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Vengeance Is Mine (Blood for Blood) (1974)
Vengeance Is Mine (Blood for Blood) (1974)
1974 | International, Drama, Mystery
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"A tough, energetic chase film from Japan in the late
 seventies, based on a true story, with a strong performance by Ken Ogata as an 
outwardly charming con man and serial killer. It differs from the formal style
 of the great Japanese filmmakers like Ozu, to whom Imamura was
 an assistant. When Imamura started directing, he wanted to make films as unlike Ozu’s
 as possible, and Vengeance Is Mine is the best example of that. He leaves all judgment of his characters to the viewer, and the film is both operatic
 and contemporary. Beautifully photographed, it’s at times surreal and at other
 times plays like a documentary, which some viewers have found confusing,
 especially Imamura’s fracturing of the timeline. Those who love film and know 
Imamura’s others, like The Eel and The Battle of Nayarama, will find this one
 essential."

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The Spine of Night (2021)
The Spine of Night (2021)
2021 | Animation, Fantasy, Horror
I don't really know enough about rotoscoping or the much loved Heavy Metal and Fire and Ice to make any comparisons, but what I can stay is that I initially found the animation of The Spine of Night really quite jarring. The wonderful painted-like backgrounds felt at odds with the harsh character designs, a point that was further driven when the hyper violence kicked in. However, by the halfway point I was utterly hypnotised by what was unfolding.
The expressions and emotions of these characters come across quite realistic in an oddly surreal way, wrapped up in an epic fantasy narrative that spans centuries, performed by an impressive voice cast.
The Spine of Night surely isn't for everyone, but if you have even a passing interest in animation and don't mind gore, then you'll probably get a kick out of it.