Tag Archives: Japanese Cinema

Saturday Matinee: Tokyo Blood

Posted on April 8, 2017 by

“Tokyo Blood” (1993) is an anthology film consisting of four experimental shorts directed by Gakuryû Ishii (formerly known as Sogo Ishii) thematically connected by the theme of entrapment in Tokyo’s urban landscape and desire to escape. The opening film, “Street … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Battle Royale 2

Posted on March 18, 2017 by

“Battle Royale 2: Requiem” (2003) is an under-appreciated yet boldly provocative sequel taking place three years after the events of the first Battle Royale. The protagonists of the previous film have joined other survivors of past Battle Royales to form … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Funky Forest

Posted on July 18, 2015 by

Plot synopsis by VIZ Media: Meet the Harunos, a rather unconventional, but happy and loving family nonetheless. They live in a small town in the mountains just out of Tokyo where life is good and quiet – but that doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Sky High

Posted on July 11, 2015 by

“Sky High” (2003) is a supernatural action thriller directed by Ryuhei Kitamura (“Versus” and “Godzilla: Final Wars”). It’s a prequel film for a television series of the same name in which the spirit of murder victim Mina must help her … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Vital

Posted on January 24, 2015 by

“Vital” (2004) is a film by Shinya Tsukamoto about a med school student who loses his memory after surviving a car crash which kills his girlfriend. Shortly after resuming studies he realizes a cadaver assigned to him to dissect is … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Tokyo Fist

Posted on January 17, 2015 by

“Tokyo Fist” (1995) can be seen as director Shinya Tsukamoto’s surreal precursor to “Fight Club”, but it also features an unsettling mood and body horror reminiscent of the films of David Lynch and David Cronenberg respectively. Added to the mix … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Tetsuo Trilogy

Posted on January 10, 2015 by

With the underground film “Tetsuo: The Iron Man” (1989), writer/director/actor Shinya Tsukamoto broke out into the global cult cinema scene. Made on a shoestring budget and drawing influences from cyberpunk sci-fi and anime such as “Akira”, Tetsuo depicts a man’s … Continue reading →

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Saturday Matinee: Versus

Posted on November 1, 2014 by

“Versus” (2000) is an action/horror/comedy directed by Ryuhei Kitamura about an escaped prisoner’s fight for survival against Yakuza gangsters and zombies in a forest containing an inter-dimensional portal. As the film’s title suggests, the main focus is on action scene setpieces … Continue reading →

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