One for the Takeshi Kitano fans...

Karl Hungus

Just noticed that Kikujiro is finally getting around to being released on the 28th of June.

And Zatoichi is out on the 26th of July.

*Strokes chin*
Excellent.

It's Artificial Eye who are releasing Zatoichi, and although there's no extras confimed yet, they did an absolutely sterling job with Dolls, so this should indeed be very cool. There was some great interviews and a brilliant one with Kitano himself on the Dolls DVD, so I'm really looking farward to this myself.

Now I wonder if A Scene By The Sea will get released?

ixoy

If you're really impatient, you can pick up the Region 3 edition of Zatoichi right now. It's only €15. The second disc has a "Making Of" documentary on it which I found, to my disappointment, has no English subtitles. Oh well - the important bit, the feature, is as we would expect.

If you're really impatient, you can pick up the Region 3 edition of Zatoichi right now. It's only €15. The second disc has a "Making Of" documentary on it which I found, to my disappointment, has no English subtitles. Oh well - the important bit, the feature, is as we would expect.

I saw that when I was ordering it. Im eagerly awaiting my copy.

May I also recommend some other Takeshi Kitano films going cheap.
Brother
Hana Bi
and
Violent Cop / Boiling Point / Sonatine

All five are excellant films.

Karl Hungus

Have them all already myself, but I'll definetly second Darko's enthusiasm for said films.

Especially Hana-Bi, it's an absolute masterpeice.

ixoy

Right then, based on your recommendations I've just ordered Hana-Bi. Hope I enjoy it

Karl Hungus

You will, I'd imagine.

I'd dare say it's one of his best, if not THE best.
Although sometimes the film plays almost like an art gallery.
You'll see what I mean when you see it.

I'd dare say it's one of his best, if not THE best.
Although sometimes the film plays almost like an art gallery.
You'll see what I mean when you see it

I think it is his best film and the ending. Everytime I watch it I have to fight back tears. It is one of the most beautiful films ever made.

Ive been trying to get my friends to forget about John Woo and embrace the talent that is Takeshi Kitano.

fizzynicenice

now john woo I liked john woo, pre-hollywod of course. the killer was enjoyable.
but yeah kitano is much better, I loved violent cop but found brother to be (be nice, be nice, be nice) a bucket of piss. (damn you and your vulgarity)

Karl Hungus

It's true, you can't fault pre-hollywood Woo.
Lets not forget Hard Boiled now, eh?

But I rather liked Brother myself, t'was a great film.
Dare I say, I even enjoyed it more than Voilent Cop?

ixoy

Originally posted by Karl Hungus
It's true, you can't fault pre-hollywood Woo.
Lets not forget Hard Boiled now, eh?

Let's not indeed. Picked it up for about a tenner there on cd-wow. Biggest body count ever committed to screen apparently? Even if it's not true, has it ever been done in such a damn cool manner?

Miguel_Sanchez

For anyone in Galway Zatoichi is showing in the Town Hall Theatre next Sunday 30th May at 8:30pm

5 euro in for students and 6 for regular joes.

Karl Hungus

Aye Jeff... I'll more than likely be heading along for that.

Karl Hungus

Not Kitano, but related...

There's a Zatoichi box set out now.

ixoy

Just watched Hana-Bi over the weekend. I was expecting the hard-edged ultra-violence of Hard Boiled and kept waiting for the gunplay to begin. Of course I did cop on then that this was a far more contemplative piece of work, with some beautiful cinematography. The minimalist dialogue, especially from Beat Takeshi himself, took some time to get into but once I did I enjoyed it a lot, meaning I'll probably have to re-watch the beginning.
Is the movie set mentioned above - Violent Cop/Boiling Point/Sontaine - in the same vein as Hana-bi or again is it a different feel? Certainly these movies are incredibly impressive when they're written, directed, and starring one man...

Karl Hungus

Hehehe...

It is a fantastic film alotogether, ixoy.
But I don't know how you were expecting anything like Hard Boiled!?

The box set is considerably different indeed.
I'd say Sonatine is the closest to Hana-bi, Boiling Point is kinda a hard one to explain, and Violent Cop is more straight-farward, but it's a fantastic film, especially considering it was Kitano's first time as a director.
They're all great films though.