Log: week 31 / 2025
The plot of Fukuda's latest is silly nonsense, and the fight scenes aren't top-notch, but like most of his films, the comedy is what makes it worth your while. The nonsensical, dry banter is pretty hilarious, and even though it often slows down the movie while adding absolutely nothing to the plot, it saved the film for me. Not that the rest isn't fun, but it's simple entertainment with a bit of low-brow, mid-budget action. It doesn't stand out, which is kinda worrying for a 2-hour film. But Fukuda is a comedy master, and there was more than one scene where I had to laugh out loud. Don't expect anything too insane, but if you're looking for proper entertainment, look no further.Read all
This is a tricky one. Nihilistic and slow during the first half, utterly cynical and uncomfortable during the second part. But the twist is that the mood during the final 20 minutes is factually light and upbeat. It's an odd setup that is alienating, but at the same time, it's also extremely powerful. The presentation is relatively basic, and the performances are solid but nothing too exceptional. But it's really all about the structure of the narrative, the juxtaposition of what you see/hear and what you know is going on, and what that tells us about the world around us. Intriguing, but I suspect quite niche.Read all
A decent horror film that's served with the right amount of glee, but fails to stand out. Harrison is a rather bland lead, while Courtney isn't quite as mental as he could've been. And the film reveals its true face very early on, so people who believe they'll be watching a simple shark flick will quickly catch on within the first 10 minutes. The setting is nice, the performances aren't terrible, and there are some amusing moments. The film doesn't take itself too seriously, and there's a pleasant amount of kookiness. It's just not enough for a seasoned horror veteran. Dangerous Animals is a fine option for those looking for proper horror filler, but it's not the most memorable film.Read all
A cute little mid-length feature that reminded me of Obayashi's early shorts. There'sn't much in the way of a coherent narrative, apart from the film's brief premise. It's a sort of road movie that's more about cinematic wonder and experimentation than it is about anything concrete, unless I'm missing the symbolism. The film is shot as if it were a 20s silent. There are lots of jump cuts, removed frames, text inserts, and stop-motion animations. The pace is high, there are many cute ideas and details, and the upbeat mood makes this extra pleasant. It's not quite unique or original enough to be a true personal favorite, but this is exactly the type of cinema I appreciate.Read all
A solid mix of horror and thriller elements. It lacked a nod to Anthony Wong for sure, but New Life takes itself rather seriously, so that probably wouldn't have been appropriate. If you're looking for a compact, indie-sized horror film that isn't too fantastical or outrageous, be sure to check it out. The presentation is one point, the gore is properly gruesome though not abundant, and the performances are good. The pacing and runtime are also just perfect. But the film lacks any standout moments or truly memorable scenes. It's nice genre filler, at the same time, it's a bit too comfortable serving just genre material.Read all
Stolen Identity: The Last Hacker
The third (and hopefully final) part in the Stolen Identity series. This still felt too much like an extension of a TV series, not exactly what you hope to see from a Nakata film. Police procedurals aren't Japan's strong suit, so maybe that's the underlying problem, but I never saw the urgency needed to make this a proper thriller. The performances aren't too bad, but the plot is too simple for a 2-hour film, and the presentation is somewhat bland. The cinematography is too functional, the score a mere afterthought. There's still some basic genre fun to be had here, but I'm expecting more from a Nakata film.Read all
Fritz Lang's pivot to film noir was a bit of a bummer. I've seen a couple of his US films, and while I wasn't the biggest fan of his older work, it's miles ahead of these simple, often dull and unadventurous genre films. Ministry of Fear is no exception. Even at 86 minutes, this film was way too long. The performances are poor, the plot isn't interesting, and the action feels muted and lifeless. If you're not a fan of noirs, there's little reason to even give this film a chance, but there are still many people with a soft spot for the genre. I didn't find anything of interest here, but I can't say I was too surprised.Read all
A cute little drama that blends Japan's love for traditional crafts and arts with some simple but thoughtful life lessons. There's not much time, so the film isn't quite as subtle as it needed to be, but take away some of the more sentimental leaps, and what remains is a sweet and genuine drama. The performances are decent, the presentation is basic but agreeable. What shines through is the love and dedication some people put into their craft, a firm and definitive rejection of whatever capitalism tries to sell you. Sure enough, it's a bit idealistic, but in a film that's not necessarily a bad thing. Pleasant.Read all
For every Chinese streamer film I watch, there are ten I skip, and half of the time, my picks are completely random. Journey of East is yet another action-driven fantasy spectacle, mixing the various realms, Taoist spells, martial arts antics, and angry dragons to crank out some fast-paced entertainment. The CG is better than usual, the cinematography is on point, and the costumes are lush, especially those of the villains. Other than that, you get the usual mix of action and fantasy, with a little romance and comedy thrown in for good measure. It's not a film that stands out. It's just extremely capable and trimmed of any fat.Read all