5 Takashi Miike Films You Have to See

It’s no secret that I am a Japan-o-phile when it comes to cinema. From my love of Godzilla to my infatuation with the style of bizarro humor often found in the culture, I just feel like Japan does it right when it comes to entertainment.

On to my obsession with filmmaker, Takashi Miike. A man who holds the top spot on my list of kick ass Directors. Many people stateside know of his work on “The Audition” and “Ichi the Killer”. And truly, all of his films are worth a look, but these five gems are absolute must-sees from his body of work:

Visitor Q

This gut-twisting look at a middle-class Japanese family is disturbing, brutal, and funny. This feature, shot completely on video, showcases Miike’s filmmaking ability by using  such a frowned upon medium and making it work. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but be warned that this movie is extremely graphic… And not in a way that most gorehounds and skin-flick lovers typically appreciate. It just gets too real at times.

Gozu

Detractors like to refer to “Gozu” as Miike’s Lynch rip-off film. Surely, the similarities are there, but David Lynch never made anything this awesome.

Dead Or Alive

Another of Miike’s many Yakuza films. The opening sequence to this film alone is worth the price of admission!

Happiness of the Katakuris

Miike made a Japanese musical… Need I say more?

Imprint

As an example of just how chickensh*t Hollywood is, Miike was invited to do an episode of “Masters of Horror”, only to have the episode rejected by premium channel Showtime for being too extreme. Did they not vet this man’s previous works?

This post is part of the Japanese Cinema Blogathon hosted by Cinema Fanatic and Japan Cinema. Please donate by clicking the link below to send relief to Japan during this terrible crisis.