The Legends of Tak Sakaguchi

So have you heard of Tak Sakaguchi?

I thought I knew all the essentials. I did some digging, and was amazed with what I've found. And there is no exaggeration here of these points, I've only re-worded information from other articles for my artistic integrity!

Tak was a REAL live Japanese street fighter who was discovered DURING a street fight by future maverick director Ryuhei Kitamura.

Apparently -- Kitamura told him "You should be fighting in movies not on the streets" -- and during their second meeting, at a film party, it was Kitamura laying the beat down on someone when Tak walked in. (Source: Midnight Eye)

This next source is even more crazy... I did not make this up, but it's out there, been up since 2007. These are Chuck Norris internet meme level attributions, which just might have some truth to them:

• He passed a car that was going 60 km on a bicycle. Okay, I could see that.
• He fell from the fourth floor of a condo, with no injuries. Not gonna try it, but I suppose a well trained guy could conceivably do so.
• While he was training in the mountains, a wild BOAR attacked him, and he killed it.  What?!  It gets better!
• Tak is said to have fought a bear hand to hand and WON. 
• He's got a 22 consecutive win record in underground fighting. After seeing Alive, I can imagine this. 
• He fought also with 23 guys at the same time and won (I'm not adding anything in this translation! I'm going to say this is more impressive than the 22 win streak, although I guess those guys could have been more dangerous individually?)

Movie blood might be just as close as he gets to human mortality.

And according to my wife's research on another website in Japanese -- Tak even broke his neck while filming an action scene for Yakuza Weapon (2011), which he also directed, went on to do TWO more takes before agreeing to go to the hospital. Apparently, the doctor told him, "If it wasn't for your neck muscles, you'd be dead."

So just who IS this guy?! 

Well, he first emerged unto the international film scene as the star of Midnight Madness sensation Versus (2001).  Versus spawned a huge cult following and cemented his status as a cool, calm badass anti-hero who could believably destroy equally impressive opponents with guns, spinning swords and his reality hardened martial arts. 

Kitamura and Sakaguchi's partnership flourished through several more films: Alive, Arigami, Godzilla: Final Wars -- and the recently announced Versus 2, which was enough to bring Tak out of a short lived retirement.

Over his action packed career, Tak's blossomed into an action director and co-director (Vampire Girl vs Frankenstien Girl (2009), Tokyo Gore Police (2008), Himizu (2011), and single handedly directed  Be A Man Samurai School (2008); , Samurai Zombie (2008) and the aforementioned Yakuza Weapon.  He shares another co-director credit with amazing director Sion Sono in the upcoming Kenkichi -- but now:

Tak returns to Midnight Madness this year in ar in Sion Sono's manic romp,  Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013).

So just how much of the legends are true? We may never know, but one thing is certain: He'll bring his trade-mark badassness and effortless physicality to the role.


WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Screening Times:
Friday, Sept 13th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Saturday, Sept 14th, 3:45 PM SCOTIABANK 1

Your Favourite MIDNIGHT MADNESS Moments!

Maniacs gathering for the Madness!

The Line of Madness!

Can you believe that we're just slightly over a week after the whirlwind of the Toronto International Film Festival and, of course, Midnight Madness 2012.  If you're anything like me, you've been getting way too much sleep (over 3 hours? Whaaaaa?), catching up on Homeland, and not watching three or more movies a day, which has given me time to reflect back on those crazy ten days and my favourite moments from TIFF.

Our fantastic Midnight Madness audience has been doing the same thing on Twitter and Facebook, and we wanted to share some of those with you! (additional photos by Ian Goring)

Turns out that Godwin's Law applies at the Ryerson 

Who was that, I wonder?

Oh.

Remember, if you've got any favourite moments and memories to add, tweet them to us using the #mmadnesstiff hashtag or post them up in the Midnight Madness Facebook group! 

By the way, if you want to keep the Midnight Madness party going for a little longer, don't forget to check out Programmer Colin Geddes' exhibit at Scotiabank Nuit Blanche this year! If this piece doesn't satisfy your cravings for zombie kills, nothing will!

TWEETS OF THE DAY! #MMadnessTIFF

It's only Tuesday and it's already been a pretty crazy Festival, from the wild ride of No One Lives to the metal mayhem of Lords of Salem, the Ryerson has been on fire.

Also on fire is our old friend Twitter, as Midnight Madness fans have been posting away from Ryerson lines to their seats (not during the movie, of course, you rubes!) and beyond.

Don't forget to use the official Midnight Madness hashtag, #MMadnessTIFF, and you might see your tweets here in this space!

Midnight Madness screening times:


HELLBENDERS
Tue., Sept. 11th, 7:00 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7
Sat., Sept. 15th, 9:15 PM SCOTIABANK 2


THE LORDS OF SALEM
Wed., Sept. 12th, 5:00 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6


NO ONE LIVES
Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6

Pics From the Premiere of NO ONE LIVES!

Somebody call my momma! Brodus Clay and the rest of the cast were in town to promote WWE Films newest acquisition, No One Lives, the bizarrely inverted slasher/revenge flick that showed everyone at the Saturday night screening at the Ryerson just what it looks like when a pro wrestler 'gives birth' to what some of the females (and a few males) in the audience described as a 'breathtakingly beautiful man'.

Anyways, Ian Goring, our resident shutterbug, was on the red carpet as the Funkasaurus and the other survivors (just kidding, there are no survivors) of No One Lives rocked the house!

Badass, foul-mouthed, and controversial director Ryûhei Kitamura

The only living, breathing Funkasaurus in captivity, It's Brodus Clay!

The lovely America Olivo returns to Midnight Madness

F-Bombs.  So very many F-Bombs.

NO ONE LIVES screening times:
Mon., Sept 10th, 9:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7
Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6

Ryuhei Kitamura, America, Olivo & Brodus Clay Talk NO ONE LIVES

Last night marked the return of Ryuhei Kitamura the director of Midnight Madness crowd favorite Versus after eleven years with his latest film NO ONE LIVES. Let's just say this, the film delivers upon it's title, definitely a midnight film. Robert A. Mitchell was on the red carpet hoping to make it out alive -- at the moment we have not heard from him, but a festival volunteer found this footage....



NO ONE LIVES screening times:
Mon., Sept 10th, 9:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7
Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6

NO ONE LIVES World Premiere Intro/Q&A Video

Last night marked the return of one of Midnight Madness' favorite directors Ryuhei Kitamura with his latest film NO ONE LIVES.

Here is Robert A. Mitchell's video of the Introduction and post-screening Q&A at the world premiere.




NO ONE LIVES screening times:
Mon., Sept 10th, 9:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7
Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6

NO ONE LIVES: A Ryuhei Kitamura Retrospective

No One Lives premieres tonight at Midnight Madness, but it's not his first time here. In 2001, he really brought the Madness with Versus' combination of zombies, samurai and style.

Kitamura returned to Midnight Madness with Alive in 2002.




Since then, Kitamura directed the 28th Godzila film, Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). Bringing his frenetic style and mad science to a giant monster movie (with aliens).




And he directed Bradley Cooper as a photographer who photographed something he shouldn't have in Midnight Meat Train.




 NO ONE LIVES:
Sat., Sept 8th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Mon., Sept 10th, 9:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7
Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6 

NO ONE LIVES Premieres Tonight!

Way back in 2001, Colin Geddes introduced Midnight Madness audiences to a director named Ryûhei Kitamura. The film was Versus and no Zombie/Yakuza/Samurai film has come along to top it. Kitamura-san holds special meaning for me because Versus was my first Midnight Madness film.  I've got a framed poster from the film in my media room back home in Richmond, VA.

But Kitamura-san won't be the only Midnight Alum involved with this film. NO ONE LIVES also stars America Olivo who starred as Camero in Bitch Slap!

Oh, and lets not forget WWEs Brodus Clay. Kitamura unleashed a guy he saw fighting in the streets for Versus and let loose with Vinnie Jones in Midnight Meat Train. Just imagine the carnage he can unleash with a WWE superstar!

NO ONE LIVESScreening Times:
Sat., Sept 8th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Mon., Sept 10th, 9:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7
Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6

KITAMURA: NO ONE LIVES

RYUHEI KITAMURA is one of cinema's most scintillating action directors. His slick ultra stylized, visually explosive action-packed films Versus and Alive already seared our Midnight Madness screens in the past, and it's with truly rabid  anticipation we await his newest display of mayhem and carnage!

Kitamura is keen to note that his new film contains emotionally complex characters -- making for a promising impact on both psychological and visceral levels!

Fellow Midnight Madness Blogger Sanjay and I Voltroned up and got a chance to ask Kitamura about his Midnight Madness contender No One Lives.

MM: Please describe your transition from the Japanese film industry to working in the American film industry. What were the key differences in working in the US system, based on what you had been used to?

Making movie is all about your vision and how to communicate with your crew, actors and producers. I didn't feel it was that much difference. 

I've been outsider film maker in Japan anyway.
Of course there's 100 times more control, micro management from producers, studio and financiers, but I guess that's how it works in Hollywood and you just have to deal with it and somehow keep your vision and style.

Movie making is tough job no matter what where you are or how big.I'm highly motivated and focused and always will find a way to survive.

Anti-heroes seem to be another of your trademark styles. What are your influences in developing these kinds of characters?

Me.
Myself.

Your films often have evenly matched protagonists and antagonists, in that they both often are hyper skilled in their particular disciplines of attack, making for over the top visual spectacles and show downs. In Arigami, your whole movie is based on one epic fight! What do you consider when creating these sequences to balance the action between your heroes and villains?

My Action and Visual style are what makes it my movie,but to me it's all about characters.  I'm not interested in making movie just with action and gore. 

Interesting characters, emotion and story are the key. I'm always more attracted by villains.  Without great villains there will be no heroes. After all I'm a director of VERSUS,  and I'm just so fascinated by fighting, samurai, showdown, code of honor... Great Japanese Samurai movies had it and I'm always trying to bring samurai spirit, even when I'm making American horror movies.

With this film backed by WWE Studios, there's rumors that there are wrestlers involved. In Midnight Meat Train, there's that iconic fight scene on the subway with MMA fighter Rampage Jackson! How do you like working with sports-performers, and how do you find them different from regular actors?

Not only Rampage Jackson, I worked with great MMA fighters, Don Frye, Masakatsu Funaki etc... 

They know how to fight, how to move, how to show themselves, how to grab audiences... That's all I need for my movie. 

They are true warriors and I will keep discovering fighters for my movies.

What makes No One Lives different from other films in the genre?

He's Jason Bourne meets Hannibal Lecter.  He's man on mission and has tons of ideas and techniques to kill people.  Nothing can stop him get what he wants.  

And he's doing it all for love.  So twisted and supercool.

What attracted you to the project?

The script Dave Cohen wrote was so powerful. It's not just about killing, blood and guts but also very psychological and emotional in a twisted way.  It was simply irresistible.

There you have it.  One more thought about the title! After seeing his action packed film Alive (spoiler: a lot of people die horribly) With a title like No One Lives,  from THIS director, I'm inclined to think that yeah, probably not!

We'll have to find out when it screens at MM!

NO ONE LIVES
Sat., Sept 8th, 11:59 PM RYERSON Mon., Sept 10th, 9:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 7 Fri., Sept 14th, 4:45 PM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6