Reviews

Is it just me, or has Netflix been on an unbelievable run when it comes to Japanese television? Ever since the pandemic, Netflix Japan has been consistently dropping high-quality series that blend stunning visuals, sharp storytelling, and uniquely Japanese themes — from samurai epics and ninja thrillers to sumo dramas and psychological survival games. What makes these shows stand out isn’t just the production value (although the cinematography and set design are incredible).

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

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

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

Love Life is the latest film of one of my favorite contemporary Japanese directors, Koji Fukada. I was first introduced to Fukada in 2020 when I discovered the incredible film that is ‘Harmonium’ or 淵に立つ, Fuchi ni Tatsu in Japanese. That summer I found myself being drawn to the slow-burning fire of Japanese family dramas by filmmakers such as Hirokazu Koreeda and the legendary Yasujirō Ozu, eventually that newfound love would lead me to find ‘Harmonium’ on Amazon Prime with

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