Here are our latest reviews of films for home viewing.
Pre-2023 Film Reviews
Carlos (1991)
Panagiotis Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Carlos” is one of the best V-cinema titles and an excellent yakuza movie overall.
Crime Hunter: Bullets of Rage (1989)
Panagiotis Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Crime Hunter: Bullet of Fury” knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers accordingly: a lean, fast-paced action ride made to satisfy genre fans.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Neo Chinpira: Zoom Goes the Bullet (1990)
Panagiotis Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: At 85 minutes, “Neo Chinpira: Zoom Goes the Bullet” doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s an entertaining yakuza entry that blends comedy and eroticism, anchored by Aikawa’s charisma and Shishido’s presence. It is also worth noting that its overall aesthetics remind of the style Kitano later implemented in his own yakuza films.
Stranger (1991)
Panagiotis Kotzathanasis @ Asian Movie Pulse
- Excerpt: “Stranger” will certainly appeal to fans of B-movie-style thrillers, but for those willing to look beneath its surface, it offers a rich and layered exploration of gender, survival, and urban alienation. On an interesting note, one of the passengers in the taxi seems to be Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
Visions of Eight (1973)
- Excerpt: The first thing I noticed upon this rewatch was how similar the segments were, which is surprising given the range of directors and subject matter. Most take a highly stylized approach, de-emphasizing completed actions in favor of fixation on moments in time or closeups of details rather than the full-body shots of the competitors.
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