Shingo Tsurumi Movies

Veteran filmmaker Kihachi Okamoto revives his similarly named 1960s television series about happy-go-lucky avenger-for-hire Sukeroku (Hiroyuki Sanada) who prefers to brandish a wooden pole or a rope rather than a sword. The film opens with Sukeroku returning to his home in the mountainous Joshu region after a seven-year absence to visit his mother's grave. He quickly encounters not only old flame Osen (Kyoka Suzuki) -- who is still clearly in love with him -- but also his boyhood rival Taro (Takehiro Murata) -- who tells him that local samurai Katakura (film legend Tatsuya Nakadai) is the target of revenge. Sukeroku tries to get hired as one of the avengers but is told that four professionals have already been hired for the job. When the dignified Katakura meets his fate, Sukeroku begins to plot revenge on a more personal note. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Short film veteran Hineki Mito directs this hour-long movie about a collection of disenfranchised people searching for what escapes them. A retired teacher driving aimlessly along Japan's back roads is joined by a young woman recently dumped by her boyfriend. Along the way, they encounter a variety of weirdoes, including a depressed ex-cop and a housewife brandishing a stash of cash. This film was screened at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Drawing equally from Quentin Tarantino, Hong Kong action spectaculars, Japanese anime, and the over-the-top fashion sensibility of Tokyo's Shibuya district, Katsuhito Ishii spins this dizzying propulsive flick about lovers on the run and the weirdest band of gangsters on the planet. Toshiko Momojiri (Shie Koinata) dreams of a life away from the grinding tedium of working in a run-down hotel and away from her perverted, pawing uncle who manages the place. While driving to the post office, she literally runs into Kuro Samehada (played by Japanese indie film icon Tadanobu Asano), a thief who stole a pile of loot from his former gang and is currently fleeing them dressed only in his underpants. He jumps in the driver's seat, and soon love is born. The gang is lead by a dandy of a boss (Kishibe Ittoku) who obsessively collects energy-drink ads while his son Mitsuru (Shingo Tsurumi) -- heir apparent of the gang -- sports a snow-white jumpsuit and platinum locks; they are single-minded in their lust for Kuro's pilfered loot. Meanwhile, Toshiko's uncle puts a bounty on his niece and a hit out on his new competitor for her attention. Ultra-violence, bizarre sex, and killer costumes ensue. This film was screened at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Tetsuo Shinohara directs this stalker fantasy cum lily-white romance story about a faded pop star and an overly ardent fan in a virginal white dress. The film centers on Hanabi (Masayoshi Yamazaki), a rock singer who once filled arenas but now lives a secluded existence in a country estate where he mourns the death of his inner child. While driving about the Tokyo Bay, he encounters a young lass named Hibana (Masumi Sanada) practicing her dancing. She is a dancer short of bus fare -- and a big fan of his. Annoyed by her gooey-eyed gushing, he hands her a wad of money and drives off. Later that night, Hibana shows up to return the money and to beg him to let her become his assistant. At first he brushes her off, but inevitably they fall in love and are soon making beautiful music together. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi