Recently seen movies #103

The Kamikaze Adventurers (Japan, 1981) – 3,5/5

Shinichi Chiba and Hiroyuki Sanada star in an enjoyable romantic caper adventure. A temptation to rob a money transportation brings Sanada’s guitarist and Chiba’s pilot character together. Kumiko Akiyoshi is the charming lady in between. Action fans may be disappointed as there isn’t all that much action going on, and practically no martial arts. However, Sanada and Chiba’s flawless tag team play is perhaps more enjoyable than ever before. The leads are placed in front of the camera together in most scenes, both scoring 90+ minutes screentime. At times, the film feels almost like Kadokawa Idol pic gone JAC mode.

Recently seen movies #102

Roaring Fire (Japan, 1981) – 4/5

Masashi Ishibashi as a noble karate master. Hiroyuki Sanada learns axe throwing from indians. A monkey steals a girls bra and she chases the poor animal topples. A gigantic black wrestler fights Sanada in a pool. And that’s just the first 15 minutes. Before Shinichi Chiba appears. Before Etsuko Shihomi fights. Before some of the craziest action scenes in contemporary Japanese cinema are seen. It does slow down a few times, and the story and structure are a mess, but it is considered a deformed holy grail for a reason. 1980’s Hong Kong film makers took notes from this film!

Recently seen movies #101

Doberman Detective (Japan, 1977) – 3,5/5

“I’m not a clown, I’m a crazy person”. A detective from Okinawa arrives Tokyo to inspects the murder of a prostitute in Kinji Fukasaku’s cop film. While not up to his best work, many viewers will no doubt appreciate the solid storyline and lack of overly hectic camerawork here. Shinichi Chiba gives a solid acting performance in the lead role. Hideo Murota co-stars as a trigger happy policeman.

Recently seen movies #100

Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge (Japan, 2007) – 4/5

A masked chansaw man falls from the sky and fights a schoolgirl armed with golf club. Cheap exploitation? Or a childish manga adaptation full of pretentious visual tricks? Neither. Shot on HD and then blown to 35 mm Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge is the most stylish romantic action comedy chainsaw bundle of all time (yeah, it’s the first one of its kind). It’s also unexpectedly competently directed by first timer Takuji Kitamura and blessed with good leading performances by Hayato Ichihara (Rainbow Song, Lily Chou-Chou) and Megumi Seki.

Don’t expect a massacre – this chainsaw maniac only duels his reqular opponent, night after night – but the humour is plenty and actually rather cleaver. The film knowns what it is, and makes no excuses for it. There’s a good amout of CGI but it looks better than most Hollywood blockbusters. The actual chainsaw fights are short and sparse, but count among the most exciting action scenes of the past few years.