Intake Cinema
@intakecinema.bsky.social
Exploring the history and development of the Japanese film industry and the individuals involved. Frequently post about Japanese film professionals, both well-known and forgotten.
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@jp_cinema_hub
LB: https://boxd.it/2hcFX
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@jp_cinema_hub
LB: https://boxd.it/2hcFX
Criterion just announced that they are finally releasing the Kinuyo Tanaka-directed films (that they've had the rights to for years)...and it's an Eclipse set with a singular special feature. 😒 I'm...feeling more than a bit disappointed about this, I can't lie.
www.criterion.com/boxsets/8685...
www.criterion.com/boxsets/8685...
Eclipse Series 48: Kinuyo Tanaka Directs
Kinuyo Tanaka was already one of Japan’s greatest actors—celebrated for her collaborations with auteurs such as Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujiro Ozu, and Mikio Naruse—when she took a brave leap by embarking ...
www.criterion.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Criterion just announced that they are finally releasing the Kinuyo Tanaka-directed films (that they've had the rights to for years)...and it's an Eclipse set with a singular special feature. 😒 I'm...feeling more than a bit disappointed about this, I can't lie.
www.criterion.com/boxsets/8685...
www.criterion.com/boxsets/8685...
Film #12 of #Japanuary, I watched "My Sons," dir. Yōji Yamada. Rentaro Mikuni is one of the best to ever do it. Old Man Rentaro Mikuni is even better.
boxd.it/cFfkGV
boxd.it/cFfkGV
A ★★★★ review of My Sons (1991)
God, I love Old Man Rentaro Mikuni so much. He's also great in The Last Dance (1993) and The Friends (1994), so I've gotta check out some more of his 90s performances. This film is just so wonderful, ...
boxd.it
January 16, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Film #12 of #Japanuary, I watched "My Sons," dir. Yōji Yamada. Rentaro Mikuni is one of the best to ever do it. Old Man Rentaro Mikuni is even better.
boxd.it/cFfkGV
boxd.it/cFfkGV
The Japanese actress Shinobu Chihara (千原しのぶ) was born 95 years ago today, on January 16th, 1931. She had a successful career at Toei throughout the 50s in period dramas, but she did not make the shift to Yakuza films in the 60s. She passed away on November 22nd, 2009.
January 16, 2026 at 12:42 PM
The Japanese actress Shinobu Chihara (千原しのぶ) was born 95 years ago today, on January 16th, 1931. She had a successful career at Toei throughout the 50s in period dramas, but she did not make the shift to Yakuza films in the 60s. She passed away on November 22nd, 2009.
Kazuo Mori (森一生) was born 115 years ago today, on January 15th, 1911. One of the leading directors of Jidaigeki films at Daiei, alongside Kenji Misumi. youtube.com/shorts/k1Zvb...
January 15, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Kazuo Mori (森一生) was born 115 years ago today, on January 15th, 1911. One of the leading directors of Jidaigeki films at Daiei, alongside Kenji Misumi. youtube.com/shorts/k1Zvb...
For film #11 of #Japanuary I watched "The Cherry Orchard," dir. Shun Nakahara. An overwhelmingly adorable film encapsulating the emotions of an all-girl group of high schoolers leading up to the annual performance of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard.” boxd.it/cE2F3b
A ★★★★½ review of The Cherry Orchard (1990)
Really wasn't sure how I would feel about this one. It started out and I thought it was cute, next thing I know I'm tearing up at a speech being given by Kaori when they aren't sure if the play will h...
boxd.it
January 15, 2026 at 12:48 PM
For film #11 of #Japanuary I watched "The Cherry Orchard," dir. Shun Nakahara. An overwhelmingly adorable film encapsulating the emotions of an all-girl group of high schoolers leading up to the annual performance of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard.” boxd.it/cE2F3b
I couldn't find many pictures of Kazuo Mori (森一生) online, but luckily, he did a series of interviews with Kinejun magazine, and I have those issues, so I scanned some of the pictures from those. Nothing fancy. These might be out there somewhere, but I didn't see them.
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 AM
I couldn't find many pictures of Kazuo Mori (森一生) online, but luckily, he did a series of interviews with Kinejun magazine, and I have those issues, so I scanned some of the pictures from those. Nothing fancy. These might be out there somewhere, but I didn't see them.
Masayuki Mori (森雅之) was born 115 years ago today, on January 13th, 1911. Any lovers of Japanese Golden Age films will immediately recognize him. youtube.com/shorts/mFp_Z...
Masayuki Mori (森雅之) Golden Age Star of Film, TV, and Stage
YouTube video by Japanese Cinema Hub
youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Masayuki Mori (森雅之) was born 115 years ago today, on January 13th, 1911. Any lovers of Japanese Golden Age films will immediately recognize him. youtube.com/shorts/mFp_Z...
For film #10 of #Japanuary I watched the wonderful "Circus Boys," dir. Kaizo Hayashi. His film "To Sleep So as to Dream" is a favorite of mine, and "Circus Boys" lives up to the heights of that film. A must-watch for film lovers. boxd.it/cBiDRj
A ★★★★ review of Circus Boys (1989)
Man, I DESPERATELY need to see this restored and given a nice Blu-ray release. What I watched was a VHS rip that was made worse by being played on my (not to brag) 4k 65" TV, which does no favors to t...
boxd.it
January 12, 2026 at 2:05 PM
For film #10 of #Japanuary I watched the wonderful "Circus Boys," dir. Kaizo Hayashi. His film "To Sleep So as to Dream" is a favorite of mine, and "Circus Boys" lives up to the heights of that film. A must-watch for film lovers. boxd.it/cBiDRj
The Japanese writer Nobuko Yoshiya (吉屋信子) was born 130 years ago today, on January 12th, 1896. She was a pioneer of lesbian literature in Japan, and several of her works were adapted into films and TV shows.
youtube.com/shorts/KAJ2Y...
youtube.com/shorts/KAJ2Y...
Nobuko Yoshiya (吉屋信子) | Pioneer Japanese Lesbian Writer
YouTube video by Japanese Cinema Hub
youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM
The Japanese writer Nobuko Yoshiya (吉屋信子) was born 130 years ago today, on January 12th, 1896. She was a pioneer of lesbian literature in Japan, and several of her works were adapted into films and TV shows.
youtube.com/shorts/KAJ2Y...
youtube.com/shorts/KAJ2Y...
Film #8 of #Japanuary was "Gondola," dir. Tomoo Ito, a.k.a. TOHJIRO. A fantastic gem of an independent film, visually and sonically bold at times, with minimal dialogue for a simple and sweet story. boxd.it/czrgQ3
A ★★★★½ review of Gondola (1987)
What an incredibly precious gem of a film. Gondola is an independent film made for a modest (but not insignificant) budget of ~450,000 USD, adjusted for inflation. Considering it a 1987 release is onl...
boxd.it
January 11, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Film #8 of #Japanuary was "Gondola," dir. Tomoo Ito, a.k.a. TOHJIRO. A fantastic gem of an independent film, visually and sonically bold at times, with minimal dialogue for a simple and sweet story. boxd.it/czrgQ3
The Japanese actress Mieko Kondō (近藤美恵子) was born 90 years ago today, on January 10th, 1936. Her career was short, lasting from 1955 until her retirement after marriage in 1963, but she appeared in over 68 films in that time! She acted alongside stars like Raizō Ichikawa and Shintaro Katsu.
January 10, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The Japanese actress Mieko Kondō (近藤美恵子) was born 90 years ago today, on January 10th, 1936. Her career was short, lasting from 1955 until her retirement after marriage in 1963, but she appeared in over 68 films in that time! She acted alongside stars like Raizō Ichikawa and Shintaro Katsu.
Film #7 of #Japanuary was "The Sea and Poison," dir. Kei Kumai. This film won numerous awards, and I can see why. Entracing cinematography and editing, fantastic acting, and an important story that more people should know about. boxd.it/cxnHuH
A ★★★★½ review of The Sea and Poison (1986)
There is plenty that could be said about this film and the real-life topic of its story. I don't feel like contributing to that at this moment. What I will say is that this film has perhaps the most e...
boxd.it
January 9, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Film #7 of #Japanuary was "The Sea and Poison," dir. Kei Kumai. This film won numerous awards, and I can see why. Entracing cinematography and editing, fantastic acting, and an important story that more people should know about. boxd.it/cxnHuH
For my 6th film of #Japanuary I watched "Demon", dir. Yasuo Furuhata. Notable as the only (?) on-screen collaboration between Ken Takakura and Takeshi Kitano. One of them on the way out of their career, and the other on the cusp of Yakuza reinvention. boxd.it/cwNAaX
A ★★★★ review of Demon (1985)
This review may contain spoilers. Visit the page to bypass this warning and read the review.
boxd.it
January 8, 2026 at 11:06 PM
For my 6th film of #Japanuary I watched "Demon", dir. Yasuo Furuhata. Notable as the only (?) on-screen collaboration between Ken Takakura and Takeshi Kitano. One of them on the way out of their career, and the other on the cusp of Yakuza reinvention. boxd.it/cwNAaX
Reposted by Intake Cinema
UK/US: Left at the altar and lost after a drunken bender, Michael is nursed back to health by grieving widow Sue in ROMANCING IN THIN AIR.
Although best known for action films, Johnnie To crafts a powerful meditation on grief and catharsis in this moving romantic melodrama.
Although best known for action films, Johnnie To crafts a powerful meditation on grief and catharsis in this moving romantic melodrama.
January 7, 2026 at 11:03 AM
UK/US: Left at the altar and lost after a drunken bender, Michael is nursed back to health by grieving widow Sue in ROMANCING IN THIN AIR.
Although best known for action films, Johnnie To crafts a powerful meditation on grief and catharsis in this moving romantic melodrama.
Although best known for action films, Johnnie To crafts a powerful meditation on grief and catharsis in this moving romantic melodrama.
For #Japanuary days 4 & 5, I watched "The Catch," dir. Shinji Sōmai and "Mermaid Legend," dir. Toshiharu Ikeda. Both excellent ocean-centric films, one on the water and the other under its surface. boxd.it/6m46
The Catch (1983)
A young man tries to overcome the hostility of his girlfriend's father, a tuna fisherman, by getting the father to teach him the trade's secrets.
boxd.it
January 6, 2026 at 12:51 PM
For #Japanuary days 4 & 5, I watched "The Catch," dir. Shinji Sōmai and "Mermaid Legend," dir. Toshiharu Ikeda. Both excellent ocean-centric films, one on the water and the other under its surface. boxd.it/6m46
On the third day of #Japanuary I watched "I Are You, You Am Me", dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi. The body swap genre is always fun, and even more so with Obayashi's signature touch--which is more subtle here, but no less visible. boxd.it/crjsHz
A ★★★★ review of I Are You, You Am Me (1982)
I Are You, You Am Me is probably the least I've seen Obayashi use his visual flair of whimsical effects and editing, but it is still here, and it is no less of an Obayashi film. The sense of nostalgia...
boxd.it
January 4, 2026 at 6:10 PM
On the third day of #Japanuary I watched "I Are You, You Am Me", dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi. The body swap genre is always fun, and even more so with Obayashi's signature touch--which is more subtle here, but no less visible. boxd.it/crjsHz
For the 2nd day of Japanuary, I watched Distant Thunder (1981), dir. Kichitaro Negishi. This film is a slow burn slice of life with compelling characters. I enjoyed it, although I felt it was a bit too long.
boxd.it/cpyAcr
boxd.it/cpyAcr
A ★★★½ review of Distant Thunder (1981)
Distant Thunder is a bit of a slow burn slice of life of Mitsuo, a tomato farmer in an urbanizing rural town, caught in a whirlwind of family drama, lust and love, and a traumatic event caused by his ...
boxd.it
January 3, 2026 at 2:16 PM
For the 2nd day of Japanuary, I watched Distant Thunder (1981), dir. Kichitaro Negishi. This film is a slow burn slice of life with compelling characters. I enjoyed it, although I felt it was a bit too long.
boxd.it/cpyAcr
boxd.it/cpyAcr
Reposted by Intake Cinema
Seven-Color Mask: King Rose - Devil’s Rose 1959 七色仮面 キング・ローズ 悪魔の薔薇 Directed by Atsuhito Wada
An armored car loaded with 80 million yen is attacked by the Masked Phantom King Rose. The police and Nanairo Kamen must hunt down the mysterious Phantom #filmsky #japanuary #japanese #cinema #movies #nw 📽️
An armored car loaded with 80 million yen is attacked by the Masked Phantom King Rose. The police and Nanairo Kamen must hunt down the mysterious Phantom #filmsky #japanuary #japanese #cinema #movies #nw 📽️
January 1, 2026 at 11:25 PM
I started off my #Japanuary with two fantastic films, Atman (1975), dir. Toshio Matsumoto and The Beast to Die (1980), dir. Tōru Murakawa. boxd.it/cmzgRT Atman is a strange, beautiful spectacle, and Yūsaku Matsuda gives an absolute powerhouse of a performance in The Beast to Die.
A ★★★★½ review of The Beast to Die (1980)
Yūsaku Matsuda is unbelievably intense in this film! He is someone that has caught my attention on multiple occasions, but most of the films I've seen him in, he is relatively laid back. He brings a b...
boxd.it
January 2, 2026 at 12:44 AM
I started off my #Japanuary with two fantastic films, Atman (1975), dir. Toshio Matsumoto and The Beast to Die (1980), dir. Tōru Murakawa. boxd.it/cmzgRT Atman is a strange, beautiful spectacle, and Yūsaku Matsuda gives an absolute powerhouse of a performance in The Beast to Die.
2025 has come to an end, not my favorite year in the history book of my life, but I did manage to see some great films! Here are my Top 10 first time watches of 2025: boxd.it/QVoXk
Favorite First Time Watches of 2025
This was a slow film year for me compared to past years, but I still managed to watch some excellent films. This is a selection of my favorite first time watches in 2025.
boxd.it
December 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
2025 has come to an end, not my favorite year in the history book of my life, but I did manage to see some great films! Here are my Top 10 first time watches of 2025: boxd.it/QVoXk
Reposted by Intake Cinema
The sixth annual #Japanuary Challenge is here, courtesy of Letterboxd member brazyben 🇯🇵
Find how to participate here: boxd.it/QNiBQ
Find how to participate here: boxd.it/QNiBQ
December 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The sixth annual #Japanuary Challenge is here, courtesy of Letterboxd member brazyben 🇯🇵
Find how to participate here: boxd.it/QNiBQ
Find how to participate here: boxd.it/QNiBQ
Reposted by Intake Cinema
Reposted by Intake Cinema
So here's the great news I've been waiting to unleash on the world for sometime now - Behind the Pink curtain gets a third edition. With the OOP copies now fetching silly prices, if you can even find one, now's the chance for a new readership to catch up on my words on pink eiga from 15 years ago!
Behind the Pink Curtain is back! Jasper Sharp’s genre-defining text was first published in 2008, now it’s being reissued with a new Afterword summarising the development of pinku eiga over the intervening 17 years. Pre-Orders go live next week at www.fabpress.com, on sale date & time info to follow!
May 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
So here's the great news I've been waiting to unleash on the world for sometime now - Behind the Pink curtain gets a third edition. With the OOP copies now fetching silly prices, if you can even find one, now's the chance for a new readership to catch up on my words on pink eiga from 15 years ago!
Yūsuke Kawazu (川津祐介) star of Cruel Story of Youth and New Wave icon, born 90 years ago today, May 12th, 1935 - February 26th, 2022.
May 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Yūsuke Kawazu (川津祐介) star of Cruel Story of Youth and New Wave icon, born 90 years ago today, May 12th, 1935 - February 26th, 2022.
Reposted by Intake Cinema
The Japanese actress Ryōko Nakano (中野良子), born May 6th, 1950, turns 75 today. She became a superstar in China when "Manhunt" was released there in 1979 and quickly used that stardom to become a cultural ambassador, a role she continues to embrace to this day. #BOTD
May 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The Japanese actress Ryōko Nakano (中野良子), born May 6th, 1950, turns 75 today. She became a superstar in China when "Manhunt" was released there in 1979 and quickly used that stardom to become a cultural ambassador, a role she continues to embrace to this day. #BOTD