Boiling Point aka 3 x 4 Juugatsu (1990)

Production: Shochiku-Fuji / Bandai
Color / Length: Color, 98 minutes
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Actors: Masahiko Ono, Yuriko Ishida, Takahito Iguchi, Minoru Iizuk, Takeshi Kitano

Boiling Point is an early entry into the Yakuza-Eiga genre of Takeshi Kitano. Kitano wrote, directed and starred in this film as he does many others. Many of the “Kitano” traits in the film are prevalent to his later works, specifically Sonatine. Violence is displayed without remorse or aggression, just something that happens and needs to be done, like getting gas for your car or cooking a hot dog. Also, those strange comedic occurrences between violent acts are continuous through the later part of the film, usually at someone else’s expense. Always a goodtime for “What the F***?!” and laughs. Unlike other Kitano movies, he is not the focal character in Boiling Point, although when he does appear on screen, he brings the most memorable and exciting moments of the script to the audience.

The ballpark story: Iguchi (Gadarokanaru Taka) is a baseball coach for a junior league baseball team. He is an ex-Yakuza. Although a straight citizen now, he still harbors the attitude and character of someone in the underworld. Masaki (Yurei Yanaji), an unmotivated slacker and his chums Kuzuo (Danken) and Akira (Makoto Ashikawa) play on Iguchi’s baseball team. Masaki also works at a gas station and while half-ass attending a Yakuza’s car, gets into a fight with him. The yakuza fakes injury and his Otomo Group wants payment as compensation. Iguchi used to belong to the Otomo group and tries to mediate for his young teammate. As a result, Iguchi beats up Muto (Bengal) of Otomo for disrespecting him. In retaliation, the Otomo group corners Iguchi and gives him a beating. Afterward, Iguchi plans a trip to Okinawa to buy a gun for revenge.

In his stead, Masaki and Kuzuo decide to go to Okinawa to obtain the weapon. When they arrive they meet a local Yakuza named Uehara (Kitano) and his buddy, Tamagi (Katsuo Tokashiki). Uehara is an uncontrollable yakuza that attacks at the drop of a hat. He is in bad standing with his own organization and has to repent by chopping off a little limb (which he doesn’t do). While with Uehara and his cohorts, Masaki and Kuzuo are propelled into many bizarre scenarios, such as: beatings, shootings, sex, dismemberments, homosexual advances and many awkward situations. They are the Tokyo bumpkins of the Okinawa underworld.

Soon enough, the charades end tragically and the boys are sent back to Tokyo with their new toys. Their well thought out plan of revenge takes a turn for the worse and Kuzuo and Akira are beaten badly while Masaki flees. Shamed by his selfish act, Masaki initiates a final explosive attack on the Otomo group.

My two-cents:What the hell are “Butterfly Eggs”? Anyway, this was solid early entry in the Kitano filmography. Those fan boys of his later films will certainly enjoy Boiling Point and can appreciate his style and methods commonly seen in his works. Make no mistake though; this is not one of his better flicks. Although, I’d say it was definitely in the top 5 of Kitano films (like No. 5). My only complaint was that Kitano didn’t show up on screen until 45 minutes into the movie. Also, does anyone else think that Kitano might be a little light in the loafers? Not that it bothers me, to each his own, but there seems to be an awful lot of fancy-boy awkward moments in many films in which he appears (ie. Gonin, Kikojiru, Boiling Point…). Anyway…sissy-boy or not, Kitano still cranks out a very satisfying Yakuza movie, like a snickers bar for the appetite. There’s enough violence and laughs to make us all piss ourselves for an hour and a half. If you’re an a-hole fan like I am, just buy the damn DVD. A stepping-stone flick that most Asian film dorks (like myself) will appreciate.

Guest Reviewer: Steven McVey

3 1/2 Kitanos

Bloody Territories (1969) - McVey Review

Production: Nikkatsu
Color / Length: Color, 88 minutes
Director: Yasuharu Hasebe
Actors: Akira Kobayashi, Tatsuya Fuji, Ryoji Hayama, Yuriko Hime

This was a difficult movie for me to review. So far, most (not all) of my yakuza-eiga experience has been flooded with Kinji Fukasaku, Takeshi Kitano and Takashi Miike movies. So these are the viewing standards I had to compare this film to. Which is a very high standard and really isn’t fair.

The Story (in a nutshell): The movie stars Akira Kobayashi (Akira Tanake in Battles w/o H&H 3/4) as Yuji Otatke, a mid-level yakuza. There are other familiar faces, but I can’t put a name to them. Anyway, the Sakura Association is disbanding and all the clan bosses have agreed to it. All except Mr.Ogani (which is Yuji’s boss). When the others disband, the Kansai Association starts to muscle in on Ogani Clan territory and some fighting ignites. The remnants of the disbanded Sakura Association form a legit group called Kyowa. A mediator is called in to quell the forthcoming Ogani/Kansai war. After the ceremony, Mr. Ogani loses a ton of dough at a high stakes game that features other prominent heads. The deed to Ogani property & buildings were used as collateral, in order to save face in the high stakes game. Thus, Ogani’s property is taken from them and bought by the Kyowa Group. Yuji and Yato (second in command), come up with a scheme to net them big dollars to buy the property back, but Kyowa foils it. Jinno, brother of Kansai boss, wants the Ogani territory for himself. But the Kyowa, has promised the Kansai a large amount money (from Yuji’s deal) for it, which they accept. This all sets up a final confrontation with Kyowa, Yuji and Jinno.

My Opinion: This movie was sub-par. Judging from the title and DVD cover (everyone with a knife and blood covering a collage of characters) alone, I thought this was going to be a nonstop action packed kick ass film. Well, I was wrong. There wasn’t a single pistol used in this flick, everyone had knives (which isn’t bad), I’m expecting geysers of blood, slashing’s up the wahzoo, hacked limbs and a war torn Tokyo (Bloodless Territories?). No such luck. The only hacked limb was an off-screen pinky chop. And most of the blood that flowed was after the fact. Ok, I know you don’t need spurting blood for a good picture, but the story was bland and the action was out-right terrible. The action choreography was dreadfully slow and lacked any human response to the life or death struggles it tried to delivery. The style Hasebe uses (for this film) is very…boring (in my opinion of course – I haven’t seen his other films). Nothing fancy, no frantic camera movements (a la Fukasaku), no graphic fighting, and lackluster acting performances by all, just a “ho-hum” experience. The synopsis on the back of the DVD cover is quite exaggerated. I’d recommend watching it once, but not buying it. Don’t think this DVD will make it into my player to many times. I’ll stick with yakuza flicks from 1970 on.
Guest Reviewer: Steven McVey

2 Kitanos

Agitator aka Outlaw Souls: Agitator (2001)

Production: Daiei
Color / Length: Color, 200 minutes
Director: Takashi Miike
Actors: Mickey Curtis, Yoshyuki Daichi, Naoto Takenaka

Review:
This is another Takashi Miike Yakuza Eiga (YE) I eagerly waited to see. I was fortunate enough to purchase the uncut version of this movie (~3 hours). Three hours of crazy YE action from Japan’s latest directing stud seemed like a dream. My hopes were super high with anticipation (they always are when it comes to top-notch directors and the YE genre). Although, the last Miike YE I watched was “Deadly Outlaw: Rekka” and I wasn’t impressed. I have faith that Miike is capable of producing intense, dynamic, F**k You Up, quality YE’s as he’s done in the past. Unfortunately, my most recent opinions of his movies have been a coin toss, good or bad. Agitator came in two parts (Part I: War Ensemble & Part II: Bloody War). What do you expect when the film is 3+ hours long? So, at least that’s something to look forward too if you’re a fan of the genre and the film is good. The movies star some fresh and old faces to Miike yakuza eiga. Again, the director himself makes a cameo appearance (the other I know of was “Graveyard of Honor”). The YE great Hiroki Matsukata plays the role of Kaido of the Tensei group. I love seeing this guy since his great YE 70’s flicks. He is easily becoming my second favorite YE actor (after Bunta of course).

So, the story goes… Part One: War EnsembleThe Yokomizo & Shirane gangs are the powers of the underworld in this Japanese city (Tokyo?). They are sworn enemies who live in relative peace. One day, a hired Shirane drug-addict (Miike) is sent into Yokomizo territory to stir up trouble and loses his life in the process by members of the Higuchi gang (who are under the Yokomizo umbrella). While both groups prepare for war or mediation, a hired assassin is sent to kill Yokomizo himself. Higuchi, sworn brother to Yokomizo, and his extreme Higuchi group are devastated. Kensaki, an erratic yakuza in the Higuchi group, is sent to kill Boss Shirane in revenge. Behind the scenes, the leader of the Tensei Association (a large yakuza group) has died and their executive members are vying for leadership. Kaido (Matsukata), a Tensei executive member wants to merge the Yokomizo & Shirane gangs and have them unite under his Tensei group, making him strongest of the other executive groups. He sets a plan of deceit and backstabbing and ignites a war with the Yokomizo outcasts, Higuchi Gang.

Part Two: Bloody WarWith both bosses of the Shirane & Yokomizo groups dead, next generation leaders are appointed. With Kaido’s mediation, both new bosses exchange the cup of bonding. Higuchi becomes suspicious of his peers and severs ties with Yokomizo. Which leads to Kenzaki rampaging against any who stand in the way of his boss, Higuchi. In the meantime, Kensaki and crew kidnap the second in command Shirane and extract information about what is really going on behind the scenes. Yokomizo and Shirane gang are set to merge under Kaido and his Tensei Association. In the exchange for the kidnapped, Higuchi is assassinated. Higuchi group has a newly appointed second generation boss, who goes back under the Yokomizo Group. Kenzaki dismantles his crew and sends them packing. Finally, the Kaido jig is up, but Kenzaki is bent on revenge, he sets a path of death and destruction against, Yokomizo, Shirane and Kaido.

I liked it. That’s all I can say. It wasn’t an orgasmic experience, nor was I wanting to stick my thumbs in my eyes. It was what it was, a straight up yakuza film. Maybe for the “shocked” Miike fan, there will be disappointment. Nothing shocking in this film. Lots of non-chalant shootouts though. The acting was decent and the story flowed well. The only thing I didn’t like/understand was the whole kaleidoscope thing and Kenzaki’s chick flashbacks. Made no sense at all and I got the feeling Miike wanted it to have a Bladerunner like feel to those out of place scenes. But, this was definitely a step up from “Deadly Outlaw: Rekka”. I recommend it for those Miike Yakuza fans, but the perverse sex starved gore fanatics will be disappointed. This film didn’t “WOW” me, but it was a good way to waste 3 hours of my life. A must for Miike dorks.

Guest Reviewer: Steven McVey

3 1/2 Katanas