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

What a time to be alive! The cinematic evolution of anime since the pandemic has been truly culture-defining. The powers that be have gifted us with the latest installment of the Demon Slayer series featuring Infinity Castle, and just a month afterward, we receive the continuation of the Chainsaw Man anime with Reze Arc. These two titans of the anime industry are dominating the US box office and likely every other box office globally at the moment. However this post wont be

Aniplex/Ufotable© I know I often say this about many things, but with this movie, I genuinely feel like I'm late to the party. Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity to watch the latest Demon Slayer film, Infinity Castle , and wow, the internet was absolutely right about every aspect of it. The Next Chapter in the Demon Slayer Saga “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” marks the highly anticipated next chapter in the Demon Slayer world. It brings the beloved anime series into it

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

F1 the movie I know what you're thinking. He doesn't usually write about non-East Asian cinema, right? Well, like many others, I'm a sucker for summer blockbusters and couldn't pass up the chance to see "F1" in stunning IMAX. Now that we've cleared that up, let's discuss Brad Pitt's latest movie. The film "F1" (also known as "F1 the Movie") is a sports drama set in the world of Formula 1 racing. Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 prodigy whose career was abruptly end

A New Venture in Cinema YES! A new Fukada Koji film has been announced! His upcoming project, "Love On Trial," featuring Saito Kyoko, will be part of the prestigious Cannes Premiere section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. "Renai Saiban," which translates to "Love On Trial," tells the story of a young female idol embroiled in a legal battle with her agency. She faces allegations that she violated her contract due to a romantic relationship. The plot delves into crucial quest

Winners of the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize Ceremony

First Love: Directed by Takashi Miike First Love is a "tarantino-esque" story about a boxer who is suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable brain turnover, and a call girl, who has to pay back her family debts to the yakuza. Together they become caught up in a drug smuggling scheme that occurs over the course of one night in Tokyo’s underworld. Harmonium: Directed by Koji Fukada Harmonium is your typical Japanese family drama, but with a brutal twist and an ending, you will neve