So, I did a search for Toshiaki Toyoda and Blue Spring, neither returned any results so I’m assuming there’s not an active topic about this brilliant director. Easily one of my favorite Japanese auteurs alongside Kitano, Miike, Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Takashi Ishii. Pornostar, Blue Spring and 9 Souls have been in my favorite films list for quite some time. I also just picked up Hanging Garden but haven’t had the chance to check it out but I have high expectations. Anyone else a fan? Anyone know where I can score a copy of Unchain? His documentary about a failing boxer.
I know him by his reputation but I’ve never seen film by him. A friend of mine is huge fan of Pornostar. I’d like to see some of his movies myself. Especially Porno Star and Hanging Garden (which features the lovely Anne Suzuki in one of the supporting roles).
[quote=“Hung Fist”]
I know him by his reputation but I’ve never seen film by him. A friend of mine is huge fan of Pornostar. I’d like to see some of his movies myself. Especially Porno Star and Hanging Garden (which features the lovely Anne Suzuki in one of the supporting roles).
[/quote]DEFINITELY check out Blue Spring if you can. I always overhype it (check my review for my love of it), but it really is one emotional rollercoaster. Toyoda knows how to properly implement rock music in his films, never seen it done better 
Gotta say how cool it was to see that 3rd critic-quote inside the case! 8)
[quote=“Laydback”]
Gotta say how cool it was to see that 3rd critic-quote inside the case! 8)
[/quote] ;D Picked that one up did ya? 
Just wish I could have made it in the Blue Spring packaging 
Is that Artsmagic release? Their Angel Guts box set is filled with similiar quotes
[quote=“Hung Fist”]
Is that Artsmagic release? Their Angel Guts box set is filled with similiar quotes
[/quote]Yeah, I reviewed several screeners for artsmagic last year or the year before. I reviewed a copy of Angel Guts: Red Dizzyness for them, but never checked my box set to see if I made it in that one. Artsmagic = Good People 
Blue Spring is amazing, though 9 Souls is my favorite Toyoda so far. I enjoyed Pornostar a good deal, though not as much as those two, and I really want to see Hanging Garden.
Haven’t seen Pornostar yet.
Saw Tokyo Rampage a while back. Good, but it didn’t stick in the mind the way 9 souls or Blue Spring did.
Did Pornostar ever make it over here? And did it keep it’s title, things were so confusing I just lost track…
[quote=“Laydback”]
Haven’t seen Pornostar yet.
Saw Tokyo Rampage a while back. Good, but it didn’t stick in the mind the way 9 souls or Blue Spring did.
[/quote]
ahahahaha. Ah, I’m sorry man. You’ve become another victim of name changes. Tokyo Rampage is the US title of Pornostar. The original title was too radical for them so they changed it into Tokyo Psycho, then they realized Panik House just released another movie called Tokyo Psycho so they further changed it it into Tokyo Rampage
You gotta be shittin’ me.
Welp, that’s gotta be the first time an alt. title has pwned me :embarassed:
I got to see Blue Spring on the big screen a couple months back, and hearing Thee Michelle Gun Elephant blaring out of the theater’s speakers was the best experience of my life.
[quote=“Kiriyama”]
I got to see Blue Spring on the big screen a couple months back, and hearing Thee Michelle Gun Elephant blaring out of the theater’s speakers was the best experience of my life.
[/quote]Lucky, lucky Would LOVE to see any of his films on the big screen.
Bought Hanging Garden a while back and watched it, thought it was great. Toyoda just continues to get better and better. Hanging Garden is a much more “adult” film than his others, but it still focuses on youth and the battles at home. Truly a beautiful film with some amazing character development. So far Toyoda is 4-0 with me, and I would still just about kill to get my hands on Unchain.
Hate to bump a dead topic, but I thought I’d at least ask: Has anyone heard any news on Toyoda? I read a while back that before Hanging Garden was released he ran into some trouble with the law over drugs - does anyone know if he has any projects ahead? Is he facing jailtime? I’ve searched the net and came up with nothing.
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.nipponcinema.com/news/whats_ … t_excited/”>http://www.nipponcinema.com/news/whats_toshiaki_toyoda_up_to_these_days_hint_dont_get_excited/</LINK_TEXT>
[quote=“Hung Fist”]
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.nipponcinema.com/news/whats_ … t_excited/”>http://www.nipponcinema.com/news/whats_toshiaki_toyoda_up_to_these_days_hint_dont_get_excited/</LINK_TEXT>
[/quote]I actually heard about Twin Tail a while back and saw the video, heard he’s been getting some music video work as well. The guy is such a great storyteller though, would like to see him get back to larger projects. I will not stop until everyone is as big a fan of his as I am ;D Still can’t find Unchain though! Anyone have a link to any store that might be selling it?
The R2J appears to be oop. If you really want it you can probably grab it from yahoo auctions at terrible price at some point (none available at the moment).
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/sear … 8&auccat=0”>http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/auc?p=��������������˭������&auccat=0</LINK_TEXT>
The soundtrack is available, though.
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.yesasia.com/us/unchain/10000 … /info.html”>YESASIA: Unchain CD - Soul.Flower.Union, Polystar - Japanese Music - Free Shipping - North America Site</LINK_TEXT>
CDJapan : UNCHAIN SOUL FLOWER UNION CD Album
This reminded me of; I really should order that R2J Aoi haru and see how good this guy is…
[quote=“Hung Fist”]
The R2J appears to be oop. If you really want it you can probably grab it from yahoo auctions at terrible price at some point (none available at the moment).
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/sear … 8&auccat=0”>http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/auc?p=��������������˭������&auccat=0</LINK_TEXT>
The soundtrack is available, though.
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.yesasia.com/us/unchain/10000 … /info.html”>YESASIA: Unchain CD - Soul.Flower.Union, Polystar - Japanese Music - Free Shipping - North America Site</LINK_TEXT>
CDJapan : UNCHAIN SOUL FLOWER UNION CD Album
This reminded me of; I really should order that R2J Aoi haru and see how good this guy is…
[/quote]Every time I search for it on ebay or anything like that, I get nothing. Going to hang in there since so far it’s the only feature of his I don’t have.
Do check out Blue Spring, though I know I’ve hyped it to kingdom come and could probably ruin it for a lot of people - but it’s a fun flick with an amazing use of rock music.