Takeshi Kitano as a Director

Fireworks

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:40:51 GMT

Kitano's greatest film. Combines perfectly ordinary crime drama, concept of art, philosophy of death, touching drama concerning loss and the personal purgatory and meaning of life at existential level. One the most beautiful films of 90s cinema and Kitano's acting is in its blankness very memorable and charismatic.

Dolls

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:42:11 GMT

Uneven but bold and tragic film about the violence and lack of love in everyday life. One of the best color scenes in the 90s cinema occurs when the main couple walk through the seasons and dark passages filled with endless, sparkling colors. Even the yakuza theme typical for Kitano has it's meaning in the film and doesn't feel out of place. Remarkable film because of its personality and the goodness at its heart.

Sonatine

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:42:20 GMT

His first masterpiece, Sonatine is also the first film where Kitano combines the yakuza film genre and philosophical thoughts on art, death, love, dance and play seamlessly. The scene where Aya Kokumai's The Girl shoots with a machine gun is heart breaking in its depiction of innocence dying.

Violent Cop (International: English title)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:41:25 GMT

Surprisingly powerful debut film. Kitano's character is seen as an almost Robocop-like existential force at the line of good and evil. Differs from other his films by its analysis of hate and nihilistic outcome.

Kikujiro

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:41:03 GMT

Sweet and fun movie. The chemistry between Kitano and child actor Yusuki Sekiguchi is remarkable. Film lacks in its uneven script and goes on in some of its jokes for too long.

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:41:40 GMT

Kitano's most commercial film to date. Zatoichi is an interesting foray in samurai cinema but has nothing too spectacular on the content side. The ending is very memorable even in Kitano's scale and rises above the movie as a whole. When Kitano's character is on the screen, viewer feels childlike enthrallment which can be compared to the joy Clint Eastwood's Men with No Name bring in Leone's dollar trilogy.

Takeshis'

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:41:17 GMT

Weird and fun but nothing remarkable.

Boiling Point

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:41:56 GMT

Confusing and too experimental for its own sake, Boiling Point has its moments especially when focusing on pure yakuza action.

Brother

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:41:30 GMT

Brother