AUDITION (1999)

Director: Takashi Miike

Synopsis: A widowed movie producer takes up a friend’s offer to hold fake auditions for a non-existent movie with the secret purpose of screening women to find a new wife. He falls in love with one of the women, but she ends up being more than she appears.

My take: Brilliantly crafted film by Miike, definitely one of his best works and one of the most frightening psychological horror films ever made. At first, Audition seems like its just a simple love story, with little hints here and there that something is amiss. But, its really a uniquely designed set up – the first hour and a half of the story is deliberately slow paced, nearly boring, specifically intended just to build up to the last 20 minutes, which turns out to be, in contrast, one of the most extremely intense and terrifying 20 minutes of film ever. The ending does not disappoint, it leaves the viewer in shock. A true masterpiece of horror.


Best use of vomit: The bowlful of vomit served to Asami’s prisoner was apparently the actress’s real vomit – she insisted on making it as realistic as possible.

4 out of 4 Zombie Faces

FRENZY (1972)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Synopsis: A serial murderer/rapist is stalking women in London. When Richard Blaney’s ex-wife turns up as the latest victim, he becomes the police’s top suspect. While trying to evade the police, Blaney must find the true killer to prove his innocence.

My take: This often overlooked gem was Hitchcock’s final horror movie. It is very entertaining, probably my 3rd favorite Hitchcock overall. This strays from typical Hitchcock in that it has notably more adult content than any of his other films (it was actually rated X in England when it was released). But, in true Hitchcock style, even the most graphic scenes (rape, disposal of corpses) are filled with clever black humor. It has all the elements of great Hitchcock – the wrongly accused man, a great blend of action/suspense/terror, and some really wonderful camera work/directing. I think this edgier stuff is what Hitchcock films would have been like if he had lived longer.


Favorite scene: The killer loses his tie pin and has to go back to the scene of his last murder to retrieve it. His struggle with the corpse (rigor mortis has set in) is disturbing and hilarious.

4 out of 4 Zombie Faces

ICHI THE KILLER (2001)

Director: Takashi Miike

Synopsis: A Yakuza boss disappears along with 100 million yen. His number two, the sadomasochistic Kakihara (the bad-ass looking guy on the DVD covers) leads his gang on a mission to find the boss, using unorthodox torture methods, which draws the anger of the Yakuza. This part of the plot is pretty straight-forward, but its only a fraction of the overall story. I won’t bother to try to explain the Ichi character here because its way too complicated and bizarre. This one definitely requires multiple viewings for every little piece to fall into place, as there are tons of minor charcters and subplots. Let’s just say that this is not going to be what you expect.

My take: Wow. Definitely one of the most unique films I have ever seen. Most of Takashi Miike’s films are wildly creative; Ichi is the culmination of all of his innovative storytelling techniques. Many will take offense at the excessive ultra-violence (people getting things cut off – tongues, nipples, faces, brutal prostitute beatings, Kakihara chewing off someone’s hand, plenty of blood spraying out of open jugulars, gotta love Miike) but I feel it is so over-the-top and humorous that it often becomes cartoony and can’t be taken too seriously. The story, the characters, the acting, the directing, all top-notch. Nearly flawless.


Best death: The deaths really aren’t a big deal here, its more about the general carnage and gore that doesn’t necessarily result in death (just lots of pain and disfigurement). If I had to pick a death though, it would be the pimp getting cut in half by Ichi.

Favorite scene: The final rooftop showdown between Kakihara and Ichi.

4 out of 4 Zombie Faces