Noticeably early in its straightforward approach to the subject matter, “Ambition Without Honour” is one of the most predictable films directed by the Japanese master. Written by Muneo Kishi who also stands behind the script for the sequel, the story of the film is a simple account of a naïve, and slightly dumb youth’s wish to become a yakuza at any cost.
It’s the begin of the Heisei period (1989) and the 17-year-old Tetsuya Kurashiki (Yûta Sone) has it all figured out. He will help the yakuza boss Shiromatsu (Nobuo Yana) to get rid of his opponent who rules the Tamazawa family. As a reward, he is promised to become one of the yakuza and a “made man”. Seven years after, he’s out of the prison where there’s nobody waiting for him besides his still girlfriend Kayo (Naoko Amihama).
Tetsuya is back into a completely changed world in which Botaiho,...
It’s the begin of the Heisei period (1989) and the 17-year-old Tetsuya Kurashiki (Yûta Sone) has it all figured out. He will help the yakuza boss Shiromatsu (Nobuo Yana) to get rid of his opponent who rules the Tamazawa family. As a reward, he is promised to become one of the yakuza and a “made man”. Seven years after, he’s out of the prison where there’s nobody waiting for him besides his still girlfriend Kayo (Naoko Amihama).
Tetsuya is back into a completely changed world in which Botaiho,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Chicago – The DVD Round-Up has traveled the globe this week to bring you a diverse slate of under-the-radar titles received in the HollywoodChicago.com offices this holiday season. With so many major releases this time of year, it’s hard to cover everything, but we wanted to make sure you knew these were out there in case you have a gift card burning a hole in your pocket.
One quick note: We don’t usually inject opinion into the DVD Round-Up. It’s a recurring column merely designed for informational purposes regarding some lower profile titles new on shelves. We’d like to make a rare exception for “Sita Sings the Blues,” a simply wonderful animated film that we only wish we had more time to spotlight but that we wanted to make sure you knew was available before the end of the year. Don’t just go rent it.
One quick note: We don’t usually inject opinion into the DVD Round-Up. It’s a recurring column merely designed for informational purposes regarding some lower profile titles new on shelves. We’d like to make a rare exception for “Sita Sings the Blues,” a simply wonderful animated film that we only wish we had more time to spotlight but that we wanted to make sure you knew was available before the end of the year. Don’t just go rent it.
- 12/31/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Toronto International Film Festival
Known for his shocker horror pictures, including "Dead or Alive" and "Ichi the Killer", cult fave Miike Takashi mixes it up a bit with the gonzo "Gozu", a truly bizarre concoction that can best be described as a grotesquely surreal gangster sci-fi fantasy -- or, as Takashi likes to put it, "yakuza horror theater."
Proving no less visceral than his previous outings -- it certainly leaves no bodily fluid untapped -- the wildly unpredictable film should be warmly embraced by the midnight movie crowd who are already well aware of Takashi and his not-for-the-faint-of-heart offerings.
The title, which apparently refers to a hell-dwelling demon with the head of a cow and a human's body, pretty much sets the stage for the ensuing freak show.
When yakuza member Ozaki (Sho Aikawa) appears to be losing his grip (he offs a tiny Chihuahua, insisting that it's a rival gang's attack dog), the younger Minami (Hideki Sone) is ordered to bring him to a yakuza disposal site.
Somewhere along the way, however, Ozaki goes missing, and Minami embarks on a frantic search to find him. As he attempts to retrace his tracks, he encounters a carnival of weirdos including a heavily lactating older female innkeeper, a guy with a kooky skin condition and that aforementioned Gozu thingy.
Minami is eventually reunited with his yakuza brother, though he has apparently turned into a beautiful young woman, and then things really get nightmarish.
Although most definitely an acquired taste, the David Lynchian "Gozu" delivers the goods in dripping, gooey gobs, and it's nice to see that Takashi, reteaming with "Ichi the Killer" screenwriter Sato Sakichi, isn't averse to adding a little killer humor to his shock repertoire.
Known for his shocker horror pictures, including "Dead or Alive" and "Ichi the Killer", cult fave Miike Takashi mixes it up a bit with the gonzo "Gozu", a truly bizarre concoction that can best be described as a grotesquely surreal gangster sci-fi fantasy -- or, as Takashi likes to put it, "yakuza horror theater."
Proving no less visceral than his previous outings -- it certainly leaves no bodily fluid untapped -- the wildly unpredictable film should be warmly embraced by the midnight movie crowd who are already well aware of Takashi and his not-for-the-faint-of-heart offerings.
The title, which apparently refers to a hell-dwelling demon with the head of a cow and a human's body, pretty much sets the stage for the ensuing freak show.
When yakuza member Ozaki (Sho Aikawa) appears to be losing his grip (he offs a tiny Chihuahua, insisting that it's a rival gang's attack dog), the younger Minami (Hideki Sone) is ordered to bring him to a yakuza disposal site.
Somewhere along the way, however, Ozaki goes missing, and Minami embarks on a frantic search to find him. As he attempts to retrace his tracks, he encounters a carnival of weirdos including a heavily lactating older female innkeeper, a guy with a kooky skin condition and that aforementioned Gozu thingy.
Minami is eventually reunited with his yakuza brother, though he has apparently turned into a beautiful young woman, and then things really get nightmarish.
Although most definitely an acquired taste, the David Lynchian "Gozu" delivers the goods in dripping, gooey gobs, and it's nice to see that Takashi, reteaming with "Ichi the Killer" screenwriter Sato Sakichi, isn't averse to adding a little killer humor to his shock repertoire.
Toronto International Film Festival
Known for his shocker horror pictures, including "Dead or Alive" and "Ichi the Killer", cult fave Miike Takashi mixes it up a bit with the gonzo "Gozu", a truly bizarre concoction that can best be described as a grotesquely surreal gangster sci-fi fantasy -- or, as Takashi likes to put it, "yakuza horror theater."
Proving no less visceral than his previous outings -- it certainly leaves no bodily fluid untapped -- the wildly unpredictable film should be warmly embraced by the midnight movie crowd who are already well aware of Takashi and his not-for-the-faint-of-heart offerings.
The title, which apparently refers to a hell-dwelling demon with the head of a cow and a human's body, pretty much sets the stage for the ensuing freak show.
When yakuza member Ozaki (Sho Aikawa) appears to be losing his grip (he offs a tiny Chihuahua, insisting that it's a rival gang's attack dog), the younger Minami (Hideki Sone) is ordered to bring him to a yakuza disposal site.
Somewhere along the way, however, Ozaki goes missing, and Minami embarks on a frantic search to find him. As he attempts to retrace his tracks, he encounters a carnival of weirdos including a heavily lactating older female innkeeper, a guy with a kooky skin condition and that aforementioned Gozu thingy.
Minami is eventually reunited with his yakuza brother, though he has apparently turned into a beautiful young woman, and then things really get nightmarish.
Although most definitely an acquired taste, the David Lynchian "Gozu" delivers the goods in dripping, gooey gobs, and it's nice to see that Takashi, reteaming with "Ichi the Killer" screenwriter Sato Sakichi, isn't averse to adding a little killer humor to his shock repertoire.
Known for his shocker horror pictures, including "Dead or Alive" and "Ichi the Killer", cult fave Miike Takashi mixes it up a bit with the gonzo "Gozu", a truly bizarre concoction that can best be described as a grotesquely surreal gangster sci-fi fantasy -- or, as Takashi likes to put it, "yakuza horror theater."
Proving no less visceral than his previous outings -- it certainly leaves no bodily fluid untapped -- the wildly unpredictable film should be warmly embraced by the midnight movie crowd who are already well aware of Takashi and his not-for-the-faint-of-heart offerings.
The title, which apparently refers to a hell-dwelling demon with the head of a cow and a human's body, pretty much sets the stage for the ensuing freak show.
When yakuza member Ozaki (Sho Aikawa) appears to be losing his grip (he offs a tiny Chihuahua, insisting that it's a rival gang's attack dog), the younger Minami (Hideki Sone) is ordered to bring him to a yakuza disposal site.
Somewhere along the way, however, Ozaki goes missing, and Minami embarks on a frantic search to find him. As he attempts to retrace his tracks, he encounters a carnival of weirdos including a heavily lactating older female innkeeper, a guy with a kooky skin condition and that aforementioned Gozu thingy.
Minami is eventually reunited with his yakuza brother, though he has apparently turned into a beautiful young woman, and then things really get nightmarish.
Although most definitely an acquired taste, the David Lynchian "Gozu" delivers the goods in dripping, gooey gobs, and it's nice to see that Takashi, reteaming with "Ichi the Killer" screenwriter Sato Sakichi, isn't averse to adding a little killer humor to his shock repertoire.
- 10/13/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.