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tunes: Massive Attack - Angel

Quote of the day: "WARNING: This motion picture contains explicit portrayals of violence; sex; violent sex; sexual violence; clowns and violent scenes of violent excess, which are definitely not suitable for all audiences." - Dead or Alive

Dead or Alive - Japanese with English Subtitles

Reasons why Dead or Alive kicked my ass:

- Hyper frenetic multiple scenes opening frenzy (1..2...3!)
- Ramen expulsion action
- Ryuichi's super orgasmic Yakuza gangster badass jet black hair.
- Guy on spinning wheel going 'Oh yeah, oh yeah' when sock puppet clamps on his package.
- That rooftop looks quite familiar... doesn't it?
- NYPD Blue - American pop culture reference?!?!
- Russian roulette is funny
- Shit pool bath. Soaking in your own filth. LITERALLY.
- Gun-fu. Woo would be proud.
- Insane ending to make a mediocre Miike film worthwhile.

Dead or Alive gets a B. It's not a bad movie if you watch it to the end. Sure, the first 10 or so minutes of complete craziness is just exciting and just gives you that feeling of sheer anticipation since you believe that the rest of the movie will follow suit. But no, Miike is slick. After that, it's just subdued and the story kinda sorta drags and you just want to turn off the damn movie already. Make the shit stop. However, if I had to rate the movie based solely on the cheesy and completely unexpected ending, then I'd give it an A.

Plot summary courtesy of imdb: "Without a home and feeling no obligation to Japanese society or Yakuza, Ryuichi (Takeuchi Riki) and his small group decide to make their own place by trying to take over the Shinjuku underworld and the drug trade from Taiwan. As they plan an all-out-assault on the remaining Chinese and Japanese mafia kings, only Detective Jojima (Aikawa Sho) stands between them and complete domination."

Today I learned: Yes, I can take in lots of alcohol, despite lack of serious drinking since I was 19. Oh yeah, THANK GOD SEPTA WILL NOT BE GOING ON STRIKE! Phew. Glad I can still go to my jobs. This is going to be a BUSY fucking week! :D

Upcoming movie reviews: Spellbound, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Movies to see: Battle of Algiers, Spartan, Trilogy: On the Run, The Return, Running Out of Time 2