GHOST MASTER (2019) Movie Review

 

Ghost Master (2019)

Directed by: Paul Young

It’s like One Cut of the Dead meets the Evil Dead!

I recently discovered this film while browsing Tubi the other day, insomnia was keeping me up and I needed my Japanese cinema fix. This was a film I had heard nobody talk about or had read anything about online. A hidden gem, perhaps? Did a quick google search for some info on the film as I was not familiar with the director Paul Young, whose father is American and his mother is Japanese. Knowing a bit more I finally took the plunge and pressed play……

The film starts off with a camera crew filming a romantic drama in an abandoned school. We are introduced to a handful of over the top characters ranging from the diva-like lead actor Yuya, the quite but blunt supporting actress Mana, and the oddball second unit director Akira Kurosawa, not the real one but just in name. There are a handful of familiar faces in the cast including Yoshiyuki Morishita and Akaji Maro which made me feel at home. Mana played by Riko Narumi has an extensive filmography as well, acting in a few Takashi Miike films, a Sion Sono film and a short film by Noboru Iguchi.

As the movie begins Yuyu is not happy with the script and demands from his director a more passionate scene. Not getting what he wants he exits the classroom and production on the film is thrown into chaos. As the majority of the cast & crew begin to leave, second unit director Akira contemplates on a script he’s working on titled Ghost Master. Thinking he has the support of his producer he also wants Mana to be his leading lady, which immediately gets shut down as Mana refuses after reading the script. Torn by the rejection Akira steps outside only to find Yuya acting strange against a wall covered with bloody handprints.

Somehow the Ghost Master script made of paper has now transformed into a grotesque leather bound book and has taken possession of Yuya turning him into a super powered demon. All bets are off as the cast & crew succumb to Yuya’s wrath featuring a nice blend of practical effects and CG. The blood geysers and latex makeup were reminiscent of Yoshihiro Nishimura greatness while the CG was sometimes hit or miss but not terrible.

My favorite kill has to be when Yuya smashes the head of a fellow actress out of nowhere completely throwing the cast & crew into disbelief. Overall this film is a fun mixture of Noboru Iguchi-like zaniness, gore, comedy and over the top characters. The soundtrack was decent but nothing too memorable and the run time is easy to digest by not over staying it’s welcome.

I had a blast watching this and can definitely recommend it as popcorn worthy film. So do yourself a favor and check out Ghost Master (2019) it’s available to stream for free via Tubi.

-MY RATING-

7 outta 10

Ghost Master (2019) movie trailer

I hope you enjoyed this review, more content coming soon.

WEEKLY WATCH LIST (8/15/2021)

 

Another week has come & gone so let me share with you everything Asian Cinema I watched this week. A down the middle mix of Japanese and Hong Kong Cinema, some good and one not so much. We’ll kick things off with the Winner of the Week and go from there down to the Dud of the Week. Corny….

Sex & Fury (1973)

Directed by: Norifumi Suzuki

I was lucky enough to score this holy grail thanks to Shelby McIntyre & Mike from Grindhouse Video last month and I finally gave it a go. Reiko Ike’s performance is solid, swordfighting naked in the snow with grace and bloodlust in her eyes. Christina Lindberg is more than just eye candy as she commands respect with her masterful gambling skills and gunplay but yet still delivers a steamy sex scene or two. Director Suzuki keeps things groovy and fresh, the switch blade wielding nuns is a nice touch and the soundtrack was on point. Sex & Fury could give Lady Snowblood a run for it’s money any day, I loved it.

Overall 9/10

The Thunderbolt Fist (1972)

Directed by: Chang Il-ho

Anytime I pick up a Shaw Bros release is a happy time so after scoring this on dvd recently it was time to crack it open. Story wise nothing new, the Japanese are bullying the locals and eventually seize control of the town. Lead Actor Chuen Yuen is good but yet doesn’t really have that “hero” look and lead actress Shih Szu absolutely steals the show, everything I’ve seen her in, she’s great. Things get bloody by the end but overall this feels a bit “been there, done that”, regardless meaty scenes featuring Shih Szu kicking ass and being flirty won me over.

Overall 7/10

The Inspector Wears Skirts (1988)

Directed by: Wellson Chin

The Inspector Wears Skirts is a film I first saw in 2017 thanks to my local public library that had the Out Of Print DVD available to check out. I wasn’t disappointed then and I wasn’t disappointed now as I had a memorable time revisiting this feel good comedy. The cast is great, Sibelle Hu is sturdy takes no for an answer and looks great doing it, Cynthia Rothrock delivers a few scenes of intense ass kickery and Sandra Ng’s character Amy steals the show with her hilarious comedy and humility. Jeffrey Falcon embracing his inner chimp and going monkey style made his fight against Cynthia so good, props.

Overall 7/10

 

Mail (2004)

Directed by: Iwao Takahashi

My curiosity got the better of me. It all started when I searched for Chiaki Kuriyama on Amazon as I wanted to check out some of her other films. Loved her in Exte and Kill Bill, so I took the gamble on this dvd…..

This immediately felt like a “no budget” tv series (6 parts) edited into a feature film. I’ve been down this backstreet before. The gun toting paranormal detective banishing ghosts had my attention at first but was overshadowed by Chiaki anytime she was in a scene. Luckily she has enough screen time to make this bottom of the barrel excursion bearable but I must digress, enter at your own risk.

Overall 5/10

See ya next Sunday,

Midnitekrawlr

Meatball Machine Kodoku (2017) Movie Review

 

Meatball Machine Kodoku (2017)

Directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura 

Lead actor Yoji Tanaka (Yuji Noda) brings it, his character has had it with being scammed by coworkers, family & a possible love interest. Watching Yoji’s daily life was engaging, highlighting Japanese culture in over the top but hilarious scenes. Ok, Eihi Shiina has a few cameos in this early on, it was awesome.

When shit hits the fan, things really progress, there is some outer space shenanigans, a forced quarantine zone, gallons of Nishimura-san’s iconic blood geysers and boobs! This long awaited sequel won me over, the visual barrage of insanity was a beautiful thing, the droplets of crimson became infinity, I couldn’t stop watching. The ending was a low blow but yet a calculated liver shot, who knows? I was happy.

Overall - 9 outta 10

I must be Insane

February Fan Art

This month I caught the fan art bug, big time! I've dabbled in a wide range of subjects and for this post I'd like to share with you some of my recent "experiments".

After watching the late 80's cult film Brain Damage, I knew I would have to play around with the original VHS artwork. This is what spewed out of my diseased brain, a purple hazed tsunami of chaos.

I love BAND-MAID so it was only a matter of time when I would concoct some sort of tribute of them. I really went outta my comfort zone by adding the shades of blue to the image but I was happy with the overall results.

I've been doing a bit of Joshi Puroresu fan art this year but when it came to representing Ram Kaichow I wanted something very different. The reddish color schemes were simple but the mirror image look was a first for me.

My most recent fan art concoction was Takashi Miike's The Happiness of the Katakuris. Like the film I wanted to make my interpretation of the original image extremely weird and over the top. What I came up was a visually layered acid trip.

Finally, is some drawn artwork I was commissioned to do for my buddy Sean Donohue and his Tampa Bay Screams 2020 convention. I had done artwork for him the year before in the same vein so I was very excited to get this piece completed. Represented in the image above is A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, I Spit on Your Grave, The Crazies, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers and Killing Spree.

TOP THREE OF THE WEEK

Regurgitated Rewind returns in 2020 with a trio of films I recently watched and I had to share my thoughts. Let's kick things off.......

Just watched Bliss (2019) directed by Joe Begos, one of the most unique films in the vampire genre that I have ever seen. From the dizzying camera shots and edits, to the acid trip fueled gritty atmosphere accented by blood and gore. It equals to a masterfully crafted demented drug induced cinematic experience you should definitely sink your teeth into.

(my rating 9/10)

Just watched 37 Seconds (2019) directed by Hikari and I was completely blown away. Yuma is an aspiring manga artist with cerebral palsy dealing with a coworker who is taking advantage of her and an over protective mother. This film does an amazing job taking you on her journey of self discovery as she cuts the cords to those who are keeping her down. 

(my rating 9/10)

Finally got to watch The Ancient Dogoo Girl: Special Movie Edition (2010) directed by Noboru Iguchi. Although this film is culminated from bits of the tv series including an unaired episode, it was uniquely weird and kept my attention. Leading lady Erika Yazawa is extremely kawaii and steals the show with her cuteness. I gotta track down the TV series now!

(my rating - 7/10)

2019 JOSHI TOP 3 ROOKIES OF THE YEAR

This year I caught the Joshi Puroresu bug big time, which took up a big chunk of my free time outside of work. I have soaked in a lot of nerdy wrestling knowledge since I first started watching Stardom in 2018 and I thought I'd share that geekiness on this blog to spice things up a bit. So without further ado, here is my Joshi Top 3 Rookies of the Year list!

#1 Suzu Suzuki (Ice Ribbon)

Age - 17 / Pro Debut - 12/31/2018

I really got into Ice Ribbon this year and when I discovered Suzu Suzuki I was immediately hooked. Just by seeing how athletically skilled she was in the ring it was a great surprise to find out she was only a rookie. Having so much wrestling talent at such a young age blows my mind, her in-ring persona is also on point and goes over with the crowd superbly. She has a lot of passion in the ring, her move set is technically evolving and I see her having another breakout year in 2020.

                                                                            Photo credit: @0511masaton

#2 Saya Kamitani (Stardom)

Age - 23 / Pro Debut - 8/10/2019

I was really amped when Saya debuted in her first Stardom match and her Idol infused dance routine entrance was only the beginning. Saya towers over most of her opponents giving her an edge and her move set is quickly evolving into a lethal variety of technical prowess. I can see Saya having another breakout year in 2020 as she refines her skills and continues wowing the crowds with her running Shooting Star Press.

#3 Maria (Marvelous)

Age - 19 / Pro Debut - 12/24/2018

Maria caught my attention right away, with her small frame she is able to take massive amounts of damage in a match and still continue. Her move set is leaning more to the technical side with a heavy dose of lethal drop kicks. She has a mean side too and recently joined the (SEAdLINNNG) faction Las Fresa de Egoistas which are stacked with amazing veteran Joshi talent. With Arisa Nakajima and Mima Shimoda taking Maria under their wings, she is in great hands to have another breakout year in 2020.

Kyoko vs. Yuki (2000) review

Japanese director Daisuke Yamanouchi's extensive filmography has always intrigued me. His Red Room films which Unearthed Films distributes were at the top of my list and I just never got around to picking them up. So when the opportunity arrived to check out Kyoko vs. Yuki, I immediately jumped on it with deliight!

As the movie begins we are introduced to Kyoko, a young and beautiful assassin in training. She showcases her fighting skills in a cheezy fight scene and her lack of remorse as we get our first kill! After completing her task she is given her next mission, to obtain a briefcase from a shady individual at a hotel.

The film transitions to Yuki, who has handcuffed a persistent john at a seedy hotel and robs him. Her girlfriend drops in and out of nowhere and the two indulge in a sleazy sex scene while the john watches in demented delight. As the two girls leave the hotel with a wallet full of cash and a locked briefcase, they pass by Kyoko in the back alleys and a stare down ensues.

In a nutshell, Kyoko finds the handcuffed John who spills the beans before getting whacked and as Kyoko seeks out her prey we transition back to Yuki and her girlfriend. Soon we meet Fatty an overweight, Kentucky fried chicken munching loan shark that enjoys torturing her victims with a large red strap-on. It just so happens Yuki's girlfriend is on the receiving end when Kyoko crashes the party and all hell breaks loose!

We finally get the first showdown of Kyoko versus Yuki which results in Kyoko's hand getting severed. We also get an intense necrophilia scene courtesy of Yuki! As for the final battle, Kyoko takes on Yuki with her newly constructed hand reminiscent of Wolverine's claws and Yuki utilizes an umbrella with deadly precision, resulting in ripped shirts and geysers of blood as well as a final plot twist.

OVERALL SCORE 7/10

Kyoko vs. Yuki (2000)

Director: Daisuke Yamanouchi

Cast

Kyoko: Kyoko Fujikawa

Yuki: Kinako Sato