MV5BYWZmOTY0MDAtMGRlMS00YjFlLWFkZTUtYmJhYWNlN2JjMmZkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODAzODU1NDQ@._V1_.jpg — Shoplifters (2018)

**Directed by: Hirokazu Koreeda**
**Starring: Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Kirin Kiki, Mayu Matsuoka, Jyo Kairi, Miyu Sasaki**
**Rated: R for Some Sexual Content and Nudity**
**Running Time: 2 h 1 m**
**TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5**
**STRENGTHS: Writing, Story, Acting, Themes**
**WEAKNESSES: -**

Shoplifters (2018)

February 25, 2019

A ragtag group of shoplifters take in a little girl they find outside in the cold.

711RTqaA2FL._SL1500_.jpg — Ikiru (1952)

**Directed by: Akira Kurosawa**
**Starring: Takashi Shimura, Shin’ichi Himori, Minoru Chiaki**
**Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Thematic Elements)**
**Running Time: 2 h 23 m**
**TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5**
**STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Structure**
**WEAKNESSES: -**

Ikiru (1952)

November 22, 2018

An aging bureaucrat reexamines his life after discovering he has terminal stomach cancer.

Tag (2015)

October 15, 2018

A high school student is stalked by various forces that seem bent on killing everyone around her.

MV5BMTQ2NjY3NzU1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODA5MjgxNg@@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,674,1000_AL_.jpg — Cold Fish (2010)

**Directed by: Sion Sono**
**Starring: Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden, Asuka Kurosawa**
**Rated: NR (Suggest R for Violence and Disturbing Graphic Images, Some Sexual Assaults and Language)**
**Running Time: 2 h 26 m**
**TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5**
**STRENGTHS: Pacing, Story, Effects, Writing, Directing**
**WEAKNESSES: -**

Cold Fish (2010)

October 15, 2018

After a man’s daughter is caught stealing at a store and a friendly storeowner steps in to help, the man and the storeowner strike up a friendship. But when the storeowner asks the man for a favor, things take a very dark turn.

MV5BZmM1ZmRkMjItZjc3Ny00ZWQzLWFhYmUtMWE0Y2QwOWY0MTMxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTIyNzY1NzM@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,703,1000_AL_.jpg — Kwaidan (1964)

**Directed by: Masaki Kobayashi**
**Starring: Rentaro Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama, Miskako Wantanabe, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiko Kishi**
**Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Frightening Moments)**
**Running Time: 3 h 3 m**
**TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5**
**STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Stories, Culture, Mis-en-scene**
**WEAKNESSES: -**

Kwaidan (1964)

October 7, 2018

An anthology film of four Japanese folk tales with supernatural themes.

MV5BMjA1NDk3MDE1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTY3ODkxMQ@@._V1_.jpg — A Taxing Woman (1987)

**Directed by: Juzo Itami**
**Starring: Nobuko Miyamoto, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Masahiko Tsugawa**
**Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Sexual Content and Nudity)**
**Running Time: 2 h 7 m**
**TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5**
**STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Themes**
**WEAKNESSES: Pacing**

A Taxing Woman (1987)

September 24, 2018

An ambitious young tax investigator rises through the ranks of the bureau she works at while forming a friendly relationship with Hideki Gondo, a rich middle-aged man she’s investigating for tax evasion.

MV5BNTQ0Njc3ODkyMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODQxOTE4MjE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,676,1000_AL_.jpg — Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

**Directed by: Sion Sono**
**Starring: Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa**
**Rated: NR (Suggested R for Frenetic Bloody Violence and Strong Language)**
**Running Time: 2 h 9 m**
**TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5**
**STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Crazy Story, Unique Chracters**
**WEAKNESSES: CGI Effects, Pacing**

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

September 3, 2018

An independent film crew becomes entangled in a yakuza war.

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