Sep 21, 2003 Movies 9 Souls by Toshiaki Toyoda (Review) There’s a moment when 9 Souls ceases being an entertaining film about bumbling ex-cons and becomes something far deeper.
Sep 21, 2003 Movies The Scent of Green Papaya by Tran Anh Hung (Review) The Scent of Green Papaya concerns itself with being realistic, with finding the beauty in the ordinary.
Sep 20, 2003 Movies The Tesseract by Oxide Pang (Review) One instance where an abundance of style actually hinders the film more than helps it.
Sep 20, 2003 Movies Maqbool by Vishal Bhardwaj (Review) This brilliant adaptation gives a classic Western text an exotic twist that could easily open people’s eyes to a whole new realm of world cinema.
Sep 20, 2003 Movies Cheeky by David Thewlis (Review) A film about death and mourning that’s filled with warmth and a wonderful sense of humor.
Sep 20, 2003 Movies Ju-on: The Grudge by Takashi Shimizu (Review) There are certain things in this movie that I’ll never get out of my head.
Sep 16, 2003 Movies Harakiri by Masaki Kobayashi (Review) This may not be as famous as Kurosawa and Mifune’s samurai pictures, but it’s a great one nonetheless.
Sep 6, 2003 Movies THX 1138 by George Lucas (Review) THX 1138’s stark style, minimal dialog, and spartan effects stand in direct contrast to George Lucas’ more recent, bloated features.
Sep 6, 2003 Movies Shadowlands by Richard Attenborough (Review) A subtle and tender film that will resonate with people of faith, if they take the time to seek it out.
Sep 6, 2003 Movies The Kung Fu Cult Master by Wong Jing (Review) This is one of those films you watch when you just want to be reminded of how bizarre Hong Kong cinema can be.
Sep 6, 2003 Movies Mr. Smith Goes to Washington by Frank Capra (Review) The film is unashamedly pro-American, but there are some scenes that are downright subversive.
Aug 23, 2003 Movies Returner by Takashi Yamazaki (Review) Returner is funnest when the filmmakers don’t even try to justify what they’re putting onscreen.
Jul 4, 2003 Movies Resurrection of the Little Match Girl by Jang Sun-Woo (Review) It’s clear that the filmmakers’ reach exceeded their grasp here, as the movie literally stumbles over its own excess and ambition.
Jun 26, 2003 Anime Movies Cowboy Bebop: The Movie by Shinichiro Watanabe (Review) Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is easily one of the most entertaining movies I’ve seen all year, easily holding its own with any of the big summer blockbusters.
Jun 11, 2003 Anime Movies Voices of a Distant Star by Makoto Shinkai (Review) This is just one of those special works of art, one that leaves you feeling humble and blessed to have seen it.
May 26, 2003 Movies Not One Less by Zhang Yimou (Review) The film’s realistic approach is refreshing and the children’s performances are both cute and poignant.
May 25, 2003 Anime Best of Opus Movies Whisper of the Heart by Yoshifumi Kondō (Review) I was excited to watch Whisper of the Heart, but I found it far more rewarding and relevant than I thought possible.
May 24, 2003 Movies Wasabi by Gérard Krawczyk (Review) Wasabi isn’t a horrible movie by any means, but it’s a bit too whimsical and lighthearted for its own good.
May 23, 2003 Best of Opus Movies Children of Nature by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (Review) A lyrical film about death, nostalgia, and the importance of honoring the wishes of those whose years are near their end.
May 16, 2003 Movies The Matrix Reloaded by The Wachowskis (Review) I’ll admit that part of me was disappointed, though I’m sure much of that has to with the insane amount of hype that surrounded the film.