5/5
"COULD YOU KILL YOUR BEST FRIEND?"
Been a few years, still love it. I think that I always will.
This might get a tad bit spoilerish, so if you haven't seen the movie...do yourself a favor and give it a go before reading my thoughts. If you're an adult right now, there are things that might not resonate as much for you (As most young adult works will have this issue), but make no mistake, this is no Divergent.
I first saw it back when I was around the same age of the characters....so it really resonated with me on a level that only those rare films that you see during the perfect time in your life really can.
Some of the dialogue is cheesy, the ending could have been tightened up a bit...the world doesn't really make much sense (Unlike Hunger Games, this doesn't seem to be broadcast for entertainment...they are just making these young folks kill each other for the helluva it), and I'm not even sure if I understand how the ex-teacher managed to be in control of the soldiers....
But they get SO MANY THINGS RIGHT in regards to being a young person, peer pressure, cliques, crushes, bullying, mistrust of adults, love, loyalty, family, friendship etc. You KNOW or KNEW someone in this movie, you identify with SOMEONE.
And the violence...the lovely, beautiful, delicious violence....
They pull no punches and I LOVE it. Make no mistake...this is an exploitation flick. Kids getting mauled, shot up, blown up...mostly (but not always
) by other kids.
My understanding is that...this was touching heavily on Japanese society at the time, specifically a recession they were going through (And, I think they continue to go through). Society failing. The youth going wild. Politicians fukking everything up as usual. But the truth is that...this shyt is relevant to American society RIGHT NOW, and honestly...is probably relevant in some respects to every society that has ever existed.
This movie also helped expand my horizons as far as being interested in film...I was a young teen that would never fukk with subtiles. After this movie, I ended up going on a binge of all these Japanese flicks, than eventually moved onto Korea, France, Brazil, etc. Man...spending 30 dollars of your pops money to import a DVD because you had to buy it from out of the country but also had to make sure it was a specific region/coding less it won't play on your dvd player....
Those were the days.
Man...I crushed SO HARD....
I will *always* have fondness and tenderness for this movie.
I know it's cliched to say it, but Battle Royale >>> Hunger Games
3/5
No homo....
Honestly, you're better off watching the more recent Generation Iron (4/5) which is also on netflix. Unless you're a huge Arnold or Lou fan, GI is simply modern and more entertaining.
For me, I suppose that the best aspect was seeing that 70's setting in a real, intimate way. It worked best as a period piece to me, unlike GI, which was better at brining me into the head of a professional Body-Builder
i also watched it, how did they know he didnt fit in when he first walked in the cult party. its not like the rest of the elites knew he came in a taxi but they knew
how? i dont think either his costume or mask fitted in
Well, the movie is so ambiguous with everything that it's almost impossible to tell what really happened.
Like I said, you can buy the given explanation (They noticed that he came in a taxi)...but it *feels* so much deeper and complicated than that.
I think it was a combination of the taxi, the mask, his mannerisms....but also likely some esoteric/cult thing that allows them to just *know* who is who.
This dude on the right was grillin' him from the jump....
Sheeeiiit....they might have even been following his movements from the jump. Maybe they were tailing the Piano player, and started tailing Dr. Bill after they had their meeting?
Gotta remember....they DID give dude a chance to prove himself. He fukked up on that password puzzle....
It's hard to say...and that's one of the reasons why I love the film so much.
I disagree, this movie has so much going on on a subtextual level. Comments on issues like marriage, infidelity, consumerism, elitism, sex, love, family, secrecy...all wrapped into a fukking bizarre plot dealing with...I won't spoil it for those that have never seen it. The performances are great. Regardless of what you think of her, Kidman really can go (And I have to say, she has a nice bod, although, not necessarily the best bod in this movie). Cruise shines (as usual). Side-characters keep up with them.
this is what ive been missing lol
to 
in a matter of minutes. What a great documentary.
