Swan's Japanese Horror Reviews 12: Strange Circus

[BriCareful]

thats how I felt watching dumplings sooooo gross

[blondexnaruto]

Just got finished watching it. And wow was that a crazy film. Very well put together. Masumi Miyazaki was fantastic. Thanks for the review Swan. RIP

[yzarci]

Hey I have a question for the commentators,

Is the one available on Amazon actually cut by 24 minutes? I watched it online and I want a copy of it, but I don't want a cut copy.

[Vendelaaaa]

Thank you for recomanding it, it's a masterpice C:

[Vendelaaaa]

@Vendelaaaa and that's recommending!

[Vendelaaaa]

@Vendelaaaa and that's masterpiece!

Great spelling i know

[SanDhampir]

why do people hate this movie? this was actually a very beautiful (in a erotic way) movie. it had all what i wanted in a horror film: good acting, gore, a bit of sex, imaginative, magical, and the circus :D

[kataang4eva95]

I loved this movie but it disturbed me to no end... I didn't understand the ending very much sadly, but I understood the point of the movie and must say that Sion Sono is an amazing filmmaker.

[KeithTheKing]

Hiroshi Oguchi, the actor who played the dad in "Strange Circus" died in January 2009. He played drums with popular bands The Tempters, Pyg and Vodka Collins, was an actor and a respected painter.

[CynderXOX]

That is definitely one of my favorite movies. I love Sion Sono's work. It's both grotesque and beautiful.

[Melanchomin]

Yet again another awesome review =D Btw never saw a modern ero-guro movie before..is this like the only one? or are there more guro movies out there besides the ones from the 60's and 70's? o.o

[Chloroformityy]

For anyone unsure about this movie, it's definitely worth your time. The camerawork and character design is flawless and the sex, while graphic, serves a purpose. I was "meh" about this film initially, I had a hard time looking past the sex, but the last 45 minutes rocked my world!

[dizziemd]

I just watched this movie and I have to say it's one of the trippiest movie I have ever seen! It was very well done and I got the message/themes pretty clearly.

[EmoCuppycakeSky]

I'm only 15 and I adore this movie.

It's beautiful and twisted. I watch it everday. Love Love Love it! <3

It's amazing to be honest, even if its sick in some ways. But honestly that is how real life is, so get over it peoples! :D

[8133108]

my boyfriend thinks im wierd because i enjoyed this movie ;p

[MirrorredSoul]

I personally find this movie to be very interesting and haunting. I showed it to my bf, too. Although by the end he told me he thought it was weird, he couldn't stop watching whilst he was watching it.

[brightpinkstatic]

This movie pretty much blew my mind. Sion Sono always blurs the line between art house and trashy horror! The cinematography is stellar, which shuts all the haters up who criticized the lo-fi look of Suicide Club.

[son1gohan]

is is that syduck at 4:59 lol

[iMapleSyrupi]

I just finished watching it. While disturbing to say the last, I enjoyed it very much. Very much.

It had a very deep, psychological theme.

[roseraie]

Watched the movie last night I and I was definitely surprised, like many had stated it's a lot calmer than I expected... For some reason the disturbing scenes were that hard for me to watch. Though this movie is definitely worth seeing and I'm very glad that I did. I kept contemplating whether I should see it and now I'm super glad that I did. It's beautifully done.

[NatalyandCB]

Maybe someone knows where i can download this movie with english subs????

[SakuraDarling]

I watched this movie and LOVED IT! it does get quite sexual but you can handle it. The story is awesome! you have no idea what's real or not. It really is a mind bender, but thats what makes it amazing!

[thefatman69dude]

this film is so good, I watched this for again the other day with my girlfriend, and she was totally turned of by this movie, I told her it was incredibly graphic. I find this to be a sad, intense film, that really gets the point across, about what we define our sexual identities to be. my girlfriend was like, you watch this shit, you have issues, lol. She doesnt like unique art films, so know i never hear the end of it.

[WeAllUseKites]

I'm in love with your videosss D:

[EvilJirachi]

3:32 is that a psyduck?

[Megaritz]

Yes, that is indeed a Psyduck.

[Gotenks45]

Yeah It's been in a couple of his reviews

[mikosuzahiru18]

I would have to agree. I have my own online show and my co-host and I praise this movie millions of times. It's probably one of my favorite asian horrors. Definitely my fave Sion Sono movie for sure.

[Knnedy]

I HAVE to see this..

Extremely graphic AND thought provoking?!

Suicide Club was awesome but this is probably better. =o

*hails Sion Sono*

[LollysInsane]

I watched this film last night and oh my god I loved it! So good, and yeah better than Suicide Club. Really interesting, kept me asking questions and kept me watching.

I sent it to a friend though and they didn't like it. Well, they couldn't watch it. So yeah it depends on your taste.

Great review ^-^

[thefatman69dude]

yeah agree

[forbiddenhill]

just ordered this movie off ebay, hope its good..it looks it

[pasquanza]

6 un ricchione coglione gay di merda!!! ma ke cazzo parli?? ma suca!!

[DancabaZ]

keep doing spoofs! you were so good at them

[PStewart28]

Swann, you need to be in television.

[DancabaZ]

agreed

[redamberrose]

i think i will really like this movie .thanks for the reveiw ! cant wait to watch it!

[Symaethis]

lol, theres a psyduck in the background^^ cute!!

[vegeta1234]

I like this movie but I dont think that this movie was better than sucide circle, well thats my opinion, great review thanks

[palomorhyno]

What's the song on the background?

[MrsRockabilly]

Great review! This makes me want to run out and buy it straight away... if I can find it that is. I'm curious to see if it's equally as good as Suicide Club.

[pigottpink]

Your reviews are very good. Great detail and insight. Thanks, it really makes me want to watch these movies!

[DirtyDem123234345]

Psyduck?

[Farao51]

isn't violence, sex and a good story line enough to recommend a movie?

[jfreakzach]

thanx 4 the review i've been lookin 4 this film i might just order it

[Alucard126345]

I didn't know jsut how right you were till I saw it. I can normally stand some pretty sick things but this film, just for its themes alone is one of the hardest films I've ever seen. However the twists that people say are in it are kind of hard to find you really have to watch the film a second or third time to understand it.

[heylie13]

Do you know where we could download it with English subtitles?

[weirdkidchelsey]

I was stunned watching this film. Mixed emotion.

[pylester]

One of the best japanese flicks i have ever seen, up there with suicide club end kairo (pulse).

[MuppetMan246]

Suicide Club is ok, but Norikos Dinner Table, now that movie left a lasting effect on me and my friend after watching it!

Btw, nice review Swan, keep it up!

[The3point14]

This movie was awful. I watched the entire thing, and it didn't have any twists/turns, blood/guts, suspense, or anything that makes a good horror film. I would call this a cheap porn, since 50% of the film was sex.

from 1-100, its a 4.

[IsompiVamma]

Have you even watched this film? Are you blind?

[Alucard126345]

Are you insane? Yes it does have sex, but no blood? No twists? you have to be blind or something. A cheap pron? Thats low, a cheap porn is kirei.

[The3point14]

Yeah this movies still sucks. I don't know what twists you are talking about. I predicted just about everything that happened. Without a doubt, I say this movie is completely lame.

[darkmizuki]

Strange Circus is beautiful, the acting in general is great. but parts of it reminds me of Audition, and Dario Argento's Inferno...must be becoz of the vivid colors in the film....+____+

[Vivalamode]

I just watched this movie yesterday because your review really intrigued me. I think you were absolutely correct when you called it a "mind bender." It's a great film. Worth watching.

[bumbeez]

very good job

[dieingbreadmens]

just by teh way :D

is there a german version of the movie? because i feel like buying the movie at amazon^^.

[Pemmikan]

jepp...i saw it just yesterday in a shop ;)

[dieingbreadmens]

awesome, thanks. x)

[makantang]

There is no horror at all in that movie it just tooooo many disturbing scenes

[tonieboo0013]

This is my favourite j-horror of all time, it's just an amazing film. And makantang, it doesn't have to be a slasher film or have supernatural elements to be considered a horror film. What would you call this if not a horror film ? It's shocking and suspenseful, and, I suppose it has a mystery element to it as well, but it's always gonna be a horror in my eyes.

[BananaFlavouredPants]

Surrealist I believe is the answer that you're looking for. I think the film wipes the floor with Lynches work, within the massively crazy context of the story everything is grounded with purpose.

[tonieboo0013]

Arigato. I couldn't think of the word, but I knew there was a term for this genre, besides j-horror. I've honestly never seen any of Lynches work. Actually, I don't know who Lynche is. As much as I LOVE j-horror, I've yet to learn all the names of people involved. I know Takashi Miike, which is, a staple for j-horror, so, it doesn't take much talent to know who he is lol. So, who is Lynche ?

[derengrey]

It's an awesome movie! But he over exaggerates it..with the "grotesque shocker" It's not that bad...I say it's totally watchable~ SOOO..go watch..experience something new~ Real cool. You'll love it! :3

[namidanoame]

Just when I thought that there was no better movie than Suicide Club, I watched this movie. And then I watched it again. And again, and again! ^_^ #1~!

[martyrofevil]

I watched this film directly after viewing this review. I was not disappointed. I was surprised how tame this film was after Swan stated how disturbing it was, I was expecting Visitor Q type messed up. During the film, I thought it was an O.K film but, I assumed it would have a stupid ending. WRONG! I can't believe this films ending worked and it revealed itself right as I figured it out (unintentionally)and it's one of the best endings I've seen and other than Audition its my fav. Asian film

[rodgerswan]

hey cool, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, I loved the ending as well.

[Zeetana]

You people are sick for even wanting to watch a sick movie like that. There is nothing great about making up the sickest storyline possible.

[KingdomHearts535]

Did you know that the things in this movie happen in real life? The movie isn't just trying to go to the sickest thing anyone can think of, this movie deals with real issues we have around the world.

[JDavis1982]

OMG! I Just finished watching this. MUCH better than Suicide Club in my opinion. It's very difficult to watch but the cinematography is brilliant. Have you seen, "A Tale of Two Sisters"? Could you do a review for that?

[FunnyTreeCookie]

It's korean.

[daggersnight]

I would love to see him do a review of "A Tale of Two Sisters" but it is Korean so we just have to hope that he does!

[exactlythatsthepoint]

Hey a Psyduck plushie, nice review btw

[KingdomHearts535]

I noticed that too. lol!

[Luzifel]

I've seen this movie and at first I thought 'wth am I watching?' and I just wanted to stop, but then I thought 'maybe it will get better' and yes... it did!

you really have to interpret some scenes in order to understand the characters or the plot, but that's what's so fascinating about this movie - you can't just lean back and watch it from a distance, you have to identify with the characters.

not the type of movie I usually watch, but I really enjoyed it.

[DragonPhly2813]

Tragic and beautiful. Macabre and remarkable. This story was haunting in it visual unfolding and its brutal savagery. It reminded me of a Shakespearian play with its shocking examination of the wickedness of (some) families and the fragility of the human psyche. Recommended for those with a strong stomach.

[XxILUVEDWARDELRICxX]

best movie ever...it really plays with your mind

[urboi07]

i see psyduck!

[moviezfreakzreviewz]

swan , how are you getting these long vids up with mp3 on them as well at the length they are , surely they are passing 100mb.

?

great review.

[rodgerswan]

when I save the movie files, I save them so that they will be the best quality at 100mb :)

[ChilldpreyAura]

Best movie ever.

[GoldenBoy7996]

sick

[Tazn824]

sex and violence???

heh :)

nice combination : )

[nivia]

I read a review of strange circus that really turned me of watching it (I was planning on getting it before hand) but your reviews made me want to give it a chance.

[TomasuDexter]

A sick movie, but I still live it. I haven't watch Noriko's dinner table.

[rich454]

great review, don't suppose you could tell me if you have seen visitor q or ichi the killer?

[rodgerswan]

one of those films has a review coming up in the next few weeks.... :)

[Fourthworth]

I didn't know this one. You made me want to try it. thanks for the great review.

[rodgerswan]

i'm glad you enjoy these reviews. Yes, this is quite the strange film, but it's worth watching for sure. Always glad when I can help others find cool new movies to see.

[BlueFox4824]

Hey Rodger, like ur reviews. There great. By the way, how'd yo get to japan? do u know how to speak japanese?

[mario820]

hey man i like your reviews very much. In fact, i started to watch one missed call and audition and of course i would try to see strange circus so keep doing these reviews.

[rodgerswan]

hey thanks, i'm glad you enjoy them. I moved to Japan for a year studying abroad after I did this last review, so it's taking me longer to get those made becuase i'm so busy at the moment. I keep promising a new one later this week though, I'm currently working on it :)

[PissingInAction]

Hi Rodger,

great review, I already wanted to check this movie out, but your video convinced that I need it right away!

When will we see your next review, please bring back the spoof endings, they ruled!!!

[rodgerswan]

thanks for the kind words! and that's another vote for the spoof endings to come back haha! i actually just arrived in japan yesterday for a year long study abroad so things are going to be a little hectic for me for a while, but i'm hoping to have my first review done here in japan up within the week. i brought plenty of dvds with me, so don't fret, the reviews will keep coming :)

[Paperdoll18]

That wallpaper is very A Tale Of Two Sisters :D

Well this review sure made me want to watch the movie... hopefully I won't feel as screwed as I did with Suicide Circle :D

[Kakihara1983]

Sayonara for making this Strange Circus review. I put this title on my dvd / movie wishlist.

I gave you a 'Pretty Cool' rating for the total video.

[kikyonotama]

Sayonara?

heh heh.. I think your using the wrong word there bud :P

[HysteriaPictures]

I'll put this movie on my list. good review.

[HysteriaPictures]

Oh good the director of Suicide Club ^ ^ I definitely pick it up. What version do you have? Or is there any version? The way you explained it is going to remind me of a modern day Dario argento movie(aka Suspiria's set design).

[rodgerswan]

as long as you go with the tla releasing disk, you should get the full thing. As far as i know that was the only version available in region one... but there was some questions as to if the film would be cut. thankfully, it has not. So if you see it, do give it a shot :)

[macca801]

Rodger,

You mention that the TLA North American release is the full version. I've seen it listed as 82 minutes. I bought the Korean version which is listed as 109 minutes. So far, I have not been able to track down any listing of deleted/censored scenes for comparison. But, a difference of 27 minutes playing time is pretty significant.

Is the version that you have 82 or 109 minutes?

[rodgerswan]

ahh i should have mentioned this, but the package for the TLA version is wrong, it actually is the full film at the correct running time. Yeah, for some odd reason the packaging lists the shorter running time, it also lists that there is a photo gallery in the extras, but there is not. So somebody really messed up haha. But yeah I should have explained that but forgot to. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

[macca801]

OK. Thanks for the info. I avoided the domestic release because of the alleged 27 minute(!) difference in time. I figured that there must have been some MAJOR offensive content edited out. Guess it would help if the correct info was given about the domestic DVD running time.