The Shock Labyrinth (2009) - 3D

戦慄迷宮3D (2009) - 3D

Senritsu meikyu

First 3D production from Takashi Shimizu who brought you the famous The Grudge (aka Ju-On). Don't be fooled be the title, it is rather a mystery movie more than a horror movies. Great eerie effect in 3D, excellent soundtrack but not a really a good horror title.

Rating : 3.5/5

Genre : Horror, Thriller, Mystery

Actor : 前田愛, 柳楽優弥, 蓮佛美沙子, 勝地涼, 水野絵梨奈

URL : http://3d-shock.asmik-ace.co.jp

Kuuki Ningyo (2009)

空気人形 (2009)

A story could have been only in Japan... and no where else... I thought this was very Original, but lack of substance which could have been better. Message behind this movie is very meaningful I thought, it's those kinda film either you love it or hate it.

Rating : 3.5/5

Genre : Sci-Fi, Drama

Actor : ペ・ドゥナ, ARATA, 板尾創路, 高橋昌也, 岩松了

URL : http://www.kuuki-ningyo.com

Teke Teke (2009)

テケテケ (2009)

Based on the urban legend, here comes the horrifying character "Teke-Teke". I personally think this is better than the ring, if only this is produce by the right production house. It will haunt you for a few days after watching this and don't wear that color for safe side.

Rating : 3.5/5

Genre : Horror

Actor : 大島優子, 山崎真実, 西田麻衣, 一慶, 水木薫

URL : http://www.artport.co.jp/movie/teketeke

Kaiji: Jinsei Gyakuten Gemu (2009)

カイジ 人生逆転ゲーム (2009)

Based on the famous manga by Noboyuki Fukumoto, here comes the live action version by the Death Note guy Tetsuya Fukuhara that will thrills you in this mind-game movie with fatal gambling game. Unique stories and entirely set back in Japan manga imagined-world.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Genre : Fiction, Thriller, Drama

Actor : 藤原竜也, 天海祐希, 香川照之, 山本太郎, 松山ケンイチ

URL : http://www.ntv.co.jp/kaiji

Juon : White Lady & Black Girl (2009)

呪怨 : 白い老女 と 黒い少女 (2009)

It was released together as one movie with runtime 121mins. Personally I find WHITE has better and stronger storyline, and overall viewing experience compared to BLACK. Write Takashi Shimizu continues the hit of 10th anniversary. Not to be miss for Ju-On goer.

Rating : 3/5

Genre : Horror, Drama

Actor : 南明奈,鈴木裕樹,みひろ,加護亜依,瀬戸康史,中村ゆり

URL : http://www.juon2009.jp

Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend (2008)

ドラえもん : のび太と緑の巨人伝 (2008) - Cantonese

Doraemon : Nobita to midori no kyoujinden

Finally... it's here and for Dorafans out there, don't miss this!! And this is by the new author, and it's great and the adventure continues... Very educational and inspiring through vision... Good go for all audiences. Especially for the young ones -- Men of earth tomorrow. (Call me Bias) : P

Rating : 5/5

Genre : Animation, Adenture, Family,

Actor : Doraemon, Nobita, Shizuka, Suneo, Gian

URL : http://doraeiga.com/2008/index.html

Japanese Film Festival 2009

あしたの私のつくり方 (2007)

Atashi no watashi no tsukurikata (How to become myself)

6th Japanese Film Festival - first movie I watched for my Japmovie marathon on 20th June '09, movie is about innerself struggling and finding true self of school girls and it's rather a really slow movie. Please prepare Large popcorn set when viewing this.

Rating : 2/5
Genre : Drama
Actor : 成海璃子(Narumi Riko), 前田敦子(Maeda Atsuko), 石原真理子(Ishihara Mariko)
URL : http://watatsuku.goo.ne.jp

アフタースクール (2008)
Afuta Sukuru (After School)

Yakuza + School buddy = Weird yet relaxing mafia comedy, thank god have twist in movie. Movie overall is ok showing typical social issue in Japan, but the twist is unpredictable that makes me liking this movie.

Rating : 3½ /5
Genre : Crime Comedy
Actor : 大泉洋 (Oizumi Yo), 佐々木蔵之介 (Sasaki Kuranosuke), 常盤貴子 (Tokiwa Takako)
URL : http://www.after-school.jp

包帯クラブ (2007)
Hotai Kurabu (The Bandage Club)

I doubted this is novel / manga based, overall it's the teenage themed movie about friendship, and how interest get people together where the darkest little secret is shared n' cared. The Power of Bandage (another "Only In Japan" trend)??

Rating : 3/5
Genre : Drama, Fiction
Actor : 柳楽優弥 (Yagira Yuya), 石原さとみ (Ishihara Satomi), 田中圭 (Tanaka Kei)
URL : http://www.ho-tai.jp

ALWAYS 続・三丁目の夕日 (2007)
Always Zoku - Sanchome no Yuhi (Always Con't - Sunset on 3rd Street)

Set in 1950s in Japan when Tokyo Tower was first built, story tells life of residents living in 3rd street who shared joy, pain, hopes and tear. Excellant movie showing Japan in retro where households ie. Washing machine, TV can be seen in their 1st edition look. I enjoyed the every settings in retro style in this movie.

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Drama,
Actor : 吉岡秀隆 (Yoshioka Hidetaki), 堤真一 (Tsutsumu Shinichi), 薬師丸ひろ子 (Yakushimaru Hiroko), 小雪 (Koyuki), 堀北真希
URL : http://www.always3.jp

おくりびと (2008)
Okuribito (Depatures)

"Okuribito" won Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for 2008 and Best Fim for Japanese Academy and other awards. I get different insights of "Departure" moments, better understanding of Japanese ritual and culture, and how a CELLO sounds certainly. This 132mins TEARJERKER moved millions of audience in joy and tears; and deeply touched million souls.

Rating : 4½/5
Genre : Drama
Actor : 本木雅弘 (Motoki Masahiro), 広末涼子 (Hirosue Ryoko), 山崎努 (Yamazaki Tsutomu)
URL : http://www.okuribito.jp