Movie top list: 526 to 550

"Herdal delivers a very moody and stylistically impeccable mix of mystery and horror, an audiovisual experience that washed over me and stayed with me until the very end."

"While Yoshida has quite a few stories to tell and quite a few angles to explore, the film still feels like a very tight package, sporting little to no cruft."

"PTU is first class film making. Lam en Yam are good actors and know how to play their parts. The soundtrack is solid and the film is visually impressive."

"Ink shows enormous potential, executed well beyond what anyone could expect considering the limitations. A little gem that will one day find its audience and is destined to become a cult hit"

"Stylistically slightly more subdued compared to Ninagawa's other films, but all her core qualities are still very much present and No Longer Human is all the more interesting for it."

"The animation is top-notch, the art styles are bold and out there, and with six separate stories to tell there's plenty of variation. Batman fares well in anime land."

"The stylish cinematography, the moody score, and the devastating central performance all help to flesh out and strengthen a captivating drama about processing loss."

"Pan's Labyrinth is a confident, creative and overall impressive film that illustrates how you can blend drama and fantasy."

"It's a unique film that thrives on mood, appears polished all the way through, and offers familiar themes in a novel and often surprising genre package."

"Once the film has you in its grip, the pay-off is grand. Lush visuals, captivating soundscapes and solid acting make for a brooding, dense and enveloping experience."

"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."

"The film looks gorgeous, the story is smart and creative and even though there isn't that much actual action, it never gets dull."

"If you think you can handle an update of A Chinese Ghost Story bathing in CG visuals, this one is definitely recommended, otherwise you best stay clear."

"Superb cinematography, sharp editing, a very moody score and some truly creative world building all help to keep the film fresh, attractive and most importantly, original."

"The presentation is best-in-class, the performances are spot on, and the joyous quirkiness is there from start to finish, making this a top-tier Wes Anderson production."

"The perfect showcase for Chow's trademark mix of silly, over-the-top comedy and deadpan execution. Genuine laughs and crazy martial arts scenes make this one of the most entertaining films around."

"Donju brings a special breed of humor, mixing dry deliveries, nonsensical dialogue and random interludes to a strange puddle of laughs."

"The art style is lovely, the fantasy elements feel otherworldly and Palme's journey is grand, without ever feeling cheesy or expected, making this one of the better fantasy epics I've seen."

"Dragon Tiger Gate sports some sublime action sequences, superb cinematography and a central duo that has the show aspect of martial arts down to a tee, all in the name of juicy entertainment."

"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."

"It's delightfully and excessively violent, sporting superb creature designs, a bold and expressive art style and brisk pacing. Everything you'd ever want and need in a gory, macho action film."

"The story may be familiar territory for most, but the exquisite designs, the stylish cinematography, great score and excellent performances make this a film like no other."

"That said, Paprika is still an amazing film with plenty of memorable moments and a superb finale. If I sound a little negative that's only because his first two films are hard to surpass."

"Wai Man Yip succeeds in creating something that feels very fresh and unique, looks great and leaves something mysterious behind."

"Even without the little narrative twist, this would've been a worthwhile film. The performances are strong, the cinematography is stylish and the pacing is perfect."