Part school romantic comedy and part over the top gore flick. When two girls are in love with the same boy that can be a problem. When one is a vampire and the other winds up being a back from the dead, stitched together monster, the problem only gets bigger.
Directed by – Yoshihiro Nishimura, Naoyuki Tomomatsu
Written by – Naoyuki Tomomatsu, Shungiku Uchida
Starring – Eri Otoguro, Takumi Saito, Jiji Bu, Erina, Sayaka Kametani, Yukie Kawamura, Sayako Nakoshi, Aya Nishisaki, Sayo, Eihi Shiina, Takashi Shimizu, Kanji Tsuda
Oh yes, this is the one I was really waiting for and it didn’t disappoint for one second. It’s Yoshihiro Nishimura’s take on the typical Japanese school romance idea, but when it’s a Nishimura film you know you’re getting more than funny romance moments. This was everything I expected and then some. I actually like this one a little bit more than Tokyo Gore Police. It seemed to have a little bit better of a story and the effects seem to be done a little bit better as well.
Obviously we’re treated to some really crazy characters, including the school clubs of professional wrist cutters and a group of girls who attempt to look as black as possible. It was actually pointed out to the audience that the director was not trying to make fun of African Americans but was in fact making fun of the Japanese girls who wanted to be African American. I can see why as they are way over the top looking, which you have to expect from these films anyway.
There’s a little less blood in this one and a little more humour but when there is blood, you get lots of it. The final battle scene takes place on the Tokyo Tower and the Frankenstein Girl really starts looking crazy then. Through the use of the Vampire Girl’s blood it’s made possible to bring inanimate objects to life through living screws. She starts to stitch herself together with girders from the tower to make a giant monster.
HAHAHA! This is probably the most mish mash review I’ve done yet but the movie comes at you from all sides and it’s hard to get my brain wrapped around everything in an orderly fashion. If you’re a fan of Machine Girl or TGP, this one delivers just as well, and maybe a bit more depending on what you’re looking for. It was a great way to kick off the day.
BLACKHEADS
Chris Nash, 14 min
While struggling with intimacy issues with his girlfriend, a man learns that he has just developed an unnaturally large blackhead in the middle of his back.
So what kind of short do you play before an over the top gorefest like Vampire Girl? How about one where a guy has a giant blackhead on his back so when the doctor cleans it out he’s left with a gaping hole! Yeah, it was gross! I’ve never seen so many people turn their heads from the screen before. Blood spraying everywhere is one thing but a giant blackhead is another. The guy goes to the doctor where he proceeds to stick his finger into it and pull out a big glob of puss. Really, really gross. Towards the end the guy with the blackhead has a sexual encounter that involves a hobo, a hotel room and that gaping wound in his back. Really funny and totally stomach churning all at the same time. Well done!
Under the marquee – Will
Okay, so I have to see it. Hooray’s from both you and Cello. I’m sold.
I can’t even read the review of Blackheads. I know it’s going to be awfully gross, and I’m just going to pass, not my cup of gross out tea.
I maintain that Blackhead has been the hardest thing to watch in the whole festival so far.
Oh man, Vampire Girl is so freaking great! And yeah, Blackheads was the most disgusting thing that has been shown yet. Severed heads and spurting blood is one thing but a giant blackhead is another! HAHA!
Blackhead sounds gross. lol. I’ll probably skip that one like Heather suggested. I can see rape, violence, murder, kidnapping, and the like….but if you pop a zit on camera, i’m out man. lol Glad you liked the movie, I really dug the over the top stereotypes in the movie, especially the black person with huge lips and an afro lol!
Yeah man, Vampire Girl was tons of fun and Blackheads was the first time I’ve seen so many people in a movie theater turn their heads away from the screen! It’s really funny though.
I actually found out today that a friend of my girlfriend worked on some of the effects for Blackheads. That intrigued me and frightened me all at the same time!
I think it’s cool my friend Adi did some of the post production for this short. But I would have felt so gross doing it!
-Charmaine
I had no idea Blackhead elicited this kind of reaction. I’m always uneasy watching my movies with an audience, so I hid in the lobby – but it’s nice to hear the audience took something away from it (good or bad). Thanks for the favorable review!
I think that everyone really loved Blackheads, even if it was really gross! HAHA! That’s what we were all there for. I know that everyone I was with liked it. It was probably one of the best shorts for me.