Toplist: 425 - 401

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

"Lou's execution is flawless, building on a solid cast and featuring an impressive synergy between cinematography and score to give the film a distinguished signature."

"The Message is visually stunning, smart, atmospheric and even a little tense near the end."

"There are moments of sheer genius here, hidden away in a film that comes off just a little to modest for its own good."

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

"Shady is a film that takes a bunch of familiar elements, rearranges them slightly but deliberately and adds a dash of its own uniqueness."

"Stoker was a very pleasant discovery. I didn't expect too much from it, but from the very first moments the film pulled me in and never let go after that."

"Luk shows she has talent as a director and delivers a powerful, confrontational yet endearing drama. Hopefully her talent is recognized and she isn't shot down for the unconventional choices she made"

"Tsui Hark at his best, the film is lush in its visuals and score, is entertaining to the core and wastes no time on unnecessary things. Very likeable and extremely well-made."

"Maybe the soundtrack could've been a little better, maybe the visuals appear a little empty at times, but that's just nit-picking."

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

"That said, there is still plenty to enjoy here. It seems that with each new film Miike raises the bar on production level. For Love's Sake looks absolutely stunning, from start to finish."

"A film that aptly blends the more serious elements of Japanese drama with some fantastical touches and a slightly more accessible front, without going full commercial tearjerker."

"Terumae Romae is a film that survives on the comic whims of Hiroshi Abe and the excellent premise cooked up by Yamazaki."

"Rogen deserves a lot of praise for this film. It may drag a little in the middle, but whenever the film seems to be hitting a dead end another neat thing happens that propels the film forward."

"Livid is a superb horror flick that easily surpasses most of its peers. Watch it with an open mind and you'll see there is plenty to love and enjoy here."

"Iron Monkey is a film that doesn't disappoint. There's enough creativity, silliness and genuine love for the genre to keep me coming back for more."

"A film that combines a myriad of crazy ideas and styles, blending black comedy, musical and claymation as if it was the most normal thing in the world. To Miike's credit, he makes it all work."

"The Flowers Of War borders on sentimentality and poses as a very epic endeavor. It's Zhang's magnificent direction that erases any major critiques, turning the film into a proper epic spectacle."

"Witching and Bitching is a true visual orgasm, a film that looks amazing from the very first to the very last frame."

"With a major quality jump in animation and art style detail, a tighter focus on atmosphere and setting and some memorable, stand-out demon fights, this is a must-see for action/horror anime fans."

"A very solid film in all departments, allowing you to sink back into your couch and let the film drift over you like a warm, dark blanket."

"Toyoda made an impeccable sequel to Miike's first two films."

"Dead or Alive 2: Birds is an important step in Miike's progression as a director. It's a well-rounded film, one that works as a drama as well as a crime flick."

"If you don't like the setting and you aren't charmed by the film's stylish exterior, the harsh action and crude characters probably won't cut it for you."