Laikals The greatest movie ever made..!

Hulkeasexo it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Ed-from-HI Strangely surreal & ethereal + even quite artistic Japanese Cinema starring the strikingly-beautiful & efficiently-Lethal Meiko Kaji who would later mold an indelible-presence as irresistible-assassin 'Lady Snowblood' (i.e. the Japanese cult-cinema icon that became major creative-inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill'). Meiko Kaji was not only the quintessential razor-sharp sword-wielding action-icon in the 1970's, she was a fantastically powerful (and poignant) vocalist in addition.  Her films usually showcase an emotionally-resonant theme song that helps create the appropriate atmosphere blending Kaji's inner-pain & passion + perseverance = common to most of the unforgettable protagonists she portrayed throughout the1970's like justifiably vengeful 'Lady Snowblood' along with prisoner 'Scorpion'"Blind Woman's Curse" (original Japanese Title: "Hîchirimen bâkuto - nôbarydu takahadâ") is one of Meiko Kaji's earliest films circa1970, atmospheric and colorfully-gruesome in parts & pieces but also genuinely artistic......... and Meiko Kaji is especially fantastic as 'Akemi Tachibana' leading a violent Yakuza Clan's long-standing feud against a competing rival group.  The eponymous 'Blind Woman' who focuses her violent 'curse' against Akemi complete with mystical black cat sidekick is named 'Aiko' who had been blinded by Akemi while attempting to defend her clan-leader father from Akemi's 'death-thrust' Blind 'Aiko' spent the previous five years honing her own Lethal-prowess wielding the razor-sharp katana....... ready for a Final 'slash' to the death with Akemi.I have to say that the sword-duel final-showdown between Meiko Kaji's 'Akemi' and Hoki Tokuda's 'Aiko' complete with mystical black-cat on tag-team, is certainly one of the most atmospheric and beautifully-photographed smack-down finales I have ever seen in Cinema...... not just in terms of the 'action' sequence itself, but even more so within the searingly-indelible expressions cast on the two actresses faces before they strike!   It's deeply-perplexing how Japanese filmmakers have always had a singularly-unique ability to transform cinematic-violence into a genuinely ethereal and even strikingly beautiful Artform.

tomgillespie2002 The dragon-tattooed leader of the Tachibana Yakuza gang, Akemi (Lady Snowblood's Meiko Kaji) tries to avenge the death of her father in a rain-drenched showdown, only when she is about to deal the final death blow, she slashes at the eyes of the rival's boss younger sister, rendering her blind while a mysterious black cat laps up her blood. Akemi spends three years in jail before returning to the head of the Tachibana clan, where she intends to stop the violence that is causing her city to bleed and live out her days in peace. With the help of a Tachibana turncloak, a rival gang headed by Dobashi (Toru Abe) starts to invade Akemi's territory, planting drugs in their stalls and fighting them in the streets.Dobashi finds some unexpected help with the arrival of a blind female swordsman, Aiko (Hoki Tokuda), the woman from the opening scene who is seeking vengeance. It's here that the film starts to get seriously weird. Working as a knife-thrower at a carnival show, Aiko is accompanied by two assistants, a grotesque hunchback with a fetish for decapitation, and the black cat that Akemi believed put a curse upon her for mutilating an innocent. Soon enough, Akemi's gang are turning up dead, often with their dragon tattoo flayed from their back. Less of a threat and providing most of the film's comic relief is another gang boss permanently adorned in a thong and cursed with foul-smelling body odour.Blind Woman's Curse's mix of sword opera, Yakuza gangster movie, horror and surrealism is an unbalanced and occasionally frustrating concoction. If the story wasn't out-there enough, Kaji's disappointingly limited screen-time means that there is little holding everything together. The supernatural elements occur so sporadically that they seem out of place, but thanks to cinematographer Shigeru Kitaizumi, are beautiful to behold. The carnival scene is a montage of macabre and vibrant colours, with strange dancing and avant-garde plays from it's performers, and the climactic showdown between Akemi and Aiko plays out against a lavish painted backdrop of spiralling clouds. It's completely nonsensical, but it's an experience like no other.

meddlecore This action-horror-thriller from Japan begins with the main character, Akemi, leading an imperialist attack against the rival Goudan clan.Akemi is a master swordstress; the enforcer for a Yakuza-like clan known as the Tachibanas- of which she is second in line to inherit leadership of. One element of a five person team: all of whom are marked with a segment of dragon tattooed across their backs. Their collective technique and style, renders them best described as the Dragon Force. And, seeing as Akemi is their leader...she sports the head.While engaged in this opening battle, Akemi is about to strike down the Goudan leader...when his younger sister- Aiko- suddenly rushes to his side, in an attempt to beg for his life to be spared. But Akemi strikes without flinching. And when she does, she accidentally grazes the face of Aiko, as well. Blinding her in the process.At this moment a strange black cat appears, lapping up the blood oozing from Aoki's eyes...before leaping at Akemi.Whereas the Tachibana clan emerge from the battle largely victorious, most of their men are killed, or imprisoned- lncluding Akemi. While locked up, she suffers from recurring nightmares that haunt her with images of Aoki and the cat. Though, she still manages to use this oppourtunity to rebuild her fighting force in Orange-Is-The-New-Black fashion.Once Akemi is released from prison, the Tachibana clan confront a rival gang called the Azoras- who had taken control of their territory in her absence. The rival gang leader is a hilariously, bizarre character who walks around in assless chaps. If anyone has caught Guy Moshe's Bunraku, it's quite evident that Kevin McKidd's Killer #2 character (and his gang of redcoats) are based off this guy (and his gang).A local, social justice oriented, lone wolf-type, named Tatsu, intervenes in the confrontation on behalf of Akemi and the Tachibanas- though he does not represent any particular clan, himself. Either way, it is his intervention that helps run the Azoras off...and Akemi won't forget it- as she's become enamoured by him.Everything seems to be going well for the Tachibanas after this. That is, until a traitor named Aniki, aligns himself with the Dobashi clan- who are planning to rid themselves of the Tachibana's, once and for all. The Dobashi leader has been hatching a plot to manufacture a conflict between the Tachibanas and Azoras, with the hope they will severely weaken each other in a war- allowing their clan to move in and seize control in the aftermath.A mysterious blind woman suddenly shows up and presents herself to the Dobashis- seeking employment and wishing to join their cause. After testing her skills, their leader accepts her proposition- allowing her to join the ranks. Though, it quickly becomes clear that she is the one manipulating the Dobashi leader into acting on her suggestions.This mysterious woman is Aoki. She has become a witch, who uses a black cat- and madman that acts like a cat- to plague Akemi and the Tachibanas with her curse.This is where stuff starts to get a bit confusing and weird... After going to what has got to be one of the oddest stage-show attractions ever seen, some Tachibana members are found murdered...only to reanimate into what seems like a zombie-type state. While others are killed and left with the tattoos skinned from their backs.Only Akemi knows what is going on. As, in each instance, she witnessed the presence of a black cat and/or the madman. She is well aware that it is Aoki, out to reap vengeance on her and those she is close to- mainly, Tatsu and her clan. Hence why Aoki and the Dobashis use them against her.Inevitably, the whole story wraps up with an epically, atmospheric showdown where Akemi and Aoki go head-to-head with one another. However, --SPOILER-- it doesn't end in bloodshed. As, when Akemi slays the cat- who tries to blindside her at one point- Aoki snaps out of the demonic trance that had beholden her, and which was responsible for diving her toward rage and revenge.Seems Aoki wasn't doing the cursing after all. Rather, she had been the one who was cursed all along.This is a beautifully stylish film, with a great blend of action, mystery, horror and comedy. The characters are particularly excellent. Especially Kantoro, and the Azora leader- who is just wild. My biggest beef with this film would be the editing, which I found to be quite choppy and amateurish at parts (but that is really nitpicking). It's particularly worth watching for it's female-oriented cast- all of whom do a great job, other than at a few weak sword fighting scenes (though this is the fault of both the male and female actors). I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt, but I liked how Ishii wraps things up. Thoroughly enjoyed the film, overall.6.5 out of 10.

mmushrm I found this movie to be a weird mix and to be totally honest, I am not sure if I like this movie. This movie seems to have a weird mix of visuals from gore, psychedelia,Jidai Geki and yakuza elements. I personally found it a little off putting and there were parts of the movie, the psychedelic gore parts with the visuals and colouring, that I did not enjoy. Meiko Kaji stars as tachibana doing her soon to be trademark stoic, unspeaking character. Like her later characters Scorpion and Lady Snowblood, she does not say much nor shows much emotion. While it worked (very successfully) with these characters it does not work in this movie. Instead of driven she looked uncertain. Not the best movie but an interesting movie and a look at the development of meiko kaji as an actress.