Is Battle Royale Really Banned in the States?

[AssKissinger]

Hollywood blows diseased dicks. All the directors or even cunts who release vids are afraid of NC-17 ratings. Tarentino, Lynch ect they are fucking pussies. Fuck Hollywood. Kill Bill sucks. Blow me with that fake ass comic book chicken shit violence. That movie has no balls.

[GomiGirl]

AK - don't be shy - tell us what you really think???

BTW I thought Battle Royale was FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC. I only saw it last week. I was told to wait to read the book first but I couldn't wait!!

It was amazing on so many levels. Lots of really good social themes and very George Owell-esque... Great acting - not the usual slap stick or overacted stuff that is usually the case with modern Japanese cinema.

The second one Battle Royale II sucked big time... badly written, overacted and too many kids screaming shit that didn't match the drama.

[Andocrates]

asskissinger, you grow progressively worse. Up your medication dude. There are no movies "banned" in the usa except bestiality movies (and it's not enforced) and snuff films (which probably don't really exist.

Battle Royal was a good movie, but Kill Bill was 5 times better.

[Mulboyne]

Battle Royale isn't banned in the US. It just never found a distributor. Michael Moore was facing the same situation when Disney dropped him but he found a way around it. Battle Royale was released in 2001 in the US but no-one wanted to touch it. That happens to a whole host of worthy films. In this case, you might want to level the charge of self-censorship but it hasn't been banned.

Roger Ebert's view on ratings

Q. A recent news item reports: "Violence, sex and profanity in movies increased significantly between 1992 and 2003, while ratings became more lenient, according to a new Harvard study." They seem to be examining two related phenomena (lax ratings and graphic content).

I see two possible scenarios, the first being that movies are indeed increasing in graphic quality/quantity. The second scenario is that movie content has not changed, relatively, but instead films are not being rated appropriately (i.e. what was appropriate for R is now OK for PG-13). I guess I'm being wary of this study's possible politics and its underlying agenda. Do you really feel that films are becoming more violent, or do you see the increase in violence as a misperception based on a crappy ratings system?

Shawne Malik, St. John's, Newfoundland


A. There is less "real" violence (as opposed to CGI fantasy violence) in movies today than in the 1970s -- and a lot less sex and nudity. At the same time, I have the subjective sense that the ratings system has become more permissive or porous. The studios put enormous pressure on the MPAA to give them ratings that maximize their audiences. The NC-17 rating was the first victim, and now the studios are avoiding the R.

I agree with the Harvard study that there is now more violence and profanity in PG-13 movies. A long-term result of this trend may be a loss of serious content for adults, as more movies position themselves for the desirable teenage boy market

[Kaibutsu]

Hollywood blows diseased dicks. All the directors or even cunts who release vids are afraid of NC-17 ratings. Tarentino, Lynch ect they are fucking pussies. Fuck Hollywood. Kill Bill sucks. Blow me with that fake ass comic book chicken shit violence. That movie has no balls.

It's a bit ironic that you use the terms"fake ass comic book chicken shit violence." since the manga adaptation of Battle Royale has quite a lot of blood and gore,including one girl blowing another girl's brains out at close range.(We get to see them come flying out of the back of her skull.)

[mr. sparkle]

Hollywood blows diseased dicks. All the directors or even cunts who release vids are afraid of NC-17 ratings. Tarentino, Lynch ect they are fucking pussies. Fuck Hollywood. Kill Bill sucks. Blow me with that fake ass comic book chicken shit violence. That movie has no balls.

I rented it last week in SF. That movie totally rocks. You can see where Tarantino ripped off his ideas for KB.

[vvx]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

[Andocrates]

'Battle Royale' is a good film that works on different levels and is much more satisfying than 'Kill Bill'. I don't think it's the best film ever, but 'Kill Bill' doesn't really compare

I enjoyed Battle Royale, but about the concept; I always suspected half the movie idea came from "Escape from New York." The idea of a civilization still able to function and yet so barbaric as to put teenagers on an island and have them kill each other is just far-fetched. The idea was touted as a sort of social study on Japan, but it's absurd. The only social message I got from the movie is Japan worries about crime too much. The acting was pretty dismal and the blood looked like red-paint. It was one of those one-trick movies where all you can do is stretch out the point for 90 minutes.

Kill Bill on the other hand didn't try to make a social point, it just tried to be entertaining; which it did. In the process Kill Bill had far more social value, that is too say when people watch Kill Bill 100 years from today they will get an interesting and vivid take on the year 2004.

[AssKissinger]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

That's BULLSHIT unless you're in Canada cause it's not on DVD in America. I haven't seen Battle Royale so I have no fucking idea how it compares with Kill Bill but it's sad to see a director step up to the plate with something as brutal and solid as Resevoir Dogs and then just keep pandering to the mainstream. And David Lynch removed a male on male rape scene from Blue Velvet because they wouldn't give it an R rating with it in. What kind of fucking art is that? David Lynch=No Balls

asskissinger, you grow progressively worse. Up your medication dude

Your posts are boring. Up your entertainment value, Captain Dullsville.

[Cortana]

It's not BANNED in the US, per se...

However, TOEI refuses to license it to any american company (and plenty of them have tried to buy the rights). They offer it to the licensing market, but then impose a lot of abnormal contractual restrictions on it that you would never see in a normal licensing deal.

Basically, it won't happen 'til a large US studio, or a smaller one with some backing decides to give it a wide release, and at this point in time, that probably isn't bound to happen.

[Caustic Saint]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

That's BULLSHIT unless you're in Canada cause it's not on DVD in America. I haven't seen Battle Royale...

You can get the all-region (legal, Asia release), extended director's cut in Korea for about $20. Less than the mail order cost from yesasia.com, even with their free shipping.

Want me to grab a copy for you and send it by Japan Post after I arrive next month?

[AssKissinger]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

That's BULLSHIT unless you're in Canada cause it's not on DVD in America. I haven't seen Battle Royale...

You can get the all-region (legal, Asia release), extended director's cut in Korea for about $20. Less than the mail order cost from yesasia.com, even with their free shipping.

Want me to grab a copy for you and send it by Japan Post after I arrive next month?

Does it have English subtitles?

[Caustic Saint]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

That's BULLSHIT unless you're in Canada cause it's not on DVD in America. I haven't seen Battle Royale...

You can get the all-region (legal, Asia release), extended director's cut in Korea for about $20. Less than the mail order cost from yesasia.com, even with their free shipping.

Want me to grab a copy for you and send it by Japan Post after I arrive next month?

Does it have English subtitles?

Yup.

[AssKissinger]

All region means it'll play in my Play Station 2 bought in Japan, right? If so then yes I'd like a copy. Thanks. I'll pay you back of course. So you're coming next month for sure, huh? Got anything lined up?

[Caustic Saint]

All region means it'll play in my Play Station 2 bought in Japan, right? If so then yes I'd like a copy. Thanks. I'll pay you back of course. So you're coming next month for sure, huh? Got anything lined up?

Yes, it will.

The countdown has begun. I'll make an official post once I've gotten my computer back (hopefully later this week). All that's lined up for now is a plane ticket and a place to stay, but that's a good start!

[AssKissinger]

All region means it'll play in my Play Station 2 bought in Japan, right? If so then yes I'd like a copy. Thanks. I'll pay you back of course. So you're coming next month for sure, huh? Got anything lined up?

Yes, it will.

The countdown has begun. I'll make an official post once I've gotten my computer back (hopefully later this week). All that's lined up for now is a plane ticket and a place to stay, but that's a good start!

Who's gonna be our new Korean correspondent? Are you taking interviews?

[Caustic Saint]

Who's gonna be our new Korean correspondent? Are you taking interviews?

I haven't looked into that. I guess we're just gonna be ODF* when it comes to the local Korean angle.

(*ODF - Out 'Dere Flappin')

[vvx]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

That's BULLSHIT unless you're in Canada cause it's not on DVD in America.

That's precisely why I posted.. I mean, if Blockbuster had it, what's up with that. If my blockbuster was a massive exception or not, I can't say. I can say that GreenCine (US online dvd rental.. though, they specialize in foreign stuff.) has it for rent. Yup, english subs 'n all..

http://www.greencine.com/webCatalog?id=34271&element=battle+royale

Oh yeah, GC also shows a bonus disc rentable. http://www.greencine.com/webCatalog?id=34272&element=battle+royale

[AssKissinger]

I rented BR from Blockbuster, on DVD.

That's BULLSHIT unless you're in Canada cause it's not on DVD in America.

That's precisely why I posted.. I mean, if Blockbuster had it, what's up with that. If my blockbuster was a massive exception or not, I can't say. I can say that GreenCine (US online dvd rental.. though, they specialize in foreign stuff.) has it for rent. Yup, english subs 'n all..

http://www.greencine.com/webCatalog?id=34271&element=battle+royale

Oh yeah, GC also shows a bonus disc rentable. http://www.greencine.com/webCatalog?id=34272&element=battle+royale

Can't argue with those links . Actually, I just ordered the book. Another movie I'd like to see is Woman of the Dunes with English subtitles. That is a fantastic book. Reviews of the movie are all praise as well but I think it's out of print.

[Caustic Saint]

Actually, I just ordered the book. Another movie I'd like to see is Woman of the Dunes with English subtitles. That is a fantastic book. Reviews of the movie are all praise as well but I think it's out of print.

What book? BR?

If so, you should've said something about wanting to read it. I've got it and could've sent it to you as part of the FG book club.

[Faded]

Another movie I'd like to see is Woman of the Dunes with English subtitles. That is a fantastic book. Reviews of the movie are all praise as well but I think it's out of print.

Actually you can get it from Amazon.com. (at least in the US). It's Region free, so you can play it in your playstation.

Woman in the Dunes (1964)

Wasn't too bad, but definitely the type of film you have to be in the mood for to watch. Long slow build.

[Faded]

Whoops, just noticed you mention "Woman OF the Dunes", whereas my post is for "Woman IN the Dunes"

Hope it's one in the same, and considering the style and genre's you were mentioning, should fit in. Otherwise, Sorry about getting your hopes up.

[Taro Toporific]

... I thought Battle Royale was FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC. ...It was amazing on so many levels. Lots of really good social themes and very George Owell-esque... Great acting - not the usual slap stick or overacted stuff that is usually the case with modern Japanese cinema.
The second one Battle Royale II sucked big time... badly written, overacted and too many kids screaming shit that didn't match the drama.

[floatr][/floatr]
Lesson Plan: Kill or Be Killed
New York Times / July 9, 2006
LOS ANGELES
WHEN Variety reported last month that New Line Cinema had purchased rights to remake the director Kinji Fukasaku's "Battle Royale," the reaction on fan sites and Asian film blogs was, well, heartfelt. "I hate Hollywood," wrote one fan. "Is nothing sacred?" asked another.
Die-hard fans of Asian film are quick to recoil at any remake, whether it's "The Ring" or "Shall We Dance?" or this summer's "Lake House." But with "Battle Royale" the reaction has been particularly vehement. Devotees love it, after all, in large part because they believe it's the kind of movie Hollywood would never make.
One of Japan's most violent and controversial films, "Battle Royale," based on a popular novel by Koushun Takami, tells the story of 42 ninth graders who are kidnapped, taken to a deserted island and forced to kill one another. Criticized by Japanese politicians when it was first released in 2000, the movie became a huge hit at home and in much of Asia, spawning a popular manga series, inspiring a sequel and generating memorabilia from costumes to card games and action figures.
Despite its success, the film was never released in the United States, and many in the industry said they thought it never would be...more...

[otakuden]

I rented it last week in SF. That movie totally rocks. You can see where Tarantino ripped off his ideas for KB.

tarantino ripped a lot of ideas for KB, most notably i would say from Lady Snowblood for the main female antagonist (imo). KB was ok, but i'd rather watch BR or read/watch some Lady Snowblood anyday. which reminds me, the 4th Lady Snowblood gn is out for buying now

Lady Snowblood would kick. her. ass.

[otakuden]

What book? BR?

If so, you should've said something about wanting to read it. I've got it and could've sent it to you as part of the FG book club.

oh. what's the book/story about? i'm always looking for something good to read and watch

[Kuang_Grade]

Battle Royale was a book before it was a film and it was written by Koushun Takami, who I was surprised to learn was only 19 when she wrote it. The book and movie are fairly similar although more of the various character's backgrounds and motivations are more fleshed out in the book.

here's the plot summation of the book at amazon:

Battle Royale, a high-octane thriller about senseless youth violence, is one of Japan's best-selling - and most controversial - novels. As part of a ruthless program by the totalitarian government, ninth-grade students are taken to a small isolated island with a map, food, and various weapons. Forced to wear special collars that explode when they break a rule, they must fight each other for three days until only one "winner" remains. The elimination contest becomes the ultimate in must-see reality television. A Japanese pulp classic available in English for the first time, Battle Royale is a potent allegory of what it means to be young and survive in today's dog-eat-dog world. The first novel by small-town journalist Koushun Takami, it went on to become an even more notorious film by 70-year-old gangster director Kinji Fukusaku.

In the US, Viz has put out an English version of the book that can be found at amazon or at Borders.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/156931778X

[otakuden]

i've seen the book at work (Borders) but i haven't seen the movie. now i'm gonna have to track down the movie; another movie i'd like to see is Suicide Club which i have seen at work

[otakuden]

besides amazon.com, is there anywhere else i could acquire a dvd of the uncut version with english subs? i'm not a huge fan of amazon, but if i have no other option...

[Taro Toporific]

besides amazon.com, is there anywhere else i could acquire a dvd of the uncut version with english subs? i'm not a huge fan of amazon, but if i have no other option...

Amazon may have better prices, but http://www.jlist.com/ has better selection of wacko and hentai J-films with English subtitles.