Japan Times

Mark Schilling Japan Times Nov 4, 2026 3/5 It is Kawase who is this film’s strongest presence. Go to Full Review - - - -

James Hadfield Japan Times Nov 3, 2026 4/5 Lyrical, unsentimental and deeply moving, the documentary is a tough but vital watch. Go to Full Review - - - -

James Hadfield Japan Times Oct 27, 2026 3/5 Yoshida keeps finding ways to complicate the narrative right until the end, leaving an uneasy vibe as the credits roll. Go to Full Review Mentor (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 15, 2026 3/5 The film begins as a standard enough seishun eiga (teen movie) but morphs into something stranger and smarter, propelled by a daring formal ambition. Go to Full Review Satoko Always (2026) - - - -

Foumy Saisho Japan Times Oct 14, 2026 Mounted like any other Romance spectacle, Spartacus is actually more monumental in the scale of intensity of its theme than being sheer spectacle. Go to Full Review Spartacus (1960) 90% 87%

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 13, 2026 4/5 In her first lead role, newcomer Koyae is a steady, plucky presence. Go to Full Review Children Untold (2026) - - - -

James Hadfield Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 When Ichiko pulls back the curtain to reveal what’s really been driving the whole spectacle, the conspiracy she discovers is rather quaint. Go to Full Review Mystery Arena (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 The climactic twist will disappoint those expecting a big third-act reveal, but “Ghost of Ueno” remains faithful to its core message to the end: Ghosts are all around us, if we would only look — and care. Go to Full Review Ghost of Ueno (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 Though the film doesn’t exactly pull the rug from under our feet in the climax, something feels lacking. Go to Full Review Sai: Disaster - - - -

Matt Schley Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 While not everything in “Samurai Ballerina” works, it’s exciting to see an established director like Taniguchi embrace an original property far from the franchise and science-fiction anime he’s helmed before. Go to Full Review Paris Ni Saku Etoile (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 Though “90 Meters” edges into seishun eiga (teen movie) territory, it never loses its primary focus on the relationship between Misaki and Tasuku. Go to Full Review 90 Meters - - - -

James Hadfield Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 4/5 This is the work of a filmmaker who’s arrived fully formed. Go to Full Review Leave the Cat Alone (2025) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 To its credit, “Rhapsody, Rhapsody” doesn’t promise everlasting harmony for its two opposites. That they are credibly attracted to and understanding of each other’s craziness is enough, for now. Go to Full Review Rhapsody Rhapsody (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 2/5 The film’s telling of its real-life story falls back on well-worn tropes, while stirring in medical and boxing drama cliches. Go to Full Review One Last Love Letter (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 The old-movie motifs, which may or may not be intentional, help give “Nameless” a mythic dimension, even if its rogue-cop-versus-serial-killer story is generic. Go to Full Review Nameless (2026) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 4/5 “The Ozu Diaries” marches through Ozu’s biography and filmography at a brisk pace but never feels superficial. Go to Full Review The Ozu Diaries (2025) - - - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Oct 9, 2026 3/5 “AnyMart” is a knowing and chilling deconstruction of the konbini myth. Go to Full Review Anymart (2026) - - - -

James Hadfield Japan Times Sep 30, 2026 4/5 Yoshino knows exactly what he’s doing as he leads viewers into the shadows. Even if you find the movie’s moral lesson repugnant, this is gutsy stuff. Go to Full Review Shadow Work (2026) - - - -

James Hadfield Japan Times Sep 18, 2026 4/5 Understated, charming film. Go to Full Review Nagi Notes (2026) 92% - -

Mark Schilling Japan Times Sep 18, 2026 2/5 “Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?” remains baldly simplistic and didactic — far from Tsukamoto’s startlingly original best. Go to Full Review Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? (2026) 27% - -