Reviews

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

Japanese cinema is frequently associated with distinguished directors such as Kurosawa, Ozu, and Mizoguchi, as well as prominent contemporary filmmakers including Kore-eda, Hamaguchi, and Fukada. But behind the camera, there are women whose powerful voices and stories shaped Japanese film history — often without the recognition they deserve. Today, I am celebrating the female directors of Japanese cinema — past and present. Chapter 1: The Early Pioneers In the early 20th cent

A Journey Through Kore-eda's Masterpieces The time has come. I am finally putting pen to paper (virtually speaking) on my definitive ranking of Hirokazu Kore-eda's filmography (at least the ones that are available for me to watch legally!). Anyone who knows me or has been watching my videos on YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@amview ) knows how much I admire Kore-eda's filmmaking. He is probably my favorite filmmaker of all time. Why, you may ask? Well, you'll find out thro

Pastor Sung Min-chan, played by Ryu Jun-yeol Revelations is the latest thriller to land on Netflix. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, known for the hit Train to Busan , this film dives into the unsettling themes of faith and obsession. Released on 21 May 2025, it grabs your attention from the first frame, inviting you to explore the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. The story revolves around Pastor Sung Min-chan, played by Ryu Jun-yeol, and Detective Lee Y

Koji Fukada's masterful 2016 film, Harmonium, re-imagines the Japanese family drama genre

Lawrence of Arabia Let's talk about Japanese film posters. If you're a cinema enthusiast, particularly interested in films beyond Hollywood, you've likely encountered one of the pillars of world cinema: Japan. From timeless classics like "Ran," "Tokyo Story," and "Akira," to contemporary hits such as "Still Walking," "Godzilla Minus One," and "Drive My Car," Japanese cinema remains a constant presence in the cinematic landscape. Japan's film industry has not only influenced f

NetflixJP - Extremely Inappropriate Netflix has become a popular source for streaming movies and TV shows from all over the world. One country that has continued to produce entertaining content is Japan. With its unique culture and captivating storytelling, Japanese movies and TV shows have become increasingly popular on the streaming platform. In this series, I will explore some of my recent favorites from the Land of the Rising Sun. Please keep in mind that not all of these

In 2022, I made a YouTube video called “Film Diaries” , which, as the name suggests, was meant to be a personal log of everything I’d...

As a huge Kore-eda fan, I'm embarrassed it took me over a year to watch his latest film, "Monster," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. Fast forward to June 2024, and I finally saw one of 2023’s best films and possibly one of Kore-eda’s top three or five works. I need more time to fully process it before deciding its exact place in my Kore-eda ranking, but rest assured, a ranking is coming. This film marks Kore-eda’s long-awaited return to Japanese cinema and