Necromentia

0551
Necromentia review

"Necromentia belongs to the best Barker adaptations not written by Barker himself. If you like Barker's visions of demons and netherworlds, there's a big chance you'll love Teo's Necromentia."

Bullet Ballet

0552
Bullet Ballet review

"The second time around I was little let down by the acting performances of the secondary cast. For a film that puts more focus on drama than usually the case, that's somewhat of a problem."

The Moss

0553
The Moss review

"The Moss is not a wildly original film, but executed so well that it impresses from the very first seconds right until the final credit fades from the screen."

Chocolate

0554
Chocolate review

"The drama is flimsy, the music too melodramatic. Visually, it's a good watch, but the prime attraction are the battles, which don't disappoint at all."

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

0555
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring review

"The pleasant cinematography and extraordinary setting, the lovely score and the relatable themes make this one of Kim's most accessible films, perfect if you need an entry into his oeuvre."

Howl's Moving Castle

0556
Howl's Moving Castle review

"The animation is superb, the characters are charming, it's fun to explore the fantasy realm and the pacing is nigh perfect. Good, old-fashioned Ghibli quality in other words."

JCVD

0557
JCVD review

"Falling somewhere between the world of commercial and arthouse cinema, the film may have some trouble finding an appreciative audience, luckily there's been plenty of positive buzz."

[Rec] 3: Genesis

0558
[Rec] 3: Genesis review

"Plaza knows how to deliver a fun, action-filled zombie flick that harbors some kick-ass gore and a few very funny moments."

Convenience Story

0559
Convenience Story review

"The cinematography is lovely, the plot is intriguing, the film is overflowing with weird and ridiculous details and the actors are on top of their game, all adding to the otherworldly experience."

Laputa: Castle in the Sky

0560
Laputa: Castle in the Sky review

"The sense of adventure, wonder and delight is what set this film apart, combined with a great eye for detail and perfect pacing it makes for a sprawling, joyous fantasy film."

A Taste of Hunger

0561
A Taste of Hunger review

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

Tai Chi Zero

0562
Tai Chi Zero review

"The economic running time, the use of superb athletes, the visual imagination and the overall first-grade production values make Tai Chi Zero one of the more entertaining films of 2012."

Terminator Salvation

0563
Terminator Salvation review

"If you think films like Terminator Salvation need a solid storyline and well-developed characters, you would do best to stay away from this film."

Noise

0564
Noise review

"A somewhat gritty but heartfelt and compassionate look at an underexposed part of Japanese youth culture, appropriately stylized and building up to a memorable finale."

The Burning Buddha Man

0565
The Burning Buddha Man review

"Ujicha's passion is beyond question. The unique animation style, the grotesque art style, the off the wall plot and the immense scale of Ujicha's undertaking make this an experience like no other."

Shiver

0566
Shiver review

"An extremely well-balanced album film, where the entrancing music and stylish visuals feed off each other, combining into an invigorating and encompassing experience."

L

0567
L review

"In the end, L is another typical Shimoyama film."

Human, Space, Time and Human

0568
Human, Space, Time and Human review

"A strong, visceral and aptly executed allegory. A rough ride that combines beauty and darkness in a way that invariably links them together as an inescapable part of the human condition."

The Neighbor No. 13

0569
The Neighbor No. 13 review

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

Pink and Gray

0570
Pink and Gray review

"Pink and Gray is a pretty great film, but some familiarity with the director will definitely help you to appreciate it to its fullest."

Crazy Samurai Musashi

0571
Crazy Samurai Musashi review

"Sakaguchi's performance is stellar, the action is almost meditative and Shimomura's direction does everything in its power to draw the attention towards the implausible feat they pulled off."

Hidden Man

0572
Hidden Man review

"Hidden Man is an insanely entertaining, clever, tongue in cheek revenge flick that features a stellar cast, stylish visuals and some very solid action sequences."

Asako I & II

0573
Asako I & II review

"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."

New Dragon Gate Inn

0574
New Dragon Gate Inn review

"The actors are on point, the film looks great and there's a lot of fun to be had, especially whenever the films endorses its own mean streak."

A Gentle Breeze in the Village

0575
A Gentle Breeze in the Village review

"A film like this may not be the easiest sell as it lacks a strong dramatic undercurrent, but Yamashita compensates with lovely characters, a beautiful setting and tons of charm."