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With an enduring saga that spans seven decades since its conception, involving stories that function as parables of the atomic age, pointing out the follies and hubris of humankind, Godzilla can very well be perceived as a key figure in the mythos of a postmodern world. Like the gods of Hindu mythology, the nuclear monster has been reincarnated through generations with renewed symbolism. Beginning as a condemnation of nuclear warfare, transforming into a personification of nature’s fury and vengeance upon humanity, eventually becoming representative of the wrath of the souls who have been wronged on the battlefield, and later on Godzilla also acted as a critique of the response of the government’s absolute negligence towards their people. In Toho’s latest venture revolving around the iconic kaiju, Godzilla Minus One, the beast is an embodiment of survivor’s guilt, an embodiment of an old world order that shackles...

Filmmaking unit Shidoromodori has released their latest feature film, “Sumiko 22”. The movie stars Haruna Hori in her first film role in quite some time. Before this, Shidoromodori frequently made shorts that were uploaded to their official YouTube channel, mostly comedy-centered. For “Sumiko 22,” the general humor captured in their shorts is now implemented in a feature-length movie, primarily following a central character based on the director's experiences. While there's a good idea here for an indie flick, the results are stale.

Sumiko 22 is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival

22-year-old Sumiko Shizuoka is an introvert who has just left her previous job and struggles internally. To try and recalibrate her sense of self as she settles into her new job, she spends her days focusing on things most important to her, whether it be self-analysis, favorite foods, her cat Okage, or connecting with her friends. Through this series of vignettes, she...

After countless variations and sequels, plus major studio Hollywood versions, Toho is back in the driver’s seat for the first time since 2016 with a new take on the 70-year-old Godzilla franchise, a consistent run far longer than Bond and just about anything else. The very good news here is that just when you thought there was nothing new to do with the giant lizard who enjoys stomping on cities and all their inhabitants, along comes what might be called the first Godzilla art film — or at least one where the humans actually are three-dimensional and recognizable.

In writer-director and VFX supervisor Takashi Yamazaki’s (The Eternal Zero) hands, Godzilla’s screen time adds up to more of a supporting turn to the humans whose lives are deeply affected by his re-emergence. And unlike any previous film, including Ishiro Honda’s irresistible 1954 original, this one isn’t dubbed into English.

Like a contracted movie star loaned out by a studio in Hollywood’s heyday, Godzilla has returned to Japanese parent company Toho after doing a stint in the U.S. MonsterVerse to take center stage in “Godzilla Minus One,” a stellar entry in the world’s longest continually running film franchise. Set in a devastated post-war Japan, Takashi Yamazaki’s reboot gets back to basics in grand style, with engrossing human drama alongside spectacular mass destruction. Since opening in Japan on Nov. 3, “Minus One” has accumulated a whopping $20 million. Its American and overseas theatrical assault commences Dec. 1, with solid prospects of further expanding the legendary monster’s already massive fanbase.

Hewing closer to the spirit of Ishiro Honda’s 1954 original than other films in the 37-strong series, Toho’s first live-action entry since “Shin Godzilla” (2016) is markedly different from the creature’s recent outings. Produced at a fraction of the...

Third feature by Anshul Chauhan, “December” is easy to say that is his most accomplished work yet.

“December” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival

Seven years ago, a high school student was killed by a classmate, with the perpetrator, Kana, ending up in prison after a trial that convicted her as an adult and not as a juvenile, despite her age. The parents of the deceased were devastated, ending up divorcing, with the husband, Katsu, abandoning his work as an author and becoming an alcoholic, and the wife, Sumiko, eventually ending up marrying a man she met in a support group about people who have lost their children. As the story begins, an ambitious lawyer who is even planning on suing the state for the unfairness of the trial, convinces Kana to appeal for a reduced sentence. An aggravated Katsu revisits Sumiko after years, and convinces her to attend the trial,...

Third feature by Anshul Chauhan, “December” is easy to say that is his most accomplished work yet.

December is screening at Busan International Film Festival

Seven years ago, a high school student was killed by a classmate, with the perpetrator, Kana, ending up in prison after a trial that convicted her as an adult and not as a juvenile, despite her age. The parents of the deceased were devastated, ending up divorcing, with the husband, Katsu, abandoning his work as an author and becoming an alcoholic, and the wife, Sumiko, eventually ending up marrying a man she met in a support group about people who have lost their children. As the story begins, an ambitious lawyer who is even planning on suing the state for the unfairness of the trial, convinces Kana to appeal for a reduced sentence. An aggravated Katsu revisits Sumiko after years, and convinces her to attend the trial,...