V-Cinema

almaric · 01-06-2009, 08:16 PM

I'm hoping that some of you on here can help me out. I've been on a pretty big kick watching tons of Japanese v-cinema, and i'm looking for additional titles. I think I've gotten to most of what Geneon has released, and I've been going through all the Switchblade Picture releases. Horror, action, pinku, I'm open to everything.

Thanks in advance!

Yakuza954 · 01-08-2009, 02:23 AM

What did Geneon release? Do you mean their releases in Japan?

I can give non-subtitled recommendations too if you want, but for stuff that's subtitled in English:

-Artsmagic released some good v-cinema before going under. Even though Rokuro Mochizuki stuff is very good, there isn't much of an American market for love stories involving yakuza. From their catalogue, I'd say Wild Life, and Onibi: The Fire Within are especially well worth tracking down.

-Eko Eko Azarak - Wizard of Darkness 1 and 2. Good Japanese sci-fi/horror films from the 90's. The female director of these just directed a big budget superhero film with Takeshi Kaneshiro in Japan too.

-The Legend Of Ando Family - The Road To Hell. Cool v-cinema Yakuza film in the vein of the Agitator and Graveyard of Honor. And Hiroki Matsukata as the head boss - what more could you want?

Zeiram- Haven't seen this one yet, but it's considered one of the best Japanese sci-fi films (english dub only though).

Discotek is releasing Oh! My Zombie Mermaid later this year. It's a really fun wrestling/zombie/martial arts/whatever the hell else you can think of mix-mash of genres that you should keep an eye out for. Action choreography by Kenji Tanigaki from Donnie Yen's action crew, and produced by a Japanese company that mainly does porn. That's v-cinema for you.

Lastly, http://kurotokagi.com/ subtitled one of Takashi Miike's flicks called the Man in White. This is probably my favorite Miike film after The Bird People of China, with a very engaging revenge storyline to go with well executed action scenes. Part 1 sets up the story and lights the matches, then in Part 2 you just watch everything as it explodes.

ToothbrushFu · 01-08-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakuza954

Zeiram- Haven't seen this one yet, but it's considered one of the best Japanese sci-fi films (english dub only though).

There are 2 Zeiram films. The first one is pretty entertaining for low-budget 90s scifi/horror, the second is essentially a retread of the first to lesser effect. You can get both films pretty cheap on the Media Blasters / Tokyo Shock R1 DVD released as Zeiram Duology - that has both original Japanese audio and English dub tracks.

almaric · 01-08-2009, 08:03 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to go back through my Netflix reviews to see what titles I've seen from Geneon, but they did indeed release a few here in the states. I keep meaning to go through the catalog and create a Nf rental list of all their live action titles. The most recent one I've seen is Cool Dimension: Innocent Assassin.

It also might help if I just put a list together for this thread of everything I've seen to date, it might help in terms on new suggestions.

I didn't realize Artsmagic had released an v-cinema. I thought there were theatrical releases only. thanks for the heads up! I didn't realize they went under...yikes... to many of my favorite companies going under...

I haven't been to the Discotec site in a few months. This will give me a chance to update that rental list...and I'll definitely keep an eye out for that Miike. Thanks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakuza954

What did Geneon release? Do you mean their releases in Japan?

I can give non-subtitled recommendations too if you want, but for stuff that's subtitled in English:
.

then

almaric · 01-08-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToothbrushFu

There are 2 Zeiram films. The first one is pretty entertaining for low-budget 90s scifi/horror, the second is essentially a retread of the first to lesser effect. You can get both films pretty cheap on the Media Blasters / Tokyo Shock R1 DVD released as Zeiram Duology - that has both original Japanese audio and English dub tracks.

I rewatched these a few weeks ago and I was surprised at how soft the print quality was. I guess I just expected some sort of complete remastering with digital sharp clarity. Still, it was nice to see these again after not watching either in over a decade.

AlbertV · 01-14-2009, 09:24 PM

I have an original Toei V-Cinema action film called Death Messenger. It is the original rental tape from Japan, which I got for $5.00 at Book-Off when I was living in New York. I also got a discount because my best friend was working there at the time. Film came out in 1991.

It stars Ryo Ishibashi (American Yakuza, War) as a former hitman who must rescue his new girlfriend from goons who I think were after a weapon. Mind you, I saw the film with no subs. Yasuaki Kurata played the boss' top henchman. I have to view it again, but it was like a cheapo-version of something John Woo would have definitely made IMO.

Yakuza954 · 01-15-2009, 03:58 AM

Yeah, that reminds me of another Japanese 90's action film called Drug Connection. It stars Koji Yakusho (best Japanese actor right now?), Mr. Ninja himself, Sho Kosugi and Jimmy *bleeping* Wang Yu. If you look at the front cover closely enough, he's the one with the glasses.

Shame we'll never get to see most of these subbed.

01-06-2009, 08:16 PM	#1
almaric Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 12	V-Cinema I'm hoping that some of you on here can help me out. I've been on a pretty big kick watching tons of Japanese v-cinema, and i'm looking for additional titles. I think I've gotten to most of what Geneon has released, and I've been going through all the Switchblade Picture releases. Horror, action, pinku, I'm open to everything. Thanks in advance! __________________ B-Indi on Netflix: http://www.netflix.com/StrangerRevie...&lnkctr=MDP2RL

01-14-2009, 09:24 PM	#6
AlbertV Master Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,130	I have an original Toei V-Cinema action film called Death Messenger. It is the original rental tape from Japan, which I got for $5.00 at Book-Off when I was living in New York. I also got a discount because my best friend was working there at the time. Film came out in 1991. It stars Ryo Ishibashi (American Yakuza, War) as a former hitman who must rescue his new girlfriend from goons who I think were after a weapon. Mind you, I saw the film with no subs. Yasuaki Kurata played the boss' top henchman. I have to view it again, but it was like a cheapo-version of something John Woo would have definitely made IMO. __________________ http://www.kungfucinema.com/author/AlbertV

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01-08-2009, 02:23 AM	#2
Yakuza954 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 356	What did Geneon release? Do you mean their releases in Japan? I can give non-subtitled recommendations too if you want, but for stuff that's subtitled in English: -Artsmagic released some good v-cinema before going under. Even though Rokuro Mochizuki stuff is very good, there isn't much of an American market for love stories involving yakuza. From their catalogue, I'd say Wild Life, and Onibi: The Fire Within are especially well worth tracking down. -Eko Eko Azarak - Wizard of Darkness 1 and 2. Good Japanese sci-fi/horror films from the 90's. The female director of these just directed a big budget superhero film with Takeshi Kaneshiro in Japan too. -The Legend Of Ando Family - The Road To Hell. Cool v-cinema Yakuza film in the vein of the Agitator and Graveyard of Honor. And Hiroki Matsukata as the head boss - what more could you want? Zeiram- Haven't seen this one yet, but it's considered one of the best Japanese sci-fi films (english dub only though). Discotek is releasing Oh! My Zombie Mermaid later this year. It's a really fun wrestling/zombie/martial arts/whatever the hell else you can think of mix-mash of genres that you should keep an eye out for. Action choreography by Kenji Tanigaki from Donnie Yen's action crew, and produced by a Japanese company that mainly does porn. That's v-cinema for you. Lastly, http://kurotokagi.com/ subtitled one of Takashi Miike's flicks called the Man in White. This is probably my favorite Miike film after The Bird People of China, with a very engaging revenge storyline to go with well executed action scenes. Part 1 sets up the story and lights the matches, then in Part 2 you just watch everything as it explodes.

01-15-2009, 03:58 AM	#7
Yakuza954 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 356	Yeah, that reminds me of another Japanese 90's action film called Drug Connection. It stars Koji Yakusho (best Japanese actor right now?), Mr. Ninja himself, Sho Kosugi and Jimmy bleeping Wang Yu. If you look at the front cover closely enough, he's the one with the glasses. Shame we'll never get to see most of these subbed.