Category: Yakuza eiga

Red Peony Gambler: Gambler’s Obligation (1969)

What invites us to qualify Suzuki’s narrative as a classic is not simply his continuation of Yamashita’s visual adoration of Junko Fuji, but his effective transformation of the Ninkyo thread into an exploration of the transgressive nature of desire as such.

Hell Dogs (2022) review

For the hardened fan of the genre, Harada’s newly bottled old wine will be a frustrating experience that delivers nothing more than a sprinkle of excitement.  

Pale Flower (1964) review

“A ‘seductive’ nihilistic masterpiece that explores the unescapable subjective problems created by the rhythmic capitalistic machinery.”

The Family (2021) review

“A highly original yakuza narrative that beautifully touches upon the importance that the (idealized) figure of the father can have for a subject’s lifepath.”

First Love (2019) Review

“Takashi Miike’s latest beautifully underlines that the only kind of violence worthy of humanity is a violence born out of love.”

Like A Dragon (2007) review

“A clear case of a film translation gone wrong. People are, in fact, far better off playing the game.”

Blind Woman’s Curse (1970) review

“Pleasure (…) is to be extracted from the visuals (…) so beautifully framed by the cinematography, and from the way Meiko Kaji with her mesmerizing performance synthesizes the narrative’s mix of genres.”

Outrage Beyond (2012) review

“A tense (…) voyeuristic trip through the private spaces of the gokudōsha that unfortunately is not able to underline the futility of violence in the same palpable way as its predecessor.”