Masters of Horror (2002-2007)

“The story: Searching for his love Komomo, an American named Christopher (Billy Drago) travels to Japan only to come across bad news and danger in a dark dangerous brothel.

In seeing Japanese director Takashi Miike’s banned from Showtime episode “Imprint,” I have to wonder what goes through his mind. He’s clearly an insanely talented and stylistic filmmaker, but his work is filled with bizarre and shocking scenes that would never be seen in Hollywood productions. For instance, “Imprint” has scenes of dead fetuses gruesome torture. This is tame for Miike, as it pales in comparison to hardcore events that take place in previous works like “Ichi the Killer” and “Visitor Q.” If you can stomach the episode, it turns out to be a strangely compelling and surrealistic story told in a distinct flashback style.

Overall, the 13 episodes of season one are hit-and-miss, but all are better than 99% of modern horror. Season two was sadly mostly a flop (aside from the superb “Family,” “Right To Die,” “Sounds Like” and “The Black Cat”), but I am still anticipating season three whenever and wherever it airs. As Hollywood continues to churn out re-makes, sequels, and copycats, I believe giving horror directors complete freedom to make what they want is a step in the right direction. I hope horror fans will be treated to some must-see works in the near future and that the genre will be re-shaped into something new and innovative once again.” – DVD Talk

“Body horror is piled atop more body horror, none of it with much consequence unless you take the whole thing as an illustration of how horrible life must have been for women during this time period, though some of the set pieces are resonant of the Kudoh character’s struggle to reconcile her double identities. She is a creature whose essential goodness is ravaged by the badness branded onto her consciousness by her country’s collective past. A better question to ask might be whether this is Miike’s response to Memoris of a Geisha.” – Slant Magazine