Now, I am not too proud to admit that Hellbound was a bit of a disappointment. It has to do with hard math, like, the ratio of Jackson and tomfoolery to roundhouse kicks and lasers. To make it up to you and my brain (which still smarts over the whole thing), this month's selection is all "classic" and "artistic" and "rated 8.0 on imdb in case you think that means anything"...that's right, it can only be one movie: Kaneto Shindo's Onibaba (1964). Here's the Netflix summary, where it happens to be on instant watch:
During the great war-torn upheaval in medieval Japan, a poverty-stricken mother and her daughter-in-law scratch out a desperate existence by murdering lost samurai, disposing of their bodies and selling their belongings for grain. But when a neighbor returns from the war, lust, jealousy and rage threaten to drive a wedge between the mother and daughter-in-law. It isn't long before the presence of an ominous demon mask seals the trio's fate.That's right. We're classin' up the joint this go-round!
The film: OnibabaThe due date: Monday, October 4
What you do:
- Review the movie on your site. Add a link to Final Girl in there somewhere. If you've reviewed the film before, that's fine- but you must retrofit your review with a link to FG to be included in my round-up.
- Email your link to me at stacieponder at gmail dot com. Put 'film club' or some such in the subject line.
- Bask in the warm, glowing, warming glow of Film Club Day. Easy, breezy, et cetera et cetera.
10 comments:
Oooh...I saw this one about a dozen years ago, but I'm due for a re-watch. Plus I haven't participated int the Film Club in a while. I'm in!
Nice choice! I started watching this a few months ago but stopped one day and forgot to start again.....my mind does that sometimes. But I look forward to finally finshing. Wise indeed.
I love love love this movie.
Yes! This is an Ivanlandia fave!
Thanks!
GREAT choice. I have seen this, but only once maybe 5 years ago, so I will be happy to revisit. Although it's usually classified as horror, it strikes me as more of a dark fairy tale of sorts (not that it matters).
There's a lot of good classic Japanese horror that are still unavailable in the US, although I do know that Criterion will be releasing Bodysnatchers From Hell and a few others at some point (although it's somewhat sci-fi-ish). The Toho Dracula movies, for example, are pretty rad. Ghost Story Yotsuya (1959) is another favorite. Criterion also put out Jigoku by the same director, so I would recommend that if you haven't seen it. A dude is sent to a Japanese version of hell, so you know it's friggin' CRAZY. It's also considered the first gore movie, beating Blood Feast to the punch by a full 3 years. Well I'm ramblin' now...g'day:)
Aw yeah, Onibaba is fantastic. I've never done the film club thing before, but count me in for this!
Can't wait to see this one again. That mask always raises the hair on the back of my neck.
Some of the more recent Mortal Kombat games feature Oni. Sometimes if you punch them, you get Koins.
Stacie, please don't feel too bad about Hellbound. I had a good time with it, really enjoyed it.
Oh yeah, Onibaba! I <3 this movie with all my movie-<3ing powers. Let's do some demonic allegory...
Also, I have to echo Thomas Duke up there: Jigoku IS friggin' crazy. It's got teeth being beaten out with mallets and everything.
Excellent choice! I reviewed this a year or so ago but have since bought the Criterion release, so maybe I'll delve back in and see how it reads now. Very classy pick Ms. Ponder!
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