Beat's Whimsy Needs A Sophisticated Viewer
William L Cassidy | Las Vegas, NV United States | 09/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you follow Takeshi Kitano closely, you shouldn't be confused by his sorties into whimsy. Instead, you should watch closely for his thematic, keenly felt, celebration of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and madness in the human void. I strongly disagree with other reviewers and find "Boiling Point" to be an intellectually strong work that seeks to wreak change from the viewer. Many criticize the film's "slow beginning." On the contrary, I think the opening sequence produces an emotional tone, allowing the viewer to harmonize with the film's principal character, Masaki. All that follows happens to the viewer as it happens to him, bringing one to an understanding of Masaki's final actions. Good film involves the viewer, and you will find yourself thoroughly involved in Kitano's "Boiling Point." It is a must have."
Off-Beat-Street: Kitano Hits a Homer
William L Cassidy | 09/19/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If Godard had been Japanese... The first part of this film takes a comedic look at an amateur baseball team; the middle deals with local Yakuza gansters; and the final section goes into deep left field, a journey to Okinawa in search of a hand-gun with the help of a psychopath played by director "Beat"Takeshi Kitano. As irrevent as it sounds, everything ties together by the film's end. A great film to look at if you dug "Sonatine"('93) or any of the early Godard films. Also peep Kitano's "Violent Cop"('90) and his latest "Kikijuro"(sic)('99)."