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Crazed Fruit (Japan, 1956) [DVD] - 3/5
The seminal Sun Tribe film that defined the rebellious Japanese post-war generation, caused a moral panic, and launched its controversial writer Shintaro Ishihara and his actor brother Yujiro Ishihara to stardom. To be precise, however, what the film really did was depict the mindscape and rebellious dreams of the mid-50s Japanese youth than their reality (which lacked the motor boats and fine clubs), and that's probably why it was so popular and feared. Ishihara co-stars as rich kid who falls in love with the same girl (Mie Kitahara) as his innocent little brother (Masahiko Tsugawa). The film has stylish and energetic first and third acts, but the middle part tends to get a bit less than engaging with its now-predictable story.
Jigoku no okite ni asu wa nai (Japan, 1966) [DVD] - 2.5/5
A passable but underwhelming modern day yakuza film with ninkyo themes. Takakura plays a yakuza who was taken in by a gang boss when he was a small boy. Now the rival gang is trying to make him join them. A bit surprisingly the film is at its best in romantic scenes between Takakura and the female lead. There's plenty of beautiful location photography in the film's seaside setting, and fantastic tragic ending. As a gangster movie, however, the film is unoriginal and largely uninspired. The storyline lacks interest and the supporting characters, who receive too much screen time, are nothing but fillers.
Decapitation of an Evil Woman (1977) [DVD] - 3/5
Director Yuji Makiguchi's resume, especially as the director of Shogun's Sadism, has perhaps given this period piece a false reputation as violent exploitation film - something that Toei's wildly exaggerated poster art with a topless woman trying to escape the decapitator's sword hasn't helped to change. In the film, she's actually fully clothed in that scene. The "true story" is actually a semi-comedic road movie following four outlaws - two men and two women - trying to escape the long arm of the law. It's a pretty well paced, entertaining and laidback mix of crime film and romance, all set to a groovy score, and impossible to take too seriously. The film's R-18 rating is somewhat a mystery: there are only a couple of bits of graphic violence plus some mild sex scenes.
Misono Universe (Japan, 2015) [DCP] - 3/5
Nobuhiro Yamashita is one of the few Japanese indie favourites who never lost their distinctive style even after going mainstream. In fact, he appears to be unable to make a bad movie. Misono Universe is a pure crown pleaser on the surface - a gangster with a memory loss becomes a pop star after he is taken in by a small band - but Yamashita helms it with his usual deadpan humour, slow pace and attention to detail. He does a lot of small things against mainstream norms, e.g. the short beating in the beginning leaves the protagonist's face scarred for the rest of the film. As a whole, however, probably due to the script penned by Tomoe Kanno instead of Kosuke Mukai, the film is not a good as Yamashita's other movies. Pop star Subaru Shibutani is decent in the lead role, but it's the hugely talented Fumi Nikaido who is the real star of the film. Her acting is such a pleasure to follow even in scenes where supposedly nothing is happening.
The seminal Sun Tribe film that defined the rebellious Japanese post-war generation, caused a moral panic, and launched its controversial writer Shintaro Ishihara and his actor brother Yujiro Ishihara to stardom. To be precise, however, what the film really did was depict the mindscape and rebellious dreams of the mid-50s Japanese youth than their reality (which lacked the motor boats and fine clubs), and that's probably why it was so popular and feared. Ishihara co-stars as rich kid who falls in love with the same girl (Mie Kitahara) as his innocent little brother (Masahiko Tsugawa). The film has stylish and energetic first and third acts, but the middle part tends to get a bit less than engaging with its now-predictable story.
Jigoku no okite ni asu wa nai (Japan, 1966) [DVD] - 2.5/5
A passable but underwhelming modern day yakuza film with ninkyo themes. Takakura plays a yakuza who was taken in by a gang boss when he was a small boy. Now the rival gang is trying to make him join them. A bit surprisingly the film is at its best in romantic scenes between Takakura and the female lead. There's plenty of beautiful location photography in the film's seaside setting, and fantastic tragic ending. As a gangster movie, however, the film is unoriginal and largely uninspired. The storyline lacks interest and the supporting characters, who receive too much screen time, are nothing but fillers.
Decapitation of an Evil Woman (1977) [DVD] - 3/5
Director Yuji Makiguchi's resume, especially as the director of Shogun's Sadism, has perhaps given this period piece a false reputation as violent exploitation film - something that Toei's wildly exaggerated poster art with a topless woman trying to escape the decapitator's sword hasn't helped to change. In the film, she's actually fully clothed in that scene. The "true story" is actually a semi-comedic road movie following four outlaws - two men and two women - trying to escape the long arm of the law. It's a pretty well paced, entertaining and laidback mix of crime film and romance, all set to a groovy score, and impossible to take too seriously. The film's R-18 rating is somewhat a mystery: there are only a couple of bits of graphic violence plus some mild sex scenes.
Misono Universe (Japan, 2015) [DCP] - 3/5
Nobuhiro Yamashita is one of the few Japanese indie favourites who never lost their distinctive style even after going mainstream. In fact, he appears to be unable to make a bad movie. Misono Universe is a pure crown pleaser on the surface - a gangster with a memory loss becomes a pop star after he is taken in by a small band - but Yamashita helms it with his usual deadpan humour, slow pace and attention to detail. He does a lot of small things against mainstream norms, e.g. the short beating in the beginning leaves the protagonist's face scarred for the rest of the film. As a whole, however, probably due to the script penned by Tomoe Kanno instead of Kosuke Mukai, the film is not a good as Yamashita's other movies. Pop star Subaru Shibutani is decent in the lead role, but it's the hugely talented Fumi Nikaido who is the real star of the film. Her acting is such a pleasure to follow even in scenes where supposedly nothing is happening.
Must be the fancy wooden box. 
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