Suicide Club by Sion Sono [2002]
Title: Suicide Club [aka Suicide Circle]
Director: Sion Sono
Starring: Saya Hagiwara, Ryo Ishibashi, Akaji Maro
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2002
I hunted down this movie after only seeing a short 2 minute clip on YouTube of the opening scene. A scene that includes 54 laughing schoolgirls jumping in front of a speeding train. It’s a cheese bloodsplatter shot that makes me smile all big on the inside. I was certain this was going to be another comedy driven J-horror film.
Unfortunately, not so much.
Instead it’s this drawn out confusing mesh of social commentary, mass suicidals, unlikeable characters, and over the top annoying pop music that seems to come out of nowhere randomly. Uh, fun?
Maybe I’m just not with it today, cause I only understood what was going on about half the time and even then, it wasn’t anything all that special. Sure there was some sweet scenes here and there but over all, I just wasn’t impressed.
The suicides were played out nicely for the most part. Almost every one was acted out by people with smiles on their faces, speaking together as though they are about to go out for a night of good times instead of stepping off a rooftop. If there was a little less social commentary and maybe a little more focus on the actual characters [and easy to warm up to ones would of been nice] then I think I may of kinda sorta enjoyed this movie.
It was most certainly nice on the eyes to watch, beautifully done, but that’s all I got.
If for some reason you come down with the chicken pox next week and need to kill some time keeping your feet up, rent this. It’ll kill and hour and a half for you with a few random upskirt shots, mediocre gore, and a few head scratching moments.
Half-assed recommended.
You didn’t even mention the bowling alley scene! Oh well. Supposedly they’re making a sequel, or it’s already made or something.
I read in Rue Morgue last month that there is a sequel, Noriko’s Dinner Table. Apparently it’s not so much on the horror side of things. After watching Suicide Club and being disappointed I’m not really into seeing it. Let me know if you ever get around to it. I think there needs to be a 20 minute clip made of all the sweet scenes in Suicide Club. Yesss.
This is one that I always wanted to see and thought had a cool premise. I may still see it some day–as the one-legged ass-kicker said, a half ass is better than no ass at all.
Hey, found your blog by way of The Vault of Horror and just figured I’d drop by and say keep up the good work. Mind if I link to yours?
Very, very cool blog!!!
p.s. I must confess, though, that I really liked ‘The Card Player,’ but at the same time agree totally with all of the points made in your review. I seem to recall the dub/translation being mentioned in the special features, but it’s been a long while since I saw the film so I might actually be wrong on this, would have to double-check. I thought ‘Do You Like Hitchcock?’ was wonderful; ‘Mother of Tears’ I thought was very good, still pondering what I think of it beyond this. Have you seen ‘Pelts’?
Ps. I love you
я вот что скажу: неподражаемо!