The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films FROM THE PUBLISHER
Here is an authoritative look at Japan's cinematic underworld. An invaluable resource for fans, film buffs, and researchers, The Yakuza Movie Book features: profiles of 7 notable genre directors like Tai Kato and "Beat" Takeshi Kitano, along with extensive interviews with Teruo Ishii, Seijun Suzuki, Rokuro Mochizuki, and the shock jock of Japanese film, Takashi Miike, plus, one of Kinji Fukasaku's last interviews; profiles of 14 of the genre's top actors, including Junko Fuji, Shintaro Katsu, Akira Kobayashi, Hiroki Matsukata, Jo Shishido, Ken Takakura, Riki Takeuchi, Koji Tsurata, Tatsuo Umemiya, Tomisaburo Wakayama, and Tetsuya Watari, plus interviews with Show Aikawa, arguably the hardest-working gangster in show business, Noboru Ando, one of the only gangster-actors, and the legendary Bunta Sugawara; reviews of 123 films, with storylines and critical commentaries; 50 images, including stills and movie posters; a guide to finding the films on video and DVD; a bibliography and glossary; finding guides for directors, actors, and themes.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Yakuza films, with their "endless variations on the theme of revenge," have influenced American directors from Francis Ford Coppola to Quentin Tarantino. These Japanese gangster genre pics are a "great guilty pleasure," says Japan Times film reviewer Schilling, and though they had their "Golden Age" in the 1960s and 1970s, they're now enjoying renewed popularity in the West. Schilling has compiled profiles of and interviews with directors and actors, along with 100 reviews of yakuza movies, to present what the publisher calls the first book in English devoted entirely to this genre. Schilling charts yakuza's development, explains the origin of Japanese gangs, the various styles and qualities of the films, and the ways in which fans-in Japan and elsewhere-have responded to these movies. Each film review lists the director and cast members and offers a plot summary and Schilling's own critique; 60 black-and-white photos complement the text. It's a comprehensive package, sure to be of value to fans of yakuza and other gangster movies. (June) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Why a book about Japanese gangster movies? Schilling (Japanese film, Tokyo Intl. Univ.; Contemporary Japanese Film) asks this question in the foreword to his unique study of a popular film genre that has only recently received serious critical attention. He answers by citing such reasons as the genre's longevity and its inside look on Japanese culture and character. Following a concise introduction, Schilling profiles and/or interviews leading yakuza directors and actors. Making up the body are reviews of 120 theatrical and original video releases, most of which are Japanese, but non-Japanese productions, such as Yakuza (Warner Bros. 1975), are also represented. Each entry includes title, release date, brief credits, story, and critique. A glossary of Japanese terms, a bibliography of Japanese and English books and articles, and a list of suggested video and DVD sources conclude each entry. Schilling, who has lived in Japan for more than a quarter century, has produced a remarkable work on an enduring guilty pleasure, the first of its kind in English. Highly recommended for academic libraries supporting programs in film and Asian studies and for public libraries serving fans of Japanese and action film.-M.C. Duhig, Lib. Ctr. of Point Park Coll. & Carnegie Lib. of Pittsburgh Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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