Lady Snowblood (1973) – Yuki’s (Meiko Kaji) family is murdered, save her mother, by a band of criminals. After being tortured, the mother ends up in prison. She allows herself to be impregnated to carry out her revenge. Although she’s passes on during childbirth, left behind is Yuki, or Shurayuki-hime, who undertakes exstensive training to hunt down her families killers.
Youth of the Beast (1963) – One of Seijun Suzuki’s breakthrough films, Youth of the Beast is a yakuza film and an admirable display of sixties crime cinema. Jo Shishido plays a violent ex-detective searching for the murderer of a friend and fellow detective. Shishido enters the yakuza underworld playing opposing sides in an attempt to cause a gang war. His plans are streadily revealed as the movie reaches it's fantastic closure. Highly recommended for fans of yakuza and crime films.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) – Chan-wook Park directs a film starring electrocution, rape, and revenge. If you hadn’t caught it from the title, this movie overtly centers around vengeance. It starts out rather placid with an honest attempt to prolong a life through an underground kidney deal but after an accidental death everything begins to fall apart as each party has it's turn to avenge.
Immortel (ad vitam) (2004) - A French devised sci-fi movie directed by Enkil Bilal, Immortel is one of the first of several films to be filmed completely in front of a green screen. The effects themselves vary. The city backdrop is fantastic and the digital characters, while animated competently, sometimes look at little too generated. Apparently it's 2095 and a large Pyramid has appeared over NYC, where the story takes place. Eugenics are prevalent and have allowed all sorts of 'upgrades' or mutations for humanity. The story starts with a woman with blue 'hair' getting arrested.
Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) - Hark Tsui's Chinese action/fantasy epic Zu was a pretty major turning point in Hong Kong cinema in terms of production values and exposure. Ti Ming-Chi, a Chinese warrior, is caught up between warring Chinese clans. Somehow he finds himself in the company of a powerful sifu (teacher) and a pair of skilled monks. Scene after scene they journey to find a pair of legendary swords that are the only hope against stopping an oncoming demon. Dated by today's standards, but very entertaining. Apparently there’s a pseudo sequel out now as well.
Wild Zero (2000) – This could be the only rock-n-roll zombie flick. Ace, Masashi Endô, after doing a daring deed becomes blood brothers with Guitar Wolf. Soon after he discovers harmful roaming zombies. Calling on Guitar Wolf, Bass Wolf (RIP), and Drum Wolf, they find themselves battling an alien invasion in full rock-n-roll spirit. Very B-movie and very entertaining.
Versus (2000) – Two men escape from prison and meet some yakuza at the edge of a forest. While waiting for the man in charge a scuffle breaks out with one of the men shot. He comes back as a zombie and is downed in a hail of bullets. The prisoners bolt into the woods (with a lady) and the yakuza give a chase. Apparently the forest holds unmarked burial sites waiting to be disturbed. With a nod to early Peter Jackson, Ryuhei Kitamura’s pseudo-sequel to Down to Hell is a comedic action/horror zombie martial arts movie - lite on horror, heavy on action. A sequel has been announced (with a higher budget).
Sonatine (1993) – Really well done, unconventional crime film directed, edited and written by Takeshi Kitano. Kitano plays Aniki, a successful and jaded yakuza clan leader on his way out. Him and several other yakuza are sent to Okinawa to assist in ending a gang war. After several days and several dead yakuza, the situation is still clouded and Aniki retreats to a remote beach house with several other yakuza to wait. After rescuing a woman from rape the camera leaves the violence and concentrates on the lives of the yakuza themselves. Sonatine is a thoughtful, involved and character driven yakuza flick that clearly expresses Kitano’s unique style. Very good.
Thanks...
