What are you watching?

[Tom Clark Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tom Clark]

The Art of Love (Walerian Borowczyk, 1983) - Of all the films Boro did with Marina Pierro this is the one that I've watched the fewest times. Not that I think its a bad film, on the contrary, its fantastic its just that I don't get to it as much as say The Beast (1975) or Dr. Jekyll and His Women (1981). An odd film to be sure although its really not as nonsensical as its structure would lead you to believe.

[47lab Guest Find all posts View Profile Close 47lab]

Managed to catch a double bill earlier...first up was Ryuichi Hiroki's 2011 film THE EGOISTS. I really enjoyed his past films such as VIBRATOR and M but this one left me a bit cold. It was a bit staid and conventional...not too much mention the predictable ending once can sense from a mile away. The high point was Anne Suzuki's role as an exotic dancer & getting to see her nubile lithe body on display was definitely a plus Hiroki doesn't shy away from the sex as he was a former pink film director. But this film seemed hampered by convention as if Hiroki was hamstrung into making it more commercially viable than some of his past works.

Miwa Nishikawa's debut 2003 film, WILD BERRIES was a much more satisfying viewing experience. I really enjoyed her criticially acclaimed film, SWAY, so I made it a point to seek out the film that set her on her way as one of Japan's best female directors & I'm glad I did. This irreverent portrayal of a seemingly normal and placid middle class family whose facade slowly breaks down upon the death of the family patriarch & the return of a n'er do well prodigal son is both amusing & touching. I like the fact that director Nishikawa doesn't go overboard and take it too far into black comedy territory -- it would've turned into a farce IMO. It certainly helped to have Hirokazu Koreeda produce it & I'm sure he gave her plenty of direction and guidance. Highly recommended!

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TOKYO EYES - Dir. Jean-Pierre Limosin (1998)

I remember watching this movie years ago & my primary motivation was Hinano Yoshikawa back then. After revisiting it again recently, I have to say she's about the only thing worth it sitting through an hour and a half for -- she's like a cuter and ditzier Japanese version of Juliette Lewis.

[Takuma Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Takuma]

Managed to catch a double bill earlier...first up was Ryuichi Hiroki's 2011 film THE EGOISTS. I really enjoyed his past films such as VIBRATOR and M but this one left me a bit cold. It was a bit staid and conventional...not too much mention the predictable ending once can sense from a mile away. The high point was Anne Suzuki's role as an exotic dancer & getting to see her nubile lithe body on display was definitely a plus Hiroki doesn't shy away from the sex as he was a former pink film director. But this film seemed hampered by convention as if Hiroki was hamstrung into making it more commercially viable than some of his past works.

Did you just read my mind?

I loved the Tokyo segments in Egoists, and my jaw dropped when Ann-chan went topless but the countryside parts just weren't that interesting. My favorite Hiroki films are It's Only Talk and L'amant.

I really need to get the Shady dvd. The film's been avoiding me - I've been in the same city where it played at least three times, always two or three days before or after it played - never at the same time. D'oh.

Since I'm new in the topic perhaps I can spend the next few posts summarizing the most interesting stuff I've seen since the beginning of the year. Going to be Japan-heavy; my apologies in advance.

The Shape of Night (Japan, 1964) [35mm]
Noboru Nakamura's realistic prostitution drama was one of the major re-discoveries of 2013. With its realism and strikingly stylish cinematography it echoes both Shohei Imamura and Seijun Suzuki, whose Gate of Flesh premiered earlier the same year. Nakamura refrains from Suzuki's heavy-handed dosing of sex and violence, but the film is no less gripping. Leading actress Miyuki Kuwano is excellent as a sweet young girl falling in love with a yakuza, resulting in her slow downfall to a miserable street hooker.

Rape Hunter: Target Woman (Japan, 1980) [DVD]
Nikkatsu's former action specialist Yukihiro Sawada was one of the studio's most interesting talents in the early/mid 70's. Unfortunately by the end of the decade he had drifted to standard pink films and routine Yusaku Matsuda actioners. This one's got both in it. The urban night views and the assault rifle featured in the poster, on the othe hand, are nowhere to be found in the film. It's a tiresome crime-pink hybrid with a couple of violent moments, feeling very much like a low budget Toei Central film of the early 80's merged with Nikkatsu pink. There's very little of that style and energy that director Sawada was known for half a decade before.

Fuck Me to the Moon (Japan, 2013) [Yubari Fanta]
Japanese slacker cinema is alive and kicking with the best film in the genre since Nobuhiro Yamashita's early 2000's masterpieces. Directors Takahata and Takino brand their film as a new type of roman porno, promising to make the audience laugh, cry, and get an erection. In reality it's a very romantic film. The storyline follows two miserable part time musicians and roommates trying to charm a sexy lady with music. Solid cast and excellent soundtrack make it a very enjoyable slacker comedy with some original twists, despite the conventional storyline. The film premiered in the Moosic Lab Cinema x Music line-up originally started by director Yu Irie (Saitama Rapper).

The Tale of Iya (Japan, 2013) [35mm]
Here's something completely unexpected in the middle of all the plastic mainstream productions and micro-budget indie films: a young director's 169 minute epic gorgeously filmed on 35mm. The story is set in the breathtaking mountain landscapes on Iya, where an old man raises an orphan girl (Rina Takeda) with no modern comforts such as electricity. The film echoes old masters like Shohei Imamura, but finds its own fascinating mixture of “magical realism” and valuable environmental message. Mesmerizing piece of filmmaking!

Shojo wa isekai de tatakatta (Japan, 2014) [Yubari Fanta]
Shusuke Kaneko's idol action film is technically well made - yet nearly everything is wrong about it. The sci-fi story is set in an alternative reality where four girls fight evil villains entering the world through mysterious portals. The film tries to be both an idol flick and a martial arts movie, but fails in both. Action choreography is nonsensical posing for the most part, and the idol stuff never catches fire. Casting is problematic, too: Rina Takeda is the only capable fighter, ex-ABK Kayano is the only trained idol, and the other two girls manage neither task very well. The storyline is (unamusing) nonsense as well. A couple of catchy action moments with Takeda, and hilarious political satire throughout the film are the only positives.

Gun Woman (Japan, 2014) [Yubari Fanta]
Samurai Avenger director Kurando Mitsutake returns with a far, far superior b-action gem. Gone are the constant flashbacks and movie homage that sank his previous effort. The ultra violent thriller is roughly modelled after kung fu films, with a street hooker (Asami) going through a hellish physical and mental training for a one time suicide mission. Her target is a Japanese gangster with a taste for necrophilia. Though shot on very modest budget and not looking all that hot, the film features stylish camerawork, excellent soundtrack, career best performance by Asami (who doesn't speak a single word) and hard boiled action sequences, some of them featuring full nude Asami.

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Thanks takuma for the synopsis reviews! yeah, I'm stoked to see Gun Woman for sure! :woot: Sounds like Kurando played it straight but still incorporated a lot of fun OTT shit too. I think I'll enjoy this one much more than Samurai Avenger just from the vibe of the flick.

btw, speaking of Shady & the alienated high school girlfriends theme, you previously reviewed a movie on another site -- it was 20 min short film by Kanai titled Transferring that you caught at the Sapporo short film fest, in which you stated it had very much a Shunji Iwai/Jun Ichikawa feel to it & mentioned that he is a director to keep an eye on. Kanai subsequently made a full length feature film last year titled 'Yurusenai, Aitai (Again)'...have you seen this yet?

Another one that was on your list that I currently have in my watch pile is the Makoto Shinkai anime,The Garden of Words. Looking forward to catching that one soon as well.

[Barry M Super Fiend Find all posts View Profile Close Barry M]

Took the remastered TERMINATOR blu-ray for a spin. Quibble: if infiltrating terminators can speak in any voice perfectly, why talk like Schwarzenegger?

[Roderick Butthorn Find all posts View Profile Close Roderick]

Took the remastered TERMINATOR blu-ray for a spin. Quibble: if infiltrating terminators can speak in any voice perfectly, why talk like Schwarzenegger?

It's funny the details a good HD remaster brings out.

[Barry M Super Fiend Find all posts View Profile Close Barry M]

I got your cremaster right here.

[Takuma Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Takuma]

Thanks takuma for the synopsis reviews! yeah, I'm stoked to see Gun Woman for sure! :woot: Sounds like Kurando played it straight but still incorporated a lot of fun OTT shit too. I think I'll enjoy this one much more than Samurai Avenger just from the vibe of the flick.

Oh, yes, that's one of the best things about Gun Woman: it takes itself (or at least pretends to take itself) serious. I hate it when genre filmmakers don't have the balls to do real genre cinema and go all apologetic and goofy because of that. Extreme films like Gun Woman are already darkly humorous by default for their excess, so adding more humour would be like explaining a joke to dummies...

btw, speaking of Shady & the alienated high school girlfriends theme, you previously reviewed a movie on another site -- it was 20 min short film by Kanai titled Transferring that you caught at the Sapporo short film fest, in which you stated it had very much a Shunji Iwai/Jun Ichikawa feel to it & mentioned that he is a director to keep an eye on. Kanai subsequently made a full length feature film last year titled 'Yurusenai, Aitai (Again)'...have you seen this yet?

Wow, I'm amazed (and very happy) someone is actually reading that thread!

I was originally planning to see it, but the trailer just didn't look that good to me, and the reviews didn't spark that much interest in the story... The DVD just came out though, so I may rent it at some point. It's probably a decent film.

Female Delinquent: A Docu-Drama (Japan, 1977) [35mm]
Director Toshiya Fujita is at his element here, helming a gritty true story of a 16 year old bad girl. After getting pregnant to a no-good man (rocker Yuya Uchida) the girl tries family life for a while until sex, drugs, and extortion businesses take over. Fujita is best known in the West for Lady Snowblood, but his greatest talent was in sharp social commentaries and youth films. Female Delinquent shows Fujita in top form with a captivating story, innovative camerawork, bone crunching hyper-realism, and awesome Japanese 1970's rock music. Acting is thoroughly great as well. One of Nikkatsu's greatest forgotten treasures.

Island Closest to Heaven (Japan, 1984) [35mm]
Nobuhiko Obayashi's second collaboration with 80's idol Tomoyo Harada was perhaps more of a leisure trip to New Caledonia and an idol video than a film with traditional cinematic merits. The storyline of a Japanese girl who travels to search for the paradise on earth and meets nothing but nice people is incredibly naí¯ve, but somewhat amusing. Plenty of beautiful landscapes, but the real attraction is of course the 16 year old Harada, whose isn't at her best as an actress here, but possesses the kind of natural innocence that the AKBs of today couldn't even dream of. For Harada fans, others need not bother.

Tragedy of W (Japan, 1984) [35mm]
The greatest 80's idol, Hiroko Yakushimaru, stars in yet another excellent film after Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, Legend of the Eight Samurai, and a few others. The unusually gritty (for an idol) role sees Hiroko as a young actress who sells her soul and body for stardom. The film features an almost genius structure where the film's storyline begins to increasingly resemble a theatre play within the movie, while the theatre play is at the same time increasingly influenced by the reality within the film, making them eventually inseparable. Hiroko is good throughout, and in a few scenes, downright excellent. "Don't hit me in the face, I'm an actress!"

Hana-Dama (Japan, 2014) [DVD]
High school bullying turns expectedly grotesque in Hisayasu Sato's (Lolita Vibrator Torture) new film. The horror drama was scripted by pink director Shinji Imaoka (Underwater Love) based on concept by Sato. Unfortunately neither one of the gentlemen are quite at their best here. The film fests with its protagonists' exaggerated misery and draws a vision of Japanese trash not entirely unlike the films of Rob Zombie; only Sato's movie is shot much cheaper. Acting and visual look aren't up to much, and the film takes nearly 80 minutes before turning on its supernatural revenge gear. Once that happens, we're treated an anarchic climax of bloodshed quite unlike anything ever staged in a classroom before. It comes a bit late, but for once the audience is left hungry for the (planned, not promised) sequels.

[Tom K Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tom K]

Dressed to Kill
Blow Out

Been many years since I seen these...I forgot how good these both are, especially Blow Out...

[Nabonga Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nabonga]

Torso
On my first viewing of this many moons ago I thought it was very overrated but I've changed my mind after subsequent viewings. The stuff at the villa is goddamn masterfully executed suspense wise. The women in this are all stupid hot too (Conchita Airoldi was the shit back then!). Martino is truly one of the greatest directors of the genre. There is the odd sucky special effect here and there but I'll let it slide. I should get the Blu stat!

Highlander-Season 1
Just finished watching this and man... I sure hope it picks up from here. The sidekick is pretty pointless and his girlfriend is super annoying. I hope they kill her off soon. I like Adrian paul. Not a great actor but charismatic enough and he's got some awesome fighting skills (imdb states extensive various martial arts training). Some neat guest stars here as well. Joan Jett, Marc Singer and mothafockin Lambert himself! Just to name a few. All in all: Meh... very meh so far.

[47lab Guest Find all posts View Profile Close 47lab]

I was originally planning to see it, but the trailer just didn't look that good to me, and the reviews didn't spark that much interest in the story... The DVD just came out though, so I may rent it at some point. It's probably a decent film.

Female Delinquent: A Docu-Drama (Japan, 1977) [35mm]
Director Toshiya Fujita is at his element here, helming a gritty true story of a 16 year old bad girl. After getting pregnant to a no-good man (rocker Yuya Uchida) the girl tries family life for a while until sex, drugs, and extortion businesses take over. Fujita is best known in the West for Lady Snowblood, but his greatest talent was in sharp social commentaries and youth films. Female Delinquent shows Fujita in top form with a captivating story, innovative camerawork, bone crunching hyper-realism, and awesome Japanese 1970's rock music. Acting is thoroughly great as well. One of Nikkatsu's greatest forgotten treasures.

Please post your impressions here if you ever get around to renting it.

That Fujita docu-drama sounds like it would be right up my alley & I would shell out good money to acquire it but alas, it's probably another one that international fans like myself can only dream about seeing. You're so lucky to have access to that VoD pink channel living in Japan. :up:

The last two flicks I've watched were Mikio Naruse's penultimate film, HIKINIGE - HIT AND RUN (1966) & Kazuya Shiraishi's THE DEVIL'S PATH (2013). Hit & Run on the surface appears to be atypical for Naruse as it is a revenge thriller but it still employs Naruse's usual tropes -- still centered around characters from the lower socio-economic strata concomitant with his usual critique of the rigid gender norms of Japanese society. Some of the clever onscreen ploys such as the use of the bright white tones & jarring music during Hideko Takamine's murderous fantasies were neat but overall, it was okay but not one of his better films nor one of Takamine's better acting perfs either.

Having said that, Hit & Run is a masterpiece compared to THE DEVIL'S PATH. I expected more from Shiraishi since I heard so many positives about his debut film, LOST PARADISE IN TOKYO. His sophomore effort was a disappointment from the get go and just never found solid footing. The movie is overly long and quite boring at times as it's essentially a police procedural with one long extended flashback sequence detailing the crimes. Yes, Sudo and the 'sensei' are nasty pieces of work but the onscreen brutality when they are torturing/raping/killing their victims is never really as disturbing as perhaps it should've been in light of the storyline. Another major fail is Takayuki Yamada as the reporter obsessed with finding the truth of Sudo's crimes and the mastermind behind them. As one of the central characters of the film, his utter lack of onscreen presence is a major detriment. There is some side story of Yamada becoming obsessed with the case as an escape from his real world family issues including the deteriorating relations between his wife and dementia suffering mother but it was utterly forgettable too -- just like this movie.

[Takuma Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Takuma]

That Fujita docu-drama sounds like it would be right up my alley & I would shell out good money to acquire it but alas, it's probably another one that international fans like myself can only dream about seeing. You're so lucky to have access to that VoD pink channel living in Japan. :up:

The VoD channel is great, but this (second) viewing was indeed 35mm and I enjoyed it this time around even more. It was playing in Tokyo in a pink theater as a triple feature with Oh Women! A Dirty Song (aka Rolling on the Road) and Path of the Beast.

I really wish someone would release Female Delinquent on dvd, though. The VoD version is remastered, but the audio is faulty. There are frequent audio dropouts which always come with a shrill sound. They seem like an error with the digital encode rather than a problem with the original source...

Having said that, Hit & Run is a masterpiece compared to THE DEVIL'S PATH. I expected more from Shiraishi since I heard so many positives about his debut film, LOST PARADISE IN TOKYO.

I've been wanting to see Lost Paradise for years, but there's no dvd or VoD release available...

I've heard a lot of praise for The Devil's Path so I think I will rent it at some point. Skipped in cinema as it didn't look terribly promising

[47lab Guest Find all posts View Profile Close 47lab]

The VoD channel is great, but this (second) viewing was indeed 35mm and I enjoyed it this time around even more. It was playing in Tokyo in a pink theater as a triple feature with Oh Women! A Dirty Song (aka Rolling on the Road) and Path of the Beast.

I really wish someone would release Female Delinquent on dvd, though. The VoD version is remastered, but the audio is faulty. There are frequent audio dropouts which always come with a shrill sound. They seem like an error with the digital encode rather than a problem with the original source...




I've been wanting to see Lost Paradise for years, but there's no dvd or VoD release available...

I've heard a lot of praise for The Devil's Path so I think I will rent it at some point. Skipped in cinema as it didn't look terribly promising

ah yes, I noticed you recently listed all the theatres that were showing 35mm prints this month. I would love to attend the Shunji Iwai retrospective at Meguro. I do hope you get around to posting about your favorite theaters some day. The one you mentioned that gives you the "old time" feel & atmosphere of the pink cinema experience during its hey day sounds awesome! Nothing like feeling like you have to take a shower right away after leaving the theater to get one in the mood for pink films!

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Caught another double bill today....first up was I AM ICHIHASHI - Dir. Dean Fujioka (2013) based on the book written by the convicted killer about evading authorities after murdering English language teacher, Lindsay Hawke in his flat back in 2007. Apparently this case became a cause celebre in Japan & the UK due to the media coverage of the victim's family & the sensationalism regarding the suspect's attempts at crude plastic surgery to disguise himself. anyway, back to the film...this is just a dry re-enactment of the killer's diary of trying to stay one step ahead of the cops in spite of the director putting forth a running gag where Ichihashi battles his own ego (shown visually onscreen) over his guilt.

The second movie was much more satisfying...it was Kazuyoshi Kumakiri's 2006 slacker baseball related comedy, GREEN MIND, METAL BATS. Upon re-watching this movie, I was again reminded what I loved about it the first time. Yes, it's a typical weird Japanese comedy full of dark humor and general zaniness about a bunch of losers in life & despite the fact none of the characters are very likeable, one can't help feeling sympathetic to their plights especially the character played by Pistol Takehara. Of course, Maki Sakai steals pretty much steals every scene as the sexy mean drunk who is vandalizing cars one minute and beating up local hoodlums for pocket money the next. Cool cameos by Koji Wakamtsu as a local vagrant known as the son of "Babe Ruth" and Terajima Susumu as a power drill wielding thug who cons Takehara into abetting him in armed robbery. Highly recommended!