View Full Version : Tokyo Gore Police and Asian Schlock
ChronoGrl
10-06-2008, 06:58 AM
Holy Japanese Schlock, Batman!
I just watched Tokyo Gore Police this weekend and, let me tell you – It’s the gore Schlock Fest that Machine Girl SHOULD have been. It’s funny, it’s self conscious, it’s ridiculous, and overall, incredibly well done (with a pretty sizeable budget).
And I've decided that it's so good that I would start a new thread (this forum needs more anyway).
If you’re looking for over-the-top blood and gore, you guys HAVE to check it out.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9AJaH7T094
IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1183732/
It also stars Eihi Shiina, who was the lead in Audition.
Definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for mindless violence, blood, gore, and overall schlock.
SPEAKING of schlock - This movie pretty much introduced me to the term itself.
What other Asian movies would you consider successful schlock films that you would recommend?
I thought that Machine Girl was ok, but definitely pulled some punches. Tokyo Gore Police simply reveled in the blood and gore. I'm trying to think of other Asian films that are as schlocky.
Would Oldboy or Ichi be considered schlock? I'm not sure... (though I'm leaning towards No).
Other examples of Asian Schlock? Anyone else see Tokyo Gore Police?
urgeok2
10-06-2008, 07:05 AM
riki o (the story of ricky)
stacy
kind of have that feel to them...
but i have to say - after seeing machine girl - i dont know if i'd bother with gore police ... it just seems pretty stuipid now - cheezy effects are fun sometimes .. but the same thing over and over again ... is more bore than gore...
the story of Ricky is a lot of fun though
urgeok2
10-06-2008, 08:01 AM
bump..............
ChronoGrl
10-06-2008, 08:54 AM
riki o (the story of ricky)
stacy
kind of have that feel to them...
but i have to say - after seeing machine girl - i dont know if i'd bother with gore police ... it just seems pretty stuipid now - cheezy effects are fun sometimes .. but the same thing over and over again ... is more bore than gore...
the story of Ricky is a lot of fun though
I'm adding Riki O to my Netflix queue now... It's one that I've been meaning to see for a very, very long time.
Honestly, though, I would have to say that Tokyo Gore Police goes above and beyond the cheesy effects for the sake of gore, and there are elements to the movie that are more challenging and disturbing than with Machine Girl.
I should really stop comparing Tokyo Gore Police to Machine Girl because it's honestly a superior film - Machine Girl wouldn't even be in the same league.
TGP is definitely more experimental, more extreme, and honestly makes a sincere effort to challenge its audience. The direction is more dynamic, more interesting, and in terms of the gore vehicles (weapons, mutations, etc.), they're honestly more interesting than Machine Girl was.
Not gonna lie - Machine Girl disappointed me. It was low-budget and cheesy (but in a "this should have been so much better" kind of way).
If you're into schlock or splatterpunk (and, after further consideration, I think that this is probably more "splatterpunk" as "schlock" implies small budget), Urge, I urge to check out TGP. It's weird, it's disturbing, it's creepy, it's gory, and it's absolutely satisfying.
Doc Faustus
10-06-2008, 09:32 AM
Here's a movie I've talked up plenty: http://www.withersin.com/review_tghs.htm
If you haven't seen it, check it out post haste. Also, Girl's Rebel Force of Competitive Swimmers was mentioned in Asian Cult Cinema magazine and that sounds good.
Despare
10-06-2008, 03:09 PM
Would Oldboy or Ichi be considered schlock? I'm not sure... (though I'm leaning towards No).
Other examples of Asian Schlock? Anyone else see Tokyo Gore Police?
Oldboy? I would say no way... but I'd lean towards yes with Ichi.
Some Asian schlock I liked...
Battlefield Baseball, SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis, Sick Nurses to an extent, and I'd put Wild Zero on par with Stacy at least although I didn't love either of them. There are a ton more but those are the ones that came to mind first. Oh, and have you watched Happiness yet?
ChronoGrl
10-06-2008, 06:05 PM
Here's a movie I've talked up plenty: http://www.withersin.com/review_tghs.htm
If you haven't seen it, check it out post haste. Also, Girl's Rebel Force of Competitive Swimmers was mentioned in Asian Cult Cinema magazine and that sounds good.
I LOVE Asian Cult Cinema magazine (I should actually subscribe to the damn thing instead of buying its issues ad hoc). And, because of that article, I am incredibly intrigued by GRFCS... But unfortunately Netflix doesn't have it. :(
Terrifying... High School has just been added, however. Thanks for the rec.
Oldboy? I would say no way... but I'd lean towards yes with Ichi.
Some Asian schlock I liked...
Battlefield Baseball, SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis, Sick Nurses to an extent, and I'd put Wild Zero on par with Stacy at least although I didn't love either of them. There are a ton more but those are the ones that came to mind first. Oh, and have you watched Happiness yet?
I agree with you about Oldboy and I am still questioning my catagorization of Ichi... Maybe that one would be more Splatterpunk than Schlock? I'm still trying to identify the difference between the two genres...
Sick Nurses I've been meaning to check out for a while, so I'll go ahead and add that right now. As for SARS Wars, geez - I think the boyfriend will love that one. :D
As for Happiness... GUESS WHAT?!?! I thought of you today because IT'S NOW AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX and should be on its way as soon as Netflix receives my recently returned Kamikaze Girls (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416220/) (beautifully stylized and definitely worth a looksee for Asian cinema fanatics) and The Notorious Bettie Page (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404802/) (not worth a watch, despite the directorial attempt of Mary Harron).
scarecrow666
10-07-2008, 01:51 PM
I forgot all about TGP.:o Looked good in the youtube vid i watched. So i am going to watch it soon. Cheers for the reminder.;)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKP9lB_F7s
now if it would be able 2 b watched online....
The Mothman
10-07-2008, 02:16 PM
The story of ricky is the best ive seen, no contemplation. is Tokyo Gore police on DVD? i remember seeing the trailer it was fucking awesome.
Doc Faustus
10-07-2008, 02:55 PM
I LOVE Asian Cult Cinema magazine (I should actually subscribe to the damn thing instead of buying its issues ad hoc). And, because of that article, I am incredibly intrigued by GRFCS... But unfortunately Netflix doesn't have it. :(
.
I just read it at Borders and put it back. It's way too short to buy.
ChronoGrl
10-08-2008, 05:40 AM
As for Happiness... GUESS WHAT?!?! I thought of you today because IT'S NOW AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX and should be on its way as soon as Netflix receives my recently returned Kamikaze Girls (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416220/) (beautifully stylized and definitely worth a looksee for Asian cinema fanatics) and The Notorious Bettie Page (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404802/) (not worth a watch, despite the directorial attempt of Mary Harron).
Apparently Netflix lied; I am NOT getting Happiness. :(
HOWEVER, Riki Oh is on its way, so I'm pretty psyched about that.
Despare
10-08-2008, 09:36 AM
Apparently Netflix lied; I am NOT getting Happiness. :(
HOWEVER, Riki Oh is on its way, so I'm pretty psyched about that.
Riki Oh is awesome but I can't believe you're having problems with Happiness. I rented it from Netflix a long time ago, 04/10/06 to be exact. I hope TGP is available soon.
ChronoGrl
10-12-2008, 08:40 AM
Riki Oh is awesome but I can't believe you're having problems with Happiness. I rented it from Netflix a long time ago, 04/10/06 to be exact. I hope TGP is available soon.
Yeah, I'm not really happy with it... The "Expected Availability" status had been "Very Long Wait" for the past couple of months, when the other day it changed to "NOW" (which GENERALLY means I should be expecting it in the mail NEXT)... Instead, Riki-Oh was mailed and the Availability went back to "Very Long Wait."
What's probably going on is that Netflix only has one copy of it, so every time it's been mailed out, the status changes to "Very Long Wait" for everyone who has it on their queue.
Or something like that.
St00pid Netflix. :(
I'd just BUY the damn thing, but I'm in savings mode right now and I can't find it for less than $25.
...
At any rate... TGP just had its release in theaters, so I'm not sure when it'll be available on Netflix, but I definitely suggest you check it out when it IS available.
I should be getting Terrifying High School any day now, so I'm pretty excited about that.
Despare
10-13-2008, 11:36 AM
I should be getting Terrifying High School any day now, so I'm pretty excited about that.
You sure about that? There's no wait time? Because it's sitting on my DVD player right now in the little paper sleeve...
ChronoGrl
10-13-2008, 02:49 PM
You sure about that? There's no wait time? Because it's sitting on my DVD player right now in the little paper sleeve...
Oh, you misunderstood me... I'm breaking in.
*readies formaldehyde*
Despare
10-14-2008, 09:48 AM
Oh, you misunderstood me... I'm breaking in.
*readies formaldehyde*
Sounds like a fun night...
I'd just GIVE you the movie though, it didn't really do much for me.
ChronoGrl
10-17-2008, 05:44 PM
I'd just GIVE you the movie though, it didn't really do much for me.
Yeah, I just started it, but couldn't get through it. There's a point where I get far enough into a female exploitation film and I just start feeling... depressed.
I can appreciate it intellectually as a pure genre piece (it's interesting to see some pure Asian Grindhouse cinema) and I can definitely enjoy the JA Schoolgirl take on the female prison movie (hey - I like Girl-On-Girl S&M just as much as the next guy... Both ironically and... Uhm... Well... you know)... But in terms of pure visceral reaction... there's a point where the OldMan-On-Girl action... Just doesn't sit well with me.
Not really my cup of tea, I guess. I can't say that I hated it because as a Grindhouse exploitation piece, it was pretty damn good... The genre, well, as Des said, just doesn't do much for me.
I think I would have enjoyed it more as a lesbian softcore. But, well, then it wouldn't be exploitative schlock, eh?
Hey, Doc - This is amongst your Top 100 list... I want to hear your take on the film... Not setting up an argument; I just honestly see you as someone who watches films both for enjoyment AND intellectual fulfillment - I want to know why you, personally, recommend this film (again - Not being belligerent. I honestly want to know your opinion).
hey dispare, what is your avatar?? want to know more about it.
Angra
10-28-2008, 08:46 AM
hey dispare, what is your avatar?? want to know more about it.
Never seen a clitoris before, eh? ;)
Unless you're asking about his actual avatar. I have no idea what that's all about. The puppy made him seem much nicer..
Despare
10-28-2008, 11:46 AM
Never seen a clitoris before, eh? ;)
Unless you're asking about his actual avatar. I have no idea what that's all about. The puppy made him seem much nicer..
My sig or my avatar (he says ignoring Angra's attempt at a joke :p )? My sig is a botfly larva being removed from an eye and the avatar is the old English D which stands for Detroit. The evil puppy will probably return, but for now I'm showin' a little support for my teams as basketball starts up and hockey gets rolling (please, don't mention football :( )
ChronoGrl
10-28-2008, 05:02 PM
My sig or my avatar (he says ignoring Angra's attempt at a joke :p )? My sig is a botfly larva being removed from an eye and the avatar is the old English D which stands for Detroit. The evil puppy will probably return, but for now I'm showin' a little support for my teams as basketball starts up and hockey gets rolling (please, don't mention football :( )
Ewww. I didn't know it was an eye.
roshiq
10-28-2008, 10:51 PM
Ewww. I didn't know it was an eye.
yeah..me too!:eek: I got the whole story here...
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/wormeye.asp
Doc Faustus
10-29-2008, 07:09 AM
Yeah, I just started it, but couldn't get through it. There's a point where I get far enough into a female exploitation film and I just start feeling... depressed.
I can appreciate it intellectually as a pure genre piece (it's interesting to see some pure Asian Grindhouse cinema) and I can definitely enjoy the JA Schoolgirl take on the female prison movie (hey - I like Girl-On-Girl S&M just as much as the next guy... Both ironically and... Uhm... Well... you know)... But in terms of pure visceral reaction... there's a point where the OldMan-On-Girl action... Just doesn't sit well with me.
Not really my cup of tea, I guess. I can't say that I hated it because as a Grindhouse exploitation piece, it was pretty damn good... The genre, well, as Des said, just doesn't do much for me.
I think I would have enjoyed it more as a lesbian softcore. But, well, then it wouldn't be exploitative schlock, eh?
Hey, Doc - This is amongst your Top 100 list... I want to hear your take on the film... Not setting up an argument; I just honestly see you as someone who watches films both for enjoyment AND intellectual fulfillment - I want to know why you, personally, recommend this film (again - Not being belligerent. I honestly want to know your opinion).
The main thing I liked about it was the level of transgression and all the layers of it. First of all, the movie takes a private school and turns it into a women in prison movie. That to me is shocking and reminds me that whatever high school is to Americans, films like this and Suicide Club remind us it's twice as draconian to the Japanese. Second, I love the over-the-top splat interpretation of the cruelty teenagers, teenage girls in particular inflict on each other. Mean Girls? Heathers? They don't quite get how mean kids can actually be to each other, while this is over the top, I like the "might as well be" metaphor, as you can tell from my writing. These girls get a chance to strike back, which is HUGE when you look at the institution of school. The ending is poetic and intense, reminding me a lot of things like the Wall. As an anarchist who had a rough time in high school and saw a lot of girls messed up by the inhumanity of the institutions and each other, these ideas intrigue me. So, I don't look at it as torture for torture's sake, but as torture to reflect torture that is not called torture. I think this was a novelty and though some of the kink is too much, it says a lot.
ChronoGrl
11-06-2008, 04:53 PM
The main thing I liked about it was the level of transgression and all the layers of it. First of all, the movie takes a private school and turns it into a women in prison movie. That to me is shocking and reminds me that whatever high school is to Americans, films like this and Suicide Club remind us it's twice as draconian to the Japanese. Second, I love the over-the-top splat interpretation of the cruelty teenagers, teenage girls in particular inflict on each other. Mean Girls? Heathers? They don't quite get how mean kids can actually be to each other, while this is over the top, I like the "might as well be" metaphor, as you can tell from my writing. These girls get a chance to strike back, which is HUGE when you look at the institution of school. The ending is poetic and intense, reminding me a lot of things like the Wall. As an anarchist who had a rough time in high school and saw a lot of girls messed up by the inhumanity of the institutions and each other, these ideas intrigue me. So, I don't look at it as torture for torture's sake, but as torture to reflect torture that is not called torture. I think this was a novelty and though some of the kink is too much, it says a lot.
Thanks, Doc. I initially enjoyed the comparison of the prison movie cliche to create an interesting subtext surrounding the behavior and treatment of girls in the high school environment (and I found it shocking too, which was obviously the intent and incredibly successful).
You make a really good point, though - The subtext is controversial, disturbing, and purposefully over-the-top. The concept is brilliant and I also think it's well-done exploitation. While I appreciate the subtext, though, I think that the end (for me at lease) doesn't necessarily justify the means (I think that, from a feminist perspective, there's a point where I have a difficult time watching exploitation, though I think that's more of a personal issue than an indictment of the film itself.
Thanks for the recommendation, though, and your analysis. I love and appreciate those who actually think about movies and not just watch them... And you're one of those people.
Despare
11-06-2008, 09:16 PM
Thanks, Doc. I initially enjoyed the comparison of the prison movie cliche to create an interesting subtext surrounding the behavior and treatment of girls in the high school environment (and I found it shocking too, which was obviously the intent and incredibly successful).
I really felt it was trying to recreate a prison style exploitation film and that's really where it lost me. I just don't think, that with the West's grip on that particular niche, that this film did anything new or really exciting except make the girls younger and in school. I never really felt that the girls were in a school and was personally disconnected from the environment (and eventually the whole movie) as a result.