01-03-2009, 12:12 PM
Okay, I'm going to start cataloging the Miike films I've seen. There's quite a few. So I thought I'd gather them under one topic, Takashi Miike films, rather than flood Doom DVDs itself.
As a brief introduction, Miike is one of my favorite directors. But he's far from reliable. In fact, he's incredibly hit or miss. Still, when he hits, it can be incredible.
Let me keep a running tally of Miike films and what I think of them in this first entry:
Rating Movie Title Comments
5 Ichi the Killer (2001) A celebration of all that is wrong with humanity; sadomasochistic tour-de-force
5 Dead or Alive (1999) Truly great movie with sensational 5-minute opening; great theme song, nudity, perversion, violence
4 Zebraman (2005) A bit slow, but a couple over-the-top scenes and the characters really worked
4 Audition (2000) A very good horror flick that evolves in peculiar ways
4 Bird People of China (1998) Fascinating: a guy travels to remote area of China seeking bird people; almost good family fare, but a couple brutal scenes
4 Full Metal Yajuza (1997) A goofy Robocop/Frankenstein cross that won me over with its outrageous elements; don't expect topnotch special effects
3 Masters of Horror: Imprint (2005) Deeply disturbing, nearly ruined by weak caucasion lead; English language
3 Three Extremes (2005) Miike directs one of three shorts: solid bit of horror
3 One Missed Call (2004) Cell phone madness; mild recommendation (I hate cell phones)
3 Last Life in the Universe (2003) Actually Miike doesn't direct, but has small role in this offbeat Thai flick
3 Gozu (2003) Odd twist on the Yakuza genre; genuinely weird, but at times painfully slow
3 City of Lost Souls (2000) Whacky Bonnie-and-Clyde flick set mostly in Brazil; hokey animated cock fight, ping pong death match, mostly fun
3 Young Thugs: Nostalgia (1998) Solid, tender tale of kid in broken family growing up in very tough neighborhood
3 Rainy Dog (1997) Yakuza assassin has life complicated when old girlfriend dumps mute son on him; more character-oriented, less perversion/violence
3 Fudoh: The New Generation (1996) Son of Yakuza kingpin forms teen gang to take on Yakuza -- seeking revenge for father's killing of other son; decent
3 Osaka Tough Guys (1995) Raunchy juvenile comedy that really worked for me, though I can't remember details; think Cheech/Chong or Beavis/Butthead
2 Graveyard of Honor (2002) Disappointment; unlikeable main character, simple yakuza morality play
2 The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) Miike's attempt at Rocky Horror, but bad music, singing, choreography, and embarrassing special effects
2 Silver (1999) Shot on video; cop (played by weak actress) goes undercover as pro wrestler; a couple good scenes, but not worth it
2 Shinjuku Triad Society (1995) Unpleasant crime flick full of unpleasant people; just couldn't get into it much
1 Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) Bad English, bad acting, bad plot
1 Dead or Alive 2 (2000) Worst ever sequel to a brilliant original; same characters walk through same setting doing nothing
1 Andromeda (1998) Conceived as vehicle for pop group SPEED from Miike's home town; ill-advised sentimental trash
As a brief introduction, Miike is one of my favorite directors. But he's far from reliable. In fact, he's incredibly hit or miss. Still, when he hits, it can be incredible.
Let me keep a running tally of Miike films and what I think of them in this first entry:
Rating Movie Title Comments
5 Ichi the Killer (2001) A celebration of all that is wrong with humanity; sadomasochistic tour-de-force
5 Dead or Alive (1999) Truly great movie with sensational 5-minute opening; great theme song, nudity, perversion, violence
4 Zebraman (2005) A bit slow, but a couple over-the-top scenes and the characters really worked
4 Audition (2000) A very good horror flick that evolves in peculiar ways
4 Bird People of China (1998) Fascinating: a guy travels to remote area of China seeking bird people; almost good family fare, but a couple brutal scenes
4 Full Metal Yajuza (1997) A goofy Robocop/Frankenstein cross that won me over with its outrageous elements; don't expect topnotch special effects
3 Masters of Horror: Imprint (2005) Deeply disturbing, nearly ruined by weak caucasion lead; English language
3 Three Extremes (2005) Miike directs one of three shorts: solid bit of horror
3 One Missed Call (2004) Cell phone madness; mild recommendation (I hate cell phones)
3 Last Life in the Universe (2003) Actually Miike doesn't direct, but has small role in this offbeat Thai flick
3 Gozu (2003) Odd twist on the Yakuza genre; genuinely weird, but at times painfully slow
3 City of Lost Souls (2000) Whacky Bonnie-and-Clyde flick set mostly in Brazil; hokey animated cock fight, ping pong death match, mostly fun
3 Young Thugs: Nostalgia (1998) Solid, tender tale of kid in broken family growing up in very tough neighborhood
3 Rainy Dog (1997) Yakuza assassin has life complicated when old girlfriend dumps mute son on him; more character-oriented, less perversion/violence
3 Fudoh: The New Generation (1996) Son of Yakuza kingpin forms teen gang to take on Yakuza -- seeking revenge for father's killing of other son; decent
3 Osaka Tough Guys (1995) Raunchy juvenile comedy that really worked for me, though I can't remember details; think Cheech/Chong or Beavis/Butthead
2 Graveyard of Honor (2002) Disappointment; unlikeable main character, simple yakuza morality play
2 The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) Miike's attempt at Rocky Horror, but bad music, singing, choreography, and embarrassing special effects
2 Silver (1999) Shot on video; cop (played by weak actress) goes undercover as pro wrestler; a couple good scenes, but not worth it
2 Shinjuku Triad Society (1995) Unpleasant crime flick full of unpleasant people; just couldn't get into it much
1 Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) Bad English, bad acting, bad plot
1 Dead or Alive 2 (2000) Worst ever sequel to a brilliant original; same characters walk through same setting doing nothing
1 Andromeda (1998) Conceived as vehicle for pop group SPEED from Miike's home town; ill-advised sentimental trash