Takashi's Castle

     This week Japanuary comes to a close with three films by the prolific master Takashi Miike.

     Leo is a boxer climbing in the middle of a great win streak. When his doctor tells him he has an inoperable brain tumor and only a short time left. Kase, an ambitious yakuza, and Ōtomo, a corrupt cop, plan to steal drugs and frame Yuri, a trafficked young woman. When Leo hears Yuri call for help, he figures he has nothing to lose and intervenes. Things spiral from there. A thrill ride through alleys and sporting good store massacres, First Love.
     Manji, an ageless immortal drifting through under a traumatic loss, is hired to be the bodyguard for Rin, an orphan on a quest for revenge. Rin's father was murdered by the Itto-ryu, a group of samurai assassins seeking to bring all schools of combat together under them, and their leader Kagehisa Anotsu. This live action adaption of a successful manga and anime series is also Miike's 100th directorial effort, Blade of the Immortal.
     It has been a decade since Iwao sacrificed his eldest son to settle a dispute with a rival gang. Now younger son, Riki, is getting revenge. Riki also happens to be the head of a gang of startlingly young assassins, who have the leaders of his father's gang squarely in their sights.  Buckets of blood flow, killer darts are fired from undergarments, preteen gunmen, games with unusual balls, and a biker who like a good scrap- Fudoh: The New Generation. 
     Join us, won't we?
   Episode 345- Takashi's Castle

Hospitable Tentacle

     This week- two films about tentacled fiends who might also be friends.

     When the moon is blown into a permeant crescent and the monster that claims credit is threatening to do the same to Earth in one year's time... unless the underachieving delinquent misfits of Middle School Class 3-E are able to assassinate it before then. In order to nurture their killer instinct, the multi-limbed monstrosity places itself as their teacher. Will the kids rise to the challenge or will they fail in their duty and doom the whole planet? The live action adaption of a wildly popular manga and anime, Assassination Classroom.
     A cheap Airbnb in Tokyo doesn't keep guests for very long. Every night the same horrific events play out to deadly results. Will anyone survive a night at this dump? Can the fleshy nightmare stalking its rooms be stopped? How has no one noticed like 50 people disappearing after booking this one room? The second feature from director Doug Roos and an impressive exercise practical effects, Bakemono.
     All that and Dave feels ultimate despair, Tyler tries to bring his Sheri Moon tattoos to life, and Kevin plots against the others for steadfastly refusing to record on his days off. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 344- Hospitable Tentacle

Fetish Zoomie Doll

     This week- a pair of films where men nearly bring ruin to their closest female family member by not checking in during extended work trips.

     While Saeko's husband is out of the country for work, she immediately starts a torrid affair with the piano tuner who also lives in her apartment complex. Meanwhile, their complex is being stalked by a serial murdering rapist who burns his victims to death. The second entry in Nikkatsu's violent pinku series Zoom Up opts for a more surreal giallo approach, Zoom In: Rape Apartments (aka ZOOM IN: Sex Apartments).
     Kazuhiko takes the long trip to his girlfriend's isolated home immediately after returning from a six-month work trip abroad. When he fails to call his sister over the next eight days, she and her fiancé trace his steps to uncover a horrifying history and its tragic consequences. The first in Toho's Bloodthirsty Trilogy of vampire films, The Vampire Doll (aka Legacy of Dracula).
     All that and Kevin's gonna need a bigger media room, Dave keeps losing the thread, and Tyler finally realizes he's been tricked into getting Nightbeast as a full back piece. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 343- Fetish Zoomie Doll

Bay of Witches

     This week Japanuary 2024 kicks off with a pair of films about bold, strong women who refuse to compromise to their oppressive societies and the idiots they love.

     Kinta is put in charge of his Yakuza gang's pig farm and dreams of the large paydays that were vaguely promised. Haruko, his girlfriend, works as a waitress and dreams of getting away from their port city that only lives on the whim of the nearby American Navy base. When Kinta's bosses push him to be the fall guy in a murder and Haruko' mother pushes her to be the paid mistress of an American business man. Shōhei Imamura's breakthrough work and a masterpiece of the Japanese New Wave, Pigs and Battleships.
     On Jeanne's wedding night, the local baron and his courtiers brutally violate her in a ritual deflowering. That night she begins to see visions of a phallic spirit that offers her power and her fortunes rise until they lead to ever increasing clashes between Jeanna and the ruling class. Mushi Production's final entry in their Animerama series of adult animations with gorgeous watercolors designed by Kuni Fukai, Belladonna of Sadness.
     All that and Dave sings a jaunty tune, Kevin closes the books on last year, and Tyler unfurls his hoard of Japanese erotic cinema. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 342- Bay of Witches