Cold Fish (2011)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

But thanks to Hollywood which is busy covering up women and being all Taliban-ish we have to go overseas to satisfy our natural inclination to watch beautiful women. This movie has it all: beautiful women, female flesh, murder, sex, deception and the women are over-the-top gorgeous. Hollywood has a lot of catching up to do. Keep watching Ghostbusters 2016 losers or crawl back to the world's only chubby Asian chick in The Last Jedi.

What a film! Sono has done it again. This film has it all.First, the plot. It is the tranquil setting of a family that is anything but as soon the silence is shattered with events that make the unit fall apart.There are normal and usual films. Nowadays these are whatever Marvel fantasy Disney is releasing every second week or the usual film with Helen Mirren or Samuel Jackson jumping around for no consequence.Then there are films that give you violence, blood, sexiness and zaniness. Many do not like these films but have to give it to the rest of us that these films are at least a break from the ordinary and in this case quite masterful. Let me freely admit that as a man the power of those legs, breasts, long hair and hiked skirt sex makes me excited, but Cold Fish is just a cut above.

So, this movie is bonkers. To give you an idea just how bonkers, imagine the director having a preliminary chat about the roles of his two female leads: Director Sono: This role is… a bit difficult and… maybe a bit embarrassing.Kagurazaka (as Taeko): Right.Sono: Do you understand fully? To put it bluntly.. Taeko will be raped twice, one of which she seems to be enjoying it, and that's separate from the nude scene.Kagurazaka: Yes, I understand.Sono: Er, so… please do your best.Kagurazaka: I'll do my best with cheer! ********************************************************************* Sono: Ms. Kurosawa, the role of Aiko is… quite irregular.Kurosawa: Yes… it is, isn't it? Sono: Basically... you are a really crazy person. And we don't know why. Your crazy husband's back-story will be explained a little, but you are a mystery. Just really messed up in the head.Kurosawa: I roll around in blood. I cut up bodies. I don't mind. As long as I have a master I'm happy.) Sono: Yeah, that's the idea.Kurosawa: I don't know compassion but I'm still lively and have a pleasant sense of humor.Sono: Right right right. You understand perfectly.

What stands out in all of Sion's Sono's films is the voice of the director.His humour and ability to move through different styles within the same film. I think that this is a very positive feature in all of his films that I have seen to date. There is a brooding intelligence behind all of his films.This is a very stark violent film and one that has the most provocative dialogue.Much broader questions are being asked outside of the action.I think that it is no coincidence that Guilty of Romance,Suicide Club, Love Exposure and this film are all based upon true events.I think that Sion's dark humour helps to elevate his films above the genre of just shock horror.There is a lot of breast grabbing and an intoxication with sexual pleasure in this film.Sexual acts are often violent and deviant in his films and the bizarre Christian symbolism is odd and challenging.I really liked how the candles were lit on the alter using a spray can. What is normally a quite painstaking process was violent and disturbing.Can it be possible to enjoy films that are a constant assault to one's senses. I think so and Sono's films are not inane or banal.There is always the driving force of this poet and film maker. I am interested that other reviewers have mentioned," Visitor Q", and I would add ,"I Saw the Devil", as possibly the most disturbing films that I have seen..Murata in this film is introduced as a friendly kind man with an obsession with fish.His character openly refers to how he was abused as a child later in the film.His wife however a woman who enjoys sexual gratification at any time and in all forms is probably the most depraved character in the film.All of the madness includes strange around the table tableau's of normal? family life.The opening of the film showing the casual shopping and the emotionless acquisition of fast food is funny and sad at the same time.Do Sono's films celebrate the perverse and deviant? I am not so sure.Jodorowsky is the only other film maker who is so assured and unafraid to include imagery that is poetic and psychological.