I know a lot of horror fans don’t like to read subtitles but if you’re passing up films because of it. You missing a hell of a lot of great stuff. Now there’s a lot to choose from in this category but here are some of my favorites. Sorry no creepy black haired ghosts this time around.

Onibaba [Demon Woman]
d. Kaneto Shindo 1964 103 min B&W
Criterion DVD 2.35:1
Welcome to a strange Japanese creeper shot entirely in a field a tall reeds, is a tale that comes from folk lore. In 14th century Japan a woman and her daughter-in-law in war time kill Samurai’s passing by to sell there weapons and cloths for food. One day a scum bag comes back from the war and the young woman starts shagging him nightly while the old one is none to pleased. So when she kills a samurai with a mask, she uses it to scare the shag right out of the young one. So to speak. But these things never work in the movies, basically. Oddly compelling & recommended. a. k. a. The Demon, Devil Woman, The Hole, The Ogress, The Witch

Guinea Pig 2: Flower of Flesh and Blood
d. Hideshi Hino 1985 44 min Color
Yes fiends this is the one that caused the stink a way back when actor Charlie Sheen turned it over to the authorities, which is not really a bad thing, sure it shows some stupidly on his part, but it got some well-deserved attention. But that is old news. The meatiest & grizzliest, and by far the best slab in the “Za Ginipiggu – The Guinea Pig” series. A direct and right to the sticky blood saturated point. It’s a joyful event when a snaggle toothed Samaria warrior with a ‘near Darth Vader’ helmet, captures a poor young unfortunate woman and performs a ritual of ultimate love. In which---he shoots her up with a drug to keep her awake and feel pleasure, as he slowly cuts her up; dismembering limbs, cutting up her torso and ripping out her guts in very graphic gory as it gets detail, with painfully realistic looking f/x. This is one blood soaked atrocity torture loving gore hounds won’t want to miss. Note: This DVD thing is the greatest but this is one case that a multi generation dub like my first experience, [you know where just that little bit of the top of the screen pulls to one side. Giving it that this has been watched to many times look] with no subs is the best way to see it for the first time. Giving it much more of the intended snuff video look. a. k. a. Chiniku No Hana

A Chinese Ghost Story
d. Ching Sui Tung 1987 92 min Color
Media Asia DVD w/ About the Film, Theatrical Trailer, Trailers 1.85:1
If you’re skeptical about the Asian scene you must see this Hong Kong horror spectacular and if you are a fan, its down right required. Elegant, romantic, lavish, artsy, funny, creepy, thick with eerie atmosphere, crazy, to over the top outrageousness, just about everything is to be had here. Directing, editing and the beautiful photography all at a neck break pace plus without a doubt it rings “Evil Dead”, meaning this is a winner for sure. Join our fearless tax collecting and very lucky hero as he narrowly escapes death to save a beautiful ghost---who is under the control a vampire--- from being married to a demonic Lord Black. Joined by a sword swing monk with killer hand rays they encounter one hell of a ride with corpse people, monstrous creatures, a transvestite tree demon, people flying around, head spinning sword play, insane choreographed fighting sequences and the biggest tongue cinema will ever see. Media Asia DVD is a beautiful lbx’d print that seems to be CUT from 98 to 92 minutes. So what the hell could I possibly be missing? Followed by “A Chinese Ghost Story 2 and 3”.

Men Behind the Sun
d. T. E. Mous 1988 100 min Color
Dead Alive Productions Fullframe
Here it is---the notorious Chinese torture camp epic that depicts the horrors that occurred at the Japanese bacteriological medical camp by squadron 731. Lt. Colonel Shiro Ishii is a corrupt surgeon that heads the camp that is training the youth corp. Basically, ghastly experiments carried out on Chinese, Mongol and Russian citizens---much to my delight---attempting to create germ warfare. Experiments that are all in graphic detail, real autopsy, flaying, limbs frozen and smashed, skin ripped off, pressures tanks etc. you know, the fun stuff. Shot with a documentary feel this looks to be a rather serious film showing the real life horrors and war crimes committed during WW 2. But gore-hounds got a hold of it and it’s since become a treasured atrocity. Followed up with “Laboratory of the Devil”, “Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape” and “Black Sun: The Nanking Massacre”. a. k. a. Hei Tai Yang 731, Squadron 731

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
d. Nam Nai Choi 1991 87 min Color
Tokyo Shock DVD w/ Theatrical Trailer, Cast & Crew Bios & Filmographies
Hyper violent Chinese madness, mayhem and gore galore, this is by far the most insane martial arts not to mention the bloodiest sap in the slammer flick I’ve ever seen. A splatter cult classic is what you get with this highly entertaining riotous affair. Ricky is sentenced to a maximum security prison after murdering druggie thugs that killed his girlfriend. He finds the prison is run by more corrupt thugs known as the Gang of 4 that don’t like him one bit. When the other inmate’s side with Ricky a worried warden sends his thugs to stop him, but Ricky isn’t going to take shit from anyone. No matter what they dish out [which is plenty] Ricky can take it. He even triumphs over the warden when he meta-morphs into a 12 foot tall Hiruko Goblin. You’ll be cheering the Rick-ster to victory by the films finish. Marvel as holes are punched though bodies, heads and limbs get smashed, guts ripped out, these are just a few of the plentiful tender moments here. Outrageous, funny, gory and violent, it’s code red all the way. For the completest there is also an animated version. This puppy rules and sits proudly in my Cathedral of Demoni. Finally available for consumption by the masses on Tokyo Shock DVD.

Tetsuo: The Iron Man
d. Greg Nickson 1992 67 min B&W
Image Entertainment DVD Fullframe
WOW! This one is mind melter. Hmm, ok, hmm, Now if you’re looking for something really insane weird that travels at about 125 miles per hour right from the get go, and you like stark black & white with very well done kinetic camera work, intense editing, perverse sex, crazy humor, sped up shots, springs, wires, gears, jaw dropping F/X, and stop motion shots. This hyper insane splatter punk Japanese mayhem is for you. Watch a man’s day go from bad to down right fucked up when flesh and metal come together and become one. Infected by a metal cut our man mutates into a frenzied out of control [you read the title] Iron Man. Adult themes apply here so younger viewers minds may be turned to mush. If you are one of the I’ve never done acid, but would like to see what a trip can be like. Then By all means take a look at this. In Japanese with English subs though dialogue is very scarce, this defiantly applies for fans of “Eraserhead”, “Begotten” and “Salome and the Forbidden”. Is not only a very unique movie, it’s an experience. Can you pass the “Tetsuo: The Iron Man Acid Test”???

The Untold Story
d. Herman Yau 1992 95 min Color
Tai Seng DVD w/ Trailers 1.85:1
This notorious---and most rightfully so--hardcore Category III Hong Kong horror black comedy thriller [based on a true story] is one brutal movie. It kicked my brain in the groin, making slabs like “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” look like a little kids movie. I make my wife watch a lot of this crazy stuff and she takes it in stride. But in this case she certainly thought it not only pushed the envelope but went over the line at one point. Anthony Wong [in a role that won him an award] easily out creeps just about every one I can think of [‘cept ole Mr. Maniac “It’s got to stop” Joe Spindell] as a vile sadistic serial killer/restaurant owner that has absolutely no regard for human life. Men, women and children, it makes no matter, Wong plays hack em’ up and takes over his partners business, The Eight Immortals Restaurant where he gets rid of the evidence by making tasty people pies or pork buns for the P C crowd. If extreme mean spirited violence, rape and blood shed give you that warm tingly feeling, this certainly delivers the goods in spades. Here’s the part my wife found truly disturbing. The unforgettable, unsettling family slaughter sequence, that is sure to be engraved on the minds of the O-ffendies for years to come. Although I seriously doubt any of them will get that far though this [wonderful] atrocity to see it. Equally impressive is the score. a. k. a .Ba Xian fan dian zhi ren rou cha shao bao, Bunman: The Untold Story, Human Meat Pies: The Untold Story, Human Pork Chop, The Untold Story: Human Meat Roast Pork Buns

The Eternal Evil of Asia
d. Man Kei Chin 1995 89 min Color
Tai Seng Video DVD w/ Trailer 1.66:1
Man I love these crazy Asian flicks. No exception here---bizarre is a bit of an under statement for this Category III Hong Kong horror---more sex than gore---comedy, that’s chock full of wizards, enchantments, [I’m pretty sure this is the only time I’ve seen someone turned into a real live dick-head], voodoo dolls, sex, hexes & spells, ghost-zombies, splat and splatters of gore [like the guy that eats his own arm], one wild sex scene and onward it plunders. I know there is a story in here somewhere [some pish about ghosts turning people in to sex slaves or some posh like it] but between the read ‘em fast subs, an onslaught of bizarre imagery, beautiful babes and kinetic photography, I’m not ashamed to say I lost track; not that it really mattered. Endlessly weird for those that like their Asian cinema on the wild & wacky side. a. k. a. “Nan yang shi da xie shu

Evil Dead Trap
d. Toshiharu Ikeda 1998 100 min Color
Synapse Films DVD w/Theatrical trailer, Audio Commentary with the director and SPFX manager Shinichi Wakasa
Here’s a prime example of positive Asian Cult Cinema. Nami is a talk show host that’s looking for interesting video to feature on her show. Along comes a video of an unseen person hacking up and torturing a woman. So with some of her buddies they track down the abandon factory were the deed took place to investigate. They quickly find themselves at the mercy of a black cloaked killer. One by one Nami’s buddies meet there maker leaving her to face the killer alone. It follows some slasher guide lines in a good way; trapped with a killer, separated for the kill, but it doesn’t stop there. Hell no---this features some down right mean spirited body violation with impressive gory f/x, there’s Agento-esque camera work with the occasional “Evil Dead” Demon camera effect and Goblin inspired musical score. This is pretty stylishly effective stuff to behold. The also the excellent “Hideki---Evil Dead Trap 2” followed and I believe there was even a third.

Audition
d. Takashi Miike 1999 120 min Color
American Cinematheque DVD w/Theatrical trailers, Interview with the Director, Directors Commentary, Takashi Miike Bio/Filmography, Photo Gallery, Liner Notes 1.85:1
Takashi Miike is a very interesting Japanese film maker on the scene with delights like “Visitor Q” ‘01 and “Ichi: The Killer” ‘01. Seven years after a movie producer’s wife dies he decides it’s time to move on. So he and a friend devise a plan to have a false movie audition so he can hand select a new candidate for a wife. He finds what he believes to be his perfect partner and bride to be. This first hour is on a drama filled slow side and about the time you start to wonder if this is even a horror flick. This pup kicks into gear and starts building suspense and then Bam!!---things get ugly. Yes the final reel of the film is when all the sadistic horror sets in and it’s a site to behold I assure you. This has some pretty nifty direction and the acting is also up to snuff including clever use of flashbacks. In Japanese language with easy to read subs.

Wild Zero
d. Tetsuro Takeuchi 2000 99 min Color
Dragon Pictures 1.66:1
The town of Asahi-cho is invaded by extraterrestrials and out of nowhere come zombies that threaten the very lives of Ace the nerdy hair combing hero, his new found love Tobio and his rock n roll blood brother Guitar Wolf. Riotous and funny as all get out Japanese zombie madness with tons o’ zombies, exploding heads, a hyper Guitar Wolf trash rock n roll score, and a heap of cult classicity. Like Ace says: “I swear by my leather jacket and rock n roll”. In Japanese with subs. Notable Subs: “ Why’d she have to be a guy? Why can’t things go right? Why is there shit like this? What the fuck is going on? There is no god here!”

Living Hell
d. Shugo Fujii 2000 104 min Color
Subversive Cinema DVD w/4 Shorts, Deleted Scenes, Trailers & Previews, Storyboards, Directors bio 1.85:1
I picked this up on a whim not knowing anything about it. And I must say I wasn’t expecting such wonderfully disturbing sure fire cla-sick. Yasu is a wheelchair bound sap that is seeing and hearing strange things leaving his family to think he is going crazy. But that is the least of his problems when his mute ‘creepiest’ grandmother EVER and her zombie eyed granddaughter move in and start up a daily regiment of torture and mind games. Called “The Japanese Chainsaw Massacre [minus the chainsaw]” this rocks the house with psychological horror, sadistic cruelty, it’s sheer creepiness, maddening score, solid story and direction with a mysterious family secret unraveled within it all. Maybe I need help but I also found it funny. Looks like we have a serious breakdown in family values here. Notable Subs: “I’ll bet those eyeballs will taste real good”. In English or Japanese with subs. a. k. a. Iki-jigoku

Versus
d. Ryuhei Kitamura 2000 120 min Color
Media Blasters DVD w/ Trailers 1.78:1
Been getting into Japanese horror lately and this rip roaring new millennium zombie entry certainly applies. Prisoner KSC2-303 escapes from a maximum security prison and is on the run from gangsters and becomes our pistol packin trench coat wearing karate hero. They proceed to blow the crap out of each other only to discover they are in the ‘Forest of Resurrection’ which happens to be the 444th portal of hell; a zombie breeding ground. Crazy fighting, round after round of discharged ammo, a few laughs, Romero-esque zombies, ton’s o’ gore with heads blown to bits, guts flying, limbs lost, loads of action, interesting photography, and hyper violence all the way. The “What’s the deal? This is a left hand.” sequence is one for the books. Thank Media Blasters for an excellent DVD Directors Cut dubbed in English.

Crazy Lips
d. Hirohisa Sasaki 2000 95 min Color
Adnesss DVD Interviews, Behind-the-scenes 1.85:1
Wow---I’m not sure where to start, this covers a lot of territory, and it’s all good. Ok slugs and slug-ettes, here is a cla-sick bad taste severely twisted horror comedy that’s a must see for Asian fans; and beyond for that matter. Satomi is trying to prove that her brother is not the killer of 4 local girls who had their heads chopped off. So she hire’s a wacky psychic and her henchman who rapes her mother for a séance/ ceremony to contact the beheaded girls. And that just gets things started. What follows is a very bizarre ride that is a little sick, with violent cruelty, more rape, bloody violence, kung-fu fighting, musical numbers and dark humor that’s down right funny at times. A great fun film all the way around. In Japanese with subs, from the writer of the “Ringu” series. There is a sequel too titled “Gore From Outer Space”. a. k. a. Hakkyousuru kuchibiru

Happiness of the Katakuris
d. Takashi Miike 2001 112 min Color
DVD 1.85:1
Yes it’s time for another mind bending entry from the talented Takashi Miike. Here we find a kinder more gentle Miike in this remake of the Korean film “The Quiet Family”, a very good film but Miike makes it great. Here we have a very creative musical comedy with a little horror of course. Behold one summer’s events with the Katakuris family whose fathers dream is to pull the family together to open there guest house. Thing is, every one who stays dies unexpectedly. So its plastic sheets and rope and then out to the back yard for burial. After all we can’t have the police ruining the guest house dream now can we. This is a strange one, a real strange one, and quite funny with song and dance numbers, a touch of psychedelia, cool stop motion claymation and the fact that you’ve never seen anything quite like it. Join in and you to can be ‘Happy’ like the Katakuris. Japanese language with subs. a. k. a. Katakuri-ke no kôfuku