An introduction to Akira Kurosawa, the artist and film-maker who redefined cinema. The Ran director's life, movies (inc. filmography) and news of an important exhibition.

Oct 17, 2008 - Michelle Strozykowski

Akira Kurosawa's 1985 masterpiece 'Ran' may be inspired by Shakespeare's 'King Lear,' but it is also a highly original film by a cinematic genius.

Jul 12, 2011 - Gregory Dew

The inspiration for John Sturges' Magnificent Seven, classic Japanese film Seven Samurai (Shichi-nin no samurai) still regularly tops best ever foreign film lists.

Apr 30, 2009 - Michelle Strozykowski

Based on the story, "In a Grove" by Ryonosuke Akutagawa, Rashomon (1950) introduced Japanese film to Western audiences. After half a century its power is undiminished.

Oct 21, 2009 - Jeanne Lombardo

Twenty years ago Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira revolutionized the West's perception of Japanese animation and to this day is a landmark in film-making and storytelling

Aug 15, 2008 - Michael Pantazi

The relationship between blood types and personality traits is an interesting aspect of Japanese popular culture portrayed in anime, tv and magazines.

Jul 24, 2010 - Altair Roxas

Veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada cuts his way through cinematic samurai legend in Oscar nominated fllm

Jul 21, 2011 - Richard Goertz

Legendary movie tough guys Charles Bronson, Toshiro Mifune, and Alain Delon star in Terence Young's Western, Red Sun.

Sep 17, 2011 - Kevin Sturton

Gaelic? Celtic? Dutch? Greek? Here are the foreign baby names for boys that start with A.

Mar 30, 2010 - Kimberly Danek

A review of the South Korean film, 'The Good, The Bad, The Weird', an Eastern turn for the Spaghetti Western as well as a look at other DVD releases.

Aug 17, 2010 - Gregory Dew

5 famous foreign films everyone should see - if not on the big screen then certainly on dvd, a great way to enable the classics to reach an eager new audience.

Mar 19, 2008 - Michelle Strozykowski

Film adaptations of Shakespeare have been around since the silent era, when dozens of "one-reelers" were made. Then, the invention of audio changed the game completely.

Mar 26, 2010 - Elizabeth Stewart

For 25 years, Stan Sakai has been writing and drawing the adventures of rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi. There are special plans for the comic book's silver anniversary.

Apr 20, 2009 - Aaron Humphrey

TIFF Bell Lightbox,Toronto, launches a two month extravaganza on the art and artifice of Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini; a cultural feast.

Jul 10, 2011 - Anne Brodie

TIFF Bell Lightbox, the imposing high rise in Reitman Square in downtown Toronto, has a bright future but its not just film and film lovers that benefit.

Jul 7, 2010 - Anne Brodie

On February 20th, ADV Films will release Kazuhiro Furuhashi's Le Chevalier D'Eon on DVD, a gothic anime loosely based on the real-life historical figure

Jan 25, 2007 - Dominic von Riedemann

ADV Films will distribute eagerly-awaited anime about Chevalier D'Eon de Beaumont, who lived the first half of his life as a man and the second half as a woman.

Nov 3, 2006 - Dominic von Riedemann

A retrospective review of Yimou Zhang's impressive martial arts epic Hero. The film, starring Jet Li, Tony Leung & Maggie Cheung, smashed all box office records in China.

Oct 15, 2008 - Michelle Strozykowski

A film review of the 1961 classic, directed by legendary Akira Kurosawa.

Jan 15, 2011 - Alexis Galfas

An informative look at Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece Seven Samurai, recently released to Blu Ray by the Criterion Collection in a three-disc DVD set.

Dec 25, 2010 - Brian Rowe