Release Date:
11/11/2008
The Skinny: Known for brutally gory films like Audition and Ichi the Killer, Japanese director Takashi Miike decides to have some fun by making a deliberately campy ode to American westerns.
The Good: Mixing up Shakespeare, cowboy lore, and flat-out batshit nonsense, Sukiyaki is the rarest of movie oddities: One that actually kinda works. From its deliberately fake-looking backdrops to its overall manic energy, the movie is as fun as it is head-scratching. You probably missed its short and limited theatrical run, so this is your chance to check it out.
The Bad: As crazy as it all is, it does have some moments in which it can't maintain the energy. You'll notice some real drag here and there, which could have been helped with some editing, because it's not like the story is going to make all that much sense to you anyway.
Best Extra: There's a long making-of featurette that doesn't have to be that long. There are also some deleted scenes, but ultimately we're taking points off for an overall disappointing features well.
Buy, Rent, or Ignore: It's a good rental, but only hardcore Miike fans will insist on having this forever on their shelves.
The Good: Mixing up Shakespeare, cowboy lore, and flat-out batshit nonsense, Sukiyaki is the rarest of movie oddities: One that actually kinda works. From its deliberately fake-looking backdrops to its overall manic energy, the movie is as fun as it is head-scratching. You probably missed its short and limited theatrical run, so this is your chance to check it out.
The Bad: As crazy as it all is, it does have some moments in which it can't maintain the energy. You'll notice some real drag here and there, which could have been helped with some editing, because it's not like the story is going to make all that much sense to you anyway.
Best Extra: There's a long making-of featurette that doesn't have to be that long. There are also some deleted scenes, but ultimately we're taking points off for an overall disappointing features well.
Buy, Rent, or Ignore: It's a good rental, but only hardcore Miike fans will insist on having this forever on their shelves.