Best of 2018
Hey there, blog that I update like twice a year! At least this time I’m actually getting my “best of” list out before January. Movies Managed to watch 69 movies … Continue reading
Who Owns Aokigahara?
As you may have heard, recently a YouTuber named Logan Paul thought it’d be cool to film himself and some friends looking at the body of a suicide victim that … Continue reading
Deal with the Devil: Exploring the World of Japanese “Dating Simulation” Games
After a steamy courtship that included multiple rescues from stalky demons and a bit of frolicking and sandcastle-building on a beach, I’m happy to announce that I’m engaged. Granted, I … Continue reading
Best of 2015
I’m a bit late with this list, but here it is. Japanese Movies (I saw 78 movies last year, a number I’d like to push to at least 100 this … Continue reading
Onward and upward!
Hello all, Apologies for the long absence, been working on a lot of stuff. Including (drumroll) this! Very pleased to announce the creation of Eiga Files, a new website for … Continue reading
No Illusions: Shinya Tsukamoto’s 野火 (Fires on the Plain)
I’m pretty tired of films that try to depict war as a clear-cut battle between good and evil, or really as anything resembling a world of order and reason. I’m … Continue reading
Chaos in the Wrong Place: Nihon no ichiban nagai hi (The Emperor in August)
The last few years have seen the release of several big-budget period dramas commemorating Japan’s wartime experiences both at home and abroad. One of the more controversial efforts was Eien … Continue reading
Mexican Food in Tokyo
So the semester’s in full swing, which means I’m back to not knowing which way is up or down and forgetting my own name occasionally, though at least I’m a … Continue reading
Tuxes and Tea: An Afternoon at Swallowtail Butler Cafe
The butler cafe was supposed to be a “research” trip, or just one of those at-least-I-can-say-I-did-it experiences. But I ended up kind of loving it. Butler cafes are one … Continue reading
Films: Uzumasa Limelight
Uzumasa Limelight is one of those movies that never loses sight of the fact that it’s a movie. It’s formulaic, but when the formula works, it can be a beautiful … Continue reading
Adventures in (Post) Gradland 