is largely entertaining…
Review: Seven Killings (2023)
Seven Killings 刀尖 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 120 mins. Director: Gao Qunshu 高群书. Rating: 7/10. Low-key but absorbing WW2 spy thriller set in Japanese-occupied Nanjing, with a strong…
Review: Delicious Romance (2023)
Delicious Romance 爱很美味 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 120 mins. Directors: Chen Zhengdao 陈正道 [Leste Chen], Xu Zhaoren 许肇任. Rating: 6/10. This big-screen sequel to an online drama series…
Review: Hidden Blade (2023)
Hidden Blade 无名 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 128 mins. Director: Cheng Er 程耳. Rating: 9/10. Cracking WW2 spy drama set among collaborationists in Japanese-controlled Shanghai is challenging but…
Monster (2023) – Movie Review
I won’t say that Koreeda Hirokazu is a must-see director for me. I honestly didn’t connect the dots between some of my favorite films, and his screenwriting/directorial talents…
Review: Ocean Rescue (2023)
Ocean Rescue 深海危机 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 92 mins. Director: Shen Dong 沈东. Rating: 4/10. Routine, poorly plotted action movie, with Mainland operatives taking on terrorists with a…
2023 Reviews in Review
I normally don’t write seasonal posts, but seeing as I’ve published a lot of reviews this year compared to my usual, I thought I’d put out a summary…
Anime Boston 2023 Review
Katy, Chris, and Bill went to Anime Boston 2023! Here's our overall thoughts, hiccups we ran into, and enjoyment of this east coast anime convention!
Review: Wonder Family (2023)
Wonder Family 超能一家人 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 111 mins. Director: Song Yang 宋阳. Rating: 5/10. Ma Hua FunAge comedy about a crazy family with super powers has a…
January 2023 Manga Review
Brought to you by an infinite supply of Pon de Ringu.
Review: Tainted Love (2023)
Tainted Love 鹦鹉杀 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 100 mins. Director: Ma Yingxin 麻赢心. Rating: 4/10. Ambitious but stylistically messy drama about a woman who hunts down her online…
Techno Brothers (2023) review
An amazing blend of arthouse minimalism and weird deadpan comedy.