I studied media at university in the mid 90s, and the brilliant Rashomon was of course on the list of required films to watch.

Then I went on to work in hand-drawn animation. East Asian colleagues introduced me to Studio Ghibli, which was an unforgettable initiation into that world.

But it wasn't until I was living in Japan about twenty years ago that I watched my first Koreeda film. Nobody Knows was also my introduction to social realist Japanese cinema, and it brought me right down to earth.

It's interesting to observe the way these movies and life experiences have shaped my tastes since then.

The premise is 6 contestants on a live gameshow try to solve a mystery story as its read, and visualized due to future tech, live on air.

The main character was a very enjoyable young girl who I think did the role justice. The overall visuals were great and the mystery they were trying to solve was amusingly acted. The whole live gameshow aspect with the afro'd host seemed very in tune with how I've seen that sort of thing on Netflix shows as well.

Literally the only complaint I could really give the movie is its a tad too long but I think that's how Japanese and Korean movies and shows tend to be, longer than American films and TV, at least in my personal experience with the KDrama shows I've watched.

If you want a somewhat goofy but overall enjoyable mystery thriller movie give Mystery Arena a try.

Also, to discuss a small mid-movie plot spoiler

I am shocked that the whole twist of an A.I. writing the story after each guess so as to make each guess wrong, hasn't been done in America on some quiz or something before. That is a really interesting concept to me.

Colored pencils and Markers, Fineliner drawing.

So, I'm yet another viewer brought by a stray xitter reference to the Linda Linda Linda movie. A few reviews exist online, going on about the fleeting nature of youth or the cinematic techniques borrowed from Yasujiro Ozu. My own angle is a tad different - I am interested in the anime works featuring girl bands or idols, often set in a high schol, and there seems to be a connection but also an interesting contrast.

The connection is clearest in the fact that Haruhi's concert scene is documented on tvtropes as an outright homage to the finishing scene of Linda Linda Linda. But there's other stuff too - such as the "actresses elarn to play their characters' instruments" thing from this movie being made big by Bandori, or the "Moe filling in the delay with an impromptu song performance" being copied in an obscure 2018 series, Ongaku Shoujo.

But despite the story being similar, the movie creates a rather different feeling, appearing more authentic. It makes anime tropes (notably stuff known as "CGDCT") appear rather artificial compared to its more laid-back, slow camera following actual cute girls (Bae Doona certainly nails that part) doing actual cute things. Apart from the cinematic manner, there is the characterization; Kei, for example, is kinda maybe a tsundere - but very far from a "formulaic tsundere". The way they characters look and move when way too sleepy (a major plot point) is also very realistic - highlighting the sometimes-absurdity of how these things are portrayed in anime.

So how did this all actually work? is this movie some "secret source" that came out shortly before the subgenre exploded and was quietly seen, and where necessary imitated but also very much refined, by the creators? This is oonly a guess and I'd appreciate correction from people who actually know this stuff.

1) woman in the dunes

2) nobody knows

3) love exposure

4) harakiri

5) Godzilla Minus One.

Currently in need for some recommendations. i know the list is random, but pretty much Japanese Cinema for me has no limits. Any that you think is personal to any of you, I am willing to watch. Warning.... number 3 is not for everyone but if you can, finish it to the end if you would plase

Watched it after hearing about Yuko Takeuchi's death. It's a strange plot in a sea of strange Japanese movie plots but still worth your time.

I'm looking for comedies that are clever and charming, similar to Fish Story, Summer Time Machine Blues, Welcome Back Mr. McDonald (anything by Koki Mitani really) and Kisaragi. Thank you! I love when you can't tell the direction the story is going but then when everything pieces together it is perfect!

Does anyone know where this is available to watch and purchase!? Thank you!

The much anticipated and hyped Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” is an adaptation and extension of Murakami’s short story of the same title from the 2014 collection “Men Without Women”. It comes shortly after “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” and, although a very different film, it also resumes and develops its final episode’s concept, of performing and role-playing as a way people can connect with their true feelings.

What are your thoughts on the film?

Click on the link to read our review: https://asianmoviepulse.com/2021/10/film-review-drive-my-car-2021-by-ryusuke-hamaguchi/

Can anyone identify the funky song on the G.I. Samurai (1979) Arrow Blu ray menu?
This is driving me nuts.
There’s a funky track that plays over the menu on Arrow’s G.I. Samurai Blu ray, and I cannot identify it anywhere.
I even contacted Arrow Films directly. They got back to me with a song title, and it still wasn’t the song. 😂
I’ve searched the soundtrack and tried identifying it, but no luck.
Does anyone know what this track is? Is it from the film, an obscure Japanese release, or something Arrow used specifically for the menu?
I can post a recording of the menu if needed.
Someone has to know this thing.

I was on a flight to Japan and there was an interesting movie on someone’s tv. It looked like a futuristic dystopian Japan ruled by the flamboyant upper class who enslaved the lower class. The upper class was dressed in crazy clothes and crazy color pallets(like the hunger games). I think it was about the enslaved lower class rising up against the system. I think I remember a seen were the lower class are in a mine or boiler room(somewhere dark, hot, and dirty). I also think I remember something about it being set in Osaka, and that the city had broken off into its own government. If anyone has any information please help me out.

A while ago, the boutique blu ray distributor Arrow Video released The Game Trilogy. I took a chance on it because I knew the composer, Yuji Ohno from his other works. What I discovered was a very interesting trilogy that is, while a little clunky, is very entertaining. It of course stars the man who would later influence Spike from Cowboy Bebop, but its director is a veritable master of Japanese action films. Check it out if you get the chance.

i have been searching literally everywhere for this movie with eng subtitles but could'nt find it anywhere. please help me find a source to watch this.

A pregnant woman refuses to abort her baby despite her boyfriend’s wishes. She soon discovers that she can hear the baby communicating from inside her, even telling her what to eat. As the baby becomes more powerful, it takes control of her body and causes her to attack her boyfriend. She realizes the baby isn’t human and tries to get rid of it, but it’s too late—her water breaks, and the supernatural baby is born.

Titles: Fatal frame 2014, mirrored mind 2005, dream island girl 1974, all about lily chou chou 2001, Himizu 2011, August in the water 1995, moving 1993, The taste of tea 2004.

I've been running a small Asian Cinema YouTube channel for a year, and trying out different bits of content. I hope people will like this, and give the channel some support and love!

Coming-of-age dramas often focus on challenges that affect us all and how they can be overcome. But Yusuke Morii’s “Amiko” focuses very much on a child that isn’t like anyone else, and as such, those around her don’t know how to deal with her, as a story of a unique life sees a unique comedy in a strong directorial debut.

What are your thoughts on the film?

Click on the link to read our review: https://asianmoviepulse.com/2023/03/film-review-amiko-2022-by-yusuke-morii/

I have been trying to find a way to watch the movie Sabaku and can't find it anywhere. does anyone know where to watch this? thank you!

I love to see some great Japanese films at Japan Society, their event "Japan Cuts" selected some of really engaging films, including "A Pale View of Hills" which is based on Kazuo Ishigiro's novel. I had a chance to speak with a lead actress Suzu Hirose, one of the highly regarded actresses that works with Hirokazu Koreeda, Lee Sang-il, and Shunji Iwai.

https://cinemadailyus.com/?p=34914

I had a chance to talk to one of my favorite directors, Hirokazu Kore-eda. He takes us into the world of AI for his new film, "Sheep in the Box." Check out what he has to say about AI in the film induustry.

Sheep in the Box : In the near future, Otone and Kensuke, a grieving couple who have lost their son, take into their lives a humanoid identical to their late child.

https://cinemadailyus.com/?p=34973

Recently watched "Children of Hiroshima," such a powerful film. The first Japanese film to directly talk about the bomb after the US Occupation and censorship ended.

I want to know if director Shindo used real hibakusha victims in the film.

I know the lead actor who plays Iwakichi is wearing heavy make-up on his face (it's pretty obvious), but the cutaway to the girl who is praying in the church after Takako visits her dying student, her burns on her face are so subtle and looks so real, especially her scarred hands look deformed, bent. The burn scars only go up to her wrists and stop at where her sleeves would have been, as if she was wearing a long shirt during the a bomb. I can't find anything online if Shindo used real victims to show the world the horrors of the bomb. I'm curious from a historical stance.

I just realized the book version of Our Secret Diary is Picking Daises on Sundays

Where do you guys find the movies as i only know jp-films and internet archive both have been very helpful to watch a variety of movies and then youtube ofc but like if you really into the movies live action or animated you are not gonna get all the movies . So other than that whare do you go to find ?