Japanese Archives - Page 2 of 3

CUBE (2021) Reviews of Japanese remake

Cube is a 2021 Japanese horror film about six men and women trapped inside a mysterious cube-shaped space from which they have to escape. It is a remake of the …

TOKYO DRAGON CHEF (2020) Yoshihiro Nishimura’s latest movie madness

Tokyo Dragon Chef is a 2020 Japanese action-comedy film about retired Yakuzas that open a ramen restaurant and become an overnight sensation. However, a mysterious upstart gang is taking down …

HOWLING VILLAGE Reviews of Japanese horror

‘Where every howl is one of terror!’ Howling Village is a 2019 Japanese horror film about a young psychologist who heads to a haunted place to research her family’s dark …

HIGANJIMA: ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND (2009) Reviews and overview

Higanjima: Escape from Vampire Island is a 2009 Japanese live-action film adaptation of a manga series by Kōji Matsumoto. It was directed by Kim Tae-Gyun and stars Hideo Ishiguro, Dai …

VERSUS Reviews of Ryûhei Kitamura’s cult classic

Versus was released by Arrow Video as a two-disc Blu-ray set that includes the original cut of the 2000 Japanese zombie action film and Ultimate Versus, the extended cut that …

TOKYO GORE POLICE (2008) Reviews of Japanese surreal madness

‘Tokyo is burning.’ Tokyo Gore Police is a 2008 Japanese-American science fiction splatter film co-written, edited, and directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura (Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl; Helldriver; Zombie TV). The movie stars Eihi Shiina as Ruka, a vengeful …

BRUTAL (2017) Reviews and overview

Brutal is a 2017 Japanese horror film written and directed by Takashi Hirose (Moratorium; Bandaged). The movie stars Butch, Ayano and Katrina Grey. Plot: Constantly on the hunt and suffering from hallucinations that …

KING KONG ESCAPES (1967) Reviews and overview

King Kong Escapes is a 1967 Kaiju film and a Japanese/American co-production from Toho and Rankin-Bass (Mad Monster Party?). Directed by Ishirô Honda (as Inoshiro Honda) from a screenplay written by Takeshi …

THE SHOCK LABYRINTH 3D (2009) Reviews and overview

‘Can you really trust your childhood memories?’ The Shock Labyrinth 3D is a 2009 Japanese horror film in which a group of teenagers take a sick girl to a hospital …

THE CHICKEN PARTY (2018) Reviews and overview

The Chicken Party is a 2018 American horror thriller film about two Japanese sisters who are invited to a social event that turns into a fight for survival. Written and …

STARE aka SHIRAISAN (2019) Reviews and overview

Stare aka Shiraisan is a 2019 Japanese supernatural horror film revolving around the mysterious deaths of victims whose eyes have literally exploded. Written and directed by Hirotaka Adachi [as Otsuichi] …

IT COMES aka KURU (2018) Reviews and overview

It Comes is a 2018 Japanese supernatural horror film about a supernatural entity threatening a family directed by Tetsuya Nakashima (Confessions) from a screenplay co-written with Hideto Iwai. It is …

MOTHRA Reviews of kaiju classic

‘Mightiest monster in all creation!’ Mothra – original title: モスラ Mosura – is a 1961 Japanese science fiction kaiju tokusatsu film directed by Ishirō Honda (Matango; The Human Vapour; The …

ZOMBIE ASS: TOILET OF THE DEAD Reviews of Japanese comedy horror

‘We are going to flush you!’ Zombie Ass: Toilet of the Dead is a 2011 Japanese comedy horror film directed by Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl; Dead Sushi; The ABCs of Death). …

SADAKO (2019) Reviews and overview

Sadako is a 2019 Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Hideo Nakata (Ghost Theater; The Ring Two 2005; Dark Water; Ring, 1998) from a screenplay by Noriaki Sugihara, based on …

RING (1998) Reviews of Hideo Nakata’s Japanese horror classic

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Arrow Films’ restoration of Hideo Nakata’s Ring (1998) is being released in cinemas across the UK from March 1st. Check here for showings. The film …

DARK HIGHLANDS (2018) Reviews and overview

‘Not everyone in Scotland is friendly’ Dark Highlands is a 2018 Scottish horror film written and directed by Mark Stirton. The Hats on Sticks production stars Junichi Kajioka (Spectre), Steve Campbell and Mike …

LIVERLEAF (2018) Reviews and overview

‘In a snow-covered village, my family was burnt to death’ Liverleaf – original title: Misumisô – is a 2018 Japanese horror film directed by Eisuke Naitô from a screenplay by Miako Tadano, based on …

CORPSE PRISON: PART ONE Review and overview

‘A bloodbath is about to be unleashed!’ Corpse Prison: Part One is a 2017 Japanese horror film written and directed by Hideo Jôjô (Siren X), based on a manga by …

GHOST MASK: SCAR (2018) Overview

”Can beauty make you happy?’ Ghost Mask: Scar – original title: Gôsuto masuku: kizu is a 2018 Japanese-South Korean mystery horror film photographed, edited and directed by Takeshi Sone (Bloody Wedding; …

ONE CUT OF THE DEAD (2017) Reviews and overview

One Cut of the Dead – aka Kamera o tomeru na! – is a 2017 Japanese comedy horror film written and directed by Shuichiro Ueda [Shin’ichirô Ueda]. The movie stars Yuzuki Akiyama, Takuya Fujimura, …

BLOODY CHAINSAW GIRL (2016) Reviews and overview

‘May the chaos be with you…’ Bloody Chainsaw Girl is a 2016 Japanese science fiction comedy horror film directed by Hiroki Yamaguchi (Hellevator) from a screenplay written by Mitsunori Fukuhara, based …

HOUSE aka HAUSU (1977) Reviews of surreal Japanese oddity [updated]

House is a 1977 Japanese horror film directed and produced by Nobuhiko Obayashi. The movie stars mostly amateur actors with only Kimiko Ikegami and Yōko Minamida having any notable previous acting experience. Plot: A schoolgirl traveling with her six classmates …

EVIL OF DRACULA (1974) Reviews of Japanese vampire horror

Evil of Dracula is a 1974 Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Michio Yamamoto (Lake of Dracula; The Vampire Doll) from a screenplay by Ei Ogawa and Masaru Takesue, based very loosely on Bram …

THE GREEN SLIME (1968) Reviews and overview

‘Invaders from beyond the stars!’ The Green Slime is a 1968 science-fiction horror film produced by MGM and shot in Japan at the Toei Company studios by director Kinji Fukasaku …

BEFORE WE VANISH (2017) Reviews and overview

Before We Vanish – original title: 散歩する侵略者 Sanpo suru shinryakusha – is a 2017 Japanese science fiction thriller film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa from a screenplay co-written with Sachiko Tanaka, based on a play by Tomohiro …

GODZILLA: PLANET OF THE MONSTERS (2017) Reviews and overview

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters – Godzilla -怪獣惑星– Gojira: Kaijū Wakusei – is a 2017 Japanese CGI anime kaiju film produced by Toho Animation and animated by Polygon Pictures. The film is co-directed by Kōbun Shizuno and Hiroyuki Seshita, from a screenplay by Gen …

VAMPIRE CLAY (2017) Reviews of bizarre Japanese horror

Vampire Clay is a 2017 Japanese horror film in which a plasticine demon devours the denizens of a rural art school… Written and directed by Sôichi Umezawa. The movie stars …

MEATBALL MACHINE KODOKU (2017) Reviews and overview

‘Tokyo is on fire’ Meatball Machine Kodoku is a 2017 Japanese science fiction comedy horror film directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura (Helldriver; Tokyo Gore Police; Zombie TV) from a screenplay co-written by Sakichi Satô (A Chain …

Piranha JPN: Teeth of the Piranha – in development

Piranha JPN: Teeth of the Piranha is a Japanese/American horror film currently being developed by executive producer Roger Corman, alongside producer Hisako Tsukuba (also known as Chako van Leeuwen). Previously mooted …

TOKYO GHOUL (2017) Reviews and overview

Tokyo Ghoul is a 2017 Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Kentarō Hagiwara, based on the manga series Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida. It stars Masataka Kubota and Fumika Shimizu. In an …

FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD Reviews and overview

Frankenstein Conquers the World is a 1965 Kaiju film produced by Toho. The film was directed by Ishirō Honda (Varan the Unbelievable; Matango; Godzilla) with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. It stars Nick Adams, Kumi Mizuno, Tadao …

KURONEKO (1968) Reviews and overview

Kuroneko is a 1968 Japanese horror film directed by Kaneto Shindo. The English title translates as “Black Cat”. (The Japanese title translates as “Black cat in a [bamboo] grove”.) A mother, Yone (Nobuko …

MATANGO aka ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE (1963) Reviews and overview

Matango (マタンゴ) – also known as Matango, Fungus of Terror and Attack of the Mushroom People – is a 1963 Japanese tokusatsu movie. It was directed by Ishirō Honda (The Human Vapour; The H-Man; Godzilla) from a screenplay by Takeshi Kimura, based …

FRANKENSTEIN (1981) Overview of Japanese animated movie

Frankenstein is a 1981 Japanese animated television film based on Mary Shelley’s novel and the Marvel comic book Monster of Frankenstein. In this Toei Animation 98-minute adult-oriented film, the creature was …

ORGAN (1996) Reviews and overview

Organ (オルガン) is a 1996 Japanese horror film written, directed and produced by Kei Fujiwara (Id). She also stars in it as one of two organ thieves who remove organs …

CREEPY Reviews of Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s psychological thriller

Creepy is a 2016 Japanese psychological thriller directed by Kurosawa Kiyoshi (Sweet Home; Pulse; Cure; Cloud) from a screenplay co-written with Chihiro Ikeda, based on the 2012 novel by Yutaka Maekawa. Plot: Criminal psychologist …

THE GHOST OF THE ONE-EYED MAN (1965) Overview

The Ghost of the One-Eyed Man is a 1965 Japanese horror film directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi from a screenplay by Ichirô Miyagawa and Hajime Takaiwa. The original title is Kaidan katame no otoko. …

YAKUZA APOCALYPSE (2015) Reviews and overview

Yakuza Apocalypse – 極道大戦争 (Gokudō Daisensō) – is a 2015 Japanese action yakuza vampire film directed by Takashi Miike (Gozu; Audition; Ichi the Killer) from a screenplay by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi (Arcana; Samurai Cat). The …

I AM A HERO (2015) Reviews and overview

I Am a Hero – アイアムアヒーロー – is a 2015 Japanese live action horror film adaption of the manga comic of the same name by Kengo Hanazawa, directed by Shinsuke Sato from …

SADAKO VS. KAYAKO (2016) Reviews and overview

Sadako vs. Kayako –貞子 vs. 伽椰子 – is a 2016 Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Kôji Shiraishi (Noroi: The Curse; Grotesque; Occult; Foe and sequel). Twenty-four year-old actress Mizuki Yamamoto (Screaming Class) stars. Kadokawa …

GAMERA (2015) Japanese monster movie

Gamera (ガメラ) is a 2015 Japanese kaiju monster film directed by Katsuhito Ishii and produced by Kadokawa Pictures. It will apparently be a reboot to the Gamera series as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary …

PARASYTE: PART 1 (2014) Japanese sci-fi horror

Parasyte: Part 1 – originally: 寄生獣 or Kiseijū – is a 2014 Japanese science fiction action horror film directed by Takashi Yamazaki from s screenplay co-written with Ryota Kosawa. Main cast: Shota Sometani, Sadao …

GHOST THEATRE (2015) Japanese horror

Ghost Theatre – aka Ghost Theater and original title: Gekijô rei – is a 2015 Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Hideo Nakata (Ring; Ring 2; Dark Water; Kaidan) from a screenplay …

ATTACK ON TITAN (2015) Japanese monster movie

Attack on Titan – aka 進撃の巨人 – “Shingeki no kyojin: Attack on Titan” – is a 2015 Japanese action-monster film directed by Shinji Higuchi for Toho Pictures. It based on the manga …

Pacemaker Pictures – film distributor

Pacemaker Pictures Inc. was an American distribution company that specialised in releasing imported European horror movies with lurid advertising campaigns, often many years later than their initial production/release. The company …

CORPSE PARTY (2015) Japanese horror

Corpse Party is a 2015 Japanese horror film directed by Masafumi Yamada (Hitori Kakurenbo Gekijōban, Hontō ni Atta Kowai Hanashi) and starring Rina Ikoma, Ryōsuke Ikeoka and Nozomi Maeda. The film is …

GOZU (2003) Reviews and overview

Gozu – 極道恐怖大劇場牛頭ＧＯＺＵ Gokudō kyōfu dai-gekijō: Gozu, literally: “Yakuza Horror Theatre: Cow’s Head” – is a Japanese cult film directed by Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer) and written by Sakichi Sato. It stars Hideki …

Godzilla – Playstation game

Godzilla is a Bandai Namco computer game for PS3 and PS4 that is released on 14th July 2015 in North America and 17th July 2015 in Europe. The game has been animated …

LAKE OF DRACULA (1971) Reviews and overview

Lake of Dracula is a 1971 Japanese supernatural horror film made by the Toho company following Hammer’s Gothic tradition. The film is considered the second in a trilogy of films …