A Beginner's Guide to Takashi Miike

Miike for kids! A fun diversion about a war among the monsters of the world starring Chiaki Kuriyama (Gogo of Kill Bill).

Another slight but fun Miike adventure for the younger set.

A departure from Miike's nightmare-ish weirdness, but still a strong film in his repertoire.

Good made for Japanese television film by Miike. Some great visuals in this somewhat tame outing from the master of the bizarre.

Genuinely creepy, even though Miike intended it as a satire of all the Asian horror that was coming out at the time and being remade in the US. The US remake of One Missed Call is being released in January of 2008, by the way.

This film has just about everything: Animation, musical numbers, zombies, sumo wrestlers, serial killers, etc. Funny as hell.

The first part of the Black Society trilogy, all of which is excellent.

Second part of the Black Society trilogy, which has some truly touching moments in it (yes, even in a Miike film).

Third and final installment of the Black Society trilogy.

Plays like a hyperviolent slapstick Japanese version of Robocop and Frankenstein. I enjoyed it.

One of my favorites! Word of advice: Avoid the R-Rated cut. It's kind of funny if you've seen the uncut version, but for first time veiwers, seek out the uncut version of this gory, absurdly funny gem.

A visual onslaught as only Miike could do it. Part one of the 'Dead or Alive' trilogy.

Very reserved in comparison to 'Dead or Alive.' An interesting character study. Part two (and my personal favorite of) the 'Dead or Alive' trilogy.

A mix of some of the best elements of both of the previous 'Dead or Alive' films. The third and final film of the trilogy.

Takashi Miike's first English language effort, done for the Showtime series 'Masters of Horror.' The episode never aired due to its explicit content. Similar in pace and style to Miike's 'Box' contribution to the 'Three...Extremes' anthology.

In my top favorites. Japanese Lynchian nightmare...until the punchline.

A strange but wonderful film. One of the best reviews I read described it as 'A Buddhist slasher film.' That's pretty accurate.

Mind-blowing. It's best to go into this one blind. The less you know about it, the better.

Lactation has never been so riveting.

The MPD Psycho miniseries is a fun and bizarre outing for Miike fans. Visually interesting, well made and featuring a small part from Chiaki Kuriyama (Gogo from Kill Bill). NOTE: This says part two, but there is a complete set available with all 6 episodes included.

Certainly not Miike's best, but Japanese cowboys, samurai and Quentin Tarantino in the same film definitely has its moments. Akira Kurosawa is probably turning over in his grave.

An incredibly visual, hard-hitting yet touching gay love story set in prison and a surreal daydream. Well worth a look for fans of Miike's more visual pieces (Gozu, Izo).