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Review
"Through yakuza movies we can see Japanese society at its most fundamental level. This is an important and valuable book." --Tadao Sato, film critic and author of "Currents in Japanese Cinema"
Product Description
Italy has La Cosa Nostra, South East Asia has the Triads, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have the Tong. Yakuza is the Japanese mafia: to do business with Japan is to do business with the Yakuza. This mob has been around for over 300 years and has become synonymous with Japanese gangster films. These gangster films have influenced everyone from Eastwood to Jarmusch. This work explores Yakuza movies, actors and directors and contains details and stills from over 120 films. It also features a recommended top 10, interviews with directors like Kinji Fukasaku and Takashi Miike, to actors such as Sho Aikawa and Bunta Sugawara and film critiques of Japanese classics like "Battles Without Honour" and "Humanity" and "Dead and Alive".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
This was a birthday present for my brother, who is a script writer. One of his passions is Asian cinema. He absolutely loved it. He is used to generic books for that genre, where the same movies are covered again and again. Not the case in the book - it is specialized, and does what it promises. Lots of gems to be discovered for the film fanatic.
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6 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Superb! A Must For Any Japanese Cinema Fan
22 Sep 2003
Format:Paperback
A follow up to his previous work "Japanese Contemporary Movies", Mark Schilling has yet again come up with the most definitive cinema book devoted to Japanese cinema, this time focusing on the Yakuza and Japanese gangster film genre. This book not only gives a grand overview of the development of the Yakuza films over the years but also has numerous director and actor biographies and reviews to almost 123 films. Everything is covered from Seijun Suzuki's "Koroshi No Rakuin" (AKA Branded To Kill), to Kitano "Beat" Takeshi's "Sonatine" to Miike Takashi's "Koroshiya No Ichi" (AKA Ichi The Killer). Even films that are unknown outside of Japan such as "Abashiri Bangaichi" and "Yaju No Seishun" are reviewed. Unlike similar works where it is plainly obvious that the author knows next to little Japanese or has not even seen the films being reviewed, Schilling's background, experience, and command of the Japanese language is very much in evidence and appreciated. This is a must for any cinema fan and is essential reading for those interested in Japanese cinema. My only gripe is that Schilling does not reference any of Toei's similar "Sukeban" (Female Juvenile Boss) movies. It would have been interesting to hear his impressions on movies such as "Zubeko Bancho", "Sukeban Blues" and "Zero Ka No Onna: Akai No"(Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs).
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Cultist Rejoice over quinessential Yakuza movie book!!!
31 Dec 2003
Format:Paperback
The book is a cultist dream and the info's on the genre is just terrific.However,I was dismayed that there was no review of the mind-blowing "Branded to Kill"by Seijun Suzuki.It's a film that challenged the conventional(thus having unfortunate circumstances for director's Suzuki's career)and haunting film-noir at it's best.I'm also disapointed that there was no interview from my personal favorite actor,Takekura Ken who embodies the genre at it's finest.But aside from this minor oversights,the book is a fast read and detailed at the same time.I am amazed on the author's knowledge of the genre and it was written with both affection and fascination on the subject.A dream book for cultist like me and one that will be read and browsed for many years to come."Domo arigato,Mark-san".
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A guide to finding films on video and DVD
11 May 2005
Format:Paperback
A resident of Japan and a teacher of Japanese film at Tokyo International University, Mark Schilling has also been reviewing films for the "Japan Times" since 1989. He brings that special expertise to bear in The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide To Japanese Gangster Films. Filled with director profiles and interviews, actor profiles and interviews, 123 film reviews, and black-and-white photographs, The Yakuza Movie Book is an absolute "must-have" for anyone enthusiastically interested in Japan's underworld as depicted on the cinema screen. A guide to finding films on video and DVD as well as a bibliography and glossary round out this excellent and literate guide written by a connoisseur, for connoisseurs.
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