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Monday, January 19, 2015

Crazy Lips (aka Hakkyousuru Kuchibiru) Review


Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After her brother is accused of being a serial killer, a girl enlists the assistance of a weird psychic to solve the case as zany antics ensue.

Review: What on earth? This is easily one of the most sick and twisted films I've ever watched. After all these years, and becoming virtually desensitized to everything, there are still only so many rape scenes a guy can tolerate! Dear lord. And that is only the tip of the iceberg--you've got headless schoolgirls psychically killing someone, perceived incest, necrophilia, scalping, a musical number, a guy blowing a dildo in his leotard (uhh...), and so much more. Yeah...uhh...this isn't for the casual moviegoer to say the least. However, because everything is presented in this ridiculous, comical, just go with it, manner--and I'm sure I'll go to hell for this--I found myself strangely entertained. To be fair, this film is fucked up, but it's not as depraved as it may seem; although, I'd imagine people have different thresholds as to what constitutes depraved. Oh well. What can I say...it's Japan!

This probably ranks right up there with "Hausu" in random instances of shenanigans. It's as if they wrote the script at a prison in a pass-around style. Believe it or not, the film starts off normal enough as the main character, Satomi, played by Hitomi Miwa, is hounded by reporters who want to know the whereabouts of her brother who has been accused of killing four girls. Apparently we've run into Ms. Miwa a few times now though I did not recognize the face; it's funny too because she looks like Winona Ryder, and you'd think that would stick with me. Anyway, Satomi and her family are being tormented due to the perceived guilt of the brother, but Satomi has consulted a psychic who claims the brother is innocent; more precisely, that the real killer is female. This is when things start to shift into zany antics, and the film does not let up until the insane conclusion.

First, the psychic performs a seance that summons the headless ghosts of the murdered girls. When time comes to pay the psychic, the psychic's henchman seemingly rapes the mom. There is this implication that when this henchman fucks someone they are like under his influence or something; though, the psychic claims "he's just that good." Disturbing. Satomi's sister, Kaori, not believing in the psychic is annoyed, so she tries to rape her ex-boyfriend; not going to lie, the series of scenes surrounding this are quite funny. First you have the ex-boyfriend trying to escape Kaori who steals his pants, then the guy runs outside to the reporters while screaming, the reporters chase him down the street, and one reporter keeps repeating how strange everything is but adding an extra "really" with each statement. It's surreal. On a side note, the actress playing Kaori, Hijiri Natsukawa, is pretty cute but this was her only acting credit unfortunately (according to imdb at least). Maybe she was embarrassed when her character was the next to get raped.

After singing randomly, it is revealed that Satomi has psychic powers too as she accidentally uses the headless ghosts to kill a detective tracking her. Out of nowhere, the FBI shows up to explain that Satomi has been brainwashed in order to perform a ritual for the psychic; one of the agents keeps speaking in English one-liners as well. When going home--surprise--Satomi is the next to get raped! This scene was pushing it even for me. I'll try not to be too graphic so you can interpret what happened in the notable moment section; it's only so notable due to the fucked up nature of it. Wait...what was I saying about depraved? Might have to change that stance. Of course Satomi wonders why the FBI didn't help her as she talks to the TV. Yes, the TV; the FBI has a fake channel or something.

The psychic, her henchman, and the ladies, all head toward where the headless ghosts claim their heads are residing. When they arrive, the psychic reveals that the ladies are the actual killers, and there isn't really an explanation of their motive nor why they have forgotten this fact. They find the brother, who is working with the psychic, as well as the families of the dead girls who want revenge. The psychic claims all of this nonsense will bring forth a god or aliens or something--hell if I know! The film suddenly transitions into a halfway decent action film as everyone is suddenly a martial artist. Still doing nothing, the FBI attempts to help with the English speaking agent getting raped. Oh for fuck's sake! More so, she kept singing leading up to that, and she has her blonde hair scalped in mid-fuck by the psychic. The other agent finally kills that godforsaken henchman and kills the scalped agent for the lulz. This minor victory is short-lived as the agent is killed by the god or aliens or whatever.

Meanwhile, the combatants finish their fights with only Satomi and the brother left standing. This is when we get another revelation that Satomi is pregnant with the brother's baby! Even though the movie has gone all out thus far, they decide to somewhat hold back and claim they aren't biologically related. Yes, that makes it better. The two decide to start banging immediately until the psychic kills them. The film then ends with the guy in the TV pulling out a dildo, sucking on it, then shooting himself right before a nuclear bomb explodes where this god/alien is supposed to be. The end! What the fuck...

So...uh...is this film any good? Well, that depends on what your definition of "is" is. Despite the twisted events and morbid sense of humor, I was amused. I mean, it was meant to be half comedy after all. In this respect, the movie was successful. This isn't to say it was great as almost nothing made any sense, and the story felt like a bad LSD trip. Actually, a movie this bizarre is hard to properly rate in general. What standards do I even compare it to? There is also a sequel, but I won't get a chance to see that anytime soon. I can't stress enough: this film will not appeal to the masses or many hardcore fans for that matter. But for those who are used to, or even intrigued by these kinds of weirdo films, it's an experience to remember that's for sure.

Notable Moment: Uhhhh...this whole movie is loaded with scenes you can't forget even if you wanted. I guess I have to go with the necrophilia, DP rape scene. My fucking goodness, how do you think this shit up?!

Final Rating: 6/10

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