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Image and video hosting by TinyPic Cast: Kimika Yoshino, Shohei Hino, Sho Aikawa, Harumi Sone, Hideki Sone

Director: Takashi Miike

Genre: Drama/Crime/Thriller/Horror

Year: 2003

Rating: Unrated

Minami (Hideki Sone) mistakenly kills a gangster associate of his named Brother. Almost as soon as the murder takes place, the body of the deceased man is gone, prompting Minami to conduct a search. While looking, he finds a mysterious isolated hotel where he decides to take a rest. Not only are the front desk clerks a bit strange, but even the ambiance feels unusual. Minami soon realizes he may have gotten more than he bargained for.

Takashi Miike has made a number of Yakuza films over the years and Gozu is one of but it is also much more. The film is about Minami who has been ordered to dispose of his "brother" Ozaki, who has apparently gone insane and threatens their controlled Yakuza lifestyle. The small town where Minami goes to dump the body is populated by unusual people that are a little too eager to please. Like most of Miike's This is filled with violence and disturbing images as well as dark humor only he can deliver. On the outside it might seem like any other gangster revenge flick but on the inside it is a bizarre surreal film that awakes the senses. The film is slower than a lot of Miike's other works but it is also weird in a Lynch or Cronenberg way that leaves you as confused as you are entertained. If you seen any other films from this amazing Director but never seen Gozu then I recommend picking this up, if you are new to his work then this one might not be the best place to start but it is certainly one of his most creative works. I can honestly say this is not a film for everyone but to a fan this is a master piece that should not be missed, all you mainstream movie lovers should look elsewhere but if your willing to open your mind to something completely different then I recommend this. The film is confusing and shocking and again you get one of what the hell endings, heck the whole movie gives you that "WTF" feeling but that is what makes Miike's work so great. Thought-provoking to say the least but a film I was captivated and I couldn't take my eyes off it. This 2003 film gets a makeover in this all new Two Disc Collector's Edition that includes a ton of bonus features that include:

Behind-The-Scenes Footage

Essay by Film Critic Bill Gibron (Pop Matters)

Takashi Miike interview featuring directors Guillermo Del Toro and Eli Roth

Production Featurette - Audio Commentary with film critics Andy Klein and Wade Major

Still Gallery

Trailer

Title Theme Song

Unrated Director's Version

Released by Cinema Epoch

***** Out Of *****