Happy weekend, people!
This week I posted a review for the release of The Whispering Star (2016) as well as info on its UK release thanks to Third Window Films, updated my post about Japanese films at the Cannes Film Festival with info on the Mamoru Hosoda anima, Mirai no Mirai which is the first anime to open in the Directors’ Fortnight section, and also about the Spring Explorers free film screenings.
Inuyashiki 
いぬやしき 「Inuyashiki」
Running Time: 127 mins.
Release Date: April 20th, 2018
Director: Shinsuke Sato
Writer: Hiroshi Hashimoto (Screenplay), Hiroya Oku (Original Manga)
Starring: Noritake Kinashi, Takeru Satoh, Kanata Hongo, Fumi Nikaido, Yuki Saito, Yusuke Iseya, Mari Hamada, Ayaka Miyoshi, Nayuta Fukuzaki,
This is based on a manga series by Hiroya Oku, the guy who created the super-disturbing horror sci-fi Gantz. Inuyashiki was turned into an anime that turned out to be pretty good. The live-action version looks like it should be fun. Takeru Satoh (Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno) stars as the bad guy.
Synopsis: Ichiro Inuyashiki (Noritake Kinashi) is a salary-man on his way out. Unappreciated at work and at home and freshly diagnosed with cancer, his life looks miserable but things take a drastic turn when he is involved in an explosion. When he regains consciousness, he discovers that he has been transformed into a cyborg. Far from freaking out, he has a new lease of life and decides to use his powers to help those in need. Meanwhile, Hiro Shishigami (Takeru Satoh), a high school student, was also involved in the very same explosion and has gained the very same the powers. He just wants to see the world burn. Two super-powered people do battle in Japan!
Until the Day You Gain Freedom 
自由を手にするその日まで 「Jiyuu o te ni suru sono hi made」
Running Time: 112 mins.
Director: Yuji Amano
Writer: Yuji Amano (Screenplay),
Starring: Miyabi, Kyoko Miyauchi, Yuji Amano, Shinichi Hirose, Tomojirou Amino, Atsuko Mizu,
This one was at the Kanazawa Film Fest last year and it caught my attention due to the dark subject-matter and strong direction on display in the trailer. I want to see it!
Synopsis: Yuji Amano uses knowledge he gained in medical school to create a suspense film where he explores negative feelings found in modern society and he does so in a film where a woman seeks revenge over workplace bullying. A 24-year-old woman who works in the clerical department of a medical facility becomes infected with hate for society after bullying and resolves to eradicate people in the workplace. When she is at home, she repeatedly engages in eerie experiments using scientific knowledge in order to execute her perfect revenge but unexpected obstacles and embarrassments hinder her plan…
Yassadaru Man 
やっさだるマン 「Yassadaru Man」
Running Time: 90 mins.
Release Date: April 21st, 2018
Director: Kenichi Ohmori
Writer: Kenichi Ohmori (Screenplay),
Starring: Hisanori Sato, Maasa Sudo, Ayana Taketatsu, Ichirota Miyakawa, Misa Shimizu, Toshie Nonomura, Kentaro Sakai, Hiroki Horikawa,
Synopsis: Yassadaru Man is a city mascot and Hazime Kisaragi (Hisanori Sato) and Satomi Akahata (Maasa Sudo) run events connected to him. They are assigned a new team member named Yuna (Ayana Taketatsu) who really loves Yassadaru Man and Hazime falls in love with her while the three have fun.
Liz to Aoitori 
リズと青い鳥 「Liz to Aoitori」
Running Time: 110 mins.
Release Date: April 21st, 2018
Director: Naoko Yamada
Writer: Reiko Yoshida (Script),
Starring: Atsumi Tanezaki (Mizore Yoroizuka), Nao Toyama (Nozomi Kasaki), Ayaka Asai (Hazuki Kato), Chika Anzai (Reina Kosaka), Yuri Yamaoka (Yuuko Yoshikawa), Moe Toyota (Sapphire “Midori” Kawashima), Shiori Sugiura (Ririka Kenzaki),
Animation Production: Kyoto Animation
Synopsis from Anime News Network: Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki are a pair of best friends in their final year of high school. Their shared obsession? The school’s brass band club. With Mizore on the oboe and Nozomi on the flute, they spend their days in happiness–until the club begins to practice songs inspired by the fairy tale Liz und ein Blauer Vogel (Liz and the Blue Bird). Immersed in this story, Mizore and Nozomi begin to realize that there may be no such thing as being together forever.
Ninagawa Yukio Theatre 2 `jajauma narashi'(aya no kuni Sheikusupia shirīzu)’ 
蜷川幸雄シアター2「じゃじゃ馬馴らし」（彩の国シェイクスピア・シリーズ） 「Ninagawa Yukio Shiata- 2 `jajauma narashi'(ayanokuni Sheikusupia shirīzu)’」
Running Time: 147 mins.
Release Date: April 21st, 2018
Director: Yukio Ninagawa
Writer: William Shakespeare (Original Play)
Starring: Ennosuke Ichikawa, Toshio Kakei
Synopsis: Three of Ninagawa’s plays are going to be screened in cinemas in order to remember the great theatre/film director who died in 2016. This one is his adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew.