Dreams for Sale (Japan, 2012)

A married couple finds themselves in a dire financial situation after they lose their restaurant in a fire. The couple determined to run a restaurant again turn to crime. The wife scopes out potential targets and her husband commits marriage fraud.

"Movies about crooks and scammers after the big score, from Stanley Kubrick’s “The Killing” (1956) on, nearly all have a certain story arc, and Nishikawa’s is no exception. What sets her film apart is its sharpness about its characters’ psychologies, particularly its women. I don’t mean that Nishikawa has some special insight by virtue of being a woman herself, but she does see them — and care about them — as real individuals, not representative types." Japantimes 'Dreams for Sale' review 

Genre: Drama/Crime

Sunny (South Korea, 2011)

New high-school transfer student Na-Mi comes from a small town in Jeolla Province to her new school in the capital city of Seoul. On her first day at her new school she is bullied by others. Coming to her help is a group of girls. The girls are Choon-Hwa - known for her strong sense of loyalty & excellent fighting skills, heavyset Jang-Mi - who badly wishes to have plastic surgery, Jin-Hee - excellent when it comes to spewing profanity, Geum-Ok - interested in literature, Bok-Hee - dreams of one day becoming Ms. Korea and Su-Ji - always arrogant. Na-Mi quickly becomes part of their group. These seven girls then form their own group named "Sunny", and they make a vow to stay together forever.

Funny, exciting, sad but also full of joy. Sunny is all of these things, as it explores the eventful school years for seven very different and colorful girls. Definitely a happy pill in movie form.

Genre: Drama

Blind (South Korea, 2011)

A missing person case involving a female university student and the victim in a hit and run case appears to be the same person. Detectives look for a witness. A witness, Min Soo-Ah appears, but Min Soo-Ah is blind. She used to be a promising student at the police academy. With her acute senses, Min Soo-Ah is able to reveal important clues on the hit and run case. Another witness, Kwon Gi-Seob then appears. Gi-Seob, who witnessed the case with his own eyes, gives contradictory statements to Min Soo-Ah. The investigation then goes through many twists and turns, while Min Soo-Ah finds herself up against the killer.

With an interesting plot, Blind manages to be a suspenseful thriller that takes more than one unsuspected turn. The fact that the main character is blind also makes it stand out and doesn't just use that fact as a gimmick. Recommended for those who want a tight, enthralling thriller.  

Genre: Drama/Thriller

As One (South Korea, 2012)

Table tennis player Hyun Jung-Hwa wins silver medals, but always comes up short in the gold medal matches against a rival Chinese table tennis player. One month prior to the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships in Chiba, Hyun Jung-Hwa hears that a single Korean table tennis will be formed from South and North Korea. The South Korean players and its coach oppose the idea. Despite the opposition, the united Korean table tennis team is formed. Players from South and North Korea meet at a training camp in Chiba, Japan. They are forced to become one team, but from their practice routines, to how they talk and how they live all cause clashes. 

As One is a heartwarming true story about friendship, teamwork and the love for table tennis. A solid sports drama with  good actors and just the right amount of melodrama.

Genre: Drama/Sport

The Happiness of the Katakuris (Japan, 2001)

The Happiness of the Katakuris is a morbid musical comedy about a family of oddballs who open an inn in the mountains. Unfortunately, through no fault of their own, none of their guests leave their rooms alive. In order to protect their business, the family resorts to burying the corpses in the backyard, but this only leads to a zombie problem.

If you're looking for something different, something that's just so out of control you almost can't believe it, you can stop now. The Happiness of the Katakuris features zombies, clay animation, musical numbers and more, all on top of a hilarious black comedy. Director Takashi Miike (Audition) loosely based the plot on the exceptional South Korean film The Quiet Family (1998). You could watch that one first, then see this version which has taken the plot and run it through a wacky Japanese filter.

Genre: Comedy/Horror/Musical

Patlabor: The Movie (Japan, 1989)

A mysterious suicide and a series of unmanned robot run-aways sparks off a Police investigation into the suspicious software on-board thousands of industrial robots around Tokyo. Step by step, the police find themselves tangled up by the web of a perfect crime which awaits the approaching Typhoon to activate thousands of virus affected robots. As time runs out, Asuma and his team must complete a task that is doomed to be a failure before the Typhoon lands Tokyo.

You may think Patlabor is going to be the most awesome animated robot-film you've seen, but here's the thing; it isn't for everyone. Yes it has giant mechas that can turn other giant robots into scrap metal, but that stuff isn't what the main focus is on. Patlabor is a slow-paced film that takes time to develop a story about ethics regarding robot workers, and a crime which is way bigger than you'd thought. A sequel was made in 1993, and that one is even more complex. Sophisticated robot drama.

Genre: Animation/Action/Crime

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (Hong Kong/China/Japan, 2005)

Gouichi Takata, an aged Japanese father who, ever since his wife died, has not been in good terms with his son. When he learns that his son has been diagnosed as having liver cancer, he decides to travel to the Yunnan province in China in his son's place to film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, a traditional item in the local nuo opera, of which his son is a leading scholar. The father hopes that by doing so, he might finally gain the forgiveness of his son.

Riding Alone... is directed by one China's best filmmakers, Yimou Zhan, who's work include Raise the Red Lantern (1991) and Hero (2002). It's a magnificent drama that packs a strong emotional impact, and has a bittersweet feel to itself.

Genre: Drama 

A Scene at the Sea (Japan, 1991)

Born with a hearing impairment, Shigeru is a part timer working for the sanitation service. His girlfriend Takako has the same condition as well. On his usual pickup route, Shigeru finds a broken surf-board in a pile of garbage, and is introduced to the world of surfing. Shigeru fails in his attempt to catch a waves, but un-hindered by the world around them, Shigeru and Takako commute to the beach every day. Not to be discouraged, Shigeru's love for surfing consumes everything around him. 

Behold, a film by Takeshi Kitano. This was actually his first project that didn't include crude violence and yakuza, which is almost what he specializes in for his other movies. A Scene at the Sea is instead a quiet, poetic portrayal of a relationship, that nearly becomes a love triangle between Shigeru, his girlfriend, and his strong love for his newfound surfing obsession.

Genre: Drama

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (Japan, 1999)

Ten years after the end of World War II; anti-terror policeman Fuse gets suspended from service after the suicide by self-detonation of a young terrorist girl during an operation, as he failed to shoot her in time. When he tries to gather some information about her, he meets her sister and befriends with her. Both get dragged into the rivalries between the administration of the police and the counter terrorism commando unit 'Jin Roh' (human wolves).

Jin-Roh portrays a bleak and gritty alternate history where Germany has conquered Japan, and a special police force has been formed to defend the capital. With Jin-Roh, animation studio Production I.G created a terrifying, cold and grim universe, but kept it free from fantasy elements so that it feels more like a realistic 'what if'-scenario. Also, the animation is fantastic.

Genre: Animation/Drama

Evangelion: 1.11 (Japan, 2007)

The fate of the world is threatened by seemingly monstrous entities known as Angels. NERV is an organisation set up to counter this threat and it is up to young pilots to protect Earth but exactly what are the real motives behind NERV?

If there's one thing in Japan that's so popular it's unhealthy, it's mecha. That's why it comes as no surprise that Japanese people worship the Evangelion-universe as a religion. It's basically mecha-heaven. Evangelion 1.11, 2.22 and 3.33 are the films that has been released up until this point and there's another one on its way. They're insanely good animated and the fighting sequences are just as devastating as you want them to be. 

Genre: Action/Animation/Sci-Fi 

Dearest (Japan, 2012)

Recently widowed Eiji receives a letter from his late wife, Yoko, asking him to take her ashes back to her hometown. Wondering why she had never mentioned this to him in person, he embarks on a road trip in order to fulfill her wishes, meeting people along the way who shed light on her past. All the while Eiji is impelled by the promise of a second letter, which he can only claim once his task is completed.

Dearest, a compelling and melancholy drama, is targeting your tear canals.  Many times during the film viewers is treated to some really gorgeous cinematography and nice melodies, which only make this journey a bit harder. A couple of interesting characters helps making Eiji's trip a more exciting one, including a cameo by director and actor Takeshi Kitano. 

Genre: Drama

Ninja Scroll (Japan, 1993)

Jubei Kibagami has always been the master dealer of death, but in rescuing a ninja woman from a monster he sets loose a chain of events that puts death in his own veins and sends them on a nightmarish odyssey through a surreal and devil infested ancient Japan. How do demonic possessions, an annihilated village and a man Jubei thought safely buried in his past all connect? If Jubei can't piece the blood-soaked clues together, his only consolation will be that he won't live to regret it for very long.

Ninja Scroll immediately shows its true colors as a slaughter fest, with plenty of graphic violence to go around and with lots of supernatural enemies. It's one of those 90's, super violent, animated feature films that you always remember as an awesome experience. 

Genre: Action/Adventure

Railroad Man (Japan, 1999)

A railway stationmaster at a dying end-of-the-line village in Hokkaido is haunted by memories of his dead wife and daughter. When the railroad line is scheduled to be closed, he is offered a job at a hotel, but he is emotionally unable to part with his career as a railroader. His life takes a turn when he meets a young woman with an interest in trains who resembles his daughter.

Railroad Man (a.k.a. Poppoya) is a well-acted and moving film about a dedicated railroad worker who has lost everything, and is about to lose the one thing he has left.  Recommended for those who want a memorable and emotional drama.

Genre: Drama

The Last Tycoon (Hong Kong, 2012)

Set in Shanghais Gangster era of the early 1900s, THE LAST TYCOON tells the tale of Cheng, a young man who is set up by the chief of police and must leave the life he knows and Qiu, the woman he loves, to start again. After escaping prison Cheng quickly and violently moves his way up the ladder of Shanghais criminal underworld to become on the most powerful mob bosses in Shanghais history. But fame and notoriety take their toll when Cheng finds himself stuck between the looming Japanese army and the scheming local secret service. Matters are only made worse when he bumps into the love of his life Qiu, along with her new husband.

The Last Tycoon has all the elements of a big-budget, massive production and it's wildly entertaining to boot. Plus it got a great cast, in the midst of all the clashing enemies is Chow Yun-fat (The Killer, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) in the lead role. Add a couple of well-directed action scenes, some seriously satisfying explosions and an overall interesting period drama-plot and you got yourself a winner.

Genre: Action/Crime/Drama

Funky Forest: The First Contact (Japan, 2005)

Three unpopular brothers, Masaichi, Masaru and Masao, are struggling to be popular among the girls. Luckily enough, they finally get a chance to have a co-ed picnic with some pretty young ladies.

Uhm.. wow. After this film, I just don't know what to say. Funky Forest is a movie that pretty much defies everything you think you know about movies. I have no idea how to categorize it either. I can honestly say it's the weirdest film I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot. Great actor Tadanobu Asano (Last Life in the Universe, Ichi the Killer) somehow agreed to be a part of this infinitely weird film, maybe he knew that never in his career would he ever star in a film stranger than this one. 

Some scenes truly raises the insanity-bar beyond max capacity, and then some. A few scenes have made their way to YouTube where many viewers sighs and wonder what the heck happened to the once great and proud land of the rising sun. Others, like me, are glad that crazy stuff like this exists because if it weren't for Japan, nothing would ever come close to being as nuts as this. 

Funky Forest could be called a gem in the world of freaky Japanese cinema, a savior for the viewers who thought they've seen it all. It could also be called nightmare fuel that makes you want to take a long, cold shower. 

Genre: Com... edy?