Reviews from Japan

Superlative - everyone should see this

Great, a must-see if you like the genre

Good, a decent example of the genre

Watchable, but only for serious genre fans

Unwatchable

Half stars could have gone either way depending on mood.

Movie Name / Release Year	Summary	Date	Reviewer
Roaring Fire (1981)	Tons of fun	2024-02-27	Simon
Robogeisha (2009)	A vehicle for an amazing imagination	2010-10-14	Simon
Roningai (1990)	Gently paced but ultimately satisfying samurai film	2005-08-18	Simon
Rurouni Kenshin (2012)	A slick and fresh take on the martial arts genre	2021-06-06	Simon
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014)	Just as enjoyable and well made as the first film	2016-01-31	Simon
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021)	A strange film to end the series on	2021-07-30	Simon
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)	The legend returns	2021-06-19	Simon
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014)	Good if not quite great conclusion	2021-06-17	Simon
Sabu (Movie) (2002)	Not a samurai movie as advertised	2004-10-13	Simon
Sakuran (2007)	You love, you lose	2020-10-25	Simon
Salaryman Kintaro (1999)	An engaging story of some likeable characters	2005-09-14	Simon
Samurai Fiction (1998)	Totally dull	2002-09-29	Simon
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954)	One of the classic samurai films	2020-08-09	Simon
Samurai II: Duel At Ichijoji Temple (1955)	The way of women is to love	2020-08-15	Simon
Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island (1956)	Solid conclusion to the trilogy	2020-09-20	Simon
Samurai Reincarnation (1981)	Sounds more fun than it actually is	2021-09-25	Simon
Sanshiro Sugata (1943)	Fine, if a little insubstantial	2022-01-22	Simon
Satorare (2001)	Rubbish	2003-02-06	Simon
Serial Experiments Lain (1998)	Genuinely creepy	2012-09-29	Simon
Seven Samurai (1954)	One of the best films ever made	2003-01-31	Simon
Sharkskin Man and Peach Hip Girl (1998)	Clever, funny and well-made	2002-03-17	Simon
Shin Godzilla (2016)	Mostly awful but Godzilla is pretty awesome	2021-05-17	Simon
Shinjuku Swan (2015)	It's about demand and supply	2020-08-23	Simon
Shinjuku Swan II (2017)	No real reason for this film to exist	2020-08-29	Simon
Shinjuku Triad Society (1995)	A distinctive early Miike outing	2021-08-03	Simon
Shinobi (2005)	A tragic romance... with ninjas	2005-11-12	Simon
Sister Streetfighter (1974)	Sleazy, violent and quite dumb - just how we like 'em!	2012-05-22	Simon
Sister Streetfighter: Hanging By A Thread (1974)	Good trashy fun once again	2012-05-22	Simon
Sky High (2003)	Intriguing and enjoyable film with flaws	2004-06-03	Simon
Sonatine (1993)	Beautifully meditative take on the yakuza film	2013-12-15	Simon