Custom favorites (134 films)

"Dolls is a tragedy wrapped up in a very stylish and atmospheric cocoon, allowing the audience to be swamped by its sadness, but without ever letting go off the beauty that surrounds it."

"Reconstruction is a warm, fuzzy and romantic film, set in a world of cold bewilderment and intrigue, scoring high marks in just about every department that matters"

"Su-ki-da is beautiful, heart-warming and extremely delicate. It's a film that puts you at ease and wraps itself around you. One of the dearest and most delicate love stories ever told."

"A strong, unique and captivating film that draws a few parallels to older classics, but stands well on its own. A true delight, sadly looked over by most people."

"In a sense Beautiful Crazy still carries all the typical marks of the older Taiwanese dramas, but rearranged and remixed in such a way that it feels like a breath of fresh air."

"The kind of film I love to love, with a strong belief in its themes and structure. An exciting trip into a world that isn't quite our own, blending different genres and styles into one chaotic whole."

"If you like cultural melting pots, non-narrative cinema, punk cinema or just something off-kilter and youthful, then give this a try. It's one of the best cinematic experiences I've had so far"

"Chiwawa is a vibrant, confrontational and sincere drama, sporting sprawling cinematography, a great score and lively performances. A confirmation that Ninomiya is on the cusp of a great career."

"2046 features some of the most impressively visuals I've ever witnessed in any film, helped by a wonderfully unique soundtrack, strong acting, rich poetry and lovable characters"

"The first time I watched this I was genuinely surprised by the bitter undertones, and even now it still baffles me how icy this film is below its stylish, warm and fuzzy exterior."

"If you're wondering how Paris Is Us came to be, what hurdles had to be conquered and how Laurent Garnier got involved, do read on."

"The stylish cinematography and superb sound design create a unique and tangible atmosphere, the performances and strong characterization add extra flair to the whole."

"From the outside it may appear a little stuffy (French, black and white photography, jazzy music), but underneath that layer of arthouse polish lies an entertaining, smart and refreshing little film."

"Brace yourself for a sweet romance with a nasty sting and you'll be hard-pressed to think bad of this little gem that would turn out to be the start of a new Chinese cinematic movement."

"Hou treats his subject with respect, just as he grants his characters the right amount of credibility. The result is a mesmerizing look into the life of a girl searching for her true identity."

"A virtuoso film that breathes Antwerp, brings together a varied cast of loveable characters and subjects them to a selection of weird, awkward and funny situations."

"See You Tomorrow is a pleasure to behold. It works both as a super stylish genre flick and as more accessible entertainment. There's plenty of talent involved and nobody disappoints."

"Giddens Ko finally banks on his talent and serves a wildly creative and unique film, with the necessary visual flair, a notable soundtrack and strong performances to back it up."

"Add stellar performances by Auteuil and Paradis, superb black and white visuals and a fun soundtrack and what you have is a modern (though often overlooked) French cinema classic."

"Arias has a more modern sense of style and direction, giving the film its very own face, but there's just something very Kitano-esque about the couple reaching the beach in the final scene of the film."

"This is genre cinema with the signature of an auteur, mood cinema with smarts and depth. Lush visuals, a superb soundtrack and slick performances only make it better."

"There is so much going on, both stylistically and story-wise, that it may be a bit much the first time around. Even so, the film leaves you with a feeling of having watched something very special."

"A truly awesome film. Breath may not really my preferred kind of cinema and because of that Ki-duk's accomplishment is all the more impressive, for making me love this film and its characters."

"It's beautifully shot, wonderfully scored, and sporting some great performances. It ranks well in just about every department, aptly showcasing the progress Tran has made as a director."

"Thanks to the direction of Igashi, the fine audiovisual presentation, and some strong performances by the two leads, Leave in Summer is a film that stands as one of the better Japanese dramas I've seen."

"The acting is very natural, Hou's camera is delicate and loving and the score is spot on. Three Times is a beautiful film, casting its view on the different aspects of love and romance."

"Even though it's not a typical Ishii film, there are enough stylistic remnants to please the fans while at the same time making sure it's not just a rehash of his earlier films."

"Doyle and Umebayashi do a great job, and Leung and Cheung are stellar, but they cannot hide the fact that Kar Wai grew even more skilled after completing this film."

"Zhang does a magnificent job at both romantic and dramatic angles and delivers a beautifully shot and scored film, revolving around a lovable but ill-fated couple."

"3-Iron is a silent journey, following two characters who don't talk to each other directly, but understand each other's feelings all too well. To be a witness to that feels like something special."

"The camera work, the use of color, the crazy soundtrack, and the quirky characters all indicate that this is not a film made by a director for hire, but conforming to a clear vision."

"An even higher level of stylistic finish, a 90-minute plus runtime, and an ending that is easier to swallow for mainstream audiences, and it's no surprise Your Name turned out to be a smash hit."

"If romance isn't your thing this anthology probably isn't going to persuade you, but within the genre this is definitely one of the better offerings out there."

"Sijie Dai made an impressive film."

"This film is 200% Kar Wai and comes unmistakably from his hands, annoying actors were turned into lovable characters and his film proved once again that movies are an audiovisual experience"

"In between the shorts are some nicely animated intermissions, properly introducing each film."

"The acting is top-notch, the camera work is spot on and Tsai's sense of humor is both unique and funny. Add to that one of the most stupefying and epic endings and you get my favorite Tsai."

"First Time is a superb example of how to do romance right, without necessarily ending up in arthouse territory."

"Garden of Words is everything you'd expect from a Shinkai film."

"It's a shame it takes a little too long before the film gets really going, because Chen is obviously a very talented director."

"Zoe is extremely stylish, sports superb performances and combines smarts with relevance. It's a well thought-out mix of genres that dazzles from start to finish."

"Seasoned genre fans are sure to appreciate the industrial atmosphere, the in-depth exploration of futuristic themes and the mix of strong genre elements with a layer of social commentary."

"Comet is quite the calling card for Esmail. It may be his first feature film, but it feels very polished and firmly directed."

"Superb performances, beautiful cinematography and complex characters turn a ballsy thriller into a gripping character drama, sporting one of the neatest endings I've seen in a while."

"After Welcome to the Space Show, The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl is somewhat of a return to form for Yuasa."

"The mix of drama, romance, and genre feels fresh and unique, and each part is executed with the proper flair, skill, and gravity to make a mark of its own."

"This is clearly not a film for everyone. Its style makes it quite light-hearted and frolicy , while the drama and romance are heavily accentuated."

"Stereo Future is a film that is starting to show its age in places, but Nakano's playful yet targeted direction makes sure it's not just an artifact of its time."

"Lost in Love is gentle and warm. A stunningly beautiful and impressively acted romantic drama, dealing with a very intimate and fragile theme that Huo meticulously dissects."

"If you don't mind a little bit of coupling and you can look past the conventions you'll find a sweet, cute and endearing little film that charms its way past any remaining doubts."

"One Day is above all a stylish romance, with some supernatural touches thrown in for good measure. It's a beautiful film, wonderfully executed and growing more engrossing with each passing minute."

"One Night Only is raw and undiluted cinematic fun, boasting superb visuals, a great soundtrack and a more than solid cast."

"Save some out of place effects, House of Flying Daggers hasn't lost much of its original appeal."

"Ming Ming remains a fun, entertaining and dashing little film. The editing is slick, the visuals are stylized and Xun Zhou's performance is perfect."

"The film is up to par with the earlier films while still being different and distinctive enough to avoid turning into a cheap, cash-obsessed sequel."

"The Fountain is a unique experience, an amalgam of three different timelines that come together to create one dramatic romance. "

"Love Me If You Dare looks good, the soundtrack's nice and the actors do a good job. Sadly it has become one of the forgotten films of 00's, a destiny it didn't really deserve."

"Cashback is a charming, inventive and dreamy coming-of-age romance with several stand-out moments and memorable ideas."

"Secret Fruit is a stylistic highlight that feels cosy and warm and charms its way from start to finish."

"Overall reception of Beauty and the Beast has been mixed. I went in expecting nothing and came out amazed at the beauty and wonder that hides underneath its fairytale covers."

"The lush cinematography and outstanding soundtrack set the stage for a bristling, touching relationship drama, the superb performances seal the deal."

"There's quite a lot of quirkiness to get through, but on the other side of that lies a beautifully made, emotionally touching and deeply humane drama."

"The lush cinematography, the quirky and tantalizing soundtrack and the effective mystery, supported by some stellar performances, make for an intriguing and refreshing film that defies expectations. "

"The animation is abundant and on point, the voice acting is superb and the plot balances small human drama and wild fantasy perfectly."

"Love In The Buff is a very worthy sequel. It's hard to say which film is the better one of the two, for that I should probably watch them once more, back to back."

"Oscar or no Oscar, The Shape of Water is a pretty magnificent film."

"Call Boy is a very direct, somewhat impenetrable yet beautiful and ultimately touching film that relies on sublime styling and great performances to craft a dark and alluring universe."

"A self-written, self-directed romance that feels quite familiar and comfortable, but has one major selling point. From start to finish, the film looks drop-dead gorgeous."

"Visually Lover's Discourse is a stunning film, the soundtrack is solid but not too spectacular and the acting is all-round impressive."

"The animation is absolutely stunning, the balance between fantasy and romance is perfect and the ending is quite challenging, which makes it, at least in my book, a better film than Your Name."

"It's a mad blend of western and soap drama, wrapped in Thai goodness, rendered in the craziest color combos imaginable and sporting one of the cheesiest soundtracks I've ever heard."

"A very stylish, lovingly crafted romance that carries Jeunet's signature, offers quality in every department and should appeal to a broad audience without feeling too generic or dumbed-down."

"There's a basic quality that keeps Zhou Yu's Train on its feet, even though I've seen better and more creative variations from China in more recent years."

"In many ways, Strobe Edge is a typical manga adaptation as much as it is a typical romance. But Hiroki builds upon that to make a sweet, cute and genuine little love story."

"After only two films Chen is well on his way to become a personal favorite. He has a keen eye and is quite versatile."

"Stylishly visualized, strongly acted and pleasantly diverse, Eternal Moment is another great film in Yibai Zhang's oeuvre"

"If you're familiar with Chinese dramas then you'll feel right at home watching Love in the 1980s."

"A superb cast, intriguing characters and electrifying conversations paint a picture of likeable, 3-dimensional people who find themselves in somewhat awkward situations."

"The execution is slick, the performances are strong, the score is a bit more refined and the themes are handled with the proper respect and gravitas."

"The lovely cinematography, the superb production design, the solid integration of the score and the pleasant performances all add up to a very charming and disarming film."

"Great production values, some slick action scenes and a nice cast turn this film into an enjoyable little blockbuster, which can be refreshing in itself from time to time."

"The stylish presentation, the refined pacing, and layered performances support a smart and well-balanced drama that isn't afraid to confront the audience with some challenging questions."

"Wong created a touching portrait of a flailing soul. Thanks to the moody soundtrack, sumptuous cinematography, and strong performances, this turned out to be a film for the ages."

"Chan managed to combine a great many things into one comprehensive package. Perhaps Love looks great, sound good and is backed by three superb performances."

"Ex is a film that shows the good and the bad. The main characters are not all that lovable, nor are they horrible people."

"The elaborate plot, the quirky characters, the explicit cinematography and atmospheric soundtrack all build up to a beautiful finale that anchors the film as a future classic."

"Code 46 serves a vivid vision of the future, a world that looks and feels plausible, even when reality should've caught up with it by now. A sign of clever, relevant sci-fi if there ever was one."

"Turn Left, Turn Right is a simple, light-hearted drama, but conceptually quite strong and pure. The film demands that you go along with its concept and leave it at that."

"A mysterious, entrancing film that draws a lot of strength from its audiovisual qualities, but ultimately works because of the complex and captivating relationship between the two leads."

"The moody and vibrant city shots, the stand-out performance of Xun Zhou and the mysterious romance all add up to a slightly grittier film set in the outskirts of a booming Shanghai."

"Her Granddaughter is a beautiful, serene and heart-warming little drama with no false notes, no overt sentimentality and no obvious tear-jerking."

"The film quickly won me over the second time around, thanks to the polished cinematography, a strong lead performance, a pleasant score, and some poignant moments."

"Yibai Zhang's talent is beyond questioning. The stronger bits of his latest effort are stunning, dressed up in lush visuals and backed up by a strong soundtrack."

"There are no weak shorts, one exceptional piece and enough variation to breeze through its 140 minutes running time."

"The film looks great, the actors do a good job and even though the soundtrack is a little inconspicuous the atmosphere is warm and inviting."

"If you want a love story set in early 20th-century China that subverts traditional gender roles, complemented by impeccable styling and stand-out performances, this should be your go-to film."

"It's a pretty good film for newcomers and hardened fans alike. The film is accessible, has enough drama for those not quite used to the slow pacing and leaves enough room for meandering thoughts."

"That said, it's a film that caters to fans of light-hearted Japanese dramas, doing little to even try and persuade people outside of its niche."

"Honey And Clover is a nice, solid genre entry that sinks you comfortable to the back of the couch, letting a feeling of warmth and melancholy slip over you."

"Tada, Kimi Wo Aishiteru is a sweet, cute, good-natured and hopelessly naive little film."

"The stylish cinematography, the beautiful soundtrack, and two amazing central performances make this a lively and empathic LGBTQ+ romance."

"Wonderful cinematography, lush sets and two strong actors make this film. You have to wade through a few mushy parts, mostly in the beginning, after that it's all good."

"Feels a bit poppy and maybe a bit too flimsy, apart from that it's one big solid romance with a pretty cool twist and a magnificent ending leaving you pretty fulfilled after the film has finished."

"While not without faults, The Road Less Traveled is a pretty nice film featuring strong performances and striking visuals."

"It's a nice drama with some timely accents, well acted and the film's a pleasure to look at. All in all a good reconnaissance with Sippapak's work"

"A pretty low profile film that is sure not to reach the West any time soon, but fans of the Pang brothers should do well to seek it out anyway."

"Koikyokusei is a beautiful little drama, only hampered by some bad musical choices."