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One of the most absurdly violent films ever made, this outrageous comic book of a movie is short on style but makes up for it in sheer audacity and excess. Brooding street kid Ricky Ho (Fan Siu Wang, playing the part of avenging angel with self-righteous earnestness) walks into the corrupt corporate prison system with superpowered martial arts skills and proceeds to punch his way through every bullying thug and sadistic guard who comes his way. Literally. His fist puts a gaping hole through the stomach of a giant sumo-wrestler-sized thug and the jaw of a pompadoured bully, and turns the skull of a pathetic guard into a bloody stump. As Ricky becomes a hero to the downtrodden prisoners, the assistant warden (who keeps breath mints in his removable glass eye) organizes the dreaded "gang of four," the cell block gang leaders, to take Ricky down. Fat chance!

There's nothing realistic about the bone-shattering, blood-splattering spectacle of crushed heads and snapped limbs, but the unrestrained display becomes so preposterously grotesque it hardly matters. You'll be convinced that the "Oh" in Riki-Oh stands for "Oh my God, did I really see that?" Yes, Ricky really does tie a sliced tendon with his teeth, a thug cuts open his gut and uses his own intestines to strangle Ricky, and the warden (for no apparent reason) puffs himself up into a giant rubber ogre. Ricky's curvy, feminine nemesis Rogan is played by Yukari Oshima, the butt-kicking, all-woman star of Angel and others. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (75)

A movie so bad that it's entertaining.
....Riki-Oh: The story of Ricky is a B movie beyond any B movie I've ever seen.As a movie, it gets 1 star,as a form of visual entertainment for the morbid,and/or people with strong stomachs looking for a movie to make fun of,a full 5 stars.The dubbing is bad,the music is bad, the plot is full of holes,and ridiculous things happen in his movie that could never occur in real life,but all this does not matter,because the gore and violence are so over the top. If you have a morbid sense of humor, this movie will definitely do. There are tons of graphic scenes of major mutilation and death.I found it so funny that I often had to replay the scenes in slow motion to see how they did it,and when you slow it down,it looks even funnier.This movie is crazy,and doesn't make a ton of sense,but I find it very entertaining.If you've got that "special sense of humor",you owe it to yourself to buy this DVD,and gross your friends out with it.I have to find/make a T shirt that has the DVD box art on it! Too funny.

Ridiculously violent masterpiece of bloodshed and mayhem.
OK, this is either the worst movie ever made, or the best, depending on how you look at it. By normal standards upon which most movies are reviewed, it doesn't get much more terrible than this. However, based upon sheer violent content that reaches such an unbelievably, unimaginably, outrageously graphic level it achieves comedic sickness whether its meant to or not, it is the best movie ever. Riki Oh is by far the bloodiest, goriest, and sickest film ever concieved. Imagine the game Mortal Kombat... and make it 50x bloodier. Holes are punched through people, heads are crushed, tendons are ripped and tied, intestines are pulled out and used as weapons, body parts fly, eyes shoot out from the sockets, and people are shoved into meat grinders. That is only half of it. Blood flows like water. Watch it, you'll have a good time doing it. You'll be watching the fight scenes over just to make sure that, yes, you really saw Ricky tie his own tendon with his teeth. Watch it with a group of friends, you'll all be laughing your butts off, either that or vomitting profusely. Riki Oh is a tremendously enjoyable experience, however those who are weak of stomache should stray away from this movie at all costs. If you are a gore freak, or just looking for a good distraction from your woes, by all means get Riki Oh. If you are looking for depth of plot and heartfelt acting, avoid Riki Oh no matter what. Again, it cannot be stressed how insanely violent this movie is.

So bad it's funny
Story of Riki is a must see.
It is so bad it's funny. Especially the laughable dubbed version of the film.

The plot is pretty dull but still holds a grudge.
The film is very very Cheesy too.

The violence is over the top but very unrealistic but Still over the top such as the part were Riki pumbles through a guys stomach or of course the part were riki smashes through a guys hans. This film is very very violent and graphic but in a funny way.

The music was acctually pretty good! The story of Riki Rules! And I recomend this too some one who just wants to see some thing F-d up.

Over all this is a horrbily but funny movie even though it's not tended to be funny.

Get it...NOW!!!

Later

Ricky's Great! Ricky's superb!!!!
Recently I've been reading up on Horror movies while on the internet, which naturally leads to discussion of gory films. Not too many non-horror movies would generally come up, except for this one, which was referred to repeatedly. Still, I wasn't too interested til I came across it in a store, and noticed the 'features the hilarious exploding head from the daily show' sticker.

Clearly, this was a film I had to see.

Normally, I write long, tedious reviews, but really what can you say about Riki-Oh. This is the height of camp entertainment. It is compulsively watchable, including the non-action scenes which still have immeasurable camp appeal. The ultra-cheap, inappropriately brightly colored sets are delightful, and the subtitles are absolutely atrocious, both of which add to the film's appeal. Honestly, this movie would be pretty damn amusing even without the delirious effects.

The effects are the real star, and they are fall-down hilarious. Contrary to what you may think, there isn't much kung-fu in this film, especially on the part of Ricky, who generally just lands a single, explosive deathblow with his mighty fist. There isn't all that much variety in the gore fx, but the sheer absurdity and audacity of the bare-handed-explosive-mutilations maintains interest throughout. Despite the general technical incompetence of the film they manage to pace it pretty well, not overdoing the violence early, but not having too little happen either, so it entertains well continously.(And they still save most of the best effects for the final act) Personally, I found the funniest effect one to be the least graphic one: Ricky's girlfriends staggerinly unrealistic plummet from a rooftop. The film falters slightly at the very end. The fight with the warden goes too far over the top, but their doing so was pretty much inevitable considering the nature of the film, so I applaud them for managing to delay this inevitablility until the very end.

This is an utterly bare-bones dvd, which looks pretty much like a tape. A nice digital make-over wouldn't be appropriate for this picture, but it's annoying to have to pay nearly 30 bucks for something so cheaply done. Really, this should only cost half of it's suggested price. But what can I say, it's worth it.

RIKI SET ME FREE!!!
If you deal opium, oppress old men who build toy trains, fillet the skin off of poor mutes, get in Riki's business, or otherwise piss Riki off: YOU WILL BE PUNISHED!!! This movie is totally ridiculous and wild! Bad dubbing, cheesy fx, and over-the-top gore will have you rolling! The only reason this isn't getting five stars is because of my dissappointment that the warden's fat, annoying boy didn't get pummeled. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

One of the greatest fims of all time.
This film is so utterly magnificent, it's on eof the greatest films of all time. It has the most gorgeous art work, dream-like visuals, color photography I've ever seen in film. This is based on tales by Lafcadio Hearn. A bizzare, eerie and horrifying musical score by Toru Takemitsu works exellently with the beautiful visuals. This video also has a gorgeous color Cinemascope widescreen presentation. The first tale Black Hair, is a bit slow, but's it's so worth it in the unbelievable horror climax. The second tale, Woman in the Snow, is one of the best and most beautiful in the whole film. Masaki Kobayashi uses just all white during the blizzard sequinces with some blood reds, lush greens, dream like blues, and odd purples. The third story, Hoichi, the Earless, begins with one of the most beautiful scenes in the film. An epic sea battle between the Heikie and Genji clans. This scene feautures all kinds of bizzare and beautiful colors including a firey red sky. The rest of the film concerns a young blind man's horrifying ordeal with ghosts. I can see some references to this segment in Akira Kurosawa's Ran. The final segment is called In a Cup of Tea and is the weakest. It's too short, and too fast moving. It does feature lots of gorgeous visuals to make up for it. I recommend this film to anyone, if you haven't seen this film. CLICK BUY RIGHT NOW!

The Greatest "Art House" Horror Film
"Kwaidan" is a cinematic masterpiece of the horror genre which, unfortunately, is not nearly as well known to genre fans as it should be. In my view it ranks with Werner Herzog's 1979 re-make of "Nosferatu" as the finest horror film ever made in color. Part of the reason for "Kwaidan"'s obscurity is its national origin (though, strangely enough, the Japanese folktales which form its basis were written by an American expatriate, Lafcadio Hearn). Yet even in Japan, the film was a commercial flop, despite superlatives from critics. More likely, the obscurity of "Kwaidan" derives from its artistry; viewers who come to it for the first time will probably be only marginally aware that they're seeing horror at all. Search in vain for gore and special effects; the film almost recalls Val Lewton's old classics in its reliance on suggestion. As an anthology, moreover, "Kwaidan" is in the same league as the 1946 British film, "Dead of Night," except that it has no over-arching "frame" device to tie the stories together. All four films which make it up are essentially revenge plots: simple and straightforward, like most folktales, though I would like to mention a personal favorite: "Yuki-Onna," whose surrealist account of a female vampire awed me with its weird snow-scapes and eerie soundtrack. By all means, see "Kwaidan" if you have any curiosity at all about horror as viewed through the lens of an artistic master; I only wish American directors had a comparable interest in quality.

Masterful work!
Anthology of ghost stories adapted from Lafcadio Hearn , American writer who lived in Japan .
Visually stunning.
The third chapter is the best. It turns around a poet who must create a epic poem about an ancient battle dictated for the leader of this dead regiment, killed in action, who emerges from the ashes to find out someone who reminds always the echoes of that bloody combat.
Extraordinary!

Ok, I always get sucked into these ghost stories
Lesson 1, always look at the date of the movie and then read the premise. I always read the premise, get the movie and then once it's in, realize that it's more of a Sinbad Saturday Afternoon movie then the Sixth Sense. The last story was cool about the boy who is on the cover but the rest are boring.
Rent-Maybe
Buy-No

Four Japanese Ghost Stories
Kwaidan, though it has some flaws in regard to pacing (it moves just too slowly sometimes) is a visually striking, very colorful film that is a pleasure to look at. This print is crystal clear and very sharp; Criterion usually does a good job in that sense.
Surprisingly, these traditional Japanese ghost tales very much resemble the classic English ghost stories of writers like J.S. Le Fanu or M.R. James--more subtlety, less bombast, working by suggestion and atmosphere. Don't expect a whiz-bang, fast-paced film with a lot of shocks. It's a slow, quiet film.
In my opinion, the two best stories are the first two, "The Black Hair" (reminiscent of Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily") and "The Woman in the Snow" (something like Algernon Blackwood's "The Wendigo"). ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Off beat, strange at times, but it's worth watching
Miike is known for him graphic violence, strange sense of humor, and shocking imagry, but claymation and musical numbers?!
This is strange movie told from the point of view of the little girl in the family and the story revoles around a the guest that stay(and die) at the quiet little inn they own. In about 4 or 5 different times the movie goes into claymation with live action infused too, it's odd but kind of funny in way. But don't let the claymation scare you the movie is accually toching in a way because it show the struggles of a family to strive and be happy in the world and as in real life it's not a very easy thing to do.
So if your looking for something different and you have an open mind pick up this movie and other Miike films, you may just enjoy them.

This is one crazy Japanese film
With this film, Avant-guarde Japanese director Takashi Miike shows that he still has a sense of humor. The film is a remake of a Korean film called "The Quiet Family" and is about the Katakuri family, the father of which was laid off from his job as a shoe salesman. The family decides to start over by starting a bed and breakfast in the mountains. However, the place seems to be cursed as all of the guests begin to die in bizarre ways, though the Katakuri Family is not at fault. Rather than running the risk of bad press for their business, the family decides to hide the bodies, and in doing so, they rediscover their lust for life. To top off all of the weirdness, there's claymation and the film is a musical as well as the family deals with the stress by singing like no one is listening and dancing like no one is watching! Not even in the nightmares of Tim Burton could he make a film so deliriously weird, funny and entertaining.

The Zombies are doing the Twist--and it goes like ths
Katakuri-ke no kôfuku is an exceedingly inventive and entertaining film that exploits a wide range of film techniques to often stunning effect. For quite a bit of this film, it looks and feeis very much like Peter Greenaway's "Drowning by Numbers". Director Takashi Miike goes way over the top to create an emotionally rich and deeply sentimental portrait of the spirit of love.

Overall, the musical numbers lift this film into a strange and magical realm. Songs about rotting corpses and romantic longing are perfectly compatible. The film exists in a perpetual dreamlike state that is quite intoxicating. The whole film is romantic--from the longing to run a mountain guesthouse as a family to Shizue's longing for love in the guise of a conman (Kiyoshiro Imawano).

I must admit to spending quite a bit of the film swooning over the heavenly Naomi Nishida, who plays the lovelorn Shizue. She's exquisite--sort of a cross between a young Mia Farrow and Delphine Seyrig. The rest of the cast is quite good as well. Although this isn't a film made by the acting, necessarily, the performances are all expertly utilized and fit into the film's overall structure.

It really is an insane romp in this film. Bodies pile up and they must be disposed. This film alternates between being scary, gross, hilarious, heartwarming, goofy, philosophical, demented, sick, melodramatic, effervescent, ribald, and crude. The songs are lovely and the sentiments are tender and sweet. This is a family that is seeting with potentially devestating chaos just under the surface. Instead of celebrating the dysfunctional aspects, this film focuses on the commonalities that serve as inspiration for the family members in their quest for a happy life. The overall result is delightful, despite and maybe because of the all-singing, all dancing zombies.

Quirky Fun
* In Takashi Miike's THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS (THOTK), we meet
the Katakuri clan: grandpa Jinpei, the old crusty family patriarch,
and his little Benji-style mutt Pochi; Masao (Kenji Sawada), an
ex-shoe salesman, and his wife Terue (Keiko Matsuzaka), who met at
work, fell madly in love with each other and stayed that way; their
divorcee daughter Shizue (Naomi Nishida), a pretty and sweet girl who
unfortunately is unbelievably gullible, making her a complete pushover
for every lying jerk that comes around; their son Masayuki (Shinji
Takeda), who has a bit of an attitude problem and a history of
problems with the law concerning lifting wallets and the like; and
Shizuo's little daughter, who is something of an observer to the
family's eccentricities.

Masao, having been laid off from work, invests in a country house to
rent rooms to vacationers, bringing together his semi-dysfunctional
family in an earnest attempt to get things back on track.
Unfortunately, they can't seem to get any guests, driving everyone to
distraction; and so when a gloomy stranger shows up and asks for a
room, everyone is ecstactic. They are distressed, then, when he
commits suicide during the night. Instead of reporting the incident
to the police, Masao decides that it would be healthier for business
if they simply buried the poor fellow in the woods, and manages to get
everyone to agree. However, this turns out to be only the beginning
of a streak of really terrible luck, which just seems to go from bad
to worse ...

As this description suggests, THOTK is a quirky film, made all the
more quirky by the fact that it is a musical. As if to emphasize its
quirkiness, it often lapses into "claymation" style animation, though
this sometimes seem to be less an attempt at quirkiness than a dodge
to avoid expensive special-effects shots (and a way of doing violent
and gory scenes without ruining the goofy effect of the whole).

It is hard to make recommendations about quirky movies. Many people
hate such things, and such folk will not like THOTK at all. Some
people love such things, and they will love THOTK. Me, quirky movies
are just another genre of movie, like sci-fi flics or horror flics or
war flics, and I tend to like them or not on their own merits --
they're far from anything new, folks. I can definitely say THOTK is
well-produced, well-acted, and fun, though whether it is more original
than some of the musical productions MAD magazine wrote up in my youth
many decades ago is arguable.

I'm not sure I'd call it memorable, and I did find it overlong (it
could have been edited down to better effect), but it certainly does
have its moments. I liked the "MTV music video" style number the
family put on when they find the suicide's body, and in particular the
"nightclub duet" number Masao and Tenuo put of when they express their
love for each other. They looked really good -- though of course,
almost anyone looks good in evening clothes in soft lighting with
laser lights and disco balls. Overall, I hate to praise THOTK too
much or too little, so I'll just have to provide a description and let
the readers take their own chances on it.

What in the hell is going on?
My lovely fiancee introduced me to this movie fairly recently, and it's not that often that a film has me thinking for hours after it's over, 'What in the hell was all that about?'

being an avid lover of the cinema, I have always had great respect for directors that like to push the envelope and do something unique as well as creative. This movie goes above and beyond the call of duty to accomplish that. I am of two minds about this movie, I'm not saying I don't like it, in fact I think it's one of the best foreign films I've ever seen. Yet at the same time I feel like going up to Takashi Miike and saying 'What kind of a sick freak are you?' It's amazing how a movie can pull your feelings in different directions.

This film seems to defy all the conventions of genre and/or style in regards to movie making, because it seems like Miike threw all of the rules right out the freaking window.

The film is indeed a feel-good black comedy, it's also a musical, a horror film, a romantic comedy, and a family film. It's strange how one film can be all of these things at one time, and yet be none of these things at the same time.

i swear, sometimes I felt like I was watching a Japanese version of Monty Python's The Sound of Music. That is essentially the best way I could ever describe this film. The film also incorporates avant-garde and absurdist slapstick situational comedy along with other great stuff thrown in, including moments of claymation thrown in for good measure.

It is the sort of film that you can't help but get drawn into, not just because of everything that I just mentioned above, but also thanks in large part to the incredible performances by the actors and actresses involved. Because in a film that seems so completely outrageous, you would think that the actors would be tempted to camp it up and do it over the top, fortunately they don't. Their performances are honest and sincere, and THAT is what makes this film work.

If you happen to be walking in a video store and pass by a foreign film section or a section of Japanese movies, do yourself a favor, check out this film. ... Read more

Description

From the acclaimed director, Takashi Miike, comes a Yakuza/horror film to shock and amaze audiences everywhere! When Minami is sent to kill his mentor, Ozaki, who is in the midst of a nervous breakdown, he embarks on a journey of unexplained natural phenomenon that only the director of such films as Audition, Dead or Alive and Ichi the Killer can provide in this surreal Lynchian/Cronenberg-like odyssey! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

GOZU
How can I describe this movie? Let's just say that the most screwed up images that you can think of don't even come close to the reality that is GOZU. Gozu (which stands for Cow-head) is a messed up love story of a man in the mafia who fights his way from one boss to the other to help rescue his soul mate. Sounds lame?!? I can't do it justice...Just watch this movie!!!

For my final words, I'd like to leave you with this...ladle up the ass.

Thank you ... Read more

Reviews (156)

All the ingredients, but Connery's heart wasn't in it
This was the fifth in the Bond series, released in 1967. Producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli had quite a challenge on his hands outdoing the runaway success of "Thunderball". He undertook to surpass it by increasing the budget, trying more elaborate gadgets and stunts (an ultralight heavily armed one man helicopter being chased by 4 other helicopters), gargantuan sets (a launch pad inside a volcano) and exotic locations (Japan). At almost $10 million (that's about $50 million in today's dollars), this was one of the highest budgeted films at that time. The launch pad set alone cost over $1 million to build. Despite great box office results, ($110 Million worldwide in 1967 dollars) it fell short of Cubby's ambitions to exceed "Thunderball" financially ($140 Million worldwide) and it proved to be lackluster among the early Bond films.

Although having established himself as a pop icon in his 007 roles, Sean Connery was tired of being James Bond. Before the release of this film, he announced his intention to retire from the role. His lack of enthusiasm was evident throughout the film and his onscreen demeanor lacked verve. He didn't even show much interest in the love scenes, looking more bored than passionate. The critics declared that this would be the end of his career and the end of James Bond films, probably the worst twin predictions in the history of film. As it turns out, Connery returned to the role twice more in 1971 (Diamonds Are Forever) and 1983 (Never Say Never Again).

I have a great deal of respect for Sean Connery, indeed he is one of my favorite actors. His Bond films set a standard that was never equaled by any of the actors that followed. However, his performance in this film displayed so much ennui that it bordered on unprofessional.

This film had all the elements necessary to make it one of the better Bond films. It finally gave a face to Blofeld, and though the choice of Donald Pleasence was roundly criticized, I liked him in the role. The story was intriguing. Astronauts and their spacecraft were being abducted by a rogue predator ship that was gobbling them up whole. Bond was dispatched to find out who was behind the plot. The screenplay written by Roald Dahl was full of clever double entendres like Aki's (Akiko Wakabayashi) great line just as Bond swept her into his arms, "I think I will enjoy very much serving under you." It had majestic locations and great photography. However, the elements didn't gel, mostly because of Connery's Bond fatigue.

The DVD contains a good featurette that gives some interesting retrospective looks at the difficulties making the film and insight into what the producers were trying to accomplish.

Overall, this was a good Bond film, although it could have been much better but for Connery's malaise. Still, the story was stronger than contemporary Bond films, which have resorted to nonstop action and visual effects with flimsy scripts. I rated it a 7/10. If you want to see Connery at his best, see "Goldfinger" or "From Russia With Love".

The First Valley Of Bond!
The biggest problem with "You Only Live Twice" is that with Sean Connery wanting badly out of his 007 contract, his performance here is insipid and uninspired. As a result the film suffers in ways that its predecessors did not. Saddled with a mediocre screenplay, this is the weakest entry of the Connery era. Though its production is certainly of an epic nature, it simply lacks the entertaining quality of previous efforts. Not all is a misfire in this film however. There are certainly some impressive action set pieces, the best being the autogyro/helicopter dogfight. The locations are certainly exotic as practically the entire film takes place in Japan, and production Designer Ken Adam's set for Blofeld's Volcano lair is arguably the most fantanstic in the entire series. Lord knows "Austin Powers" borrowed a lot from this movie, including the physical blueprint of everyone's favorite megalomaniac of the absurd, Dr. Evil. Unfortunately the DVD, though packed with a few goodies, is also a bit of a disappointment as it lacks the number of extras that lesser films like "Live And Let Die" and "The Man With The Golden Gun" don't. We expect more from these DVD's, and certainly from Sean Connery.

Twice Is the ONLY Way to Live!
Forgive me if I am more of a Bond-Movie aficionado than one of Ian Flemming's original works. Perhaps it's because I am a Sir Sean fan more than anything. But I have come to conclude after watching "You Only Live Twice" twice, three and four times - and beyond! - that no one beats Sean Connery's 007. Donald Pleasance's sets the standard for the aristocratic, diabolically calm Blofeld. The action grabs you from the get-go. Considering this was Mr. Dahl's first movie script, I felt he stayed truer to his late friend's stories than the more recent, poorly contrived 007 plots (and since "Goldeneye" Pierce Bronsan's Bond deserves much better scriptwriting). The Special Edition DVDs feature a real treat for Avenger fans: the behind-the-scenes stories narrated by the seductive voice of Patrick Macnee, the original John Steed. Add to this the original trailers and audio commentary of the director and actors, and you have a fitting tribute to one of the 20th century's great movie legacies. But as a woman of color, my main appreciation is that, unlike "Dr. No," "You Only Live Twice" features authentic Asian actors and actresses, and is the first Bond film in which the Bond girls do more than sleep with 007: they actually are working agents who can steer a getaway car and shoot to kill! Granted, I'll always be a Cathy Gale/Emma Peel Avengerwoman fan, because, unlike Bond girls, they had superbadness AND relational integrity. But for my money You Only Live Twice rates as a film worthy of its place in the 007 legacy...and as the trailers aptly state, "Twice is the ONLY way to live!"

th rot sets in
the true beginning of what bond has become; a two demensional popcorn cartoon fluf franchise.

beginning of the plastic 'franchise' and the end of connery
this was the bond film in which it became soooo evident where the films were headed (into gadgets over plot, style over subtance, decortaive women and decorative locations) that connery understandably decided to take a hike.
sure, he was talked back into one more shot (the really awful diamonds are forever) but really thunderball was the last bond with an enthusiastic performance connery (and thunderball lacked the tightness of the first three).
the bond films ceased to be small gritty edgy thrillers and instead became a merchandising haven.
only briefly did this film series try to get back to its original inception (the two with dalton). it has been forgotten that living daylights did very well, but the new producers panicked after license to kill's weak box office (the summer of batman) and predcitably went straight back to the easy.
but, in the long run, they may have killed the future of the franchise by their unwillingness to shake the formula. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The breakout success of 2000's fantastic Battle Royale resulted in long-overdue global recognition of the films of Kinji Fukasaku, and Blackmail Is My Life is a perfect example of the director working in his prime. By the time this unconventional crime thriller was released in 1968, post-war Japanese culture was caught in a vice-grip of cynicism and corruption well suited to Fukusaku's singular penchant for gritty, stylized action and unhappy endings that could only be attempted under the more liberal-minded aegis of Shochiku studios. Tautly paced and fueled by a trendy soundtrack synthesis of whistled themes and electric rock, Blackmail centers on a quartet of young daredevils who've discovered blackmail as a means to enjoy the booming economy from which they've been excluded. When they try to squeeze both Yakuza kingpins and government officials by threatening to air their dirty laundry, they quickly confront the lethal consequences of their headstrong bravado. In addition to giving lead actor Hiroki Matsukata an opportunity to move away from the Yakuza-thriller roles he'd grown famous for, Fukusaku's raw energy incorporates a variety of compelling nihilistic touches, not the least being the use of adrenalized crime as an effective aphrodisiac. Above all, his astonishing finale serves as both moral warning and scathing criticism of public apathy--a bloody wake-up call to Japanese culture and budding criminals everywhere! --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A brilliant early piece from Battle Royale's Kinji Fukasaku!
Blackmail Is My Life is, unquestionably, one of the best yakuza films ever made. From it's visuals to its performances to its ingenious script, there's really no area where this film will leave you wanting. It's chock-full of snap zooms, freeze frames, and voice over, but all of it is handled so well that any cheese factor goes unnoticed (except where Fukasaku wanted a bit of cheese). There really isn't much more to say about this film, as it's certainly one of those that you must see to come to any understanding of its brilliance. It might not be for everyone, but any fans of old school Japanese yakuza films or film noir in general is likely to be blown away.

I hope we get more of Fukasaku's films on dvd! ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's cheese-ball fun to this 1979 misfire, an American-Japanese coproduction made to cash in on Shogun-mania. Richard Boone (in his last role) plays the real-life Commodore Perry, who ended centuries of Japanese isolation by signing a treaty with a resolute shogun (Toshiro Mifune) in 1854. Against the historical backdrop is the fictional adventure of a Yankee officer (a stiff and stilted Frank Converse) who pits American gumption against samurai swordsmanship to recover the sacred Bushido Blade. Sonny Chiba's dynamic presence as a warrior prince helps energize the rudimentary fight choreography and the low budget shows through in undernourished set pieces. But the pace never lets up, and helping distract from Converse's crippling lack of charisma are the solid supporting cast, among them half-Japanese female samurai Laura Gemser, imprisoned sailor James Earl Jones, and Mike Starr as the burly bosun who bonds with a sumo wrestler in a tussle that bridges cultural and verbal barriers. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Poor Quality Recording
My complaints are not with the film itself but with the quality of the VHS recording. I ordered this tape brand new and paid full price, but the cassette I received was clearly used and recorded over. The soundtrack from some old news/interview program could clearly be heard overlapping the film dialogue throughout the tape. It's annoying to the point where the tape is unwatchable.

Save your money and don't buy this tape.

Travesty is putting it kindly!!!
Simply put, this film is garbage. I rented it because I love samurai films. I saw that the cast included the great Toshiro Mifune, and assumed that it had to have some worth. Boy was I wrong!!!

Incredibly American ego-centric poo-poo. The film's main character is an American marine who is working with Admiral Perry. In order to seal the treaty between America and Japan, a sacred blade was to be given to America as a gift of allegiance from Japan. The Bushido Blade is quickly stolen so that the deal cannot be completed. Although the Americans fail to see the importance of such a gift, they send the marine to retrieve it from the evil samurai who had stolen it. Constantly insulting the Japanese for holding a mere object in such high regard, the film shows its small mindedness and lack of appreciciation for Japan's culture and the high art of sword making. The story goes on with the typical plot twists and some disgustingly unrealistic battles. Namely a fight between the American marine and the best swordsman of a lethal Samurai clan. Of course the American wins. That should give you a pretty good clue about his movie.

!!!STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS!!! Don't even rent this piece of crap. It will sap the intelligence straight out of you brain and rob you of 100 minutes that you can never have back. If there's one thing in my life I regret, it is watching this idiotic film.

Cheeseball is being kind
This hackneyed excuse for a samurai film is an example of great actors (excluding Frank Converse) needing work. The action sequences are laughable and if you may not have noticed, this is an Arthur Rankin/Jules Bass production, famed American cartoon producers, Frosty the Snowman being one of their most well-known works. Someone should have told them to "thumpity, thump, thump" back to Saturday morning fare. This one reeks about as much as the scene where the sailors refuse to take baths. Shogun may have been melodramatic, but there isn't an ounce of drama used here. Buy this one at your own risk. Only thing of value is the plastic box it came in. You can use it for another DVD and the DVD as a frisbee.

What's going on?
I have reviewed this travesty of a film. Why haven't you printed my reveiw? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

ULTRA-COOL SPOOKFEST FOR ANY ANIME FAN
THIS MOVIE IS BASED ON THE ANIME SERIES "DOOMED MEGALOPOLIS". THE STORY IS ABOUT A MAN NAMED KATO WHO COMMUNICATES WITH THE DEAD. HE IS HELL-BENT ON REVENGE TO DESTROY TOKYO FOR REASONS THAT I WILL NOT GIVE AWAY. A LONE FAMILY HAS MANY STRUGGLES AGAINST HIM THROUGH SUICIDE, INCEST, DEMONIC POSSESSION, AND DEITY INCARNATIONS. THOUGH SLOW AT FIRST, IF YOU GIVE IT A CHANCE YOU WILL SEE THAT IT IS A MUST-HAVE! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Sonny Chiba Brutality at its best
I think a few qualifiers are needed before viewing a Sonny Chiba film. Personally I love this film, but I also realize many other people may not. Sonny Chiba at the time this film came out was hyped as the heir to Bruce Lee when truth is he isn't even close. Don't get me wrong the martial arts technique and choreograghy is brilliant in spots, but these films emphasize raw and I do mean raw brutality. If excessive blood and seeing people literally having body parts ripped out turn you off then don't buy this movie. On the plus side for me the dialog in this film is classic its one those film every time you see it you say lines right along with the character. The DVD itself is great because you get two remastered movies for ten bucks. I wish more studios did this. This is basically a bare bones DVD with no extras, my only complaint is that they should have included the original theatrical trailer, but then the movie cost ten dollars , so what do you expect. One last things the soundtracks on these these films are pretty cool with the jazz and synth beats.

The One
The Streetfighter starts out with a relatively confusing encounter between what appears to be a prisoner and a priest (played by Chiba). The action heats up faster than a leaky lighter. Before we know it, Chiba has the sole of his foot (upside down no less) in the mouth of this outclassed opponent. The movie ends in one of the great windy, rainy, pre-Lethal Weapon 2, showdowns. Sonny Chiba fills the screen with intensity, purpose and keeps us at the edge of our seats. Why didn't they get better looking babes and make it a full platter?

Shogun's shame
Why was this movie so terrible? It started at first glance; the title. A Shogun is Japanese, whereas a Ninja is Chinese. A Shogun would never associate with a ninja, as ninja are without honor. A Shogun would only associate with Samurai.

Now we can get past this glaring error to the cheesy schlock that was the rest of this movie. From the soundtrack reminiscent of lower quality 70's porno flicks, to the unentertaining, poorly choreographed battles, poor acting, etc... do not waste precious minutes of your life watching this movie. After watching this movie I am honor-bound to commit Seppuku. Goodbye, cruel world.

Too bland a kung-fu title
There are two problems with this movie: 1) It is way too mediocre and has the usual cliches, and 2) the villain is by far much more competant than the hero and certainly takes up more screen time since he is deservedly so.

Any way, get this only if you like the Kung-fu films...a lot. I mean Kung-Fu fanboy like. It has no real innovative, provocative plot, the fights are so-so, and the characters are killed off discriminantly. Pretty much your average kung-fu fair.

bone-crunching fun for martial arts cinema fans!
Forget all the countless knock-offs and recycled versions that are out there, this is the version to pick up. Not only are both films presented in their original aspect ratio (Actionscope aka 2.35:1) but these are the uncut versions as well! Watch as Sonny Chiba gleefully gouges, pokes and tears into his enemies.

The plot is a bit hard to follow but who cares? So long as Chiba is on screen, grimacing, giving his best Clint Eastwood stare and beating the poop out of somebody.

STREET FIGHTER is arguably, Chiba's best movie to date and it is great to see it given such a glorious digital treatment. You can throw away your crappy pan and scam VHS copies for this bad boy. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Sonny Chiba Brutality at its best
I think a few qualifiers are needed before viewing a Sonny Chiba film. Personally I love this film, but I also realize many other people may not. Sonny Chiba at the time this film came out was hyped as the heir to Bruce Lee when truth is he isn't even close. Don't get me wrong the martial arts technique and choreograghy is brilliant in spots, but these films emphasize raw and I do mean raw brutality. If excessive blood and seeing people literally having body parts ripped out turn you off then don't buy this movie. On the plus side for me the dialog in this film is classic its one those film every time you see it you say lines right along with the character. The DVD itself is great because you get two remastered movies for ten bucks. I wish more studios did this. This is basically a bare bones DVD with no extras, my only complaint is that they should have included the original theatrical trailer, but then the movie cost ten dollars , so what do you expect. One last things the soundtracks on these these films are pretty cool with the jazz and synth beats.

The One
The Streetfighter starts out with a relatively confusing encounter between what appears to be a prisoner and a priest (played by Chiba). The action heats up faster than a leaky lighter. Before we know it, Chiba has the sole of his foot (upside down no less) in the mouth of this outclassed opponent. The movie ends in one of the great windy, rainy, pre-Lethal Weapon 2, showdowns. Sonny Chiba fills the screen with intensity, purpose and keeps us at the edge of our seats. Why didn't they get better looking babes and make it a full platter?

Shogun's shame
Why was this movie so terrible? It started at first glance; the title. A Shogun is Japanese, whereas a Ninja is Chinese. A Shogun would never associate with a ninja, as ninja are without honor. A Shogun would only associate with Samurai.

Now we can get past this glaring error to the cheesy schlock that was the rest of this movie. From the soundtrack reminiscent of lower quality 70's porno flicks, to the unentertaining, poorly choreographed battles, poor acting, etc... do not waste precious minutes of your life watching this movie. After watching this movie I am honor-bound to commit Seppuku. Goodbye, cruel world.

Too bland a kung-fu title
There are two problems with this movie: 1) It is way too mediocre and has the usual cliches, and 2) the villain is by far much more competant than the hero and certainly takes up more screen time since he is deservedly so.

Any way, get this only if you like the Kung-fu films...a lot. I mean Kung-Fu fanboy like. It has no real innovative, provocative plot, the fights are so-so, and the characters are killed off discriminantly. Pretty much your average kung-fu fair.

bone-crunching fun for martial arts cinema fans!
Forget all the countless knock-offs and recycled versions that are out there, this is the version to pick up. Not only are both films presented in their original aspect ratio (Actionscope aka 2.35:1) but these are the uncut versions as well! Watch as Sonny Chiba gleefully gouges, pokes and tears into his enemies.

The plot is a bit hard to follow but who cares? So long as Chiba is on screen, grimacing, giving his best Clint Eastwood stare and beating the poop out of somebody.

STREET FIGHTER is arguably, Chiba's best movie to date and it is great to see it given such a glorious digital treatment. You can throw away your crappy pan and scam VHS copies for this bad boy. ... Read more