Like Akira Kurosawa and Jean Renoir taking era-appropriate cracks at adapting Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths" play, two Japanese master filmmakers make vastly-different-yet-thematically-similar adaptations of Goro Fujita's inspired-by-real-life novel about a self-destructive yakuza in post-WWII Tokyo. An easy-to-snap, uncontrollable human rage machine, Rikio Ishikawa ('75 version, renamed Rikuo Ishimatsu in the '02 adaptation) is eventually wanted by various yakuza clans (including his own) and the police for insubordination, gambling and murdering his bosses in cold blood. Both films feature an off-screen narrator filling in the blanks; the one in '75 is animated and engaged the '02 voice-over is infrequent, low-key and seems apologetic to interrupt. The only throughline both films share is the protagonist falling hard for a woman named Chieko (Yumi Takigawa in '75, Narimi Arimori in '02) that he abuses to escape a police raid, forces into sexual labor to support him and hooks-up with his own heroin addiction. Even by Junesploitation! standards Rikio is one deplorable, irredeemable and nasty scumbag of a low-life criminal. That these "Graveyard of Honor" adaptations turned out so good that I ended up liking both movies speaks volumes these filmmakers' storytelling prowess.
Not a stranger to gangster movies ("Yakuza Graveyard") or violent content (2000's "Battle Royale"), Finji Fukasaku makes some stylish choices for "GOH '75." Opening with documentary techniques (sepia-toned footage, childhood pics, VO narration) that return sporadically alongside a roving camera when dozens of gangsters get into fist fights/shootouts, order and chaos are a constant viewer companion through Rikio Ishikawa's journey. On-screen titles highlight which of the people we meet early as friends of Rikio will eventually become yakuza bosses trying to reign him in. Despite being a period piece chronicling a decade of Ishikawa's life ('45-'56) most clothing and sideburns scream 1970's. Red paint-as-blood crimson spills are common, but there's a dark sense of humor (the rock throwing siege between Rikio, the police and two warring yakuza clans) keeping the constant violent outbursts stylish. Tetsuya Watari is a beast that dominates the narrative at the expense of any other actor/character making more than a passing impression. Since "GOH '75" is laser-focused on Ishikawa's messy life 94 min. is plenty of time to get his life story told. Toshiaki Tsushima's music and Hanjirô Nakazawa's cinematography contribute to the film's contagious grindhouse energy. 4 HOMELESS SIDEKICKS SUFFERING WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS (out of 5).
One of EIGHT features/music videos/TV movies he directed in 2002 alone, Takashi Miike is more interested in how Rikuo Ishimatsu's reign of terror impacts the Tokyo yakuza that welcomed him in and thought could deal with his violent impulses. Played by Gorô Kishitani as an irrational, emotionless tank that overreacts to perceived threats that aren't there, Rikuo is an even bigger scumbag here than in '75. This '02 version (which moves the story into the late 80's/early 90's but doesn't care that early aughts car models, fashions and TV tech constantly break the illusion) is almost 40 mins. longer than the '75 movie, but there are lots more supporting characters (including a Japanese John Goodman-like dude playing a cop) that get to have moments in the spotlight. Ryôsuke Miki stands out as the former cellmate of Ishimatsu (we only see them once in prison in an outdoor garden) that protects him long past the point he should. Though not as in-your-face gory as "Audition" or "Ichi The Killer" the blood flows regularly and the naked chicks are all over the place. A mellow jazz score and no-frills cinematography make "GOH '02" the lesser of the two adaptations, but worth seeing if you're a Miike fan/completist. 3.45 THUMBS IN NAPKINS AS YAKUZA BOSS APOLOGIES (out of 5).
The original Graveyard of Honor was my yakuza pick last year. Rikio is quite a nasty character. The film is very close in style to that of Fukasaku's Battles Without Honor and Humanity series.
Edward G. Robinson and his goons open up a luggage shop so they can tunnel into the bank next door. Unfortunately, all of the bank robbing goes wrong and all of the luggage selling goes right - customers keep flocking to their fake store. I had no idea that Robinson could be so funny, it's got a little romance, and even turns into a Christmas movie by the end. Watched on the four-pack DVD set called TCM Greatest Classic Gangsters: Edward G. Robinson.
A former drug kingpin gets released after a long prison sentence and returns to his crime empire, determined to wipe out all the competition and Robin Hood everything to New York's poor and needy, while the police are breathing down his neck.
Abel Ferrara's New York is an eerie place, perpetually dark and surprisingly empty of people. Christopher Walken carries the movie, he has a weird, twitchy energy that's just fascinating to watch every single second he's on screen. And young Laurence Fishburne perfects the gangster swagger.
I love Fishburne in this movie so much. His character is a cocky, brash, brutal murderer, but in the most charismatic, likeable way possible. Walken's performance is weird even for him, which is saying something, but it's perfect for the role ("twitchy" is a perfect descriptor). And the movie's just got a Snipes and a Caruso to burn.
Stacy Keach stars as a barely functioning alcoholic who steps in and tries to help when his friend's family is kidnapped by gangsters. What is most interesting is Keach's attempts to find and foil the kidnappers are put in jeopardy by his own drinking and end up failing over and over. The gangsters are very evil in this movie and the scenes between them and their hostages are disturbing. I think this is an excellent movie, although one I might not want to revisit any time soon.
(a junesploitation reflection: My FAVORITE thing about this month is getting so many great suggestions for so many sploitation genres from y'all. Also its a chance to check in and find out that in the last several years theres been a bunch of niche documentaries that dig into specific exploitation genres. Ive recently enjoyed ones covering: Sharksploitation, Ozsploiation, and Brucesploitation. When todays category showed up, i thought id check out a poliziotteschi flick but as i dont really know much about the genre, I wondered if there were any documentaries on the subject......)
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films (2012)
Absolutely loved this documentary which looks at the Italian "Poliziotteschi" cop/crime/gangster flicks of the 70s/80s. Tons of wonderful interviews, stories, and suggestions. Also its doubly applicable for todays theme as theres a section of it that delves into real life gangsters (aka organized crime) involvement in the creation of some of these movies.
DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME (1947) Boris Karloff goes full ham as Gruesome, a villain who robs banks using a paralyzing freeze gas. (“It’s not an ice ray, Johnny Snow!”) This is so cartoony and tongue-in-cheek that I can only conclude it’s canon with the 1990 movie. The humor reminds me of the ‘60s Batman TV show, where the silliest lines are delivered with absolute seriousness. So, yeah, this is hokey and campy, but I had a smile on my face the whole time.
COIN HEIST (2017) To save their impoverished school, four mismatched teens concoct a plan to hack the U.S. mint and print fake rare coins to sell for millions. This movie is very… dry. The crime plot is secondary to the teens’ romances, worries about their grades, and their relationships with their parents. The actual heist is low-key with little suspense over getting caught. I also find it hard to believe these kids are this altruistic and wouldn’t at least consider keeping the money for themselves. I recently enjoyed the Netflix series Fakes, and this movie needed some of that show’s fun, poppy energy.
Bonus Universal Monster-sploitation: THE INVISIBLE MAN’S REVENGE (1944) An escaped killer gets the invisibility formula and seeks out those who wronged him. This is a hidden gem among the later monster flicks, a twisty-turny crime caper with some great performances and effects.
This movie is singularly dependent on the performance of Michael Shannon, and he's terrific. However, I feel like there are some problems with tone here. Like, you're watching a master class in dramatic acting being given by Michael Shannon and Ray Liotta (and Winona Ryder), and then, they introduce the supporting characters and it's Chris Evans and David Schwimmer! Do you remember the episode of Friends when Rachel was dating "Russ," played by Schwimmer in a wig (and therefore not Ross)? It's as if they used the same hair and makeup here, and it kept taking me out of the movie. I'm not sure who thought this was a good idea.
In the Goldmoon Syndicate, various gangster factions control the business. When the CEO dies suddenly, the competition for the top spot riles up old rivalries between the candidates. The police also want to have some influence over the outcome in the leadership fight. The plot of New World is complicated and takes some major twists and turns. With many scenes going over-the-top in style, it is clear that this is not an attempt at realism. The influence of the gangster cinema from other parts of Asia is evident. I cannot say I was completely won over by New World, but it does have a great cast.
So. I'm browsing Instagram and there's a meme that's Maya Rudulph being super into it, and it says me at 12 years old when John Leguizamo first shows up as Tybalt. A clip is playing of him and there's Maya Rudolph transposed over being like "oh hell yes." And I was like, damn, I should watch this movie again...and today is GANGSTERS. It was meant to be.
I think this movie works more for me now than it did when I was younger. Had a blast with the high energy and music with the original language.
We really didn't know how good we had it in 2007. It's a shaggy movie, and not all of the characters are terribly compelling. However, almost every frame features Denzel, Crowe or Brolin, so I don't care about all that. And Ruby Dee, who basically has 3 scenes, walks away with the movie. I don't watch this one a ton, but when I do it's always compelling.
Long day at work, so opted to revisit a comfortable favorite rather than venture into the unknown.
Just a gem of a movie. A delightfully goofy comedy-of-errors plot full of lyrical, non-stop crackling dialogue, all set in a charmingly grungy, violent London underworld, with a perfect soundtrack.
It's like Tarantino's English twin wrote an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Scarface (1932) The original and still cham-peen. Few things in movie history are as foreboding and creepy as Paul Muni whistling the aria from Lucia Di Lamamoor. George Raft starts the trope of the gangster flipping the coin over and over. Howard Hawks marks each murder with an “X.” Essential viewing.
Machine Gun Kelly (1958, dir. Roger Corman). I liked this less than the other Corman offerings this month. It might be that I'm just starting to feel Junesploitation burnout. It was nice seeing a younger Charles Bronson as I've seen mostly his later work.
Across 110th Street (1972) Came into this one knowing nothing and with little expectations - totally blown away! Some surprisingly sharp writing amidst the bloody chaos.
GRAVEYARDS OF HONOR: ARROW TWO-DISC BLU-RAY BOX SET
ReplyDeleteFINJI FUKASAKU (1975, 94 min.)
TAKASHI MIIKE (2002, 131 min.), STREAMING ON TUBI
Like Akira Kurosawa and Jean Renoir taking era-appropriate cracks at adapting Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths" play, two Japanese master filmmakers make vastly-different-yet-thematically-similar adaptations of Goro Fujita's inspired-by-real-life novel about a self-destructive yakuza in post-WWII Tokyo. An easy-to-snap, uncontrollable human rage machine, Rikio Ishikawa ('75 version, renamed Rikuo Ishimatsu in the '02 adaptation) is eventually wanted by various yakuza clans (including his own) and the police for insubordination, gambling and murdering his bosses in cold blood. Both films feature an off-screen narrator filling in the blanks; the one in '75 is animated and engaged the '02 voice-over is infrequent, low-key and seems apologetic to interrupt. The only throughline both films share is the protagonist falling hard for a woman named Chieko (Yumi Takigawa in '75, Narimi Arimori in '02) that he abuses to escape a police raid, forces into sexual labor to support him and hooks-up with his own heroin addiction. Even by Junesploitation! standards Rikio is one deplorable, irredeemable and nasty scumbag of a low-life criminal. That these "Graveyard of Honor" adaptations turned out so good that I ended up liking both movies speaks volumes these filmmakers' storytelling prowess.
Not a stranger to gangster movies ("Yakuza Graveyard") or violent content (2000's "Battle Royale"), Finji Fukasaku makes some stylish choices for "GOH '75." Opening with documentary techniques (sepia-toned footage, childhood pics, VO narration) that return sporadically alongside a roving camera when dozens of gangsters get into fist fights/shootouts, order and chaos are a constant viewer companion through Rikio Ishikawa's journey. On-screen titles highlight which of the people we meet early as friends of Rikio will eventually become yakuza bosses trying to reign him in. Despite being a period piece chronicling a decade of Ishikawa's life ('45-'56) most clothing and sideburns scream 1970's. Red paint-as-blood crimson spills are common, but there's a dark sense of humor (the rock throwing siege between Rikio, the police and two warring yakuza clans) keeping the constant violent outbursts stylish. Tetsuya Watari is a beast that dominates the narrative at the expense of any other actor/character making more than a passing impression. Since "GOH '75" is laser-focused on Ishikawa's messy life 94 min. is plenty of time to get his life story told. Toshiaki Tsushima's music and Hanjirô Nakazawa's cinematography contribute to the film's contagious grindhouse energy. 4 HOMELESS SIDEKICKS SUFFERING WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS (out of 5).
One of EIGHT features/music videos/TV movies he directed in 2002 alone, Takashi Miike is more interested in how Rikuo Ishimatsu's reign of terror impacts the Tokyo yakuza that welcomed him in and thought could deal with his violent impulses. Played by Gorô Kishitani as an irrational, emotionless tank that overreacts to perceived threats that aren't there, Rikuo is an even bigger scumbag here than in '75. This '02 version (which moves the story into the late 80's/early 90's but doesn't care that early aughts car models, fashions and TV tech constantly break the illusion) is almost 40 mins. longer than the '75 movie, but there are lots more supporting characters (including a Japanese John Goodman-like dude playing a cop) that get to have moments in the spotlight. Ryôsuke Miki stands out as the former cellmate of Ishimatsu (we only see them once in prison in an outdoor garden) that protects him long past the point he should. Though not as in-your-face gory as "Audition" or "Ichi The Killer" the blood flows regularly and the naked chicks are all over the place. A mellow jazz score and no-frills cinematography make "GOH '02" the lesser of the two adaptations, but worth seeing if you're a Miike fan/completist. 3.45 THUMBS IN NAPKINS AS YAKUZA BOSS APOLOGIES (out of 5).
The original Graveyard of Honor was my yakuza pick last year. Rikio is quite a nasty character. The film is very close in style to that of Fukasaku's Battles Without Honor and Humanity series.
DeleteSexy Beast (2000)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen either of Glazer's early movies, so this is as good a time as any to start fixing that.
And now you can watch the prequel mini-series that came out last year
DeleteLarceny, Inc. (1942)
ReplyDeleteEdward G. Robinson and his goons open up a luggage shop so they can tunnel into the bank next door. Unfortunately, all of the bank robbing goes wrong and all of the luggage selling goes right - customers keep flocking to their fake store. I had no idea that Robinson could be so funny, it's got a little romance, and even turns into a Christmas movie by the end. Watched on the four-pack DVD set called TCM Greatest Classic Gangsters: Edward G. Robinson.
Robinson did at least one other gangster comedy (A Slight Case of Murder). He was a versatile actor.
DeleteKing of New York (1990, dir. Abel Ferrara)
ReplyDeleteA former drug kingpin gets released after a long prison sentence and returns to his crime empire, determined to wipe out all the competition and Robin Hood everything to New York's poor and needy, while the police are breathing down his neck.
Abel Ferrara's New York is an eerie place, perpetually dark and surprisingly empty of people. Christopher Walken carries the movie, he has a weird, twitchy energy that's just fascinating to watch every single second he's on screen. And young Laurence Fishburne perfects the gangster swagger.
I love Fishburne in this movie so much. His character is a cocky, brash, brutal murderer, but in the most charismatic, likeable way possible. Walken's performance is weird even for him, which is saying something, but it's perfect for the role ("twitchy" is a perfect descriptor). And the movie's just got a Snipes and a Caruso to burn.
DeleteThe Squeeze (1977, dir. Michael Apted)
ReplyDeleteStacy Keach stars as a barely functioning alcoholic who steps in and tries to help when his friend's family is kidnapped by gangsters. What is most interesting is Keach's attempts to find and foil the kidnappers are put in jeopardy by his own drinking and end up failing over and over. The gangsters are very evil in this movie and the scenes between them and their hostages are disturbing. I think this is an excellent movie, although one I might not want to revisit any time soon.
(a junesploitation reflection: My FAVORITE thing about this month is getting so many great suggestions for so many sploitation genres from y'all. Also its a chance to check in and find out that in the last several years theres been a bunch of niche documentaries that dig into specific exploitation genres. Ive recently enjoyed ones covering: Sharksploitation, Ozsploiation, and Brucesploitation. When todays category showed up, i thought id check out a poliziotteschi flick but as i dont really know much about the genre, I wondered if there were any documentaries on the subject......)
ReplyDeleteEurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films (2012)
Absolutely loved this documentary which looks at the Italian "Poliziotteschi" cop/crime/gangster flicks of the 70s/80s. Tons of wonderful interviews, stories, and suggestions. Also its doubly applicable for todays theme as theres a section of it that delves into real life gangsters (aka organized crime) involvement in the creation of some of these movies.
DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME (1947)
ReplyDeleteBoris Karloff goes full ham as Gruesome, a villain who robs banks using a paralyzing freeze gas. (“It’s not an ice ray, Johnny Snow!”) This is so cartoony and tongue-in-cheek that I can only conclude it’s canon with the 1990 movie. The humor reminds me of the ‘60s Batman TV show, where the silliest lines are delivered with absolute seriousness. So, yeah, this is hokey and campy, but I had a smile on my face the whole time.
COIN HEIST (2017)
To save their impoverished school, four mismatched teens concoct a plan to hack the U.S. mint and print fake rare coins to sell for millions. This movie is very… dry. The crime plot is secondary to the teens’ romances, worries about their grades, and their relationships with their parents. The actual heist is low-key with little suspense over getting caught. I also find it hard to believe these kids are this altruistic and wouldn’t at least consider keeping the money for themselves. I recently enjoyed the Netflix series Fakes, and this movie needed some of that show’s fun, poppy energy.
Bonus Universal Monster-sploitation: THE INVISIBLE MAN’S REVENGE (1944)
An escaped killer gets the invisibility formula and seeks out those who wronged him. This is a hidden gem among the later monster flicks, a twisty-turny crime caper with some great performances and effects.
The Iceman (2012)
ReplyDeleteThis movie is singularly dependent on the performance of Michael Shannon, and he's terrific. However, I feel like there are some problems with tone here. Like, you're watching a master class in dramatic acting being given by Michael Shannon and Ray Liotta (and Winona Ryder), and then, they introduce the supporting characters and it's Chris Evans and David Schwimmer! Do you remember the episode of Friends when Rachel was dating "Russ," played by Schwimmer in a wig (and therefore not Ross)? It's as if they used the same hair and makeup here, and it kept taking me out of the movie. I'm not sure who thought this was a good idea.
NEW WORLD (2013, dir. Park Hoon-Jung)
ReplyDeleteIn the Goldmoon Syndicate, various gangster factions control the business. When the CEO dies suddenly, the competition for the top spot riles up old rivalries between the candidates. The police also want to have some influence over the outcome in the leadership fight. The plot of New World is complicated and takes some major twists and turns. With many scenes going over-the-top in style, it is clear that this is not an attempt at realism. The influence of the gangster cinema from other parts of Asia is evident. I cannot say I was completely won over by New World, but it does have a great cast.
William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996)
ReplyDeleteSo. I'm browsing Instagram and there's a meme that's Maya Rudulph being super into it, and it says me at 12 years old when John Leguizamo first shows up as Tybalt. A clip is playing of him and there's Maya Rudolph transposed over being like "oh hell yes." And I was like, damn, I should watch this movie again...and today is GANGSTERS. It was meant to be.
I think this movie works more for me now than it did when I was younger. Had a blast with the high energy and music with the original language.
American Gangster (2007)
ReplyDeleteWe really didn't know how good we had it in 2007. It's a shaggy movie, and not all of the characters are terribly compelling. However, almost every frame features Denzel, Crowe or Brolin, so I don't care about all that. And Ruby Dee, who basically has 3 scenes, walks away with the movie. I don't watch this one a ton, but when I do it's always compelling.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
ReplyDeleteLong day at work, so opted to revisit a comfortable favorite rather than venture into the unknown.
Just a gem of a movie. A delightfully goofy comedy-of-errors plot full of lyrical, non-stop crackling dialogue, all set in a charmingly grungy, violent London underworld, with a perfect soundtrack.
It's like Tarantino's English twin wrote an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Scarface (1932)
ReplyDeleteThe original and still cham-peen.
Few things in movie history are as foreboding and creepy as Paul Muni whistling the aria from Lucia Di Lamamoor. George Raft starts the trope of the gangster flipping the coin over and over. Howard Hawks marks each murder with an “X.” Essential viewing.
Machine Gun Kelly (1958, dir. Roger Corman). I liked this less than the other Corman offerings this month. It might be that I'm just starting to feel Junesploitation burnout. It was nice seeing a younger Charles Bronson as I've seen mostly his later work.
ReplyDeleteAcross 110th Street (1972)
ReplyDeleteCame into this one knowing nothing and with little expectations - totally blown away! Some surprisingly sharp writing amidst the bloody chaos.
THE GENTLEMEN (2019):
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a movie THIS full of things I hate.