Articles

KOKUBO (Japan 2025) ***½

Directed by Lee Sang-il

Directed by Lee Sang-il and starring two of Japan’s most prominent actors, Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama, Kokuho is a gripping tale of friendship and rivalry in the world of Kamigata kabuki.  The story opens in Nagasaki in 1964 and unfolds over five tumultuous decades. It follows Kikuo — the son of a slain yakuza boss — who, at fourteen, is taken in by a celebrated kabuki master and raised alongside Shunsuke, the master’s son and designated heir. Their bond — part brotherhood, part rivalry — drives an epic saga of ambition, sacrifice, scandal, and devotion, culminating in the emergence of a singular kokuho: a living “national treasure.”    The film educates the audience on the world of kabuki with all the lavishness and splendour of the disciplined choreography, costumes, makeup up and voices.  The kabuki is so controlled that all the female roles are played by males.  As such, the two male actors are extremely good-looking, with the film bearing lots of homo-eroticism.  The only problem is that the film his way too long at 3 hours, stretching the last bit way too far.  The film is a hit in Japan.

THE MOMENT (USA/UK 2026) ***
Directed by Aidan Zamiri

THE MOMENT is a satire mockumentary on the British singer/songwriter known as Charli XCX.  It is brave and innovative, sometimes too much, and it takes a while, like the first half of the film, to get its footing.  This reviewer hated the first half.  The first half is quite bad, but the second half of the film redeemed itself with its freshness as well as weirdness.

The film should come with a warning about flashing strobe lights, which can be really annoying and disturbing to those with mental issues.

Charli XCX is well known to those in the music industry.  Forthose unfamiliar, she is quite the force to be reckoned with.

Charlotte Emma Aitchison born 2 August 1992), known professionally as Charli XCX, is a British singer, songwriter, and actress.  She began posting songs on Myspace in 2008 before entering the London rave scene.  Signing a recording contract with Asylum Records in 2010, Charli XCX released a series of singles and mixtapes in the early 2010s.  In 2012, she was featured on "I Love It" by Swedish duo Icona Pop, which became her first UK number-one and went on to achieve global success.  Her debut studio album, True Romance (2013), received positive reviews but failed to meet commercial expectations.  her new film has a chance of putting her onnthe map of fame.

In the movie, Charli XCX plays a fictionalised version of herself.

The Moment is a 2026 American mockumentary film directed by Aidan Zamiri, who co-wrote it with Bertie Brandes from an original idea by Charli XCX. The film stars XCX, Rosanna Arquette, Kate Berlant, Jamie Demetriou, Hailey Benton Gates, Isaac Powell, and Alexander Skarsgård.

THE MOMENT premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026, and was released in the United States by A24 on January 30.  The film has so far received mixed reviews from critics.  It opens in theatres in Toronto and in other key Canadian cities on February 6th.

Trailer:  

SCARLET (Japan 2025) ***

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda

SCARLET (Japanese: 果てしなきスカーレット, literal meaning: 'Endless Scarlet') is a 2025 Japanese animated fantasy action film written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, and produced by Studio Chizu.  The story, set in Denmark, is strange for a Japanese anime, but it becomes clear when the tie unfolds amend show it is inspired by the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet.  It follows the eponymous princess who can cross time and space on a quest of vengeance after her father is murdered.

Scarlet, a medieval-era, sword-fighting princess on a dangerous quest to avenge the death of her father, is the protagonist of this powerful, time-bending animated adventure.  The film begins with the princess waking up in a strange arid land, revealed to be the Otherworld.  Voiceover informs that it is a place where the dead and living exist.  But it is not heaven, nor is it hell.  The setting allows director Hosoda to impresses audience with stunning animation, one of the highlights of the film.  After failing and being mortally wounded, she finds herself in a surreal place between life and death called the Otherworld. After failing in her mission and finding herself fatally injured in a surreal world, she encounters an idealistic young man from our present day who not only helps her to heal but also shows her the possibility of a future free from bitterness and rage. When confronted once more by her father’s killer, who is her father’s evil brother who has usurped the throne, Scarlet faces her most daunting battle: can she break the cycle of hatred and find meaning in life beyond revenge?

The film explores heavy themes like vengeance, forgiveness, healing after loss, and the cycle of hatred — all filtered through a fantastical narrative inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  Though animated, the heavy, leaden themes would make the film unsuitable for younger audiences.  The film, however, suffers from a weak narrative.  One can predict where the film is heading - that vengeance is not everything that would satisfy the sword-wielding princess, and that she has a lot to learn about the good of mankind.

The film does away with explanations.  How does the enemy Voldemand suddenly appear in the Overworld?  The princess also has an option to climb the stairway to heaven.  Apparently, the party is guarded heavily, and there are bandits to contend with on the hornet to the staircase.  And is there an infinite land in the mountains that the stairway leads to?  Too many unanswered questions hinder the story’s credibility.  The film is also punctuated with songs that emphasise the film’s theme, as in the lyrics of the songs emphasising the colour of the heart and love.

SCARLET had its premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2025.  There, it won the Fanheart3 Award – Nave d'Argento for Best OTP.  It was released theatrically in Japan on November 21, 2025, by Toho and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan.  It opens theatrically in Canada on Feb 8th.

Trailer: 

SWAY (Canada 2024) ***

Directed by Ramelan X Hamilton

SWAY is a Canadian gripping thriller wannabe, but mostly a drama, which is produced by Emmanuel Kabongo and directed by Ramelan X Hamilton.  The brisk 98-minute film follows the life of a prominent young Black community leader, nicknamed SWAY, facing unexpected challenges that unravel his world.  As his brother, Cy, goes missing after losing a bet of an undisclosed amount to a shady big boss character, Sway becomes ensnared in a web of blackmail orchestrated by a mysterious woman, and a murder puts his love and loyalty to the ultimate test.  The mysterious girl first appears in his bed one morning after Sway’s last rough night, he does not remember what happened the night before or who this lady is.  Premiering in LA on Feb 8th and 10th, and in Toronto on Feb 17th, with Halifax dates to be announced in late February, SWAY promises an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The script contains a few interesting though not groundbreaking ideas.  The fight against crime is duly established and serves to be the main goal of the protagonist in the storyline: “Crime is an occupation. It just sits on the opposite side of law and order.  Crime has to be driven out of Parkwood,” and so says Sway.  The success of the film depends mostly on the script, which tends to be stage-bound.

It is important most of the time for the audience to have a likeable protagonist to side with him and also the film.  Sway’s character is shown for both sides of the coin.  On his good side, he strives to do good for the foundation, achieving what the press calls  40 under 40, which one assumes is the top 40 under 40-years of age.  He is concerned about his brother and loves his family.  The family is not seen in the film.  The film also shows his other side - short-tempered, with the frequent use of foul language.  He also screams and mistreats his employees, though one employee does deserve to be screamed at.  But there is a reason for the bad side to be shown, not to reveal any more of the plot, but some dirty goings-on are revealed to the audience about Sway at the mid-mark of the film.  The revelation occurs when his interviewer puts him in a corner when questioning an unexplained fire that occurred in one of the buildings at Parkdale.  Just when shit is about to hit the fan, the lady in his bed that morning calls him to blackmail him.  This is when the audience is forced to either take Sway’s side or do the opposite.

The film is a Canadian film shot in Toronto, though the setting is the United States. The high-rise buildings of Toronto can be seen throughout the film, with many locations recognisable by Torontonians.

SWAY premieres in LA on Feb 8th and 10th, and in Toronto last year at the Black Festival.  It opens in theatres on Jan 30th, 2026

 Trailer: