Dread and unease ooze in abundance in this masterful, bar-raising existential psychological mystery about an exasperated detective trying to solve a series of inexplicable murders.
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Cure (1997)
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Tag / Japan
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Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)
Rather unfocused and indulgent in its depiction of vices, this 24th instalment (featuring Shintaro Katsu in a rare outing as director) is also one of the franchise’s grittiest entries.
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Dragnet Girl (1933)
One of Ozu’s most accomplished silent efforts, this love story of jealousy and guilt set in the milieu of a small-time crook displays a mastery of visual storytelling.
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Hen in the Wind, A (1948)
An underrated postwar effort by Ozu, featuring an indelible performance by Kinuyo Tanaka whose character must do whatever it takes to fulfil her responsibilities as a mother to a sick child.
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Akira (1988)
One of the most iconic anime ever produced, Otomo’s landmark work of dystopia and politics remains mind-blowing in its execution and acts as a stern warning to humanity not to destroy ourselves.
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Page of Madness, A (1926)
Dark, disturbing and with little to rein in its creative and freewheeling spirit, this experimental piece continues to shock and impress as one of the key works of Japanese silent cinema.
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Inu-Oh (2021)
An animated shamisen rock ballad if there ever was one that features stunning visuals but a rather excessive and overlong midsection of performative songs that aren’t exactly musically memorable.
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Zatoichi at Large (1972)
Despite a sensational action finale that rivals some of the best in the series, this 23rd instalment seems to have been made from a script that is one or two revisions away from being ready.
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5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)
This largely-narrated hour-long anime in three parts captures with introspection and quiet solace the bliss and despairing nature of first love, with breathtaking visuals to boot.
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Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1971)
An interesting, and at times, comical crossover between two cultural action icons, this is a generally satisfying if predictable entry.
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Eternality Tan 