Movies About Japan

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 action-packed martial arts film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The story follows The Bride (Uma Thurman), a former member of an elite assassins squad called the Deadly Vipers, who is seeking revenge on her former colleagues after they attempt to kill her on her wedding day. After being left for dead, The Bride embarks on a violent journey of revenge that takes her across the world and introduces her to some of the most dangerous and deadly adversaries she has ever faced. Featuring a star-studded cast of characters, including David Carradine, Lucy Liu, and Daryl Hannah, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is an exciting, thrilling, and highly entertaining action-packed revenge story that is sure to leave you wanting more.

From Edward Zwick, starring Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton
Rated R

The Last Samurai is a 2003 historical drama directed by Edward Zwick and starring Tom Cruise. Set in the late 1800s, during the Meiji period in Japan, the film follows an American military advisor who is hired by the Emperor of Japan to help modernize the country’s army. During his training, he meets a group of Samurai warriors and begins to appreciate their way of life. After witnessing their courage and conviction, he is inspired to join them in their fight against the Emperor's army. He must choose between his loyalty to the Emperor and his newfound admiration for the Samurai’s honorable code of honor. Ultimately, the Samurai’s devotion to their way of life and the power of their spirit leads to a victory over the Emperor’s forces. The Last Samurai is an inspiring story of loyalty, courage, and dedication in the face of overwhelming odds.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation is a 2003 drama-comedy film written and directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The film follows Bob Harris (Murray), an aging American movie star, and Charlotte (Johansson), a young college graduate, as they form an unlikely friendship while visiting Tokyo on different business trips. Both are lonely in the strange city and draw comfort from each other. As their relationship develops, they explore Tokyo together, discovering both the culture and themselves in the process. Through their interactions, the two come to a new understanding of love, companionship, and life itself.

From Terrence Malick, starring Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Kirk Acevedo
Rated R

The Thin Red Line is a 1998 American war drama directed by Terrence Malick, based on the novel by James Jones. Set during World War II, it tells the story of a group of soldiers from the US Army's C Company who are sent to Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater of war. The film follows the soldiers as they battle against the Japanese forces, as well as their own personal inner battles. The film is an exploration of the spiritual and moral aspects of war, with themes such as the fragility of life, the limits of human behavior, and how war can bring out the best and worst in people. Ultimately, the film poses the question of who, if anyone, is to blame for the horrors of war.

From Rob Marshall, starring Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Suzuka Ohgo
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Ryan Phillippe, Barry Pepper, Joseph Cross, Jesse Bradford
Rated R

From Lewis Gilbert, starring Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi, Mie Hama, Tetsurô Tanba
Rated PG

From James Mangold, starring Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima
Rated PG-13

From Jay Roach, starring Mike Myers, Beyoncé, Seth Green, Michael York
Rated PG-13

From Carl Rinsch, starring Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano
Rated PG-13

From John G. Avildsen, starring Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio, Pat E. Johnson, Bruce Malmuth
Rated PG

From Justin Lin, starring Lucas Black, Zachery Ty Bryan, Shad Moss, Damien Marzette
Rated PG-13

From Stuart Gillard, starring Elias Koteas, Paige Turco, Stuart Wilson, Sab Shimono
Rated PG

From John Berry, starring Tony Curtis, Jackie Earle Haley, Tomisaburô Wakayama, Antonio Inoki
Rated PG