Kokuhaku (2010) aka "Confessions"

Yuko Moriguchi teaches her pupils a hard lesson in this psychological thriller.

Ôdishon (1999) aka "Audition"

There is nothing like a spot of Japanese "torture porn" for a Wednesday evening.

Janck 3.5 stars (March 2008)



This takes an age to get 'interesting' before the inevitable grisly denouement. Staple Japanese horror, though did feel dated and decidedly average.

Mitch 3 stars

Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi, a.k.a. Spirited Away (2003)

Endearing Japanese anime.


3.5 stars

Brother (2000)

Takeshi Kitano takes his uncompromising style of Yakuza warfare to the streets of LA. I can't help but think this would've been a better movie had the action stayed in Japan, rather than the "United Gangsters of Benetton" story that developed Stateside.

3 stars