The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List: Konnichiwa to Japanese Cinema

How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List:   

Konnichiwa to Japan Cinema

A Page of Madness (1926)

Do you want a taste of early Japanese cinema? Still in the silent era, A Page of Madness is certainly filled with madness as director Teinosuke Kinugasa offers up a fully engrossing avant garde experience of cinema. A man enters an asylum to free his wife and the audience is met with daring and dynamic visuals that would shock you for a film from the 1920s. There is plenty of emotion emanating from these large silent film performances that help anchor the audience in this madness. The filmmaking is so impressive that it is worth a watch (even if you don’t 100% understand exactly what is going on.

Rashomon (1950)

Are you ready for the most iconic directors in all Japanese cinema? Akira Kurosawa was a behemoth in the world of film as he crafted some of the most dynamic and impressive films to ever come out of Japan including Rashomon. This film is not even 90 minutes, but it is jam- packed with complex and layered storytelling that sets it apart from so many films of the time and gives this crime mystery such a modern feel. This cast is fully committed to the emotion and energy of the piece with Japanese screen legend and Kurosawa collaborator Toshiro Mifune making a huge splash. Action, murder, emotion, lies, and deceit…this compelling drama has it all and the daring structure of recounting the same crime from varying perspectives.

Tokyo Story (1953)

Who is another master of Japanese cinema who made such a big impact? Yasujiro Ozu…a filmmaker whose approach was much more grounded and deeply human. Tokyo Story is a moving drama that takes an aging couple and sends them on a frustrating and complicated visit with their children. The performances are so naturalistic and engaging, which allows the audience to feel connected and empathize with this unfortunately yet moving journey. Ozu’s film is relatable in its themes and story but also offers nuanced storytelling and fine craftsmanship. This is a timeless classic worthy of its spot on this list.

Godzilla (1954)

Godzilla is also filled with nuanced human characters…but that is not why you check this legendary film out, is it? This is THE monster movie. THE creature feature. This giant nuclear lizard has been a cinematic iconic since this original film arrived and made such a towering impression on audiences. The action and terror are poignant and engrossing. The models and other practical effects make this film feel so much more tactile. Unlike so many other monster movies, Godzilla gives you a group of characters who have layers and connect so easily to the audience. The death and destruction are impressive to behold but the thoughts and ideas in this post-WWII film make this timeless and special. Oh…and that score is iconic as they come. Enjoy it being stuck in your head.

Seven Samurai (1954)

What is the most epic of Japanese cinematic epics? There is an easy argument for another film from the catalog of Kurosawa…and that film is Seven Samurai. This 3.5-hour epic is a tale of bandits wreaking havoc on an unassuming village. The solution? Bring in a band of seven ronin who will lead this village in battle to save them. Sound familiar? You have probably seen at least one film that is based on this iconic story (looking at you, A Bug’s Life). This cast is filled with impressive Japanese performers from Mifune to Takashi Shimura. Kurosawa offers gritty, visceral, and practical action in what should be considered one of the greatest action films of all time. But the complex character dynamics, layered players, and unexpected emotion all elevate what an epic action thrill ride to something more impactful and legendary than that.

Harakiri (1962)

Are you ready for a narrative full of mystery, lies, and vengeance? Masaki Kobayashi’s Harakiri is probably one of the greatest films you’ve never heard of. This mystery is a tale of a man seeking a place to commit suicide and enters the home of a powerful man. The flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling add layers of intrigue and suspense that fleshes out this seemingly simple tale. The performances are so powerful and anchor the film down as it builds and builds up to its explosive and brutal climax. This is one of the most beautiful films you will find and features the most gorgeously shot sword fight in all of film history. This is a compelling, thrilling, and technically superb cinematic experience.

An Actor’s Revenge (1963)

Are you ready for a little bit more arthouse cinema? An Actor’s Revenge is a film that stands out for its striking visuals and dynamic storytelling. Kon Ichikawa’s film has lived on in the Criterion Collection for a reason. The narrative is layered with compelling characters and (as you can tell from the title) offers up a healthy dose of vengeance. The production design, costume, and make-up work on this film is off the charts. An Actor’s Revenge is a wonderful example of art in motion with its bold visual work, emotional impact, and thrills centered on the central revenge plot. This is a bold film that highlights the variety in Japanese cinema.

Kwaidan (1964)

How impressive is the world of Japanese horror? The genre has found so much creativity and terror in the hands of Japanese filmmakers over the years. Kwaidan is an impressive work that offers up an anthology film with a variety of unnerving and horrific tales. Masaki Kobayashi takes his three-hour runtime to explore a variety of eerie tales with some of the most evocative and terrifying visuals in cinematic history. The exploration of Japanese folklore opens the door for a creative and bold film that offers up tales that will stick with you long after the credits roll. Perfectly shot, this horror film finds the right amount of visualization, pacing, and acting to deliver in each of these unique tales.

Akira (1988)

What is the crown jewel of the anime genre? Japanese animators have created so many impressive films over the years but not many have been as impactful, influential, and bold as Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira. Motorcycles, gang jackets, and mutating entities of flesh have all found their way throughout popular culture. The tale of two friends at odds when one of them develops all powerful and dangerous psychic skills. The action in the film is off the charts thrilling and exhilarating. The animation is gorgeous, detailed, and creative as Akira boasts some of the most impressive use of light in any film. The climax of this film is unbelievable in scale and creativity with a wonderful mix of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and action. Few films have made such an impact and offer up such a unique cinematic experience.

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

How relevant and timely can a 30-year-old anime be? The exploration of technology and artificial intelligence is at the heart of Mamoru Oshii’s legendary anime Ghost in the Shell. The music is atmospheric and poignant. The animation is second to none and leaves you scratching your head about how a 2D animated film can have this much depth and layers. The action is brutal, intense, and bloody for sure as the film’s protagonist (a police cyborg) takes out everyone in her path. The story is fascinating and explores the bounds and limits of technology as humanity (in 2025) looks into an unbelievable future full of such A.I. Ghost in the Shell never lets up with its lean and trimmed runtime with sharp editing and an engrossing atmosphere. This is yet another towering achievement in Japanese cinema.

Spirited Away (2002)

Who is the kind of anime? Hayao Miyazaki. This man changed the world of animation forever. His work at Studio Ghibli has a true global impact and influence as so many of his films have left such a large imprint on generations of filmgoers. His passion for Japanese culture and his journey to protect the natural world is the key to his success. His most beloved and impressive film is Spirited Away. The winner of the second ever Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, this fantasy film offers up one of the most unique worlds in cinema. The character designs are impressive from a grand dragon to a giant gluttonous spirit to little soot creatures. Miyazaki is second to none in crafting fully realized fantasy worlds on film (live action or animated). Full of poignant themes, Spirited Away is a magical cinematic experience from its gorgeous score to the beautiful colors to the wild world building.

Your Name. (2016)

Who has picked up the torch of modern anime in cinema? Makoto Shinkai. His approach to 3D anime is breathtaking and striking. The beauty of the world he creates is incredible and wholly engrossing. The work of Shinkai is emotive, moving, and relatable. These are not fully fantasy worlds but put people in fantastical places…like Your Name. This is a beautiful and impactful film that explores the trope of body-swapping. The connection between this teen boy and girl is so powerful, nuanced, and compelling. Shinkai is such a creative storyteller, and he makes such impactful and human touches stand out in the most outrageous situations. Your Name was a cultural touchstone, and this speaks so clearly to so many.