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James Luxford
For James Luxford's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 10, 2015
'Ant-Man' director Peyton Reed draws on classic heist flicks for inspiration
Any Marvel Studios release is big news in the film world, and while "Ant-Man" is no exception to that rule, it isn't your average superhero movie. Opting for more comedy than other "Avengers" movies before it, the film has become a hit internationally, thanks in part to the effort of director Peyton Reed.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 7, 2015
Daniel Radcliffe gets devilish in 'Horns'
There are few actors who can enjoy the kind of success that Daniel Radcliffe has enjoyed at his age. At 10, he became the face of the multibillion-dollar "Harry Potter" franchise, which became a cultural phenomenon. As the series drew to a close in 2011, the young British actor was faced with two dilemmas: shaking off the typecasting of his initial success and making the jump from child to adult actor — all without magic.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 15, 2015
Neeson is taken on another adventure
It's hard to believe that, a decade ago, Liam Neeson was better known for prestige Oscar dramas than high-octane action blockbusters. The Academy Award nominee spent the first 30 years of his career making his name in films such as "Kinsey" (2004), "Rob Roy" (1995) and Steven Spielberg's celebrated "Schindler's List" (1993), only briefly flirting with the world of blockbusters in George Lucas' "Star Wars" prequels. In his mid-50s, however, he launched a second career of sorts with "Taken," the 2008 smash hit that reinvented the actor and spawned a new trend in older action stars.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on