Recently seen movies #39

Red Peony Gambler 6: Oryu Returns (Japan, 1970) – 3/5

Tai Kato, the director of the third film, returns to the series and delivers a direct sequel to Flower Cards Match. Unfortunately the storyline and characters are not quite as good as before, and the film suffers from some sentimentialism. Surprisingly the cast features neither Takakura nor Tsuruta, instead the male lead played by Bunta Sugawara. It’s a pleasure to see him as the good guy for a change, but ultimately his character is given too little screentime. Another unexpected turn is Bin Amatsu. While he is in the film – and evil as usual – he only appears very briefly in a supporting role. The main villain is played by Toru Abe. Wakayama’s brief appearance is one of his best in the series. In the end, although Oryu Returns feels somewhat underwhelming after the masterful fifth film, it’s well worth a watch for genre fans. Appart from the solid cast it also features some worderful single scenes and interesting cinematography (Kato likes to keep the camera very low a lot of the time).

Recently seen movies #38

Red Peony Gambler 5: Notorious Gambler (Japan, 1969) – 5/5

Although my limited genre knowledge prevents me from making any definitive statements, I think it would be a pretty safe bet to say that this is the best yakuza film ever made. Certainly it’s one of the greatest movies of all time in general. The storyline, characters and acting are all perfect. Junko Fuji has become phenomenal in the lead role, and Koji Tsuruta is even better. Tomisaburo Wakayama limits his comedic show to minimum. As usual, the villain is played by Bin Amatsu and even he is better than ever. He of course takes part in the final duel, which is the best action piece in the series so far. The gambling scenes are superb as well.

Recently seen movies #37

Red Peony Gambler 4: Second Generation Ceremony (Japan, 1969) – 3,5/5

Shigero Ozawa’s (The Street Fighter) instalment differs greatly from the previous three films in terms storyline. This time Oryu (Fuji) promises a dying boss to complete his railroad project for the government. Compared to the more strictly yakuza related storylines of the earlier films this does not feel the most natural move. However, at the latest when Takakura steps into the picture you know you’re watching a great movie. Bin Amatsu, who’s been killed a few times already in the series, returns as yet another new villain. Tomisaburo Wakayama is taking his day off and is replaced by Tatsuo Endo who delivers the comic relief to a few scenes.

Recently seen movies #36

Red Peony Gambler 3: Flower Cards Match (Japan, 1969) – 4/5

Takakura skipped the second film but now he’s back and his scenes with Junko Fuji are simply wonderful. The only other actor I can think of with similarly captivating presence is Humphrey Bogart. But Takakura and Fuji aren’t the only reasons why this movie stands up. Director Tai Kato does excellent job helming classy old school yakuza entertainment that is engaging enough to make you wish the final bloody confrontation would never come.

Recently seen movies #35

Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation (Japan, 1968 ) – 3,5/5

Screenwriter Norifumi Suzuki takes over the directorial duties in this superior sequel. Although in 1968 Suzuki was not yet the exploitation maestro he would later be known as, his touch is easy to recognize; the mix of drama, action and occasional silly humour (courtesy of Tomisaburo Wakayama) isn’t too far from some of this 70’s mainsteam films. But of course Red Peony Gambler is a much more elegant production. Fuji is good in the lead role, and although Takakura is gone Koji Tsuruta makes up for it. The villain double Amatsu / Sugawara (looking really young) is excellent.

Recently seen movies #34

Red Peony Gambler (Japan, 1968 ) – 3,5/5

Stylish ninkyo yakuza classic in which the legendary Junko Fuji plays a wandering female yakuza looking for her father’s murderer. On her journey she meets the film’s most interesting character, a mysterious man played by Ken Takakura, a yakuza legend even bigger than Fuji. The amount of gambling scenes is surprisingly small, but the encounters between the two leads feel bigger than life. I also suspect this film will only get better by time when I become more familiar with the genre.

Recently seen movies #33

History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar Hostess (Japan, 1970) – 3/5

The title says it all (and what a great title it is). Imamura’s documentary depicts the postwar history of Japan through the experiences of a bar hostess. Those experieces don’t always come together with official history writing. The film is raw but endlessly interesting. News clips are used to great extent. The only distraction is the obvious question; how much of this is real? All? Most? Hard to say. Some of the footage is obviously staged but was that only to re-create the happenings that Imamura failed to capture on celluloid in the first place? To make the grainy 100 min interview piece slightly more cinematic? Or to intentionally distort the reality? Fascinating stuff, nevertheless.

Recently seen movies #32

Sword of the Beast (Japan, 1965) – 3,5/5

Mikijiro Hira plays the memorable lead role in Hideo Gosha’s second movie. Although the storyline is not the most original, the characters and cinematography are very good. The director keeps the film moving swiftly. An enjoyble and rather dark samurai film but not one of the best examples of the director’s exceptional talent. Gosha was one of the most important Japanese directors, however this and the stylish chambara adventure Tange Sazen: The Secret of the Urn are his weakest from the 60’s.

Recently seen movies #31

Ryu ga gotoku (Like a Dragon) (Japan, 2007) – 3,5/5

Ryu ga gotoku isn’t one of Miike’s very best movies, but it’s still better than all the previous video game adaptations put together. If you haven’t played the game, the film should work as an entertaining, although slightly confusing diet Miike. But if you’re familiar with the game, then it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed. The film finds a very good balance between new and old. Most of the characters are from the game, and the storyline is similar. There is however enough changes to prevent you from ever getting bored. Dialogue and details make several references to things you know from the game but are not explained in the movie.

The cast is throughly well chosen, and the visual look is superb. I doubt night time Tokyo has ever looked this colourful on film before. Thankfully Miike hasn’t turned the film into a cgi fest; there’s only a couple computer effects, and while they don’t look all that hot, they don’t really distract you from the movie either. The soundtrack is pretty nice, too. The film was rated pg-12 in Japan, so this isn’t your old school Miike splatter, but it’s still surprisingly violent. There isn’t much blood, but the amount of baseball bat headshots is on world record level. This ain’t something that would be passed with pg-13 in the US.

Recently seen movies #30

Intentions of Murder (Japan, 1964) – 2,5/5

Shohei Imamura’s intelligent and provocative drama tries to analyze the difference between love, obsession and abuse. The film is interesting but ultimately too long (150 min). Some of the flashbacks and symbolic images don’t convince either. The lead actress Masumi Harukawa gives a very good performance, though.