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Asian Movie Pulse

Asian Movie Pulse is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer® when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Amarsanaa Battulga, Grace Han, Nathan Sartain, Olivia Popp, Panos Kotzathanasis, Renee Ng, Teresa Vena.

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Rating Title | Year Author Quote
7
Stranger Eyes (2024) Panos Kotzathanasis "Stranger Eyes" does leave the viewer with a sense of unfulfillment, but the intelligence of the director, the way he presents his comments, the cinematography and the acting make it a movie that definitely deserves a watch
Posted Jan 27, 2026  Edit critic review
4
The Mannequin (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Despite its strong moments, "Mannequin" ultimately struggles to justify itself, especially in a genre that has evolved beyond many of the clichés presented here
Posted Jan 25, 2026  Edit critic review
7
Deepfaking Sam Altman (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Deepfaking Sam Altman" is definitely a unique documentary that raises questions many people are pondering but rarely have the imagination, will, or resources to explore in such a way
Posted Jan 24, 2026  Edit critic review
5.5
The Dutchman (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Although a slightly more grounded narrative would have made "The Dutchman" more accomplished, the rest of its elements compensate
Posted Jan 24, 2026  Edit critic review
4.5
Uppercut (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis In the end, "Uppercut" lands as a work just above average: elevated by its performances, chemistry, and audiovisual flair, but undermined by its clichés and uneven writing
Posted Jan 23, 2026  Edit critic review
7
T-Bird at Ako (1982) Panos Kotzathanasis Despite its evident issues, "T-Bird at Ako" emerges as a competent and often daring work, benefiting most from its narrative ambitions and strong performances.
Posted Jan 11, 2026  Edit critic review
6
Trapped (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis "Trapped" is a visually striking and thematically ambitious first feature. While its pacing and character development get in the way of Sagara’s movie reaching its full potential, it is nevertheless an impressive calling card for its director.
Posted Jan 11, 2026  Edit critic review
5
Cross Fire (2000) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, "Crossfire" emerges as a mediocre effort that fails to do justice to Miyuki Miyabe’s novel, with its shortcomings clearly outweighing its merits.
Posted Jan 11, 2026  Edit critic review
6.5
The Tenant (2021) Panos Kotzathanasis "The Tenant" is no "Malena", but is rather entertaining, well-shot, well directed and acted and manages to communicate its main comments adequately.
Posted Jan 08, 2026  Edit critic review
7
Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell (2014) Panos Kotzathanasis Evidently, "Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell" is not for everyone. Fans of trash and splatter, however, will almost certainly adore it.
Posted Jan 04, 2026  Edit critic review
4.5
No Pictures With My Father (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, while the intention behind "No Pictures With My Father" is clear and deserving of respect, the documentary remains a work so deeply personal that its appeal may be limited
Posted Jan 04, 2026  Edit critic review
6
David (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis In the end, "David" could certainly benefit from fewer extended musical sequences and a more restrained approach to its religious messaging. Nevertheless, the high level of craftsmanship allows it to rise above these limitations
Posted Jan 04, 2026  Edit critic review
5.5
Stalkers (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, while "Stalkers" has notable issues, particularly in its storytelling and extended buildup, the performances, production quality, and the power of its final act make it worth watching.
Posted Jan 04, 2026  Edit critic review
7.5
No Other Choice (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis A darkly comic, frequently slapstick satire that blends economic anxiety, moral collapse, and Park’s trademark visual precision
Posted Jan 04, 2026  Edit critic review
5.5
Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Entertainment aplenty on occasion, but not much more
Posted Jan 04, 2026  Edit critic review
8
Oro, plata, mata (1982) Panos Kotzathanasis "Oro, Plata, Mata" is a true epic masterpiece on every level.
Posted Dec 14, 2025  Edit critic review
5/5
The President's Cake (2025) Grace Han "The President’s Cake" highlights a promising independent voice in Middle Eastern cinema... The film is already making history, and is sure to continue to break records, moving forward.
Posted Dec 12, 2025  Edit critic review
5/5
No Other Choice (2025) Grace Han While "No Other Choice" may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this was, for me, a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend my afternoon.
Posted Dec 12, 2025  Edit critic review
4/5
Hamnet (2025) Grace Han Like any good film or play, Zhao’s latest casts a spell over its audience. "Hamnet" draws all eyes on-stage in its bid for togetherness, a call for community in this "increasingly lonely world."
Posted Dec 12, 2025  Edit critic review
4/5
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025) Grace Han In this delicate dance between death and life, Vallade and Kuang balance the darkness of maturity with the bright sheen of childish innocence through the art of visual metaphors, all at once.
Posted Dec 12, 2025  Edit critic review
3/5
Homebound (2025) Grace Han Some critics might call this a Bollywood social drama, or even a tearjerker; for me, the appeal of pathos was only met with dry eyes... Still overall engaging and surely a crowdpleaser, general audiences are sure to lap this up.
Posted Dec 12, 2025  Edit critic review
4/5
Lucky Lu (2025) Grace Han Narratively riveting, visually striking, and beautifully performed, "Lucky Lu" leaves behind the bittersweet aftertaste of hope in the wake of the American Dream. Lloyd Lee Choi shows promise as an upcoming newcomer for Asian diaspora cinema.
Posted Dec 12, 2025  Edit critic review
7
Standout: The Ben Kjar Story (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis "Standout: The Ben Kjar Story" is an excellent documentary that presents a life journey that could easily have served as the basis for a narrative production
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
4.5
The Kiss of a Vampire (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis "The Kiss of A Vampire" lingers somewhere between a b-movie experience and the so bad it is good variety. Its erotic thriller premises, however, are undeniably entertaining
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
5.5
Putahe (2022) Panos Kotzathanasis "Putahe" moves along a middle path, attempting to balance eroticism with rich context and layered narrative, a balance not fully achieved
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
Palestine 36 (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis "Palestine 36" stands as an outstanding achievement—both as a self-contained story and as an illuminating depiction of how the Palestinian issue emerged in modern times, showing with clarity and conviction how history continues to echo into the present.
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
7
Renoir (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis "Renoir" is a delicate, melancholic coming-of-age narrative that shimmers with moments of beauty and sadness, a portrait of loneliness painted in soft light and fading memories
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
6
The Guerilla Is a Poet (2013) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, despite its occasional structural unevenness, "The Guerilla is a Poet" stands as a powerful and layered cinematic work.
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
8
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Panos Kotzathanasis "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a masterpiece that excels in every cinematic aspect.
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
7
Invisible (2015) Panos Kotzathanasis "Invisible" stands as an exceptional work that succeeds both as a social drama and as a quasi-documentary due to its raw realism and unflinching portrayal of the lives of Filipino immigrants in Japan.
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
Blue Boy Trial (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Despite some issues here and there, "Blue Boy Trial" emerges as both well-shot and well-acted, and as a rather important production.
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
Once Upon a Time in Gaza (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Although some minor inconsistencies in the script are present, "Once Upon a Time in Gaza" ultimately stands as an intelligent, sharply humorous, and deeply engaging work.
Posted Nov 24, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
The American Southwest (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis The American Southwest is a visually stunning ode to nature and resilience, pairing breathtaking imagery with powerful commentary on humanity’s relationship with water, even if a bit more restraint in pacing could have made better.
Posted Nov 10, 2025  Edit critic review
5
The Treacherous (2015) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, “The Treacherous” feels more like a collection of vignettes designed to shock, seduce, and impress rather than a cohesive narrative. The question that remains is whether its audiovisual splendor can compensate for its narrative shortcomings
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
5
The Scarlet Letter (2004) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, “The Scarlet Letter” is memorable for certain individual elements — particularly its cetnral performance and a few audacious moments — but fails to come together as a cohesive whole.
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
6
Untold Scandal (2003) Panos Kotzathanasis Its shortcomings do not make “Untold Scandal” any less competent, but when compared to later works exploring similar territory, such as “The Concubine” or “The Servant,” it certainly stands on a somewhat lower tier.
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
6
Obsessed (2014) Panos Kotzathanasis “Obsessed” leans heavily toward eye-candy territory; the quality of this particular aspect, however, is such that it makes the experience one definitely worth watching.
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
7
A Muse (2012) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, “A Muse” functions equally well as an erotic narrative and a character-driven drama. Its thematic daring, refined direction, and standout performances secure its position as one of the more captivating and provocative Korean releases
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
5
Volcano High (2001) Panos Kotzathanasis Despite its shortcomings, “Volcano High” holds interest as a transitional work, even if it does not as a separate entity
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
7
A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Energetic, insightful, and deeply human, “A Savage Art” succeeds not just as a tribute but as a testament to why artists like Oliphant matter.
Posted Nov 02, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
Lone Samurai (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Although somewhat caught between two different approaches, the presence of Shogen throughout, the quality of action in the second half, and the way the setting is vividly realized result in a movie that is definitely worth watching
Posted Oct 28, 2025  Edit critic review
7
Welcome Back (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Naoto Kawashima’s “Welcome Back” is a heartfelt Japanese drama blending boxing, friendship, and self-discovery. Teru and Ben’s brotherly bond is tested when a decisive match changes everything, and a road trip across Japan becomes a journey of growth
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
The Things You Kill (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Khatami clearly possesses a wealth of ideas and executes most of them with confidence in “The Things You Kill”. Although some excess and minor inconsistencies keep it from achieving greatness, it remains a compelling and thought-provoking work
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
6.5
55 (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis In the end, despite the fairy-tale naivety, “55” emerges as very entertaining and easy to watch — a work that is quite difficult to dislike.
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
6
The Servant (2010) Panos Kotzathanasis Despite some narrative flaws, “The Servant” is a film worth watching, particularly for its performances, production values, and visual appeal. It also serves as a defining point in Jo Yeo-jeong’s career in erotic roles
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
6
Occult Bolshevism (2018) Panos Kotzathanasis Granted, after a point, Takahashi seems to lose his sense of measure somewhat, moving towards more cliched genre filmmaking paths, but the overall essence the movie emits is of something unique, which communicates the sense of terror competently
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
7
Unbanked (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis “Unbanked” ultimately operates as both primer and persuasion, reflecting the filmmakers’ discovery process while inviting audiences to question — or perhaps embrace — the promises of decentralization, autonomy, and financial revolution.
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
5
The Concubine (2012) Panos Kotzathanasis Ultimately, the narrative inconsistencies and uneven progression prevent “The Concubine” from reaching greatness. Nevertheless, its powerful visuals, strong performances, and charged sensuality make it a work well worth watching\
Posted Oct 26, 2025  Edit critic review
7
The Vortex (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis In the end, “The Vortex” stands as a small gem — a tightly directed and well-acted work that remains engaging throughout, even without relying on grandiose cinematic spectacle.
Posted Oct 25, 2025  Edit critic review
6
Girl (2025) Panos Kotzathanasis Although “Girl” is weighed down by issues of length and certain casting choices, the strength of its storytelling ultimately carries it through, resulting in a debut that is both moving and hopeful.
Posted Oct 05, 2025  Edit critic review
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