Browsing by Genre

Fantasy

Ashura - Jo no hitmoi (2005)
Set in 19th century Edo is a city ruled by Lust, laughter and money where Demons lurk, disguised as humans, awaiting the return of Ashura. An elite government-appointed 'team' of swordsmen rule the city - Demon wardens who are feared by Demons and Humans alike. Izumo [Ichikawa Sumegoro] and Jaku [Watabe Atsuro] are Demon wardens whose lust for killing Demons remains unquenched until one day Izumo kills [on request] a young child and he retires in hiding as a Kabuki actor hiding from his own demons. One day Bizet, a beautiful demon nun who arrives with tales that Ashura will soon awaken - "When Ashura awakens her castle will rise upside down from the skies and the Demons will rule the world" ready with her army to spread darkness. Meanwhile Izumo, upon a chance meeting, meets a beautiful performer named Tsubaki unaware that Jaku is also after this mysterious girl, who only remembers the last five years of her life, but for reason Izumo has yet to understand. A visually splendidly gorgeous film which is a direct adaptation of 'Blood gets in your eyes' the 2000 stage play blending kabuki and J-pop culture which also starred Ichikawa Somegoro and art direction by Yuji Hayashida who brought to us the blindingly beautiful CASSHERN. If you are looking for a film which contains Martial Arts, fantasy, magic, drama, horror and stunning visuals this film has it all. Any fans of Ryuhei kitamura will also love this film.
Cha No Aji (2003)
A look at an otherwise normal family, until you realize that the father is a hypno-therapist who likes to practice on family members, mother is a former manga artist looking to get back in the game, the son is a torrent of hormones, grandpa is on permenant mental vacation, and the daughter (the protagonist) has a giant, pestering alter-ego.
Jam Films 2 (2004)
Four short films directed by four different directors ranging in genre from drama to surrealist and more.
Jigoku Koshien
Insanity ensues at a lower-end high school when the principal and vice-principal dream of Koushien (the Japanese high school equivalent of the World Series). They recruit every ruffian and sucker who will play for them, for their very first game is a team sent straight from Hell. This movie was not allowed at the Tokyo International Movie Festival, to which the writer, director and producer of the movie (all the same gentleman) cries foul throughout the movie. Sight gags and slapstick humor abound.
Neko No Ongaeshi
Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli sequel.
Onmyouji
A demon's curse had the ancient capital of Heian (old Kyoto) in the grips of fear that it may be destroyed. Abe No Seimei (a Ying-Yang master) is called upon to dispell and reveal the forces of evil.
Onmyouji 2
Return to the old capital of Heian with a new adventure of magic and friendship. A curse set upon the country of Yamato (the name of old Japan) by a wizard of Izumo sets Abe No Seimei and his companions in motion. It is a race against time as they realize that gods are involved.
Soseji (1999)
Director Shinya Tsukamoto brings to life a variation of an Edogawa Rampo tale of a rich doctor whose life is ripped from him by a violent and unknown visitor. Set during the Meiji Era.
Tenku No Shiro Raputa (1986)
Sheeta and Pazu journey together to the flying island of Laputa to unlock its secrets--and the secrets of Sheeta's own heritage.
Tetsuo II (1992)
Tetsuo, who is transforming his body into a weapon, seeks out the men who have kidnapped his son (in order to experiment on him). Black and white. Note: There is also a super remix version that has been released.
Versus
A criminal escapes incarceration, only to wind up in the woods around Mt. Fuji with a pack of angry mafia types on his heels, a girl in tow, and an overwhelming feeling that something odd is going on. To top it off, the dead are coming back to life. Directed by cult-horror-violence film director Ryuhei Kitamura.
Yokai Hunter - Hiruko (1990)
After discovering that a now abandoned school has been built on the gates of Hell, an archeologist sets out to stop Hiruko, a demon, from releasing more demons into the world via beheadings.
Yomigaeri
A 30-something returns to his rural hometown when an epidemic of long-missing and deceased loved ones start returning to their homes as if nothing has happened. At first the town is in panic, but soon welcome their loved ones back without question. Apparently each person may call back (yomigaru) one loved one. Having lost a brother many years ago, the protagonist wonders why he hasn't called him back yet. This is not a zombie movie, instead it's a real tear-jerker.
You Ni Mo Myouna Monogatari (movie version)
Caught in a sudden downpour at a train station, a group of unrelated people are treated to stories by an enigmatic man. Hosted by Tamori, this Twilight Zone-like movie features four short stories in one. Horror, fantasy, love, and other themes all mesh to create a suspenseful thriller. Based on the popular TV show from the 90s of the same title.