INSHITE MIRU: 7-KAKAN NO DESU GÊMU [2010]

aka The Incite Mill

Director Hideo Nakata takes a break from creepy long-haired dead Japanese girls with the breezy sci-fi mystery Inshite Miru.

Here we follow ten strangers, trapped in an underground bunker, who all unwillingly partake in a dangerous game of survival for a large sum of money.
It's not particularly original or surprising, in fact it wear it's Agatha Christie influence on it's sleeve, ten little Indians and all.  However it's brisk pacing, atmospheric suspense and wildly entertaining cast make it an easily digestible ride.  Don't expect many twists 'n turns because you'll probably figure it out quicker than you'd like, which is a shame because it takes the fun out of films like these when you're a step or two ahead of them.

3 Guards out of 5

Ichi (2008)

Ichi is a beautiful blind girl with a knack for spilling CGI blood and keeping her sword magically clean in the process. She's a wandering goze (musician), and as she travels across Japan searching for her mentor she's befriended by a troubled samurai and a young boy, despite her best efforts to dissuade them.
It's principally Sori's version of Zatoichi, and more. Being female means Ichi's troubles are often of a different kind, and consequently her temperament is different, but overall it's both respectful and reverential to the spirit of the series. I liked how even though she has no comical Katsu walk the music nevertheless alludes to one. I'm surprised there wasn't a sequel.

3 back-hand single slashes out of 5