The One about the Crystal View Observatory at Kasai Rinkai Park in Edogawa

Back in 1989, with the opening of Kasai Rinkai Park in Edogawa, Tokyo, the reclaimed manmade island is known for its aquarium and bird sanctuary. Considered as the second largest park in Tokyo (after Mizumoto Park in Katsushika), one of the coolest architecture in the Read More …

The One about Bob Clark and Jean Shepherd’s “A Christmas Story”

Today’s blog I dedicate to one of my favorite Christmas films of all time.  Bob Clark and Jean Shepherd’s “A Christmas Story“. Based on Jean Sheperd’s novel “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”, “A CHRISTMAS STORY” has been a part of so many Read More …

The One about Ishizuka Cycle Bicycle Service in Suginami

It was a rainy day in Suginami, a special ward in western Tokyo. My goal while visiting the area was to visit Ishizuka Cycle Bicycle Service, one of the few long standing family-owned bicycle shops in Japan. And it was great to meet with Hiroyasu Read More …

The One about Lasse Hallstrom’s “My Life as a Dog”

Filmmaker Lasse Hallström is probably best know as the director behind the music videos of Swedish disco group ABBA but Hallström is also known for several major hits such as “Chocalat” (2000), “The Cider House Rules” (1999), “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) and most recently Read More …

The One about Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon (Das weisse Band – Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte)

Austrian Director Michael Haneke is one of cinema’s most revered and also most reviled with films that are typically bleak or disturbing, nerve-rattling and shocking. From his first major film “The Seventh Continent”  of modern alienation to his next film “Benny’s Video” about a 14-year-old Read More …

The One about Noel Coward and David Lean’s “Brief Encounter” (1945)

An endearing romance classic about a doomed love affair. “Brief Encounter” is filmmaker David Lean’s film adaptation of Noel Coward’s play “Still Life” and their final collaboration together. Featuring great performances by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, “Brief Encounter” is indeed the highlight of the Read More …

The One about Artful Cinema: Dennis A. Amith reviews Juan Jose Campanella’s “The Secret In Their Eyes” (El Secreto de sus ojos)

“The Secret in Their Eyes” won the Academy Award for “Best Foreign Language” film, before I watched the film, I was stunned. Could there be anything better than Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon”, Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani’s “Ajami” or even the film which I Read More …