Movie Review: Graveyard Of Honor (2002, AnimEigo )

By Dineh Tom

Fans of Japanese cinema remember the name Ichi. They also remember the very distinct way Ichi killed people . Others may remember “Audition.” Just thinking about that one always makes me think of needles. Sharp, razor sharp needles, and maybe making sure my fly is zipped nice and tightly. Personally, I’m always going to remember, “Imprint.” Wholly, that story is just a nightmare. The film is technically brilliant, but the things you see in that will haunt me for years. Wonderful film, but prepare yourself my friends. Now, my journey has brought me to “Graveyard of Honor,” by the one and only Takashi Miike.

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Movie Review: Tetsuo - The Iron Man

by Dineh Tom

I finally watched it. After a few weeks of having the DVD sitting around, I have at last seen what cannot be unseen! What, you may ask? Tetsuo, the Iron Man. Yes, that film directed, written, and even starring Shinya Tsukamoto. I must say those 67 minutes were a time of shocking, disturbing, squirming, inspirational, and beautiful piece of cinema I have seen for quite some time. I do not mean beautiful in the sense of a landscape perfectly lighted by the rays of the sun, and humans with animals enjoying the fruits of the earth. What I mean by beautiful is more along the lines of a piece of art crafted in a way that not many people dare to go. Creating something we may perceive of sure ugliness, but also creating it in a way that echoes how we struggle, destroy, and continue to live.

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Movie Review: Dora-Heita

Guest reviewer and Cinema Head Cheese Asian cult film afficianado Dineh Tom takes a look at AnimEigo's Dora-Heita.

I remember the Golden Age of Japanese cinema, or at least my past soul does remember them, ha! There was always something about the chambara films within that time that gave me the chills. Maybe it was way a samurai lived a life in solidarity when the times were changing and he had no one to serve. Or, it could be the way a samurai can be so quiet and gentle, yet turn into a slashing weapon of death when he was given the right circumstances! So, when I was allowed to watch “Dora-Heita,” the film directed by Kon Ichikawa and produced in the year 2000, my anticipation was very high.

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The story goes that the famous Akira Kurosawa, Keisuke Kinoshita, Kon Ichikawa, and Masaki Kobayashi wrote the film. They joined forces to create a production company that would allow them to make their own stories and possibly enliven their country’s motion pictures. After all these years, Kon Ichikawa, the last director remaining out of the four, finally made the piece.

Dineh Tom