Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai Review
Anyone who has already seen Masaki Kobayashi’s 1962 film Harakiri, of which this film is very much a remake, will very quickly realise when watching Miike’s 2011 update that little in the story has been changed but whilst the mechanics of the story are unchanged Miike makes significant changes in the way this story is … Read more
13 Assassins Review
Edo period Japan and the untouchable brother of the Shogun, the villainous Lord Naritsugu (played wonderfully by SMAP member Goro Inagaki), is out of control and a group of samurai (and a wandering bandit) set out to assassinate Naritsugu before he rises too high and things get far worse. Laying a trap for him and his … Read more
Deadly Outlaw Rekka Review
Beginning with the shrieking, pounding sound of The Flower Travellin’ Band’s Satori Pt. I and a montage that is probably only bested by Miike’s other incredible montage opening in Dead or Alive, Deadly Outlaw: Rekka announces its intent swiftly and ruthlessly. The opening also gives us our first glimpse at the film’s lead character Kunisada (Riki … Read more
Sukiyaki Western Django Review
Sukiyaki Western Django has been cited by many to be the first Japanese Western, not entirely true but it is certainly the first western of its kind. Back in the sixties films like Fast-Draw Guy made by Nikkatsu were Japanese made Westerns. but Miike’s approach is somewhat different. Miike’s vision of a Sukiyaki Western is hyper-real, referential and … Read more