Full Metal Yakuza (1997)

Japan. 103 minutes.
ArtsMagic DVD. Region 1. NTSC.
Directed by Takashi Miike.

"I am a self-proclaimed mad genuis scientist. But many people call me the Nutty Professor."

Let's take the easy route and pretend that the words above are a direct quote by director Takeshi Miike. They're not, of course -- they belong to a yellow-jacketed, leather jumpsuit-wearing outlaw doctor in this 1997 outing made for the "straight to video" market -- yet they fit the popular perception about Miike in the film community. He has a wildly different reputation with certain Asian cinema fans and gorehounds as a man who delivers the goods -- outrageous violence, insane plot lines, brutal nastiness.

Before the credits roll, FULL METAL YAKUZA presents a severed limb and arterial blood spray. Thereafter it settles down to tell the story of Ken Hagane, a hapless Yakuza skilled neither in debt collection nor in bed. His tattoo's all wrong, too. He is deemed expendable by his criminal family when it comes time to execute Tosa, a fierce warrior recently released from prison. Here is where the mad doctor and his bargain-basement ideas for his own version of ROBOCOP come into play. Thereafter revenge must be exacted and friendships torn asunder.

As to explicit violence, FULL METAL YAKUZA does not disappoint. We're treated to gunshots popping through bodies, more severed heads, body parts in a bloody bathtub, as well as sexual torture with a little bondage and necrophilia tossed in for good measure. A couple of women have most of their bodies exposed, but the scenes are anything but sexy.

Beyond the violence, the pace is sluggish through the first half, and it's difficult to discern the line between intentional black comedy and simple over-the-top luridness. Still, despite what must have been a tiny budget, Miike displays flashes of artistry that make it impossible to dismiss the film entirely as a cheap genre exercise pandering to the lowest common denominator.

It's an easy choice as a rental for those so inclined, but what makes the disk a possible purchase for Miike fans are the supplemental materials, which include lengthy intervews with the director and an audio commentary by writer Tom Mes. And since I only received the DVD last night, I haven't had a chance to watch all these, but when I do, I'll update this review.

Asian Films at Cannes

So with all the attention focused on Asian films this year, will any be seen in U.S. cinemas?

Before the festival began, Tartan USA (partnered with Vitagraph and Dodo Films) made a deal for OLD BOY. The director's SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE and also the horror flick A TALE OF TWO SISTERS were previously sold to the outfit; we'll see how the company schedules their distribution. One release per month is ambitious for most of the smaller distributors; Tartan plans to begin with the French ANATOMY OF HELL at the end of August.

Wong Kar Wai's 2046 is sure to find distribution, and will likely find a home with one of the larger speciality divisions. Expect premiere screenings at the Toronto and New York festivals before its release.

The good thing about Sony Pictures Classics picking up Zhang Yimou's HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS is that they will be sure to release the darn thing. It may be a while before it gets out there, though. The same company has Zhou Yu's TRAIN in early July and He Ping's WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH scheduled for late August. They could place it in October or November, to give it a little distance from WARRIORS, which could be seen as a similar picture.

Award-winning (for acting) NOBODY KNOWS is a 148-minute family drama and would not be an easy sell. I would imagine any potential distributor would count on wider festival exposure to build word of mouth and critical upside. But it's still dodgy.

Johnny To's latest, BREAKING NEWS, was a last-moment addition to the Competition, but apparently generated little press. Instead, Palm Pictures picked up PTU, which played festivals and special screenings last year, and plans a January 2005 release. The same company picked up LAST LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE, BRIGHT FUTURE, and DOLLS, among others, last year, but has been content to feature these at festival and special screenings rather than roll any of them into the general arthouse marketplace.

Zatoichi Sells Out

Good news for Los Angeles fans -- the free screening of Takeshi Kitano's ZATOICHI should be a stampeding, rambunctious experience. All seats look to be filled, and a panel of experts including David Chute, Andy Klein, John Nathan, and Joey O'Bryan promises to disect the whole thing afterwards. The shebang starts this Wednesday, May 26, at the Arclight Theatres in Hollywood.

More details available at the web sites of the presenting organizations, Asian Film Foundation and Film Radar. Three cheers!!!

Can't Wait for the Update?

It's been over 100 degrees Fahrenheit where I live. My home's air conditioning system is not working, so it's been over 90 degrees well past midnight. And I've been preparing for a garage sale.

None of which has anything to do with Asian movies, so, if you have the money, I encourage you to check out THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI. The award-winning Japanese film has opened in Los Angeles, Stamford, Connecticut, and continues to play in New York; it will open in other cities during the month of May. Check your local listings or the official web site.

Chinese film THE MISSING GUN hits DVD retailers this week from Columbia TriStar. It got some festival play and was generally well received. Here's a review of the PAL disk from KFC Cinema.

May your week be cool and produce much personal wealth.