5 Centimeters Per Second by Makoto Shinkai (Review) Here’s hoping that “5 Centimeters Per Second” represents one last hurrah for Shinkai before moving on to new, and equally fertile territory. Apr 28, 2008 Anime
Tony Takitani by Jun Ichikawa (Review) Tony Takitani is one of the more poignant and affecting films I’ve seen in a long time, a very powerful movie about longing and loss. Feb 2, 2006 Movies
The Place Promised in Our Early Days by Makoto Shinkai (Review) Ultimately, the film is a nostalgic and romantic tale of childhood promises and dreams. Jun 25, 2005 Movies Anime
The Hidden Blade by Yôji Yamada (Review) A beautiful, nostalgic samurai film that often feels like a retread of The Twilight Samurai… which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. May 30, 2005 Movies
2046 by Wong Kar-Wai (Review) An entirely logical, if sometimes sorely flawed, follow-up to Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Love. Feb 2, 2005 Movies
Chungking Express by Wong Kar-Wai (Review) A fun, offbeat little film that showed me there’s more to Hong Kong cinema than heroic bloodshed and kung-fu. Dec 19, 2004 Movies
Last Life in the Universe by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Review) The film moves with such quiet grace and sublimity that I found myself completely arrested throughout. Sep 13, 2004 Movies
Moonlight Express by Daniel Lee (Review) If you’re looking for a way to pay respects to the memory of Leslie Cheung, you can certainly do far, far worse. Aug 29, 2004 Movies
A Man Who Went To Mars by Jeong-Kwon Kim (Review) With a longer running time, perhaps something more substantial might have taken place. May 21, 2004 Movies
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Michel Gondry (Review) 2004 promises us some great movies, but by year’s end, I doubt we’ll have experienced anything quite like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Mar 24, 2004 Movies
The Twilight Samurai by Yôji Yamada (Review) As a result of its small, intimate, and unassuming approach, The Twilight Samurai is simply a masterpiece. Jan 31, 2004 Movies
Last Life in the Universe by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Review) A very simple story of two hopeless people meeting and slowly learning to have hope in their lives again. Jan 25, 2004 Movies
Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (Review) At its heart, this film is a wonderfully done piece about healing and reconciliation. Nov 9, 2003 Movies
The Scent of Green Papaya by Tran Anh Hung (Review) The Scent of Green Papaya concerns itself with being realistic, with finding the beauty in the ordinary. Sep 21, 2003 Movies
Shadowlands by Richard Attenborough (Review) A subtle and tender film that will resonate with people of faith, if they take the time to seek it out. Sep 6, 2003 Movies
Ditto by Kim Jung-Kwon (Review) This South Korean melodrama’s predictable sappiness belies its earnest performances and some clever time-travel twists. Apr 27, 2003 Movies
His and Her Circumstances, Vol. 3 by Kazuya Tsurumaki (Review) Of the series’ strengths, the one I love the most is how well it’s able to juggle humor and drama. Apr 14, 2003 Anime
Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore (Review) A movie about the wonder and mystery of movies, as played out in the life of one man. Mar 21, 2003 Movies
Chinese Odyssey 2002 by Jeffrey Lau (Review) This movie is nothing short of a delight, the kind that gets me giggling like a little schoolgirl every time I think about it. Mar 16, 2003 Movies
Christmas in August by Hur Jin-Ho (Review) The premise itself, about a man who is slowly dying and the girl that he falls in love with, would seem prone to sappiness. Feb 21, 2003 Movies