Takeshi Kitano's Films Ranked Best To Worst

My first article is up on Taste Of Cinema.

It's a comprehensive list ranking all of Takeshi Kitano's directorial filmography from best to worst.

Give it a read. And let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Sonatine Review 1993 Japan ソナチネ Takeshi Kitano

A real masterpiece. Kitano at his finest. An incredible piece of cinema!

Kitano stars as Murakawa, an extremely powerful and intimidating Yakuza. As one of the most trusted in the gang, he is sent on a mission with some of his men to Okinawa to help end a dispute between rival factions. This is no easy task as chaos erupts around them. Realising they have been had, Murakawa and his men decide to retreat and lay low at a seaside hideaway.

From the trailer and synopsis you might be lead to believe this is an action Yakuza film. But it's far from it. There is shoot outs at the beginning and end, and a few set pieces in between. But a large chunk of the film is Kitano and his men just killing time at a beach, and that's actually when the film is most interesting and entertaining.

Like his acclaimed and arguably best film Hana-Bi, Sonatine is a relatively peaceful film but with moments of extreme violence inserted in.

Some of the games the men play to kill time are a real highlight of the film. Such as shooting cans off of each others head. Or Russian roulette, with Murakawa(Kitano) joining in, you never know what to expect. And lastly, after playing a game with paper Sumo wrestlers, they decide to have a go for real. After a Sumo match, the paper Sumo game almost becomes real. While the men stand frozen like the paper wrestlers and the spectators bang the floor around them while they bounce up and down and into one another. Truly bizarre yet highly entertaining.

Another beautiful dream like soundtrack composed by the excellent Joe Hisaishi. The main theme is spectacular and sets the mood of the entire film.

Hana-Bi may be Kitano's masterpiece. But part of me will always prefer the charm and wit of Sonatine. Hidden behind all the juvenile games and humour, there is actually a deep moving story.

A truly fantastic must see film.

9/10

Scene At The Sea Review 1991 Japan Takeshi Kitano あの夏、いちばん静かな海。

A very deep yet extremely subtle film from Kitano which keeps you captivated without any Yakuza, guns or action.

Shigeru(Kuroudo Make) is a gloomy deaf rubbish collector whose life is changed when he stumbles across an abandoned surfboard. His dedicated girlfriend Takako(Hiroko Oshima) who also suffers from a hearing impairment, helps Shigeru on his mission to learn the sport of surfing.

A Scene At The Sea is one of Kitano’s finest works. Even though it is pretty much the polar opposite of his style and what he is known and loved for in the West. This is an example of why Takeshi Kitano really is a master of cinema.

A fantastic slice-of-life drama which doesn't feature much dialogue, yet you still deeply care for and understand the characters. There is also no fancy camera work with many long cuts and static shots but there are plenty of beautifully framed shots of the sea, beach and the lively cast.

The love story between the two leads is told beautifully. Without actually having any proper conversations between them, you still learn about their relationship and know exactly how they feel about one another. It's a real simple story, with wonderful characters, some light humour, and enough story to keep your attention but still being emotional and pure.

A Scene At The Sea also marked the first collaboration with director Kitano and composer Joe Hisaishi. Joe is renowned for his Studio Ghibli soundtracks, and in this film he delivers a stunning, sometimes haunting soundtrack which fits the film like a glove. The main theme is uplifting and catching and will be stuck in your head for days.

Third Window Films have done a tremendous job with this release. Like their other Kitano releases, this is another 2k remaster and the film looks better than ever. The tones and colours are faithful and the quality and clarity of detail looks stunning. This is a massive upgrade from the DVD release. A bonus of the TWF release is an all new audio commentary by film critic Jasper Sharp which is incredibly insightful and entertaining.

One of the most accessible Kitano films yet still quite unsual! Couldn't recommend this one enough.

8/10

Available here from Third Window Films

(Original trailer. Not remastered quality)

Boiling Point Review 1990 Japan Takeshi Kitano ３－４Ｘ１０月

Boiling Point

An extremely fun early outing from cinematic genius Takeshi Kitano. Although not as polished as some of his later work, it's still a fine film and an important stepping point in Kitano’s career.

Masaki(Masahiko Ono) is a simple reserved man, who loves his motorbike and playing on his baseball team. After accidentally crossing a member of the local Yakuza, he flees to Okinawa to buy a gun to help defend himself. Upon arrival he ends up being befriended by a psychotic gangster Uehara (Takeshi Kitano) who is also looking for revenge on the Yakuza.

Boiling Point is important in many ways for Kitano, the main being it is his first film as writer. And his second as director. You can really see the charms, themes and style Kitano becomes famous for throughout this career.

One of the key surprise elements to this film is the visual comedy. Takeshi previously working as a stand up comedian which really perfected his comedy timing, and Boiling Point is full of great, sometimes disturbing comedy with real laugh out loud moments. Some of the gags including showing the setup, and the punch line, without the in between. Such as a young punk acting cocky and riding a motorbike for the first time with no license. Then later showing him sitting on the ground with his face bloody and the bike smashed. The film is full of great visual jokes like this.

Of course some would say the comedy would be used to balance out Takeshi’s other trademark, which is rampant in this film, violence. Boiling Point has plenty of slow paced violent shoot outs, people getting beaten and slapped about and even a few hints of sexual assault.

The majority of the violence is down to Kitano’s character Uehara who is a complete psychopath. He is extremely crude, disturbing and bordering on insane. But also charming and absorbing. One of the flaws of this film was how little screen-time Uehara had. Unless it was done purposely to leave you wanting more and leaving the character mysterious.

Boiling Point is a very minimal film. With long cuts, and no music. Although another Joe Hisaishi soundtrack would have been excellent, it doesn't feel needed for this film, it works on it's own and still manages to deliver emotion without any help.

A great Kitano film, not his best but a worthwhile and enjoyable effort. Still a must see for Kitano and Yakuza fans. But newcomers to the Cinema of Takeshi Kitano who lust for the gangster/violence films might want to start with ‘Violent Cop’ or ‘Sonatine’ instead.

7.5/10

Very unusual trailer

Spotlight on Takeshi Kitano this week!

I recently picked up the UK release Takeshi Kitano Collection featuring 6 of his classics on DVD. 

Violent Cop, Boiling Point, Getting Any?, Scene At The Sea, Kids Return and Sonatine.

Currently working my way through the boxset so over the next week I will have reviews uploaded for each film.

For those who don't know who Kitano is, or have never seen any of his films, you are in for a treat.

When I mention him to people who say they don't know who he is, I always inform them that he was the person who had the hit international show Takeshi's Castle. Which most people know about.

Or I tell them he was the teacher in Battle Royale. Which is how I discovered this wonderful actor and director. After Seeing his excellent performance in Battle Royale, I went around trying to track down any of his films I could. This eventually led me to a trilogy boxset by Tokyo Bullet featuring Violent Cop, Sonatine and Boiling Point. From then on, I was hooked!

I would now consider myself a big fan of Beat Takeshi, he is one of my all time favourite directors, and after seeing all his work I decided to revisit some of his classics with this 6 disc set.

So stay tuned and look out for the reviews which will be up every other day this week.