The Yurei
Known as one of the most gruesome series of Japanese rape-revenge and torture films ever made, the All Night Long Series has long been associated with a sense of infamy. Consisting of six films written and directed by Katsuya Matsumura from 1992 to 2009, these films are known for their graphic portrayal of mutilation, torture,
Less based on and more inspired by themes of obsession explored in the acclaimed book of the same name by Kobo Abe, The Box Man (2024) marks the return of director Gakuryû Ishii after 2018’s Punk Samurai Slash Down. The story, or what semblance of narrative there is, follows a nameless man who lives in
It’s that time of year again—Shark Week is here! The Discovery Channel’s flagship event, which has been a staple for over 35 years, has certainly evolved from the broadcaster’s initial idea of documentaries about ocean predators into a social phenomenon where monster movies dominate the airwaves with classic man-versus-beast action. With that in mind, let’s
It is no mystery to seasoned J-horror fans that many of the most prolific directors of the genre started their careers making low-budget short films for television or straight-to-video productions, otherwise known as V-cinema. Takashi Shimizu of Ju-On fame, for example, dipped his toes in the waters of V-cinema with 4444444444, In a Corner, and
There’s something thrilling about watching a seasoned director’s first film. It’s like discovering the blueprint of what’s to come—a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the voice they’ll refine over the years. Sure, it may be rough around the edges, but you start spotting those telltale signs: the themes, the tone, the obsessions that will come to
Six days of unforgettable cinema experiences are over. In its 25th anniversary edition, the Japanese film festival Nippon Connection once again set an audience record with around 20,000 visitors over six days and confirmed its position as the film festival with the largest audience in Hesse. Most of the film and cultural events at the
Hotspring Sharkattack (also known as Onsen shâku) is a 2024 Japanese action comedy film written and directed by Morihito Inoue in his feature debut. There have been cases of mysterious disappearances of onsen visitors in Atsumi city in S prefecture. The victims were eventually found dead with signs of severe injuries to their bodies resembling
Did you know Hideaki Anno, best known for Evangelion, has also tackled themes of inner turmoil and depression in live action? If you don’t, no one can blame you. It’s easy to associate Anno with mechas, apocalyptic imagery, and psychological breakdowns. But in his 1998 live-action debut Love & Pop, he trades in the esoteric
Missing Child Videotape is a 2024 Japanese supernatural horror film written and directed by Ryota Kondo with additional writing from Suzuyuki Kaneko. Known for directing the short films Akai tegata (2010) and Kyouran (2010), Ryota Kondo has also collaborated on the horror anthology Hyakki Yobanashi (2023), featuring the segment “Oni no Yobigoe”. Whereas Suzuyuki Kaneko
With the Silent Hill 2 remake having received a positive reception from critics and fans alike, along with the hype surrounding Silent Hill f’s release, one may wonder: what ever happened to the original Team Silent, and what are they up to these days? Fans would be quick to point out that Keiichiro Toyama, specifically—director