02-04-2009, 04:26 PM
My Take on the Miike films I've seen so far (a lot, but he's still making them faster than I'm watching them):
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
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