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Imagine an intrigue thriller mated with a forged identity comedy set in early 1700s Edo. Hayato Kawai's “Don't Lose Your Head” (formerly known as “Migawari Mission”) fits that description perfectly by its story. The story itself might be enough to secure it some festival exposure either at genre festival circuit in East Asia or at international festivals specialised in Asian cinema, such as Toronto Japanese Film Festival, but positive reviews should not be taken for granted.

Don't Lose Your Head is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival

Takaaki Kira (Tsuyoshi Muro) did not have any luck in life. Born as a nobleman's youngest son, he did not inherit anything, so he wanders the world begging for money and food, while his older brother Kozukenosuke (played by the same actor) enjoys all the privilege with little responsibility. When Kozukenosuke oversteps every boundary and insults rival clan leader Lord Asano (Ukon Onoe...

To western eyes, there is a dichotomy in Japanese cuisine of the finest, natural, raw ingredients cooked to a slow process weighed against the overly colourful, artificial world of processed and convenience food, although all are usually delicious. And this dichotomy is worked into the story of Shogo Kusano’s manga adaptation “Bitter Sweet”.

Bitter Sweet is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival

Maki (Haruna Kawaguchi) is an advertising exec with a vegetable phobia. Unlucky in love and work, she binges on supplements and alcohol to get her through the day. After another drunken night in a bar, she has a chance encounter with Nagisa (Kento Hayashi), a mild-mannered high school art teacher, vegetarian and homosexual. With Maki passed out, he offers to take her home and cook a delicious, healthy breakfast. Somewhat confused as to how she has awoken, Maki takes a shine to Nagisa, and with her lease about to expire,...

"When the two connect, the true terror begins." Eureka Entertainment has debuted an official (subtitled) trailer for the Japanese horror-thriller Creepy, which has been playing the film festival circuit all year so far. The latest from filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the film is about an ex-detective and criminal psychologist who discovers that his new neighbor isn't quite who he says he is. The cast includes Hidetoshi Nishijima, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yüko Takeuchi, Haruna Kawaguchi, and Masahiro Higashide. Not only has it played at numerous fests, but the film has received some great reviews so far. One review on ScreenAnarchy says "it's an example of a master attempting a new direction -- in the form of a good, old-fashioned, bloody, spirited thriller." This definitely does look creepy. That guy's smile is the freakiest part about it. Have a look. Here's the official UK trailer for Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Creepy, direct from Eureka's YouTube: Takakura is a former detective.

After an initial trailer with no English subtitles, a new preview has arrived for Kiyoshi Kurosawa‘s thriller Creepy, making things obviously clearer for audiences here due to the addition. The story concerns an ex-detective and criminal psychologist (Hidetoshi Nishijima) with a happy, quiet life who has his tranquility disturbed when he begins to suspect his new neighbor (Teruyuki Kagawa) isn’t quite who he says he is. Featuring one of the creepiest smiles I’ve seen in quite some time from Kagawa, Creepy looks to be a dark and twisted thriller.

We said in our review: “Though the middle stretch does go on for longer than is strictly necessary – a good 20 minutes could easily have been shaved off without forsaking anything crucial – the eventual pay-off doesn’t disappoint. Featuring an industrial vacuum cleaner-cum-sealer, a mysterious mind-control drug — both spooky and narratively convenient, considering the characters’ screamingly preposterous behavior — and...

Fans of Kiyoshi Kurosawa will rejoice since his latest film, “Creepy” will signal his return to the thriller genre, which was the one that made him an international sensation.

The film is based on the homonymous novel by Yutaka Maekawa and the story goes like this: After having narrowly escaped an attempt on his life at the hands of a psychopath, detective inspector Takakura quits active service in the police force and takes up a position as a university lecturer in criminal psychology. But his desire to get to the bottom of criminals’ motives remains, and he does not hesitate long when former colleague Nogami asks him to reopen an old case. Six years ago, a family disappeared under mysterious circumstances and to this day no body has been found. Takakura follows Saki’s memory. She is the only surviving family member from the case. While Takakura immerses himself in the old files,...

In the third Berlinale Diary entry, I offer first impressions of Terence Davies's Emily Dickinson biopic A Quiet Passion with Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Ehle, Keith Carradine, Catherine Bailey, Jodhi May, Emma Bell and Duncan Duff; Mia Hansen-Løve's outstanding Things to Come with Isabelle Huppert, Andre Marcon, Roman Kolinka, Edith Scob and Sarah Le Picard; and Kiyoshi Kurosawa's serial killer thriller (and comedy) Creepy with Hidetoshi Nishijima, Yuko Takeuchi, Teruyuki Kagawa, Haruna Kawaguchi and Masahiro Higashide. Plus: Trailers and a clip. » - David Hudson...

In the third Berlinale Diary entry, I offer first impressions of Terence Davies's Emily Dickinson biopic A Quiet Passion with Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Ehle, Keith Carradine, Catherine Bailey, Jodhi May, Emma Bell and Duncan Duff; Mia Hansen-Løve's outstanding Things to Come with Isabelle Huppert, Andre Marcon, Roman Kolinka, Edith Scob and Sarah Le Picard; and Kiyoshi Kurosawa's serial killer thriller (and comedy) Creepy with Hidetoshi Nishijima, Yuko Takeuchi, Teruyuki Kagawa, Haruna Kawaguchi and Masahiro Higashide. Plus: Trailers and a clip. » - David Hudson...

Today's list of films added to the lineup for this year's Berlinale (February 11 through 21) is short but big: World premieres of Terence Davies's A Quiet Passion with Cynthia Nixon as Emily Dickinson, Jennifer Ehle, Keith Carradine, Jodhi May, Catherine Bailey, Emma Bell and Duncan Duff; Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Creepy with Hidetoshi Nishijima, Yuko Takeuchi, Teruyuki Kagawa, Haruna Kawaguchi and Masahiro Higashide; Pernilla August's Den allvarsamma leken (A Serious Game) with Sverrir Gudnason, Karin Franz Körlof, Liv Mjönes, Michael Nyqvist and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard; and Sonia Kennebeck's documentary National Bird. Plus the international premiere of Don Cheadle's Miles Ahead. » - David Hudson...

Today's list of films added to the lineup for this year's Berlinale (February 11 through 21) is short but big: World premieres of Terence Davies's A Quiet Passion with Cynthia Nixon as Emily Dickinson, Jennifer Ehle, Keith Carradine, Jodhi May, Catherine Bailey, Emma Bell and Duncan Duff; Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Creepy with Hidetoshi Nishijima, Yuko Takeuchi, Teruyuki Kagawa, Haruna Kawaguchi and Masahiro Higashide; Pernilla August's Den allvarsamma leken (A Serious Game) with Sverrir Gudnason, Karin Franz Körlof, Liv Mjönes, Michael Nyqvist and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard; and Sonia Kennebeck's documentary National Bird. Plus the international premiere of Don Cheadle's Miles Ahead. » - David Hudson...

Don Cheadle’s Miles Davies’ biopic to get international premiere.

The Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 11-21) has unveiled the eight-strong line-up for its Berlinale Special strand, which includes recent works by contemporary filmmakers and biopics of renowned personalities.

The programme includes the world premiere of Terence Davies’ drama biopic A Quiet Passion, which stars Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon as the celebrated American poet Emily Dickinson, charting her life from her early days as a young schoolgirl to her later years as a reclusive artist. Jennifer Ehle (Fifty Shades Of Grey) and Keith Carradine (Nashville) co-star.

The line-up also includes the international premiere of Miles Ahead, Don Cheadle’s directorial debut in which he also stars as jazz pioneer Miles Davis in late 1970s Manhattan, dealing with sycophants, industry executives, career highs and lows and memories of the love of his life, Frances Taylor.

Pernilla August’s A Serious Game will also world premiere...

One film festival I'm bound and determined to make it to one of these years is the South African HorrorFest, but for now I'll just have to live vicariously through those of you who live close enough to attend. And after taking a look at this year's lineup, I'm pretty sure that if you are in the area, you won't want to miss it!

Growing into the country's ultimate Halloween event covering indie, new and classic movies, short films, music, literature and a range of Halloween festivities, 2011 marks the annual South African HorrorFest's lucky 7th year! It runs 26 October through 4 November.

Almost each of the exciting feature films and short films make their South African theatrical premieres. The Makabra Ensemble will also debut their Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde movie soundtrack performance, live to the screening of this 1920 silent classic.

In addition to the colourful audience Halloween dress-up event linked up with the live soundtrack show,...