The Toei Pinky Violence thread

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 06 Nov 2007, 16:25

R2 FR Pathe Sasori dvds

I have finished comparing the first four films:

Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion (Pathe vs HK Video vs Media Blasters)
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=2115

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (Pathe vs Studio Canal vs Toei)
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=3693

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable (Pathe vs Media Blasters)
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4059

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Grudge Song (Pathe vs Media Blasters)
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4060

Other comparisone here and here, plus review

To put it simple, Pathe's dvds for parts 1 and 2 are good, part 3 is not very good, and part 4 should be avoided at all costs. Extras are the same for all films; original trailer, filmographies and picture gallery. Teaser trailers have not been included. I'll be reviewing the New Female Prisoner Scorpion films at a later date.

The package is a 3-sleeve digipac, with two discs on each page. The design is not exactly great as the disc could easity get damaged while taking them out or stucking them back in. The artwork is nice, but overall the package leaves a bit cheap taste. No booklet is included.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 10 Nov 2007, 15:29

New Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701 (Shin joshuu sasori: 701-go) (1976)

The Scorpion saga continues, or starts again from the beginning, three years after Meiko Kaji left the series. Yumi Takigawa (School of the Holy Beast) stars as the new Nami Matsushima, a woman betrayed and sent to prison.

The new crew have thankfully refused the temptation to deliver a direct remake of the original Shunya Ito classic. Director Yutaka Kohira, who worked as an assistant director for some of the earlier instalments, is not in the league of his predecessors but is still very much capable of delivering a solid pinky violence movie. The new introduction sequence is rather good and the casting isn’t bad. As soon as you can stop comparing the new players to the old cast you’ll find a lot to enjoy. Especially the prison staff, including Rinichi Yamamoto as the warden and Kinji Takinami as one of the guards, features several great characters.

Audio-visually the film has a lot to live up to. The outcome is not too bad. The visual department offers some stylish images throughout the film, and the funky soundtrack (including a new theme song) works. Sex and violence have been toned down to some extent, though. There’s a bit of nice ultraviolence near the end, plus the compulsory shower scene, but that’s pretty much it when it comes to daring content. Certainly surprising from a mid 70’s women in prison film.

Most of the film’s problems appear during the middle part. The main character goes through a rather dull humiliation process, similiar to what we saw in the original film. Only this time the director is a bit less talented and doesn’t have the exceptional eye for details that Ito had. Yumi Takigawa’s work is interesting to follow, especially since silent roles suit her well, but she’s still no match to Meiko Kaji. From a fan’s point of view the film however remains interesting, even if not quite exhilarating, during the weaker parts also.

Regardeless of how much you enjoy the middle part it’s worth enduring as the real twist comes only near the end. The last 20 minutes is pure pinky violence perfection. This is where the images, music and and performances all come together. Above all, this is where the whole saga comes together, and a certain circle closes. The use of the Sasori mythology is first grade. For a fan of the series this was such a satisfying conclusion that my eyes were nearly watering. The film truly earned it’s existence.

Pathe’s La Femme Scorpion box marks the first time this film is released on dvd. The presentation is solid but not outstanding. The transfer appears to be converted from an NTSC master, although myself I didn’t notice any severe flickering during camera pans. The contrast level is set too high, but doesn’t cause awfully serious problems. The colours are very good and brightness level seems decent. Whether frames are missing like with 701 I’m unable to report. Despite the problems this is a very acceptable interlaced transfer that allows you to fully enjoy the film. Audio is slightly harsh a few times but perfectly adequate. Extras consist of filmographies, picture gallery and subtitled trailer.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 14 Nov 2007, 17:08

New Female Prisoner Scorpion: Tokushu-bo X (Shin joshuu sasori: Tokushu-bo X) (1977)

Ground zero. Appart from director Yutaka Kohira, who found time to helm one of the best Etsuko Shihomi films, Dragon Princess, in between the two New Female Prisoner films, the Sasori saga is given another clean start. The backstory has been changed once again, and the cast is loaded with new faces. The lead role is played by Sasori number three; Yoko Natsuki.

While Yumi Takigawa was able to adapt the iconic role with moderate success, the same can not be said about Yoko Natsuki. While she’s not terrible by any means, she does not manage to bring much life into the character. She looks good with the right clothing (and without, might I add), but that’s about as far as her special talent goes. On the positive side she is indeed the weakest link when it comes to casting. The supporting cast is excellent and offers plenty of reason to get excited about.

The new prison crew should receive any Toei fan’s acceptance. The warden is played by none other than Masashi Ishibashi. He doesn’t get to throw a single karate move in this film, but he’s definitely the man for the job. His right hand man is played by Hiroshi Tachi, who gives an incredibly cool performance that remided me a bit of Eiji Go’s work. Takeo Chii, who gives another badass performance, handles one of the most remarkable supporting roles. Finally, the cute Kaori Ono gives Sasori’s support as a fellow prisoner.

The film opens with a nice opening credits sequence, accompanied with a decent new theme song. After that the quality goes down a bit. The supporting actors alone can’t make the movie exciting enough, and Kohara’s attempts with surrealism end up more often amusing than impressive. Once again, for a genre fan it’s hard not to enjoy at least a little bit, but for casual viewers the first 50 minutes doesn’t offer that many thrills. There’s a moderate amount of sexploitation, though, and other highlights include the prisoners wearing a very nice t-shirt - shorts combination.

The last 30 minutes is what really makes the film worth a watch. The scrip takes a welcome and even somewhat original turn, and the film becomes visually more attractive. The actors also get more room to shine, and even Natsuki manages to impress a few times. The finale isn’t in the class of the previous film, but offers plenty of quality entertainment. Not a bad way to end the series.

Pathe’s disc doesn’t differ much from that of New Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701, but the transfer is better. Basic problems remain – interlaced and not from a native PAL source – but the problems are less visible than expected. There’s still some boosting, but colours and brightness seem excellent. The image is also nicely sharp. On smaller screens this transfer should look quite good. The audio features no problems. The excellent original trailer is subtitled in french, and the picture gallery is of high quality as with the other discs in the box set.

Masashi Ishibashi

Hiroshi Tachi

Takeo Chii

Yoko in the original trailer

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 23 Nov 2007, 15:27

Rica 2: Lonely Wanderer (Konketsuji Rika: Hitoriyuku sasuraitabi) (1973)

The second part in the Rica trilogy has, if possible, even less attempt for a senseful storyline than before. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, the film also lacks the wild mix of different genre elements that made its predecessor so damn enjoyable. To make matters worse, Rika Aoki’s charms aren’t used to the fullest. She does wear a couple of kick ass costumes, though.

The supporting characters are mostly less than memorable. Especially Kazumi Toshi’s character, who would perform one dull song after another, feels like a wasted opportunity. Thankfully Rika Aoki gets on stage as well, although her songs are not as good as last time. The most important male role is played by Ryonosuke Minegishi who does decent job in the role of a mysterious man helping Rica. Hitoshi Takagi and Kaoru Hama are okay as villains but hardly anything special. Surprisingly all the remarkable characters in the film keep their clothes on. The amount of sex and nudity is almost nonexistent.

After all that rant, is Rica 2 a bad movie? Hell no. It has notably less kick than the original, but it’s still a very decent genre film. It never gets boring, and there’s one scene early on that made me lose count how many ’what-the-fucks’ came out of my mouth. Setting the film in Northern Japan gives it a nice snowy twist. There’s a bunch of political references too, but nothing too interesting to be honest. The ending is pretty cool, followed by another awesome ending credits sequence. Good fun for genre fans, other may consider skipping.

Exploitation Digital’s transfer is both an improvement and a step back. On the positive side the encoding is now better than last time. Unfortunately the transfer is now soft. I hope it’s a print related issue, and that the company hasn’t been listening to people complaining about grain in the first film. Another problem is that the transfer is not as bright as it should, and also looks reddish from time to time. The overall look is very acceptable considering the origins, but far from pristine. Extras consist of trailers and photo gallery.

Classique · Post by **Classique** » 26 Nov 2007, 15:35

Seems like I did build you up too much for Rica 2.

I finally finished watching it and although I think I enjoyed it a bit more
then you did I will agree it was not as good as the first.

I'm actually really glad they went the route they did and didn't try to top the
first because it probably would have been a failure.
Instead they decided to have some fun and in turn I did as well!

I'm was really sad they didn't bring back the one baddie from the first film who jumped off the boat at the end before they could get him.
He had the greatest pick-up line ever- "Your cute.I want to fuck you."

I already ordered the third one straight from Media Blasters on ebay so I should have it before the end of the week. :twisted:

I skimmed the trailer for it and it appeared most of it's going to be taking place in reform school so we'll see how that turns out.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 28 Nov 2007, 15:39

From Outcast Cinema (check the link for the whole article, which includes a mention of a possible future pinky release (EDIT: he was talking about Bohachi Bushido))

"During the past week in Tokyo, we did a series of interviews with famed Toei sexploitation director Norifumi Suzuki."

"Suzuki-kantoku was kind enough to join us on successive Sundays at the amazing Laputa Cinema in Asagaya, on the west side of Tokyo, and spent several hours with our camera crew discussing his career and films. The interviews will appear on two DVDs due out next year, the initial one being the fourth Sukeban film, to be released by Media Blasters in February under the title Girl Boss: Revenge. Later in the spring, Discotek Media will release Suzuki's jaw-dropping, solitary entry into the Roman Porno genre, Star of David: Beauty Hunting."

"Suzuki sat with Japanese film critic and cult film writer Kiichiro Yanashita for a full-length audio commentary for Star of David, to be included on the Discotek disc. Not only is this the first time Suzuki has done a commentary, we believe it's the first time a Roman Porno director has done a commentary for one of his films! Of course, the commentary was conducted in Japanese and will be presented on the disc with English subtitles. Fans of Suzuki and of the Roman Porno genre in general should be very pleased."

Photo from Yanashita Kiichiro’s blog

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 03 Dec 2007, 21:05

Ero shogun to nijuichi nin no aisho (1972)

Toei and Norifumi Suzuki know how to give pinku eiga an epic feel. Right from the beginning it’s clear that this is grand scale sexploitation. The budget may be small, but it doesn’t show. Loaded with some beautiful outdoor shots and typically impressive shogun’s inner palace footage Ero shogun to nijuichi nin no aisho is a good example an exploitation piece that could only have been born in Japan.

Ero shogun to nijuichi nin no aisho is not an action film. The main focus is on comedy and drama, spiced with soft core sex and occational brief swordfights. Some of the content is very silly, but sudden changes to more serious have never been a problem for Suzuki. The dialogue is plenty, but Suzuki’s direction is visually pleasing. The film is only hurt by the amount of flesh and carnal pleasures.

The cast is top notch. We’ve got Reiko Ike, who looks great with and without kimono, in a supporting role as a female ninja spy! The scene where she uses a sword hidden inside an umbrella to fight her enemies was later re-used by Teruo Ishii in the opening of Female Yakuza Tale. Also kudos to miss Ike’s hair stylish who has done excellent job in the movie. Reiko’s eternal rival Miki Sugimoto appears in the film, too, although her role is very brief. Other supporting roles feature Yoko Mihara, Emi Shiro and a quite few other pinky violence regulars.

The Toei dvd looks terrific. The image could be sharper, but everything else is top notch. Audio is clean as always on Toei dvds, and extras consist of the usual theatrical trailer and photo gallery (with some very nice production stills). Artwork is nice, but the reverse side is left empty. Toei used to print great b/w production photos on the reverse sides, but it seems like they’ve now stopped doing it.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 05 Dec 2007, 14:28

Never mind about the ugly Wal-Mart covers on the Yoen dokufu-den films, as mentioned before the covers are fully reversible and look fantastic. No dvd logos, no english titles any of that shit on the reverse side. Great job Synapse.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 17 Dec 2007, 19:26

Gotta be the best Meiko pic I have ever seen:

eddyospina · Post by **eddyospina** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:16

HungFist,

Thanks for your work on this thread, it's been very interesting going back and reading the whole thread these past few days. I've been interesting in this sort of films since I caught a few at a Japanese film festival last summer. I wanted to order some DVDs but I've found it quite hard to find any information about them online so it's very good to find a thread like this one with so much information.

I was thinking of ordering a few DVDs you mentioned and I just had a few questions I thought you (or somebody) might be able to answer:

I wanted to order Sex & Fury but i've noticed the Panik House release seems to be out of print everywhere. Do you think it's worth paying extra for the OOP DVD or simply getting the UK version without the Chris D. commentry etc.?

I wanted to order the Pinky Violence Collection on CDWOW but I noticed it has two options listed by that title, one for 30GBP and one for 40! I assumed they'd be the same but the cover picture seems slightly different and the release date listed there is different too. Any idea why this is??

Any help would be much appriciated!

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 30 Dec 2007, 10:51

Thanks you very much.

Sex & Fury: If I were in your shoes my main concern would be the subtitle font, which was said to be "ugly" on the UK disc. The transfers should be next to identical. The commentary is not really worth extra money. Of course it's better than nothing and Chris D does know something about these films, but he's no Bey Logan when it comes to making entertaining commentaries.

PV box set: I don't know what's up with cdwow, but if I had to take a wild guess I'd say the cheaper one was added to the site before the box set was released (I don't remember the release date, but I think it was a little later than what they state... I think it got postponed from the original a bit... and the product description is partly wrong... claiming Criminal Woman to be a part of the Zero Woman series (wtf series?)) and the more expensive one was added later. But basically I think they are listing the same product twice (with different prices). I've seen it happen before. I'm quite sure the box set was never re-released.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 30 Dec 2007, 13:31

oh, right, indeed. Welcome

Reiko gives you the girl gang greeting

This is how I greet people nowadays, too

eddyospina · Post by **eddyospina** » 30 Dec 2007, 18:02

Thanks guys, happy to be here

That greeting actually appeared in one of the movies I saw at the film festival, Suzuki's Sukeban Blues: Mesu Bachi no Chousen and the reaction from the crowd was unbelievable! Great movie too 8)

Thanks for the info HungFist, I took a risk and ordered the cheaper of the two sets, I'll get back to you on how it turns out. As for S&F, I may just go for the (cheaper but still not cheap!) UK version for the moment, hopefully I won't need the subs too much, unless I'm just overestimating my Japanese ability! If I enjoy it I'll probably go for the Panik House version of Female Yakuza Tale.

Also thinking of ordering Toei's recently reissued 4 Sasori films, on a bit of a Kaji Meiko kick right now

Anyone heard anything about the quality these?

edit: spelling

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 30 Dec 2007, 18:43

Sukeban Blues (drooling). What else did you see?

For Jailhouse 41 you need to get the Toei, unless if you can't stand the cropping, in which case you should get Pathe's French La Femme Scorpion box set (actually, you should get it anyway as it's the only way to own the New Female Prisoner films

) but you can save on the rest by getting the R1 Media Blaster's box set (includes parts 1,3 and 4). Media Blaster used the Toei transfers, although part has lower bitrate, part 3 was said to have slighty different (better) contrast, and part 4 I don't know except that the source material should be the same.

But then again, it would be cooler to own all the Meiko film on Toei so I don't blame you if you wanna get those 8)

701
Media Blaster vs HK Video vs Pathe: https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=2115

Jailhouse 41
Toei vs Studio Canal vs Pathe: https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=3693

Beast Stable
Media Blasters vs Pathe: https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4059

Grudge Song
Media Blasters vs Pathe: https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4060

+

New Female Prisoner
Film review and Pathe caps
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... &start=247

Tokushu-bo X
Film review and Pathe caps
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... &start=248

eddyospina · Post by **eddyospina** » 30 Dec 2007, 20:13

Ugh, I was hoping this at least would be an easy choice!

You'd assume the Japanese releases would be the best quality but looking at the Jailhouse 41 caps the Pathe release seems superior. It's not so clear cut with the others though.

I wonder if the new limited (12/07-3/08 ) Toei releases are remastered. Is that the version of Jailhouse 41 you used for your comparison or was it the older one? Those releases are pretty cheap right now and I could still probably get the Pathe box for around the same price as the 4 original films from Toei. Grudge Song on the Pathe looks awful though!

But then again, it would be cooler to own all the Meiko film on Toei so I don't blame you if you wanna get those

I must admit this is also a factor

Thanks for the info!

eddyospina · Post by **eddyospina** » 30 Dec 2007, 21:37

I'm gonna get such as credit card bill come January...

Sukeban Blues (drooling). What else did you see?

They were having a Norifumi Suzuki retropective so, along with a talk with the man himself (which I unfortunatly missed) they screened:

Osaka Do Konjyou Monogatari: Do Erai Yatsu (1968 Debut)
Silkhat no Oo-oyabun: Chobihige no Kuma (1970)
Tokugawa Sekkusu Kinshirei: Shikijyou Daimyou (1972) - Brilliant!
Sukeban Blues: Mesubachi no Chousen (1972)
Truck Yaro: Boukyou Ichiban Boshi (1976)
David no Hoshi: Bishoujyo Gari (1979)
Igano Kaba Maru (1983)

Unfortunatly I only caught, Sukeban Blues, Tokugawa Sekkusu Kinshirei and Truck Yaro. The screening of Truck Yaro was great though, it was screen outdoor in the castle grounds on a huge screen. They actually brought in the original retooled Ichiban Boshi truck from the movie! Great atmosphere, great night.

The other highlight was the all-night screening of festival highlights at the reopened grindhouse cinema, 10:30pm-8:00am 6 films. Again a great place to watch this sort of movies. I'll admit I knew next to nothing about Japanese Exploitation cinema before that but it was a great introduction!

They also had Uchida Yuya and Ishii Sogo collections, but the highlight for me were definatly the Suzuki films. I don't know whether it's something they're planning to do annually but if they did I'd definatly go back for that :twisted:

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 06 Jan 2008, 01:15

Tokyo Drifters

What a beauty. For sale at yahoo autions

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 13 Jan 2008, 15:08

Here’s the book I mentioned before, 'Pinky Violence – Toei’s Bad Girl Films', by J-Taro Sugisaku and Takeshi Uechi. 276 pages full film descriptions, pictures, stills, posters, articles, interviews. Everything is in Japanese of course so to language handicapped this is a pure fan product. It’s still very useful with all the pictures and information about films that you didn’t knew existed.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 14 Jan 2008, 15:00

Rica 3 (Konketsuji Rika: Hamagure komoriuta) (1973)

If you ever wanted to see a sequel without knowing anything about it forehand, here’s a good film to try your luck with... but, if you’re still reading, I’ll try to explain why the film took this viewer by a surprise. Rica 3 takes an U-turn from the previous instalment, not only by ditching the snowy landscapes Rica 2 in order to bathe in summer green, but also by practically switching genre. Rica 3 is a slapstick comedy born into an exploitation family.

The opening already is promising. Catfights, reform school girls, comical eye-patched guard, everybody wearing a mini skirt (excluding the males of course)... Everything is funny and silly, sometimes a bit sexy too but always in a very upbeat way. The big scratch to this image, which was maybe to be expected considering the genre film roots, comes in form of some rapes and threat of sexual violence. While none of it is graphic by exploitation film standards the fact that the victims are way underage give these scenes very nasty punch.

Another serious element in the film is the themes of racism, which have been prominent throughout the series but have been given most emphasis in this concluding part. But, I guess there’s no need to point out that this film isn’t exactly an intelligent analysis on anything. In fact, the one remarkable black character the film has - God forgive me if I’m wrong – doesn’t even seem like she was born black... And then of course we have our beautiful heroine beating the racists street thugs with a huge French bread...

The way the film mixes some sub-genres is a bit similiar to the first Rika film, and I feel these twists are better left unspoiled. Nevertheless, fans of laid-back 70’s pop movies should get several good kicks from the film. Cast-wise the film features solid supports with no irritating or unnecessary characters. The charming lead Rika Aoki, who forgot to take off her clothes the the previous film, no longer feels such need to cover herself up, although an all out nudity fest this film is not. But fan service is generous in form of Rika’s constantly changing and stylish outfits. The final reward is saved till the very end.

After Exploitation Digital’s somewhat disappointing work with the middle-Rica it comes as a positive surprise that the progressive dvd presentation for Rica 3 is very pleasing. The encoding problems that plagued the first film are gone, and the transfer is no longer overly soft and dark like in the second film. The amount of edge enhancement is about zero. The colours seem a little overdone at times, but while this isn’t a 100% pristine transfer there isn’t really any major flaws.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 15 Jan 2008, 20:03

HungFist wrote: Awesomeness. I wish Toei would release Tokugawa Sex Ban on dvd already.

Toei are obviously reading this thread

muldoon / asiandvdguide wrote: ...our beloved Toei has decided we need more Norifumi Suzuki. On May 21 Toei will release:

Gendai porno-den: senten-sei inpu (1971) [DSTD02816]
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287455/ (English)
http://www.walkerplus.com/movie/kinejun ... h&id=19643 (Japanese)
Starring Reiko Ike, Sandra Julien.

Tokugawa sekkusu kinshi-rei: shikijô daimyô (1972) [DSTD02817]
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178067/ (English)
http://www.walkerplus.com/movie/kinejun ... h&id=19706 (Japanese)
Starring Miki Sugimoto, Sandra Julien.

...

Modern Porno Tale

Tokugawa Sex Ban

I've waited all my life to see pinku starring a french actress...

+ three other, non-pinky Suzuki films.

Classique · Post by **Classique** » 22 Jan 2008, 16:54

HungFist wrote:Rica 3 (Konketsuji Rika: Hamagure komoriuta) (1973)In fact, the one remarkable black character the film has - God forgive me if I’m wrong – doesn’t even seem like she was born black...

I thought the same thing.One doesn't wanna go assuming something but if you see her in that one screenshot you posted, the skin tone definately does not look natural.

I enjoyed part 3 but found it lacking in areas.
I still enjoyed the second better.I liked the pacing better and the almost polar opposite tone of the film compared to the first.
Also, it had Rica singing on stage. +1 over the third.

I'm still sad they never dealt with the villian who jumped off the ship in the first movie.

I got Deliquent Girl Boss: Blossoming Night Dreams in the mail Saturday.
Gave it a whirl for the first 5 minutes before I went to bed last night and it looks like its gonna be good stuff.I'll report back later since I know your a bit of a Reika fan hf.

Classique · Post by **Classique** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:44

I watched Blossoming Night Dreams last night.
It of course does not top the ending of Worthless to Confess(What ever will?).
The overall movie leading up to this I enjoyed quite a bit more then W2C though.
Reika Oshida is just adorable in this movie from beginning to end, to a degree I can't even formulate in to words.Her sexuality is MUCH more on display in this movie then it was in W2C.

Also pleasently suprised to see Junko Miyazono in the film as well.
She isn't quite as attractive as say Reika but I think she more then makes up for it in the acting department.Got a cute smile too. :twisted:
First caught her in Fury Bancho 2, then the first Poisonous Seductress and now this she is steadily starting to grow on me.

As always i'd like to delve more in to it but i'm not really good with that kinda stuff plus I know you haven't seen it yet.
Gonna give W2C a whirl tonight since I haven't watched it since I first got the Pinky Violence collection some time ago so I can compare the two.

And on a last somewhat pinky violence unrelated note I ordered the original Abashiri Prison.
Ken Takakura, Tetsura Tamba and Teruo Ishii.
How have I not seen this yet?

Classique · Post by **Classique** » 06 Feb 2008, 16:36

Abashiri is great!

I was use to seeing Takakura as the strong silent type in the Red Peony films but in Abashiri he is a complete 180 and just as good if not better.

Lots of Toei regulars and a damn well made film.
Definately a "per quota" film raised above that stature by how great it is.
I'm just sad their aren't subs out there for the sequels as i'd like to see where they ended up going with things.
The first still has enough closure to be watched as a standalone movie that probably didn't have sequels planned before it's success.

Also received Girl Boss Revenge and gave it a view last night.
Good stuff.I think I may actually like the one released in the PV collection more though.
The real treat of course is the Suzuki interview.

Hungfist- I command you now to order Fury Bancho 2 before you order ANYTHING else this year.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 19 Mar 2008, 20:52

Female Demon Ohyaku (Yôen dokufu den: hannya no ohyaku) (1968)

Junko Miyazono stars in this stylish and surprisingly story driven revenge film. Labeled as ”the original pinky violence film” by the US distributor Synapse Female Demon Ohyaku doesn’t feature much more nudity than Miyazono’s tattooed back, but the violence is strong and bloody. The amount of action is small but the main point of the film lies undeniably elsewhere. As a female action film Female Demon Ohyaku could be considered a sort of early pinky violence film, but the lack graphic sex and nudity sets it appart from "true pinky violence films". The themes however are there. While the film never gets boring it feels like it could be a bit more exciting than it is now. The legendary Tomisaburo Wakayama has a small supporting role as a local yakuza boss. His role does not feature any action.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 19 Mar 2008, 21:18

Quick Draw Okatsu (Yoen dokufuden: Hitokiri okatsu) (1969)

This sequel to Female Demon Ohyaku is where the heaven begins. Quick-Draw Okatsu is the cream de la cream of violent female swordplay movies. Junko Miyazono returns in different role as a woman raving for revenge. Although she gives a very solid performance she’s actually the weakest link in the cast. The first super delighter is Reiko Oshida, Toei’s purest gift to the female action genre. Appearing in one of the early roles of her career, she plays the mysterious samurai girl character with her trademark energy and delinquent attitude. Both girls handle the sword well, but are naturally overshadowed by the sword god Tomisaburo Wakayama. This time he’s not casted as the comic relief or respected yakuza boss but his own badass himself. The lone wolf, a one man army.