If you are a fan of Japanese films, there is a good chance that you have heard of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s 1977 film, House. House is a very unique and interesting movie and there is a good reason why so many film fans gravitate towards it. House is a movie that almost defies description, but it is probably best described as a surrealist horror film. In this review I will discuss why everybody should watch this movie, and what makes this movie so special.
If you have been reading my previous reviews you may wonder what I consider to be my number one favorite Japanese movie of all time. Well, I believe that choosing a number one favorite movie is kind of meaningless, because a number one favorite is based purely on subjective experience and it changes all the time. However, every once in a while I’ll have find a favorite movie that sticks in my mind for a very long time. If you were to ask me right now what my favorite Japanese movie (and maybe favorite out of ALL movies) is, I could easily say that it is Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 1997 psychological thriller film Cure. Through this review, I can hopefully explain what makes this film so special and convince someone to check it out.
For me, one of the most interesting topics that a film can center around is organized crime. Many films that center around organized crime are among what are considered to be the greatest films of all time. The Godfather, Goodfellas, Scarface, and many more. All of these films have forever etched their names into the great movie hall of fame. However, America is certainly not the only country to have organized crime, which also means that America is not the only country to make awesome movies about said organized crime. The yakuza are often called the Japanese equivalent to the Mafia, and the films about the yakuza are among some of the greatest in Japanese cinema. In this review I will be discussing Kinji Fukasaku’s iconic 1973 yakuza film Battles Without Honor and Humanity (仁義なき戦い “Jingi Naki Tatakai“), and will be delving into the culture behind the Yakuza and Yakuza cinema.