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DVD REVIEWS: 9 SOULS
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT THIS FILM... | |
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"Enjoyable, a film to remember"
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"Cross-dressing, robbery, and sheep f***ing. Not three entities you'd ever expect to be included in a masterpiece, but, this is no ordinary feet of excellence."
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" This movie takes us on a joyride through the full spectrum of human emotion being equally happy as it is sad, comic as it is tragic, surreal as it is normal"
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"For fans of Japanese cinema it is well worth seeing"
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"Deserves as wide an audience as possible."
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"Consistently surprising and loaded with amusing character flourishes."
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"Inspiring to say the least, it is a movie like this that retains the ability to rekindle and accentuate one’s love for cinema."
*General Tao Gold Award Winner*
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" Toyoda is one of the more interesting directors emerging in Japanese cinema becoming known in the west, and this film confirms his talent. "
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"Sometimes sweet and funny, other times brutal and tasteless"
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"9 Souls is a welcome entry into modern Japanese cinema."
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"A wonderful cocktail of strong ensemble character performances, stylish surreal direction, brilliant comic sequences and truly bittersweet tragedy, it was easily one of the strongest films to come out of 2002, not just from Japan but any film industry. Fully recommended. "
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"Absolutely not to be missed by anyone with an interest in contemporary Japanese cinema."
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"Seamlessly incorporates surrealist elements and fast pacing into its hip storyline, creating a daring, innovative drama that expands genre tropes to include a vast range of emotion."
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"Powerful direction coupled with moving performances makes this an unforgettable experience."
"I cannot recommend this film more. Watch it!"
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" “9 Souls” is a masterpiece, utterly unique and inventive. "
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"Arguably one of the best Japanese films of 2003"
"Thank goodness for smaller DVD houses like this, without companies like Artsmagic, film fans would almost assuredly never see some of these fantastic films."
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" Saying 9 Souls was one of the better movies I’ve seen this year isn’t really saying much, as this year was pretty dismal, but I think that the statement would pertain to most years, even good ones. "
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"A topnotch work by one of Japan's most groundbreaking new directors"
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"A metaphorical journey sprinkled with absurdity humor"
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"It’s a film that Asian film fans won’t want to miss."
"Another great effort on the part of ArtsmagicDVD"
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"Quite simply, one of the most amazing films I have ever seen"
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"A thoroughly unpredictable and arresting ramble"
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"A perfect example of why the Japanese and Asian Film market is so on fire right now."
"Highly Recommended"
"9 Souls is a winner!"
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| Neo Magazine says... |
issue 3 |
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"Blessed with excellent cinematography and strong acting performances."
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"Definitely recommended!"
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"This film will soon receive masterpiece status by viewers worldwide"
"5 out of 5"
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"A wonderful, touching Trip into the meaning of guilt, punishment and redemption."
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"[Toyoda] has crafted a film of both insight, drama, character and contemplation. "
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"A triumph for director Toyoda"
*Golden Kick Award Winner*
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"This is my introduction to Toyoda's work and if this film is any indication of his body of work he has just earned himself a new fan."
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“A rare experience and one not worth missing.”
“A poignant masterpiece of contradictions”
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“9 Souls is already looking to be one this year's top films to come out of Japan.”
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“Toyoda is a visual director in the most absolute possible way.”
“An all around astonishing piece of cinema.”
“It’s violent, subversive, poetic, touching and absolutely amazing.”
“A tour de-force from beginning to end.”
“Genuinely touching and hilarious in the same breath.”
“The whole film is just ‘cool’ from the very start.”
“A beautiful work that absolutely should not be missed by fans of Japanese cinema.” |
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“Insane comedy gives way to more serious drama and finally some blood-splattered violence.”
“Entire emotional spectrum.”
“Highly enjoyable.” |
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| Hong Kong Cinema says... |
not online yet |
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“This release will once again please Toshiaki’s ever-growing number of Western fans.”
“It feels fresh and stylish, but manages to combine this with genuine substance.” |
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“The story is gripping, the dialogue is hilarious, the action comes thick and fast and the soundtrack is kicking.”
“It is a very moving film, and shot beautifully with imagination and skill. This is one you must see or you’ll kick yourself if you don’t.”
“Make no mistake this story is cracking and totally enthralling.” |
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“Everything is so clear, but yet so vivid”
“Like a visual drug being introduced into your body.”
“****/5 STARS!” |
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“I received more than I had anticipated in Nine Souls, one of the most moving films to come out of the Asian market.”
“Beautiful drama.”
“Nine Souls should be revered as a masterpiece by audiences both familiar and new to the Asian film market.”
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“As soon as the opening titles give in, we know we’re in for a real treat.”
“9 Souls is a distressing, albeit wickedly smooth stretch of highway; a mighty thoroughfare of Japanese cinema.”
“Seek it out.”
“This is one of the most fetching films to come out of the Escaped Convict genre. Ever…”
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| Rogue Cinema says... |
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“A film that is just in every sense of the word, incredible.”
“9 Souls is a masterwork of Japanese cinema”
“Great mix of humor and drama”
“Do yourself a favor and add this film to your DVD library. You won’t be sorry.”
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| Monsters At Play says... |
not online yet |
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“9 Souls stands as an extremely affecting film, that just about hits every cinematic mark it strives for – nearly pitch perfect.”
“As close to perfect cinema as one can get”
“Never fails to impress.”
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“Part thriller, part drama, part road movie, part Shakespearean tragedy”
“Beautifully shot, flawlessly measured, Nine Souls is about as close to perfection as you could want.”
“You need to see this film”
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“Rollicking road trip”
“A highly entertaining movie”
“This fresh, unflinching take on the road movie remains a journey well worth your time.”
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| Twitch Film says... |
not online yet |
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“A simply stunning character study”
“Toyoda is quickly establishing himself as one of Japan’s premier talents”
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“With its subversive script and hypnotic visuals 9 SOULS proves a haunting experience for aficianados of Asian weird cinema, and marks Toyoda down as a name to watch.”
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“A compelling tale of sadness, loss, truth, and redemption.”
“Toyoda also resolves each story with a ironic, nihilistic, twist worthy of "The Twilight Zone".”
“If you want an intelligent and touching film about what it truly means to be a human being, then look no further.”
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“An interesting study of the criminal mind that takes the viewer for a ride through the ‘other’ side of the psychotic mentality.”
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“Images of utter beauty”
“A movie which is in turns funny, sad and surprising.”
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| Video Vista says... |
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“Visceral action and magnificent visual poetry.”
“Transcendent wonders aplenty…will certainly please any fans of David Lynch’s movies”
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| DVD Maniacs says... |
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“9 Souls demands to be seen and is truly deserving of a wider audience.”
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“At times uproariously funny, then excruciatingly sorrowful”
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“[Toshiaki Toyoda] has put together a movie that stands as being one of the best Japanese films of the last few years.”
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“This is one great film.”
“Just as Nakata's Ringu was remade into The Ring and Kurosawa's Seven Samurai became The Magnificent Seven, we foresee that Toyoda's 9 Souls will someday be remade in The States. It has too perfect and original a storyline not to be but how could one improve upon perfection? Impossible.”
“Even if you have to bust out of prison to do it - obtain your very own copy of 9 Souls. You will not be disappointed.”
“A Masterpiece. Period”
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| SCI FI Online says... |
not online yet |
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“Had me totally hooked.”
“Every once in a while a film comes along that enriches your life. 9 Souls is one such movie.”
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| Extraordinary Movie Video Guide says... |
not online yet |
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“Asian cousin to British new wave crime thrillers”
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“A truly stunning movie”
“The stature of this film is incredible”
“With plenty of humour, sadness, emotion and at times somewhat brutal violence 9 SOULS is a highly recommended film. If I see one film this year to surpass it, it will be a great year for cinema.”
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