Monsters Club (2011)

Ryoichi (Eita) lives in a wooden hut deep in a snow-covered forest. His autonomy means he’s answerable to no one. His connection to the modern world is not completely severed, however, a one-way communication is maintained so he can send letter bombs to the faceless corporate executives that orchestrate the marketing and lies. He’s doing his bit for society by attempting to tear it down a little piece at a time.
At odds with the environment, the self-imposed isolation is warming. The visitations by, well, something, are eerie and powerfully motivating.
It’s a film that doesn't give you every answer you seek, but it may encourage you to ask some pertinent questions and evaluate their worth.

4 societal chains out of 5

Azumi (2003)

A live action film adapted from Yū Koyama’s chanbara manga of the same name. I’ve not read the manga, so a direct comparison is out.
Azumi is trained from a young age to be an assassin. She’s delicate but deadly, like a dip-dyed flower with barbs hidden beneath the beauty. Her only flaw is that her emotion fights often with her instinct.
We’re informed from the outset that the fantastical plays an important part, so leave a desire for realism at the door before entering.
I got the feeling more than once than Kitamura wanted to make a Ninja Scroll (1993) movie, but maybe that’s what the Azumi manga is like?

3 mounds of dirt out of 5