Mothra (Japan, 1961)

Shipwreck survivors are found on Beiru Island, which was previously used for atomic tests. The interior is amazingly free of radiation effects, and they believe that they were protected by a special juice that was given to them by the island's residents. A joint expedition of Rolisican and Japanese scientists explores Beiru and discovers many curious things, including two women only one foot high. Unscrupulous expedition leader Clark Nelson abducts the women and puts them in a vaudeville show. But their sweet singing contains a telepathic cry for help to Mothra, a gigantic moth that is worshiped as a deity by the island people.

Mothra is the first film to feature the sort of good kaiju that also appeared in the Godzilla-universe. Directed by Ishiro Honda, the co-creator of Godzilla and lifelong friend of Akira Kurosawa, Mothra featured the most detailed miniature work of any Toho film to that point. One of the biggest joys is seeing the city get destroyed by an angry moth, with charmingly obvious toy tanks and humans getting blown away by Mothra's gusts of wind. The destruction is far more enjoyable to watch than any of the latest billion-dollar remakes from the US, which is kind of a sad thought that CGI-films are the way to go nowadays.

 

Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Gonza the Spearman (Japan, 1986)

The tragic story of Gonza, a handsome ladies man, set in the Tokagawa Period, a time in which appearences are very important. Gonza competes with Bannojo for the honor to perform the tea ceremony to celebrate the birth of an heir to the lord of their clan. To see the sacred tea scrolls Gonza promises to marry the daughter of the family which possesses them, even though he is unofficially engaged to another. When studying the scrolls with Osai, the mother of the house, Bannajo sneaks into the house and steals their obis and runs through the town proclaiming the two as adulterers.

With Gonza the Spearman, director Masahiro Shinodo (Double Suicide, Ballad of Orin) made yet another classic Edo-period film. He has a knack for telling stories which doesn't always revolve around sword fighting, though he doesn't shy away from showing the bloodshed. Gonza the Spearman is a great story where deceit and lies gets in the way of better judgement. It's a beautifully shot film and I was constantly reminded of the outstanding cinematography, especially the soft and warm lighting. Shinodo rarely moves the camera and the many, many static shots feels like a lovingly homage to Yasujiro Ozu. 

Genre: Drama

Mothers (South Korea, 2017)

Hyo Jin is a 32-year-old woman. Two years ago, her husband died in an accident. Her husband has a 16-year-old son, Jong Wook, from a previous marriage. One day, Hyo Jin begins to live with Jong Wook.

It's relieving to see a film where the kid is not the scum of the earth, which seems to always be the case when a teenager arrives, but rather someone who develops through the story and becomes sympathetic. Mothers doesn't exactly innovate the drama genre but it's well-written and packs some great performances, while also avoiding being too melodramatic for its own good. 

Genre: Drama

The Fall of Ako Castle (Japan, 1978)

This is the story of "The Forty-Seven Ronin." Based on historical events in 1701-2, the movie tells the tale of the Asano clan's downfall and the revenge of its former samurai on the perpetrator of the catastrophe.

A samurai film based on the forty-seven ronin legend by Kinji Fukasaku? I'm in. Full of political intrigue while never getting stale, The Fall of Ako Castle is an epic story of vengeance and honor, and as you'd think Fukasaku sprinkles the high stakes drama with his own style of chaotic combat. 

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama