Movie toplist: 751 to 775
Crows Explode
"Toyoda made an impeccable sequel to Miike's first two films."
The Egoists
"Keibetsu turns out to be another strong addition to Hiroki's oeuvre. It's not his best film to date, but it's nice to see him try out new stuff, even when it's not all that radical."
A Chinese Ghost Story III
"Built on quirky fantasy elements, lots of visual flair, a fun vibe and a light narrative. And if something doesn't work, the insane pacing makes sure you won't remember it for long."
Nightfall
"If you're familiar with the genre, don't expect any surprises."
L'Amant
"The subject is taboo and Hiroki's approach is unflinching, yet the result is a subtle, nuanced and touching drama that well exceeded any expectations I had up front."
Flux Gourmet
"Flux Gourmet looks great, sports an awesome soundtrack and insane sound design, the cast is great and the mix of self-deprecating comedy feels like a breath of fresh air."
Inexorable
"The plot is kept pretty basic, but the performances are superb, the cinematography is polished and the score is on point, resulting in prime edge-of-your-seat cinema."
Canary
"Shiota proves himself a gifted drama director and balances cinematography, score and performances to draw the most out of the conflict between the two leads."
Paradox
"I'm a big fan of the first SPL, the second one was a tiny letdown. Luckily Yip returned to elevate the series back to its original level."
Antenna
"The presentation is still pretty fitting and stylish, the performances are top notch and the somewhat edgier dramatic elements give the film a unique perspective."
The Suicide Song
"I was pleasantly surprised to find a very accomplished yet eclectic film hiding underneath the cover of ghosts and suicides."
Outrage: Beyond
"Outrage: Beyond falls just a little short of its predecessor. Because of the fact that it feels like the middle section of a full-blown trilogy the ending isn't as convincing as it could've been."
Shinjuku Swan
"What Shinjuku Swan may lack in originality, it makes up for in rock-solid execution."
M
"If you want another character drama, M might prove to be a too big a challenge and there are plenty of other Hiroki films you could and should be watching instead."
New Blood
"Hyn Huet Ching Nin is a good place to start if you're interested in watching a Hong Kong horror flick. Maybe it's not really all that representative, but that's what makes it easier to digest."
Seven 2 One
"Above all Seven 2 One is true visual feast. Danny Pang, while showcasing a somewhat different style from his brother, proves he has his own set of skills to perfect in his solo projects."
28 Days Later...
"Because of the unique setting, the strong cast, a solid third act (the film was written by Alex Garland) and Boyle's unescapable talent for genre cinema, 28 Days Later still works today."
The End of the Pale Hour
"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."
Girlfriend: Someone Please Stop the World
"Girlfriend: Someone Please Stop The World is a solid, smart drama that serves as a good entry point to his oeuvre. The film showcases his talent and houses many of his trademark elements."
Samaritan Girl
"Samaritan Girl is the perfect combination of sweet and sour. A beautiful drama with some raw edges that thrives on a sublime score and killer central performances."
The Pavillion Salamandre
"It's definitely a difficult film to recommend."
Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani?
"For the slightly more adventurous film fan who doesn't mind a highbrow aesthetic and can handle some arthouse vibes, but also doesn't shun a bit of experimentation and genre influence."
My Name Is Yours
"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."
The Dog of Flanders
"A very touching, very dear yet very sad story about a boy that got a lot less out of life than he deserved."
Freesia: Icy Tears
"The atmospheric cinematography, the strong performances and the intriguing lore make this a fun yet challenging manga adaptation that captivates from start to finish."