129 Contributions by: Kerine Wint

Kerine Wint is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. When she’s not absorbed in anime and weird docu-series, she reviews speculative fiction for Fiyah Lit Magazine or designs album covers and magazines. As for her film taste, One Cut of the Dead (2017), The Lure (2015), Inu-Oh (2021), and Dear Ex (2018) sum it up pretty well.

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1. Light the Night, 2021

Set in the 1980s, this captivating series uncovers the dark side of a Japanese-style nightclub called "Light" in Taipei's red-light district, challenging the façade of its joy and glamour. Beginning with the shocking discovery of a dead body uncovered by a typhoon, the show delves into the lives of its complex characters, revealing the personal dramas of the mamasans, Rose and Sue, and every "Light" hostess. While some may find its pace across 3 seasons tedious, Light the Night is a must-watch for fans of slow-burning suspense with strong performances, impactful dialogue, and a story with the intricate layers of a well-crafted mystery.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Actor: Cammy Chiang, Cheryl Yang, Chiung-Hsuan Hsieh, Derek Chang, Esther Liu, Jim Liu, Jimmy Liu, Nikki Hsieh, Puff Kuo, Rhydian Vaughan, Ruby Lin, Tony Yang

Director: Lien Yi-Chi

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2. Undead Murder Farce, 2023

An oni/human hybrid, a severed head in a birdcage, and a bayonet-wielding maid step into a vampire's house to solve a murder.

And that is truly the essence of Undead Murder Face. Blending gothic with supernatural, creatures of global and Japanese lore converge in a turn-of-the-century historical anime. In only two episodes, the show establishes the Westernization of Japan and how it leads to erasing foundational parts of their culture while mixing in a unique fantasy element to the story. Most interestingly, the impressive animation (especially the transitions), eerie close-ups and ominous nightscapes are punctuated by curious moments of comedy. And it all accumulates into a sensational concept that's worth the watch.

Genre: Animation, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Hiro Shimono, Itaru Yamamoto, Maaya Uchida, Makoto Koichi, Mamoru Miyano, Masaki Aizawa, Reina Kondo, Saima Nakano, Sayumi Suzushiro, Shin-ichiro Miki, Soma Saito, Taku Yashiro, Tomokazu Sugita, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Wataru Yokojima, Yumiri Hanamori

Rating: TV-14

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3. Signal, 2016

From the mastermind behind Netflix's Kingdom, Kim Eun-Hee's Signal is an exhilarating series that seamlessly weaves together gripping crime thriller elements with an intriguing touch of supernatural. With its unique premise of a mysterious walkie-talkie that connects the past and the present, the show follows a team of detectives from different eras as they collaborate to solve cold cases and unravel the secrets behind unsolved crimes. The superb writing and exceptional performances by the cast, including Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-Woong, have made Signal a major hit among K-Drama fans.

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Cho Jin-woong, Choi Woo-ri, Hae-Kyun Jung, Hye-su Kim, Hyun-sung Jang, Im Hwa-young, Jang Hyun-sung, Je-hoon Lee, Jeong Hae-gyoon, Jin-woong Cho, Jin-woong Jo, Jung Hae-kyun, Jung Han-bi, Kang Chan-hee, Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hye-su, Kim Ki-chun, Kim Min-gue, Kim Won-hae, Lee Dong-ha, Lee Je-hoon, Lee Sang-yeob, Lee Si-a, Lee Yoo-jun, Lee Yu-jun, Park Si-eun, Seo Eun-ah, Son Hyeon-ju, Son Hyun-joo, Won-hae Kim

Director: Kim Won-suk

Rating: N/A

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4. There Is No Evil, 2020

	
Exploring morality, conscience, and the death penalty, There Is No Evil tells four interconnected stories about men tasked with carrying out executions. The film excels at creating a sense of unease and tension as their reality contends with their beliefs about capital punishment and loyalty to the state. Director Mohammad Rasoulof (known for his films that explore social and political issues in Iran) allows each narrative to center both the subject and the institution, maintaining suspense but never straying from its argument. The sum - and its part - are undeniably profound.Genre: Drama
Actor: Mahtab Servati
Director: Mohammad Rasoulof

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5. Hyenas, 1992

Restored in 2019, Djibril Diop Mambéty's adaptation of the 1956 play, The Visit, presents a powerful allegory of societal decay through the story of Linguère Ramatou, a woman who returns to her impoverished hometown with an offer that can change everything. Mambéty's skillful direction captures the complexities of human nature and the moral choices we face in a world driven by greed and corruption in a global capitalist world. The narrative unfolds with precision, blending dark humor and piercing social commentary. With or without the context of its original influence, Hyenas is a brilliant Senegalese film.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Director: Djibril Diop Mambéty

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6. Small, Slow But Steady, 2022

Small, Slow But Steady is a quiet, contemplative film about a deaf boxer named Keiko. Keiko is determined to become a professional boxer, but she faces many challenges; the pandemic, the closure of her boxing club, and the illness of her aging coach. The film's director, Sho Miyake, excellently captures the slow, deliberate pace of Keiko's training; and the quiet moments of her life outside the ring.

With serene wide shots of the Japanese countryside and small intimate moments in the boxing ring, the film lives up to its name, giving a tender portrayal of the need for connection and community in (and outside) of the pandemic. The steady performances from Yukino Kishii as Keiko and Masahiro Higashide as her coach make this slow-burning film a rewarding and inspiring story about perseverance and the power of dreams.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Himi Sato, Hiroko Nakajima, Makiko Watanabe, Masaki Miura, Nobu Morimoto, Nobuko Sendo, Shinichiro Matsuura, Shinsuke Kato, Tomokazu Miura, Tomomitsu Adachi, Yukino Kishii, Yuko Nakamura, Yutaka Shimizu

Director: Sho Miyake

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7. Papicha, 2019

Set against the backdrop of the Algerian Civil War in the 1990s, the film follows Nedjma, a young fashion student, as she navigates the challenges of pursuing her dreams while living under strict societal and religious constraints. Gripping and emotionally charged, the film paints a vivid picture of the oppressive climate and the courageous women who refuse to be silenced. The performances are outstanding, particularly Lyna Khoudri's portrayal of Nedjma, who brings a compelling blend of vulnerability and determination to her character. Director Mounia Meddour's storytelling is powerful and thought-provoking, shining a light on the resilience of women in the face of adversity and the importance of artistic expression as a form of resistance.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Ahmed Benaissa, Aida Guechoud, Amira Hilda Douaouda, Khaled Benaissa, Lyna Khoudri, Nadia Kaci, Samir Elhakim, Shirine Boutella, Yasin Houicha, Zahra Doumandji

Director: Mounia Meddour

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8. Le Havre, 2011

Quaint and quirky, Le Havre is a beautiful and heartwarming story about the power of compassion and the importance of community. It tells the story of a shoeshiner who tries to save an immigrant child in the French port city of Le Havre. The charming characters are easy to root for as this community of everyday people bands together to help this young boy reunite with his mother. Even as the film rejects the unempathetic responses to the refugee crisis, it utilizes gentle humor and a light cadence to invoke empathy for others that should exist.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: André Wilms, Corinne Belet, Elina Salo, Evelyne Didi, Ilkka Koivula, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Kati Outinen, Patrick Bonnel, Pierre Étaix

Director: Aki Kaurismäki

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9. Tropical Malady, 2004

A breathtaking and enigmatic masterpiece of Thai cinema, Tropical Maladyis a poetic and deeply philosophical exploration of human desire, spirituality, and the mysteries of nature. It follows the story of two men, a soldier and a farmer, who fall in love and embark on a journey deep into the heart of the jungle, where they encounter a shape-shifting spirit. The film's surreal and dreamlike imagery is mesmerizing, and the performances are outstanding, especially the nuanced and subtle portrayal of the two protagonists. This film is truly a stunning and unforgettable work of art that challenges our perceptions of love, identity, and reality.

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Actor: Banlop Lomnoi, Sakda Kaewbuadee, Udom Promma

Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

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10. The Quiet Girl, 2022

	
"Many's the person missed the opportunity to say nothing and lost much because of it."

The Quiet Girl takes the troubled, reserved nature of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) as she's swallowed by the discord in her evergrowing family, who treats her as an outcast, and fills the film with her serene, observatory perspective. Long sequences with little to no dialogue and an expansive countryside give way to the emotional thrum of this found-family drama. The simplicity in every frame befits a child's innocence, and every visual and sonic decision reinforces that wonderfully. Loving and nurturing a child is a straightforward concept, and The Quiet Girl never complicates it. Without saying much, it says it all.Genre: Drama
Actor: Aine Hayden, Andrew Bennett, Carolyn Bracken, Carrie Crowley, Catherine Clinch, Joan Sheehy, Kate Nic Chonaonaigh, Marion O'Dwyer, Michael Patric, Neans Nic Dhonncha
Director: Colm Bairéad

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11. The Narco Satanist,

Overseeing drug rings, cult machinations, and human sacrifice under the guise of practicing the religion known as Santeria defined the crimes of Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo in Mexico during the late 1980s. And instead of following one straight recollection, the documentary tells two sides of the case: one from Sara Aldrete and the police and media as everything unfolds. What starts as a disjointed journey to proving Sara's involvement and guilt becomes blurred as the documentary asks the audience to contemplate a different outcome. Does Sara's young age afford her more sympathy? Was the case rushed and mishandled? Did the police (and other powerful people) force the outcome of the case? Watching only the first episode would be a disservice to the broader context and overlooked participants the producers shine a light on.

Genre: Documentary

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12. The Golden Boy,

The Golden Boy is much more than the story of Oscar De La Hoya's legacy as a boxer; it is a revival of his glory days and the dark, toxic, and violent experiences that upheld his rise to fame. Early in the series, Oscar reveals that the infamous promise he made to his dying mother (of him winning the Olympic gold medal) was actually a lie. And as he recalls the abuse he received from his mother and the pain of meeting the ideal of Mexican masculinity, the somber tone of the documentary successfully cements itself. While expounding on his discipline and drive to win, he also reveals his tumultuous love for boxing and the slow descent into promiscuity and drinking that came with his explosive fame. The two-part series gives De La Hoya and his loved ones the chance to confront how severe his cycle of repression was on the quality of life he could've had. Leaving no stone (or controversy) unturned, The Golden Boy uncovers the darkest secrets hidden by the glamour.

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13. Ordinary People, 2016

Ordinary People tells the harrowing story of Jane and Aries, two teenage parents struggling to survive the streets of Manila. At the mercy of limited welfare, the two resort to criminal activity to get by. When a woman offers to help them financially (on loan), Jane eventually relents—but is shocked to discover that her baby's been kidnapped. Trying everything from going to the police to contacting the perpetrator's mother, the reality becomes unavoidable: no one truly cares for the poor even if they're children. Interspersed with CCTV footage of the crimes the characters commit or witness, this powerful, heartbreaking portrait of poverty still offers glimmers of hope as they fight the odds to continue their search together.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Alora Mae Sasam, Bon Andrew Lentejas, Erlinda Villalobos, Gold Aceron, Hasmine Killip, Karl Medina, Maria Isabel Lopez, Menggie Cobarrubias, Moira Lang, Raymond Lee, Ronwaldo Martin, Ruby Ruiz, Sue Prado

Director: Eduardo Roy Jr.

Rating: R

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14. Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, 2017

Fun and whimsical to its core, this animated film takes viewers on a visually captivating, surreal, and enchanting journey through a single night in Kyoto. The movie immerses you in an entertaining and eccentric world with its vibrant animation, characters, and offbeat humor following two unnamed characters only referred to as "The Girl with Black Hair" and "Senpai." The narrative weaves together various quirky encounters, love interests, and strange events, keeping you engaged and curious. Blending romance, comedy, and coming-of-age themes, Night Is Short, Walk On Girl is a joyous celebration of youth, adventure, and the unpredictable nature of life's unexpected twists and turns.

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Actor: Ami Koshimizu, Aoi Yuki, Chikara Honda, Daisuke Harada, Gen Hoshino, Hiroshi Kamiya, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Junichi Suwabe, Kana Hanazawa, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Kazuya Nakai, Masaaki Yuasa, Mugihito, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Ryuji Akiyama, Seiko Niizuma, Sōichi Nakaoka, Yuhko Kaida

Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Rating: PG-13

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15. Metro Manila, 2013

Oscar, his wife Teresa, and their young children move from the rural Philippines to the city, hoping for a better life. Immediately, they struggle to survive in the harsh and unforgiving Metro Manila. Through shaky close-ups, shifting moods, and shots of bustling streets, the film captures the poverty, violence, and desperation in the daily of the city. Actors Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega excellently portray the subtleties of constant suffering, leading the tumultuous journey through a cutthroat metropolis. As the drama shifts to a crime thriller, it never loses its footing highlighting the severe link between poverty and crime.

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Actor: Althea Vega, Ana Abad-Santos, Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla, Mailes Kanapi, Reuben Uy

Director: Sean Ellis

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