Fireworks

100
Fireworks review

"The perfect showcase for Kitano's versatility. It's funny, poetic, violent and leaves you with a perfect dramatic punch in the gut that lingers long beyond the end credits."

Dead End Run

099
Dead End Run review

"A fun, varied and classy anthology film where Sogo Ishii allows himself to showcase his more experimental side while leaving room for some softer touches."

Starry Starry Night

098
Starry Starry Night review

"Tom Lin delivers one of the dearest, warmest and most charming films of the year, a beautiful, stylish and imaginative trip that glaces at the world through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl."

Gozu

097
Gozu review

"Don't expect a typical horror/mystery flick (despite many claims of Lynch-like scenes), Gozu is a superb comedy meant for people who like their slice of cinema a little crazy and different from the norm."

Kikujiro

096
Kikujiro review

"Kitano's humor is simple, somewhat childish and often improvised, but thanks to the typical editing and his superb comical body language it works wonders."

Big Fish and Begonia

095
Big Fish and Begonia review

"Big Fish and Begonia is an absolute stunner, an audiovisual experience that dragged me into its world and didn't let go until the final frame faded and the last note died."

Soul

094
Soul review

"Soul is pretty much perfect, though it might not be very accessible to those who fail to appreciate the mix of arthouse and genre film ideologies on display here."

Akira

093
Akira review

"Doesn't feel like it aged a lot. The animation is top-notch, the soundtrack is memorable, its universe feels alive and lived in, and the film goes out with a bang. Literally."

22nd of May

092
22nd of May review

"22nd of May shows definite progression, revealing a powerful and unique style that left me pretty dazzled. It's the kind of film that makes me love my hobby."

Paris Is Us

091
Paris Is Us review

"Paris Is Us is beautifully shot, intimate and abstract at the same time, it features a terrific score, a superb lead and it resonates way beyond its own narrative."

Perfect Blue

090
Perfect Blue review

"A film that combines strong social commentary with a terrific sense of paranoia, leading you on with each successive twist but scoring purely on execution rather than surprise effect."

The Clone Returns Home

089
The Clone Returns Home review

"When you're in for a prime example of Japanese drama set to a sci-fi background you're in for a real big treat. It lingers, it surprises, it impresses, and it'll leave you in a daze."

Godkiller

088
Godkiller review

"I found Godkiller to be a truly refreshing experience. The art style is amazing, the soundtrack is right on point and I simply swooned at the relentless cyberpunk storytelling."

Hells

087
Hells review

"One of the most uniquely satisfying anime ever released. A film that can only be compared with a very concise selection of otherwise incomparable animation projects."

5 Centimeters per Second

086
5 Centimeters per Second review

"The first time I watched this I was genuinely surprised by the bitter undertones, and even now it still baffles me how icy this film is below its stylish, warm and fuzzy exterior."

The Taste of Tea

085
The Taste of Tea review

"A lovingly executed ode to laziness, boredom and feeling at ease. The characters do little else but loitering, loving the fact that they have nothing else to do but to sit and enjoy the moment."

Woman of Water

084
Woman of Water review

"The mix of drama and mystery is brilliantly executed. The symbolism might lack subtlety, but Sugimori goes a long way in compensating that with strong imagery that will burn itself deep in your mind."

The Fourth Portrait

083
The Fourth Portrait review

"Powerful, poetic, lush, atmospheric and ultimately gripping. It's not unique or wildly different, but a perfect execution of a popular genre, lifting the film far above the competition."

The World of Kanako

082
The World of Kanako review

"The World of Kanako isn't subtle and doesn't offer much in the way of breathers. It's crazy, weird, harsh and fast-paced, piling body upon body and putting Akikazu through increasingly rough trials."

Pk.com.cn

081
Pk.com.cn review

"This is a production in touch with the state of mind of young people today while keeping a surprising level of professionalism and finish not often found in their creations."

Ex Drummer

080
Ex Drummer review

"Ex Drummer is a raunchy, mean-spirited and devilish son of bitch, at the same time it's also a very smart, funny and unique little film that deserves a loving cult following."

Bitter Honey

079
Bitter Honey review

"It's lush looking, very well acted, aptly scored and surprising at every turn. It's quirky and giddy, but at the same time it's also dark, brooding and lingering."

2046

078
2046 review

"2046 features some of the most impressively visuals I've ever witnessed in any film, helped by a wonderfully unique soundtrack, strong acting, rich poetry and lovable characters"

Gravity

077
Gravity review

"Gravity is a film that needs to be experienced in theaters, preferably in 3D, though I am quite certain it will survive the living room experience just as well."

My Neighbor Totoro

076
My Neighbor Totoro review

"A sweet, soft-hearted and imaginative film. The fantastical elements are pure perfection, the attention to detail is simply stunning. It's a film that every kid should have the chance to experience."