Movies
Junta Yamaguchi is back with a film that looks a whole lot like his first (hit) one. It's not too surprising of course, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes was an insane success for an indie film, but chasing the same kind of success twice rarely leads to a better film. That said, River is a very worthwhile attempt. The film's a bit more polished compared to Yamaguchi's earlier one, but the time loop setup isn't quite as original. It's still a nice mix of light comedy, mystery, and a tiny bit of sci-fi. The film is compact and there's plenty of charm here, but I do hope Yamaguchi can do more than repeat the same gimmick over and over.Read all
A very cute and original take on the whole time travel business. Films like these have been quite common lately and rut is certainly setting in, but Yamaguchi found a way to give this premise a fresh and interesting spin. And that's even without counting the single shot setup of the film. The film offers a nice blend of comedy and sci-fi. It's never too serious, at the same time the plot is pretty intricate and there are some very neat twists along the way. Performances are decent and the single shot approach is creative. Its low budget roots are a little too apparent at times, but otherwise a short, fun and entertaining little gem. Well recommended.Read all