Brutal Tales of Chivalry (Japan, 1965) – 4/5
Yakuza god Ken Takakura stars a young man returning from war who inherits a gang from a dying boss. They’re trying to honest business in the fish market, but the rivalry gang that killed their old boss and is now trying to get their market share has given up on all honor codes. Slightly unoriginal but well acted opening for the long running Brutal Tales of Chivalry ninkyo yakuza series. Co-star Ryo Ikebe, whose encounters with Takakura would soon become the highlights of series, plays a man who’s come into town to look for his sister.
- dvd / Toei
Brutal Tales of Chivalry 2 (Japan, 1966) – 4,5/5
Takakura returns to this sequel as a man who must kill the boss of a family in order to buy his brother’s freedom. Three years later he when he’s released from prison he meets the son and wife of the man he killed. Wonderfully written film with perfect acting from Takakura, Ikebe and female lead Yoshiko Mita. The near perfect yakuza eiga is only weakened by one dimentional villains.
- dvd / Toei
Brutal Tales of Chivalry 3 (Japan, 1966) – 2,5/5
Part three turns the Takakura-Ikebe character composition of the previous film upside down, but the screenplay hampers with some poor supporting characters and predictable storyline. It’s a shame as the Takakura and Ikebe pairing is as efficient as usual, and Junko Fuji – making her debut in the series – is nothing short of excellent. The action scenes are also the most impressive in the series so far.
- dvd / Toei
Wife to Be Sacrificed (Japan, 1974) – 1/5
Naomi Tani in her usual housewife to be tortured role in Masaru Konuma’s most critically appraised film. It’s yet another appalling sm fest with over-rated cinematography and a touch of artism. A couple of good moments and effective ending have found their way into the film. Of course it was Nikkatsu’s biggest hit of the year and now a celebrated piece of Japanese film history.
- dvd / KimStim (remaster)
Love Hotel (Japan, 1985) – 4/5
How did the best Japanese director of the 80’s end up helming a roman porno feature? Well, this was produced by The Director’s Company and only distributed by Nikkatsu. Based on Takashi Ishii’s terrific screenplay it’s a story of a man who, after losing everything, falls in love with a part-time prostitute. Somai’s trademarks are clearly visible, most impressively in the cinematography (courtesy of Shunji Iwai’s frequent collaborator Noboru Shinoda). The long takes are plenty, but perfectly natural. Not all viewers even notice that for example the love hotel scene at the end is shot with one take. It lasts over 10 minutes. The Yokohama Film Festival didn’t leave the film’s merits unnoticed; Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor and best Best New Actress.
- dvd / Geneon
Sadistic & Masochistic (Japan, 2001) – 4/5
Ringu man Hideo Nakata’s terrific documentary on director Masaru Konuma. A former assistant director of Konuma’s, Nakata examines his mentor’s career from the beginning, discusses the films and the industry with the man himself, and interviews directors, cinematographers and actors from Koyu Ohara to Naosuke Kurosawa and Yuko Katagiri. One of the highlights comes when Nakata arranges a meeting for Konuma and his trusted lady Naomi Tani –retired from movie industry since the end of 1970’s. Add insightful behind the scenes stories by assistant directors who wanted to kill Konuma and rare stills of the Nikkatsu kings together in a meeting and you have pretty much the best documentary imaginable about the subject.
- dvd / KimStim Wife to Be Sacrificed extras
2LDK (Japan, 2003) – 3/5
The hardness of living together. I first saw this some 5 years ago. Today, being a student myself, I suddenly understand this film so much better… 2LDK is the first part in the Duel Project - Yukihiko Tsutsumi and Ryuhei Kitamura’s agreement to deliver a pair films that are shot within a week, in one location, and end with a death duel between the two main characters - and approximately as good as it’s rival. But while Kitamura was dumb enough to stuck himself with two samurai warriors, Tsutsumi set the fight between two young female actresses that are after the same role… and live in the same apartment. Maho Nonami can get a bit irritating at times but Eiko Koike acts better than a gravure idol ought to. The film isn’t quite as clever as it attempts to be, but it is funny for the most part. Also excellent ending song by Yuko Ando.
- dvd / TLA Remaster
Aragami (Japan, 2003) – 3/5
Kitamura’s contribution to the Duel project doesn’t differ significantly from most of his other movies in terms of style. But has interesting starting point that slightly resembles classic European horror tales; a wounded warrior (Takao Osawa) finds shelter from a distant temple. The owner (Masaya Kato), a self-assured loner, welcomes his guest, but seems unwilling to let the man go when his wounds have healed. It’s 60 minutes of dialogue followed by 20 minutes of fighting. The single room setting provides Kitamura with plenty of changes to play with his trademark 360 degree camera spin. Soundtrack, acting and action are all decetly good, but there’s a bit of overlength to such a simple story. Humour is sparse, but well used.
- dvd / Mad Asia
Moon Child (Japan, 2003) – 1,5/5
Takahisa Zeze’s vampire actioner has a fighteningly bad start with pop stars Gackt and Hyde showcasing some remarkably bad acting and even more clumsy gunplay. However, the overlong epic improves during its second hour and leaves a decent aftertaste… if you make it that far. Anne Suzuki makes a brief appearance near the end. Ryo Ishibashi is another cast member who can actually act. Shot half in Chinese, with the rest in Japanese and a bit of Engrish thrown in.
- dvd / TLA