Friday, October 22 2010

Exoticism and Eroticism in ‘Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence’

By Terrence Butcher

As with Gohatto, Oshima's English-language debut features an exotic interloper who causes a sexual disturbance among an insular clique.

Thursday, January 24 2008

Gone and Not Forgotten: The PopMatters DVD Wish List

By Bill Gibron

A lot of good movies are still missing from DVD. Here is a list of 25 that PopMatters feels have been unceremoniously left to simply fade away.

Monday, April 18 2005

Dolls (2002)

By Kevin Jagernauth

Dolls lingers on heartbreak but doesn't say much about it.

Monday, November 29 2004

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)

By Cynthia Fuchs

'In Japan,' says Takeshi Kitano, 'cops and yakuzas are the only two occupations that deal with death or violence daily.'"

Thursday, June 3 2004

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)

By Sharon Mizota

Rather than simply paying homage to the original series, this latest installment showcases its own artifice and theatricality.

Sunday, January 1 1995

Kikujiro (2000)

By Elena Razlogova

Despite this familiar story, and the ubiquitous display of angels' pictures, angels' wings, and angels' bells, the film does not unfold as a predictable sentimental tale.

Brother (2001)

By Cynthia Fuchs

With 'Brother', his first English language film, Takeshi Kitano again examines the violent intimacy of the yakuza 'brotherhood.'"