Author Archives: philipbrasor

Review: Tiger Stripes

Posted on August 1, 2026 by philipbrasor

It’s difficult to screw up a coming-of-age story if you have good intentions. The indignities of puberty immediately lead to internal conflict, and while the physical changes an adolescent goes through is central to the attendant drama, filmmakers are often … Continue reading →

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Fuji Rock Festival ’26

Posted on July 24, 2026 by philipbrasor

Friday morning The weather forecast for this year’s Fuji Rock Festival hasn’t been encouraging. Rain pretty much every day, but right now the sun is out and the temperature is quite bearable. It was cloudy last night for the pre-festival … Continue reading →

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Review: A Private Life

Posted on July 23, 2026 by philipbrasor

Though clearly a vehicle for Jodie Foster and her Francophone talents, this chamber piece, directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, attempts to split the difference between Christiesque murder mystery and psychological melodrama, and whether it succeeds will depend on how much the … Continue reading →

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Media watch: What is the point of the imperial family’s official duties?

Posted on July 22, 2026 by philipbrasor

Last week the Diet enacted a bill that would reinstate former lines of the imperial household into the chain of succession so that male descendants can be adopted and fill out the ranks of possible future emperors. In addition, female … Continue reading →

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Media notes: Government to Japan’s cinema legacy: Get a job

Posted on July 20, 2026 by philipbrasor

On June 25, the National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ) announced it was launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for its continuing operations and existence. The initial goal is ¥100 million, which is not nearly enough to keep the … Continue reading →

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Review: So Long (Ce n’est qu’un au revoir)

Posted on July 18, 2026 by philipbrasor

Guillaume Brac came to filmmaking relatively late in life in that he didn’t study movies as an undergraduate (he went to business school). Consequently, his work has always betrayed a cautious hesitancy with regard to form and style. In his … Continue reading →

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Review: Obsession

Posted on July 17, 2026 by philipbrasor

One aspect of this hit horror film that isn’t covered enough is its humor, especially with regard to its central supernatural instrument. Our hero, terminally shy, barely-of-drinking-age Bear (Michael Johnston), has a deep crush on his co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette), … Continue reading →

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Review: Dead Man’s Wire

Posted on July 16, 2026 by philipbrasor

It would be easy to dismiss Gus Van Sant’s latest movie as an exercise in 70s cinema style, which he pulls off with his usual skill and aplomb, but his recreation of a real life hostage incident that took place … Continue reading →

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Review: The Great Arch

Posted on July 15, 2026 by philipbrasor

It seems axiomatic to say that stories about architects are inherently monumental. People who design buildings contend with the future in ways that are different from how other artists work, simply because their creations are supposed to be useful, presumably … Continue reading →

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Review: A Useful Ghost and The President’s Cake

Posted on July 10, 2026 by philipbrasor

Thai director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s debut feature, A Useful Ghost, has the opposite effect of being haunting. In tone and pace, it’s closer to the work of Aki Kaurasmaki, with actors striking disaffected poses regardless of what they’re reacting to. Moreover, … Continue reading →

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