I saw Miike's latest film this weekend in San Francisco. Their title translation was The Great Yokai War but I've seen alternate translations. The Japanese title is Yokai Daisenso.

This film is amazingly his most traditional in terms of story telling. It's told in chronological order and each scene advances the plot. There is probably a lot of references that the Japanese learn as children's folklore but it's your basic good vs. evil story. The good guys are led by a young boy and a bunch of Yokai which are some mythical creatures that only children can see. They seem to be created from common objects (like an umbrella and a turtle) by magic. The bad guys are led by a guy in trenchcoat & his mini-skirt wearing girlfriend. They convert the Yokia into lethal machines like battle androids in Star Wars. The story advances in methodical fashion to the final conflict in the burnt out rubble of Tokyo. Ostensibly, this is a children's film but I recommend it for adults. It's not the usual Miike film if such a category exists.

I find it hard to be convinced to watch anything that you promote, despite your seriousness (as if you're making sense), while you construct a sentence like:
there is probably a lot of references...

You are not on the 'Ostensibly' level yet. You work up to that with Phonix.

And who is Miike, again?

Do you mean "phonics?"

Do you add anything to this board other than grammar corrections? Every message board seems to have an asshole like you. I guess it's a requirement.

When you look up Phonix on the internet, look up Miike too.

No - for that I meant phonix. Like: 'hukd on phonix'

I add some stuff other than grammar corrections, but my contributions are minimal.

I was giving to you some biting criticism that your teachers never did. It really is difficult to be persuasive (as you were no doubt trying to be) when you drop attention to spelling and grammar. When I see posts like that, I think to myself: 'Self - why are you reading any of this? It was posted by... etc.'

ETA
I apologize for the 'Ostensibly' comment.

OK, I looked up Miike - I am not as experienced in asian films as some of these guys are. I thought you were one of the people who was posting about Mike Macino or something again. I never did figure out who that guy was. Now I see I was totally wrong in mounting the offensive too early. We've had a lot of mindless trolls here recently. It's hard to wade through the posters to find the few who care about this stuff.

I apologize again.

If you search through the archives, you will see a thread where Miike's past films were discussed a few weeks ago. I contributed to that thread. Miike's fans need no persuasion to see his movies; he has a cult following but as I mentioned, this latest film is different than anything else I've seen from him.

This is just a movie board. It's not a financial message board where someone is touting stocks and needs to be persuasive. I don't give a damn if anyone sees The Great Yokai War but I appreciate anyone's comments on movies particularly movies that I haven't seen. Isn't this board all about discussing movies?

You show your ignorance when you ask who Miike is and you top it off by resorting to non sequitur criticisms of grammar. I accept your apology you suspicious piece of shit but I've taken a dislike to you. Find out who Miike is from someone else. If anyone else wants to know who Miike is, email me. For the sake of the rest of the board, let's allow the matter drop.

Takashi Miike is one of those Asian directors I hope NEVER makes it big on our shores. Let's be honest, John Woo and Ang Lee were better making action crime flicks with Chow Yun Fat and mystical sword dramas, respectively.

Without Miike, 'Kill Bill, Vol 1.' would have sucked, 'Hostel' - well, Hostel would still be a pile of shit, regardless, he and the Korean Park are two of most influential directors (that aren't getting their comeuppance) on the scene right now.

'Gozu'; 'One Missed Call'; 'Ichi - The Killer'; 'Dead or Alive'; and of course, 'Audition'.

Those are just a few, I WISH I could get my hands on more of his stuff. I'm snooty, I hate pretty much everything that comes down the pike, but not from this guy. Granted, most of his stuff is Uber-violent (kids movie or otherwise), but they are so damn entertaining. Remember the first time you saw 'Pulp Fiction'? That's what a Miike film evokes.

If owned anything living, or anything organic existed in my house, I'd name it Miike. Yeah - so there.

I would have loved to let the matter drop.

But then you go ahead and start in with new offensiveness. I won't respond in kind. I'm not sure how I am suspicious, though.

What didn't you understand in my explanation of why I started in with you too early? We've had too many people messing with this board for the wrong reasons in the past year. Most of them can't string together thoughts, let alone spell right. Miike is spelled not only like Mike (Milk?) but also like Mike Macino. I was not aware that that he is an asian film director.

I thought you were from one of those camps, not writing about something real.

Thanks, Marc, for informing my sorry, ignorant ass.

You compare me to those jackoffs because I got the verb form of "is" incorrect? It is suspicious bastards like you that are as bad as those trolling sons of bitches. Who made you Almighty Arbiter of The Movie Board? You are suspicious of everyone else because you are too ignorant of movies to know any better. The next time you mouth off, you may want to remember that you don't know shit about movies.

"What didn't you understand in my explanation of why I started in with you too early?"

I understand you're an asshole and an idiot. If you were a cop, you'd shoot first, ask questions later, and then say "my bad."

You're an asshole & I carry a grudge. Now shut the fuck up you ignorant jackass.

No, it is only NOW that I compare you to those jackoffs.

That was nicely put. Thank you, you complete tool.

Although I enjoy your barroom vocabulary for its color and intelligent wit, I hold your eloquent statement: 'You don't know shit' to be untrue.

I have enjoyed many movies and maintain a better-than-average working knowledge of such. Because I fail to recognize one name from a relatively recently-known foreign director, this seems to shatter your delicate little world.

Your ignorant and vicious tirade is, I expect, par for the course. Don't worry about your grudge-holding. That comes with being way too angry for your own good. You're alone in life I suspect. You'll probably stay that way.

I think you are an asshole and the feeling is mutual.

I suspect you are a friendless prick. The first thing out of your mouth is an accusation.

An idiot like you thinks that seeing "Dukes of Hazard" makes him knowledgeable on films.

What bothers me is not that you don't know who Miike is (I would have been glad to describe his films) but that first thing you do is accuse me of being a troll and back it up with nitpicking grammar errors. You are an asshole and no amount of apologizing will change that fact. As they say, you only make a first impression once.

You are so belligerent, I have no idea how to deal with you. I suspect you are going to waste a lot of my time with your wild theories about my personal nature.

If you want to get serious, who's the one who recognized his fault and apologized, and who's the one who can't maintain any hold on his MOUTH whatsoever?

Why don't you try dealing with me by remaining silent? You've already a) shown your ignorance, b) shown your need to get the last word in, c) shown your propensity to make quick and false accusations, and d) shown the insincerity of your apology by engaging in this extended flame war. Why don't you show us how you can remain silent?

You've taken a shit all over my Miike thread. I saw a rare US theater showing of Miike's latest film and wanted to share it with others on this board. Miike's films do not get distributed in the US and you'll likely only see his films at a festival. Instead, you've hijacked this thread with your stupidity, ignorance, and insecurities.

EOM

I appreciate your desire to have a real thread.
I was ready to let it go until you started to spout profanities at me.
The only person needing the last word here is you, and you are far more offensive than I - I concede that.

I will leave you to your discussion, unless you feel the desire to vindicate your injured self-esteem again.

Miike is not my favorite Japanese director but there seems to be a glut of skilled Japanese directors making quirky movies that will never get a wide release in the US.

Perhaps the best film I've seen in the last few years is "The Taste of Tea" by Katsuhito Ishii. Another director I like is Toshiaki Toyoda - "9 Souls" and "Hanging Garden." Both directors are influenced by Miike. They use surreal scenes and their storytelling is not traditional. Sometimes you hear people say "the plot is really tight" but that's the opposite of Miike, Ishii, or Toyoda. I refer to this style as Japanese New Wave. I think it traces its origins to the 1950's and 60's samurai films. Many of those films used Pulp Fiction style plots. Scenes are presented out of chronological order. Add in some French New Wave and Fellini and you get the best of Japanese cinema that makes it to the US today.

Let me ask you then:

I am unfamiliar with these movies. I have enjoyed Kurosawa's films, and scattered other Asian (edited for the child among us) films in the past, but mostly those that have been popularized in America (Hero, Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers). I also like films from other Eastern countries (Ju-Dou, Old Boy). What would be a good movie for me to start with from this Miike? Netflix has a ton of them.

Let me chime in on this one. If you liked 'The Ring' or 'The Grudge' (either the US or Foreign versions), then check out 'One Missed Call'.

However, my personal favorite (it is not for the squeemish) is 'Ichi - the Killer'. It is abhorringly violent. I'd mention a few scenes, but that would spoil it. If it was released in the US, it would have easily been NC17. How's that for a sell?

Thanks Marc.
I will put the first on a netflix list.
I will work my way up to the abhorringly violent.

I did like The Ring and also The Grudge - although the latter was very unpopular among US critics - it was a good story with very scary visuals, I thought. That's why I put your recommendation on the list. I'm looking over the other Miike films now, which have drawn my interest.

Has anyone seen Gozu or Visitor Q?

The small descriptions of his films seem to involve a lot of mobster theming.

"I have enjoyed Kurosawa's films, and scattered other Japanese films in the past, but mostly those that have been popularized in America (Hero, Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers)."

You are a culturally ignorant, idiot. "Hero," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and "House of the Flying Daggers" are all Chinese films. I guess all Asians look alike to you. You are too stupid, too ignorant, or too racist to distinguish between Chinese & Japanese.

Please don't respond. It's painful to see you strut around this thread - too ignorant to be embarrassed. Your better-than-average working knowledge on films is in need of a remedial geography class.

If you like Cronenberg or Lynch, you'll probably like Miike. I assume you know who those directors are. Even a jackass like you must have seen "History of Violence" or "Mulholland Drive." However, their earlier works are similar to Miike's works. Miike is unique though; nothing else is really comparable. Frankly, I find Miike's lack of narrative to be a distraction. My favorite film by him was "Gozu" but I give a stronger recommendation to "Great Yokai War" because he hews to a narrative. That was the whole fucking point of this thread before you spewed out your mental diarrhea and wiped with a worthless apology.

If you don't like violent depictions on film, I can't say enough good things about "The Taste of Tea" by Ishii. It is Miike Lite - same loose plot structure, similar quirky comedy, and childhood nostalgia but with less violence.

Now kindly fuck off, asshole.

I think I did know those films were Chinese, I guess my post didn't reflect that-
no - it didn't.
You can be embarrassed for the both of us. You probably are used to it. Where did you come from, you troll? You are very adept at this mudslinging, and it is painfully obvious that you are antisocial and a poor judge of character. I will continue to discuss asian films on your thread. The angrier you get, the better, in my mind, maybe you'll kill yourself and rid the world of one more self-righteous, arrogant, moron.

Please discuss more Asian films on this thread. I notice that you are unwilling to specify countries; instead you just use the catch-all "asian films." By the way, for someone that nitpicks on other's spelling errors, "Asian" is always capitalized. How did you say it? It is really difficult to take you seriously "when you drop attention to spelling and grammar."

The best that can be said of you is that you are at your least ignorant when you discuss films. Confusing China & Japan is the smartest thing you posted on this thread.

"it is painfully obvious that you are antisocial and a poor judge of character."

I guess the irony of you making that statement is lost on you. You initially attacked me without provocation due to your ignorance and lack of judgment. An insincere apology from you does not transform your ignorance or lack of judgment.

Hey Scaly-ass. Calm down. Go take a walk.

Here's a news flash. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK about me. You have proven your propensity to lose your cool all over the place like bad emesis. If you don't like me GREAT! - I'm on the right path then.
Thank you for correcting me about Asian being capitalized.

I think I do tend to group Asian cultures in a similar way in my mind, with no disrespect to any of the specific nationalities. They are simply different from European and American cultures. The only real knowledge I have of the two countries is a historical and religious/ philosophical one. I'm sure it's not nearly as accurate as yours. Pray tell where does your extensive knowledge come from?

Wait, don't tell me, 'cause I don't care.

You have now resorted to childish name calling derivations. Furthermore, for someone that "doesn't care," you have a pathological need to respond, rationalize, and react.

At least you freely admit your ignorance and latent racism towards Asians. I guess that's a first step in coming to terms with your inner asshole.

How do I get my knowledge of Asia? I lived in Japan and spent a few years in Hong Kong. I'm sure you'll need to break out the atlas to find Hong Kong. In fact, can you even find Asia on the map? It's east of Europe.

As for losing my cool, I'm a easy going guy unless someone pisses me off. You made an enemy tonight. Not only do I dislike you but I disrespect you. You are an ignorant asshole that is wasting space on this world. Not only are you ignorant of the world at large but you are ignorant of your own shortcomings. Maybe your mental capacity can't process the sheer volume but do you have to display them all on this message board for us to see? Lack of judgment, shamelessness, ignorance, racism, immaturity, insincerity, and childishness - and those are your best qualities.

Isn't there a thread somewhere on this board that is in need of your baseless accusations?

I told you not to tell me why you are America's expert on Japan and China.
You don't listen.
I think that's only one of your problems.

It's going to take me a while to list all of them. I'll just note the ones that have gotten us here.

You set your opinion of yourself far too high. You assume that by talking or writing, others should listen to you. That's your first mistake. Most of the words that you have squeezed out of that brain of yours have been baseless insults, and therefore, immediately discredited.

You ARE ANTISOCIAL!!!! To get incredibly bent out of shape so quickly is not in the character of an 'easy going guy'
'I'm a easy going guy unless someone pisses me off'
And then what? ARMAGEDDON! Right? Right?

This is where your easy-going guy theory falls apart: you are not easy-going. I was trying to fight against Myke Mancino posts, and incorrectly interpreted your thread. You responded, angry, and justifiably so.
I reassessed the situation and apologized, noting my own error in misinterpreting your post.
Since then, it has been your war-road to self-vengeance, because you felt 'hurt.' I'm sorry you were hurt, Nancy.

Now, I have made 'an enemy.' Is this like a comic book, now? Are you gonna start wearing a jump suit? If so, I'm out. I have no interest in having an 'internet enemy.'

Your use of logic has been atrocious. Therefore, losing what you call ' your respect' is well, suffice it to say I've had sneezes that bothered me more.

I think that these points show YOUR lack of judgment (more of self-control, in your instance) and shamelessness (I have been the only one to introspect here).
As for ignorance, I have already said that I know little of this director or of the entire Japanese repetoire. As for racism, your language is completely inflammatory at best, with no more grounding than the fact that I made a grammatical error, the likes of which you have been so eager to denounce the importance. Calling me (the least racist man you'll meet, honestly) a racist, is just stupid, and that's why I've labeled you such.
I'm getting tired. Please kill yourself.

Well, now that you two have THAT out of your system... might I recommend a superior Czech film? Jan Svankmeyers "Alice". It's simplistic recreation of the mind numbing controls of a Communist State is enough to make anyone be thankfull and gratefull that we have the freedom to speak our minds (with SOME limits) on this board.

Now kiss and make up you two or I'll sick "Little Otik" on you.

stupid thinghobber... posted my message twice.....sorry