Anime Blog Tracker

Goodbye Cruel World (2022) review [Japannual 2022]

“A stylish exploration of the cruel call for destruction that structures the perverse criminal field.”

psycho-cinematography

Dec 7, 2022 • Subscribe

In The Distance (2022) review [Japannual 2022]

“A very pleasant slice-of-life narrative that elegantly shows that bonds between subjects are that much more genuine if they are grounded in the acceptance of the other’s radical…

psycho-cinematography

Dec 4, 2022 • Subscribe

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.

psycho-cinematography

Oct 19, 2023 • Subscribe

Two On The Edge (2022) review [Japannual 2022]

“A touching experience that highlights that the desire to be loved, for better or worse, is the ulitmate guide the neurotic subject within the societal field.”

psycho-cinematography

Nov 22, 2022 • Subscribe

Okiku and the World (2023) review [Japannual 2023]

Introduction Junji Sakamoto (Another World (2019), I Never Shot Anyone (2020), My Brother, The Android and Me (2022)) might not be as well-known by international audiences as other…

psycho-cinematography

Oct 24, 2023 • Subscribe

Belonging (2024) review [Japannual 2024]

Higashi delivers a touching exploration of love after death.

psycho-cinematography

18 days ago • Subscribe

Desert of Namibia (2024) review [Japannual 2024]

Yoko Yamanaka delivers a cinematic masterpiece of subjectivity.

psycho-cinematography

7 days ago • Subscribe

Egoist (2022) review [Nippon Connection 2023]

Matsunaga’s heartfelt and heart-breaking narrative goes beyond the gay-dynamic to show that the lack that injures the subject complicates and radically determines the way he approaches the object…

psycho-cinematography

Jun 14, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

psycho-cinematography

Jan 23, 2024 • Subscribe

Hand (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

Matsui avoids delivering an exploitative erotic piece merely to be enjoyed by male audiences.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 22, 2023 • Subscribe

Short Movie Review: Faaawww!!! (2022) [JFFH 2023]

Oniki’s twisted finale does not only visually impress but also underlines that the hunger of the Uber-Ich is never stilled.

psycho-cinematography

Jun 22, 2023 • Subscribe

Short Movie Time: Necessary & unnecessary (2022) review [JFFH 2023]

A quirky little narrative that explores the necessity of forming inter-subjective social bonds.

psycho-cinematography

Jun 28, 2023 • Subscribe

Reviewing 2022 to start 2023

Happy New Year Bloggers! Once again, we’ve made it through one calendar year, into another one! I hope your holiday celebrations went well, you got to spend time…

Phoenix Talks Pop Culture Japan

Jan 1, 2023 • Subscribe

I Am What I Am (2022) review [Nippon Connection 2023]

Toko Miura, with her layered performance, gives the emotional struggle of her character its genuine flavour.   

psycho-cinematography

Jun 20, 2023 • Subscribe

Mondays: See You This Weekend! (2022) review [Nippon Connection 2023]

Introduction One successful screening at a reputable film festival has the ability to launch the career of young directors. This year, it might very well be the turn…

psycho-cinematography

Jun 17, 2023 • Subscribe

Hijacked Youth – Dare To Stop Us 2 (2024) [Japannual 2024]

Inoue delivers a heartfelt ode to the mini-cinema and subjective failure.   

psycho-cinematography

Oct 18, 2024 • Subscribe

Yamabuki (2022) review [IFFR 2022]

“A beautiful socially-engaged narrative that explores the very fact that, by being grasped within the societal network of relations, one cannot but influence the other and become influenced…

psycho-cinematography

Feb 4, 2022 • Subscribe

Kirara

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.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 13, 2023 • Subscribe

Cafune (2023) review [OAFF 2023]

A very strong debut by Haruki Kinemura.

psycho-cinematography

Mar 28, 2023 • Subscribe

Noise (2022) review

A highly satisfying experience that delivers suspense as well as good dose of touching emotionality.

psycho-cinematography

Nov 25, 2022 • Subscribe

Wandering (2022) review

With his poetic sensitivity, Sang-il Lee delivers a rich tapestry of genuine emotionality and a powerful affirmation of the fact that the affirmation of the subject lies beyond…

psycho-cinematography

Dec 25, 2022 • Subscribe

Tsuyukusa (2022) review

A narrative of subtle affection carried by the layered performances of the cast.

psycho-cinematography

Sep 19, 2023 • Subscribe

Review: Hero (2022)

Hero 世间有她 China/Hong Kong, 2022, colour, 2.35:1, 115 mins. Directors: Li Shaohong 李少红 (I), Chen Chong 陈冲 [Joan Chen] (II), Zhang Aijia 张艾嘉 [Sylvia Chang] (III). Rating: 6/10.…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Nov 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Shigeru

Ribbon (2022) review

Non, in short, proves with her first feature film that she has a future as screenwriter and director.

psycho-cinematography

Nov 16, 2022 • Subscribe

2022 in Review

2022 winds down as catastrophically as most other recent years. The war in Ukraine grinds on. A "tripledemic" rages in the US. Covid has ret...

Collectr's Blog

Jan 1, 2023 • Subscribe

Baby Love, First Loves, A-Girl, Fireball, Ambassador Magma

Rageaholic (2022) review

“A great dystopian narrative that clearly gives expression the director’s fear of certain right-wing tendencies that linger within Japanese society.”

psycho-cinematography

Nov 10, 2022 • Subscribe

Usogui (2022) review

‘Usogui’ got 99 problems, but the manga-like appearances of the characters ain’t one.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 25, 2023 • Subscribe

Usogui

Review: Summer (2022)

Summer 野夏天 China/Taiwan, 2022, colour, 2.35:1, 113 mins. Director: Su Zhexian 苏哲贤. Rating: 4/10. Taiwan singer Chen Jiahua is overshadowed by Mainland character actor Geng Le in a…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Feb 3, 2023 • Subscribe

XXXholic (2022) review

“An exquisite visual experience that is sadly held back by its unfitting manga-like moments.”

psycho-cinematography

Jan 29, 2023 • Subscribe

Parallel (2022) review

A fabulous narrative that does not only delivers a thrilling slasher-like experience, but offers a touching romance between two people that are, in their own particular way, deeply…

psycho-cinematography

Sep 28, 2022 • Subscribe

Onpaku (2022) review

While Fujii does not re-invent the J-horror genre with Onpaku, he does prove the horror-frame  can still be exploited to deliver satisfying horror narratives.

psycho-cinematography

Jan 9, 2023 • Subscribe

Missing (2022) review

Shinzo Katayama delivers one of the most satisfying drama-thrillers this year.

psycho-cinematography

Jan 6, 2023 • Subscribe

Review: Snipers (2022)

Snipers 狙击手 China, 2022, colour, 2.35:1, 95 mins. Directors: Zhang Yimou 张艺谋, Zhang Mo 张末. Rating: 6/10. Gripping action/psychodrama, as Chinese and US snipers face off in a…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Feb 12, 2022 • Subscribe

Straying (2022) review [Camera Japan 2022]

A pleasant and charming exploration of the fact that, within the game of love and romance and beyond, subjects often rely on acting-out to reveal to the other…

psycho-cinematography

Sep 14, 2022 • Subscribe

Melting Sounds (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“Kahori Higashi’s debut is impressive.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 14, 2022 • Subscribe

Random Call (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

Ohkanda’s narrative proves that one does not need a big budget to deliver a narrative that touches the spectator.

psycho-cinematography

Apr 20, 2022 • Subscribe

Stone Steps (2022) review [JFFH 2022]

A great indie narrative that highlights the need for the parental and the traditional Other to aid the subject to embark on the path of his own desire.…

psycho-cinematography

Jul 1, 2022 • Subscribe

Angry Son (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“An incredibly rich and deep narrative that not only delivers a satisfying coming-of-age story but also an elegantly delivered social commentary on some of the frictions marking Japanese…

psycho-cinematography

Mar 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Shaman’s Daughter (2022) review [JFFH 2022]

A genre mish-mash – a cocktail of light-hearted comedy, family drama, bloody thriller, and ghostly romance – that is not only pleasant but offers the spectator a rich…

psycho-cinematography

Aug 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Short Movie Time: My Wings Became My Legs (2022) review [JFHH 2023]

A pleasant comical short that highlights that the idea of adulthood is a suffocating but unattainable ideal.

psycho-cinematography

Jul 4, 2023 • Subscribe

Review: Papa (2023)

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…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Sep 23, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Jan 22, 2024 • Subscribe

Gon

Immersion (2023) review

Spectators looking for something new and fresh will find little to like about Shimizu’s latest.

psycho-cinematography

Feb 16, 2024 • Subscribe

Yoko (2023) review

A complex full-bodied filmic wine that cannot but stir the spectator’s emotions.

psycho-cinematography

Apr 20, 2024 • Subscribe

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...

Collectr's Blog

Jan 1, 2024 • Subscribe

Laughing Salesman, Noel's Fantastic Trip, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Tomo-chan Is a Girl!, Undead Murder Farce

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…

psycho-cinematography

Nov 18, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

May 12, 2023 • Subscribe

Undercurrent (2023) review

Imaizumi delivers an engaging but understated emotional experience that explores the deceptive nature of imaginary veil that binds two subjects together.

psycho-cinematography

Apr 13, 2024 • Subscribe

veil

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…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Apr 14, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Jul 17, 2023 • Subscribe