Here are our latest reviews of films on DVD.
Pre-2020 Film Reviews
And Then There Were None (1945)
Bugis Street (1995)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Bugis Street” is an excellent movie, both realistic and entertaining, and also a very important film for the unique presentation of a particular aspect of Singaporean society.
The Complete Story of Film (2011 & 2021)
Josh Thayer @ The Forgetful Film Critic
- Excerpt: We can’t know what future decades of cinematic innovation, both technological and artistic, will bring to this ineffable, glorious art form, but through The Complete Story of Film, director Mark Cousins has proven his complete mastery over the subject.
Death at an Old Mansion (1975)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Death at an Old Mansion” is an impressive whodunit, particularly due to its unique and quite artful approach to the whole concept of the whodunit, and the messages that Takabayabashi manages to present through this rather intricate case.
King of Peking (2017)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “King of Peking” will definitely remind many of “Cinema Paradiso”, and in general is a movie that channels the same emotions. At the same time, the presentation of Beijing of the time is also accurate and appealing, resulting in a movie that is also self-luminous in one of the best films about films we have seen recently.
The Morning Schedule (1972)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: Partly experimental cinema, partly a short of (self) psychoanalysis, “The Morning Schedule” is evidently not an easy film to watch. As an exercise in commenting through unique cinematic approaches, however, it definitely succeeds, highlighting once more, Hani’s creativity.
Pastoral: To Die in the Country (1974)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “To Die in the Country” is essentially an experimental autobiography that also functions as a kind of self-psychotherapy for Terayama, but most of all, is a movie with astonishing visuals and a more than intriguing narrative. One of those films that definitely deserve more than one watch, in order to be fully appreciated.
The Ranown Westerns (1957-1960)
Song of the Devil (1975)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Song of the Devil” is another hidden gem by ATG, a film that is definitely worth studying and analyzing, particularly its connections with Rakugo and rather captivating study of artistic sacrifice.
There Was a Father (1942)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: Although relatively omitted from Ozu’s filmography, perhaps for its intensely doctrined messages, “There Was a Father” is another great sample of his directorial abilities and an overall great film.
Tsugaru Folk Song (1973)
Panos Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Tsugaru Folk Song” is among the most approachable ATG films, but also one of its better titles, a true hidden gem.
