The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1994)

This film instantly became one of my favorite movies after watching it. Starring Masatoshi Nagase, who first came to the notice of American audiences after appearing in Jim Jarmusch's "Mystery Train" (1990), this serial styled private eye film just oozes with creativity and dark humour. It's got everything I look for in cult films: ultra-violence, weird cult gangs, great style and a downbeat plot. Some folks will undoubtedly be confused by this movie, especially those who lack interest in cult cinema or those who are not used to the pacing of Japanese films. What can I say, this is not going to be for everybody, but to those who really get it, and you will know who you are, this movie is a classic waiting to happen.

A private eye film, in Japanese, shot in black and white with the hero going by the name of Maiku Hama whose office is in a movie theatre. How can you go wrong with a combination like that?This is a really clever film that veers confidently between mild violence, comedy and a relatively interesting story line.It's the little things that really make this film stand out - the scene where Maiku is beaten mercilessly with a stick by his sensei is hilarious. The cold blooded murders aren't graphic, but you'll remember them for a long time. The cinematography is first rate, especially the use lighting which really makes the black and white medium work fantastically well.Highly recommended.

Well, that might be saying much, but this movie was not only slow and predictable, it ended as "TO BE CONTINUED". The wasn't any resolution. They filming style reminded me of a TV show. The characters are paper thin. The only really redeeming quality is a guest scene with Jo Shishido. If you like your detective films white washed and boiled so long they have no more flavor, then give this one a shot.The hero isn't interesting. His motivation (getting his teenage sister through college) is boring. The bad guys look like they came off of a Jackie Chan in Australia set. They aren't scary.... I will NOT be continuing the series any time soon.

This is a fun little flick, a kind of retro private eye kind of thing, all very stylish and cool. It's kind of a blend of hard-as-nails gangster movie, chopped off fingers, gore and all, with a bit of Jackie-Chan-stylee daft comedy. Well worth watching, specially for anyone interested in modern Japanese culture and society, or Mike Hammer.