Reviews

UK Cinema Day rolled around at an awkward moment this time. For anyone outside the UK, it's a recurring promotion across chains like Vue, Odeon, and Picturehouse — discounted tickets for a day or a weekend, meant to get people back into theatres. Great in theory. The problem this time was that there wasn't much worth using it on. I'd already seen Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey, and neither was pulling me back for a second look. Nothing on the current release slate

I've been wanting to try a new format for a while — a loose round-up of everything I've been consuming recently, rather than a curated "best of" list. Credit where it's due: this was inspired by Amber Cassette, who does something similar around books. I don't read nearly enough to fill a segment like that, so I'm swapping books for music instead. Here's what's been on my radar the past few weeks. At the Cinema My mum and I caught the newest Insidious film last weekend — anoth

Every so often a year comes along that forces you to reconsider your assumptions about where an art form is headed. For cinema, 2026 has been one of those years — weird, unpredictable, and full of contradictions that somehow add up to something encouraging. As someone who has spent years thinking, writing, and talking about film, I didn't expect to end this year feeling more hopeful about the state of cinema than I have in a long time. But here we are. The Billion-Dollar Surp

BFI IMAX in Waterloo No one really talks about the "struggle" that fans of Japanese Cinema, like myself, go through by being fans outside of Japan. This experience is often overlooked, yet it is a nuanced topic that deserves attention and deeper exploration. While I fully acknowledge that this may fall under the category of "first-world problems," the challenges faced by international fans of Japanese films are multifaceted and can significantly impact our engagement with thi

When most people think of Japanese cinema, the same few names tend to come up: Akira Kurosawa, Hayao Miyazaki, Yasujiro Ozu. These are masters in their own right — titans of the form who have shaped not just Japanese film but world cinema as a whole. But Japanese filmmaking doesn't begin and end with those household names. There is a rich, vibrant world of directors working today — and from decades past — whose work deserves far more attention than it typically gets. This is

If you're constantly searching for your next great binge-watch, you're not alone. Between Netflix originals, classic Japanese dramas, and the ever-expanding world of anime, there are more viewing options than ever before. Recently, I've been diving into a mix of thought-provoking films, visually stunning anime, and exciting upcoming releases that deserve more attention. From melancholic Japanese dramas to action-packed anime adventures, here's everything I'm watching right no

Japanese cinema is one of the most influential and celebrated artistic landscapes in the world. From the black-and-white sword fights of the 1950s to the breathtaking animation of today, Japan has a unique way of capturing the human experience. If you’ve grown up watching Studio Ghibli or Naruto, you’ve already had a taste of Japanese culture. But if you’re looking to dive deeper into live-action films and don’t know where to start, this guide—inspired by A.M View—is your per

If you have even a slight interest in gritty legal dramas, Sins of Kujo is a show that immediately makes its intentions clear: it's not about clean victories or moral certainty. Adapted from a popular manga, this 2026 Japanese series delves into ambiguity, questioning what justice truly means when those you defend are, frankly, terrible. While the premise isn't novel, the execution—stylish, cynical, and often unsettling—makes it worth watching. A Lawyer Who Defends the “Wors

Nippon TV/Netflix If you’re looking for a fairy-tale romance with grand gestures, dramatic confessions, and soaring orchestral scores—click away now. Sounds of Winter is not that show. And honestly? That’s exactly why it’s the most relatable and interesting J-Drama on Netflix right now. It trades the 'sparkles' for the uncomfortable, quiet, and deeply relatable reality of what it actually means to try and truly love someone. Sounds of Winter is a 2026 Nippon TV/Netflix series