Chûgoku no chôjin aka The Bird People of China - T.Miike - Japan - (1998)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142181/

Plot by Imdb:"A salaryman and yakuza are each sent by their bosses to a remote Chinese village but discover more then they expected."

Once again, Takeshi Miike reinvents himself and surprises us where we expected him the less: on the human and poetic side. We are witnessing an incredibly sensible moment of humanity as we follow two Japanese caricatures characters: a salaryman and a Yakuza, both entangled in their respective hierarchy and "world order", during  their travel to an extremely remote part of China. As soon as their chaotic journey unfold, they begin to change and to reveal themselves as much more deeper characters. At first, it's still on the comedy or drama side but it takes a much more traumatic and psychological turn when they finally reach their destination: a "out of time" village of mountain people who have some strange rituals and beliefs.
Miike here reaches yet another level and goes closer to an absolute masterpiece.
This movie only could prove that all the hype around Miike as a stakhanovist shock director that doesn't care about emotions and meaning is wrong. He's all that, clearly but he always cares about the story and, more importantly, about his characters. As usual, photography is breathtaking, framing is fantastic and the general craftsmanship of the movie is top nocth. Not to forget, two great actors and a really beautiful story of the true metaphysical nature of human beings. Anyone who has ever being to remote natural locations and stayed there some time will get it instantly.
Clearly up there with the older Japanese masters, Miike-sensei has made with this movie, I think, a classic.

Trailer:

Kinbaku · SM·18-sai aka S&M Hunter - Shûji Kataoka - Japan - (1986)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287523/

Plot by Imdb:" When the all-girl gang, The Bombers, kidnap a man to use as their personal sex slave, S&M Hunter accepts the mission to infiltrate The Bombers' hideout and show them the ropes."

The most wonderful combination of all in a Pinku is sex and humor, but when it comes in a S&M Comic Book package, what can I say ? It borders on the sublime. Sublime is the only word strong enough to express my enchantment n front of this off-the-chart epic journey into S&M fantasy, with a strong emphasis on the fantasy. A real life manga with a super twisted story of a gay client of an S&M Dungeon who asks for help the Dungeon Master after having his boyfriend kidnapped and submitted to sexual tortures by an all female gang, the Bombers. The Dungeon Master uses his secret weapon: S&M Hunter, the ultimate Super Sadist. Like a super hero, he masters his weapons perfectly. In this case, his submission ropes ! Imagine a pervert Spiderman who would have turned into a Shibari maniac ! By the way, Shiro Shimomoto is a perfect cast in the S&M Hunter role.  veteran of the Pinku, he must have seen an occasion to showcase another part of his talent. Impressive imagery and insane scenes unfold until an over-the-top final duel between evil S&M masters. The shot of the "vilain" S&M master woman suspended to a crane feets away into the air will stay with you for a long time. S&M Hunter shows once again that Shûji Kataoka, director of the "Molester Train" series, knew what he was doing and what his public was looking for. Not specially efficient on the sex aspect, it really packs a huge punch on the FUN side.

Go, SM Hunter and tie those evil bitches up !!

Trailer:

The Exterminator - James Glickenhaus - USA - (1980)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080707/

Plot by Imdb: " When John Eastland's best friend, Michael Jefferson, is mugged and left permanently crippled, he decides to do something about it. Jefferson had saved Eastland's life in Vietnam and now it's time for Eastland to get revenge for his friend. Using his old Army gear he sets out on a crusade to clean up the streets of New York using the name "The Exterminator."

One of the best vigilante flick, in my humble opinion. It's not quite up to the level of "Rolling Thunder" but close. It is equally grim and violent. And it doesn't seem outdated to me now, just think about all the Gulf War  and Afghanistan vets coming back or the ex-Yugoslavia soldiers turning to crime. The Vietnam first sequence has some gruesome moments, specially the decapitation scene that sticks with you during the movie. It makes the psychological trauma of the vigilante even more realistic. The rest is ultra classic/ vets back from hell, one of them get mugged and killed, his best friend avenge him and, realizing that crime is everywhere, goes on a rampage amongst the criminals and corrupted. It's one of those movies about the incredible urban "fauna" of New York at that time, as well. Creepy sex-shops, junkies and urban decay are everywhere. As for the bad guys, the list is almost complete : pimps, hoodlums, rapists, a powerful mobster and a senator, etc... The main characters are surprisingly all well painted. Rober Ginty is solid and never ridiculous. Even with a flamethrower in the hand. His false Nemesis, the cop that understand all too well that somebody can turn into a vigilante in this environment, is also doing a good job. The main paranoid  message, as usual, is that society is not protecting you, even when you almost gave your life for it. 

How are you protecting yourself from society ? Me, I chose to blog.

Trailer:

Zombie Zombie - Driving - Music vidéo

Excellent animation homage to John Carpenter's The thing:

Koenji hyakkei - music

Imagine a mix between Magma, Gong, Franck Zappa and Afro Ra, high on super skunk. 

It's "Koenji hyakkei", they are making Zeuhl music and I love it. 

Of course, it comes from...Japan. Where else ?

It's also highly effective against disturbing neighbors. They usually come back and beg you to stop it after only one hour. Magic !

Pink Violence idol Miki Sugimoto sings !!! Naked !!!

From Onna Bancho.

After reiko Ike, it's Miki's turn to sing for her fans.

Source: Sangre Yakuza

Prince Shotoku - Fukusima - Manga

You have to check that excellent review of the 70's manga "Prince Shotoku" by Fukushima on the Tokyo Scum Brigade blog

You might just want to get out and buy the manga right away after that. Tough luck, it's not available in English...Damn, what are the editors doing out there ?

To give you a small taste, here are some images:

Source: Tokyo Scum Brigade