Movie toplist: 526 to 550
The American Astronaut
"There are some technical hiccups and the film can feel a little disjointed in places, but that never hampers the unadulterated fun that lies at the core of The American Astronaut."
Mad Fate
"The slick cinematography, spirited performances, and the mix of darker themes with witty and self-aware styling choices make this one of the better films to come out of Hong Kong in recent years."
Electricity
"Electricity is a welcome change of pace for British drama. Higgins made a beautiful, unique and touching film that lives in its own little niche."
Whispering of the Gods
"If you appreciate Omori's uncompromising and bleak look at our society, Whispering of the Gods is one of the purest films you'll find out there."
Kyrie
"When the cinematography is splendid, the score is tailored to perfection and the performances are exceptional, you know you're getting a lovely film from Iwai."
Anomalisa
"Anomalisa is an interesting film. On the one hand there's the superb work that went into animating the entire film."
Shaolin Soccer
"It's a good thing Shoalin Soccer is this much fun, because beyond its successful comedy aspect it's clear the film is somewhat lacking."
One Percenter
"The cinematography is on point, the performances are way above average and the action scenes are vibrant, everything is there to become a niche favorite."
Reality
"The less you know about this film, the more fun it will be experiencing the absurdities it throws at you."
Here, Then
"The amazing camera work, the strong performances and the moody use of soundscapes make for a dreamy film, even when the subject matter isn't all that rosy."
Port of Call
"Port of Call is edgy, challenging and accomplished. The film looks great, the acting is exceptional and the soundtrack is on point."
Aliens
"Regardless of its diminishing appeal, Aliens is still a film I love revisiting (though the next time I might just ditch the Director's Cut)."
Greatful Dead
"Uchida delivered this amazing genre bender that may leave the uninitiated a little stunned, but should be required viewing for everyone with a soft spot for Japanese genre cinema."
Lamb Game
"The lush cinematography, the moody setting, and the hyper-focus on what makes a good action thriller tick make this a condensed bundle of genre fun."
League of Gods
"The film's excruciating pacing combined with the wacky fantasy elements make it a thoroughly enjoyable rollercoaster ride."
Love in a Puff
"On the surface a simple romantic comedy, the film itself is grounded in a more realistic setting and allows a good look into the lives of contemporary HK citizens."
Beauty and the Beast
"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."
Accident
"Accident is a very good film. Not really excelling in anything particular, but strong and stylish in every department, forming a very solid and tight whole."
Maboroshi
"The impressive animation is the film's clearest selling point, but the intriguing fantasy premise and the smart reveal of the plot help ground the experience."
LoveDeath
"LoveDeath brings a guaranteed 150 minutes of fun if you accept it for what it is. It's all fluff, all style, no substance and utterly weird, but that's what makes these films so much fun."
Godzilla: Final Wars
"It's decidedly cheesy, nonsensical and grotesque, but Kitamura's smart blend of vintage and modern makes it a grand spectacle that honors one of Japan's most iconic monsters in the best way possible."
Spring & Chaos
"Kawamori presents a worthy and classy tribute to the genius of Miyazawa, a film that may not be your average biography, but is much better because of it."
Blood: The Last Vampire
"It's short, it packs quite a punch and even though I had some minor gripes, the pacing, the visual quality and the kick-ass lead character make it very easy to forget about these minor quirks."
New Type: Just For Your Love
"Hiroki made a pretty brave move here, incorporating new elements from other genres into his movies without changing anything of his trademark style."
Hard Candy
"Both leads offer great performances, the cinematography is strong, the soundtrack on point and the cat and mouse game between the two protagonists is simply riveting."