You won't be disappointed!

Sadly Over-hyped

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

This movie is totally insane. When you think it can't get any worse, it does - and more. Director Sion Sono has said that he wanted to "depict a sense of total hopelessness" which he felt is "lacking in Japanese films." (The Tokyo Reporter, Nov 28, 2010). I'd say he has succeeded. If you like blood, naked bodies or crazy people, go ahead and see it. This is some kind of mentally disturb #7thArt.

Although COLD FISH is the third film I've seen from cult Japanese director Sion Sono, following on from SUICIDE CLUB and EXTE, it's the first that feels like the work of an auteur rather than just a director-for-hire. For this is an epic story of the flawed human condition, at times a shocking serial killer thriller along the lines of I SAW THE DEVIL, and at other times a warts-and-all portrayal of messed-up family life.The film's incredible plot, which always keeps you guessing and goes into some truly uncharted territory, is best left unsaid, at the risk of spoiling the fun. Suffice to say that it feels hugely fresh and new. The cast give incredibly raw and visceral performances, not least the female cast members who are often asked to show and do everything for their roles. I liked the protagonist's mild-mannered nature, which makes him feel realistic, although it's Denden who gives the film's most show-stopping performance. Otherwise it's a wild ride involving perverse sex, anger, violence, murder, some extreme gore scenes, and a film that feels like something fellow auteur Park Chan-wook would have made. I recommend it, if you have the stomach for it.

I loved the atmosphere and the chemistry between the characters. That was some high- quality crime/thriller/horror. The story involves the typical ordinary man that turns from terrorized puppy to insane Psychopath. It's tense, very sexual, bloody and has a unique feel to it that forgives the lack of originality in its formula. Plus, Megumi Kagurazaka looks stunningly ravishing. Just wow. Also, Asian movies always have some great villains and this one was one of the best. I think it's a shame that the actor did not do any other good movies, or so it seems. Oh and honourable mention for one of the craziest chick in a movie ever! The villain's girl was SICK! I did not really expected/understood what happened in the final scene but all in all superb job from Sion Sono. Especially considering that this was inspired by true events. 8/10

Love Exposure (by the same director) is one of my favourites of all time and so I was hoping for another cinematic treat. Unfortunately, this did not even come close. In fact, I found myself angry by the end of it and this was because I found the sexual violence disturbing, I did not buy into the plot twist, and most of the characters seemed unreal to me by the end of the film. These things ruined it for me.I wouldn't complain about the depiction of sexual violence if the film had more depth to it, but if there was any worthy point, then I totally missed it. My Japanese partner watched it with me and told me she had been thinking that it might be offputting to some/many Westerners since they would not understand the aspects of Japanese culture which give this film different meanings. This was certainly part of the problem for me, but further to this, it was the fact that it seemed to try to be many things (black comedy, gory horror, thriller, psychological drama) but failed to bring them together well enough.