Japanese auteur Sion Sono has been Japanese cinema’s most subversive filmmaker for 30 years now. Now, the man behind the likes of 2001’s “Suicide Club” and 2010’s “Cold Fish” makes his English-language debut with a leading man who can match his provocative style: Nic Cage.

READ MORE: ‘Prisoners Of The Ghostland’: No Brains, But Big TesticaaAARRRGHLs [Sundance Review]

For those familiar with Sono’s filmography, “Prisoners Of The Ghostland” will feel right at home alongside the likes of “Tokyo Gore Police” and others.

Continue reading ‘Prisoners Of The Ghostland’ Trailer: Nic Cage Stars In Sion Sono’s English-Language Debuting In September at The Playlist.

So Nic Cage is a bank robber sprung, naked except for a sumo-nappy, from a lengthy stint in jail by the white-hatted, black-hearted Governor (Bill Moseley) of a fake Japanese cowboy town populated exclusively by caged Geisha prostitutes, one of the favorites of whom, Bernice (Sofia Boutella, being bafflingly good again despite the material) recently escaped, so The Governor straps Cage into a leather suit rigged with explosives on the arms, neck and testicles that are primed to explode if they detect his intention to physically harm – or get turned on by – “a helpless woman,” and sends him off into a neighboring irradiated wasteland where Time doesn’t work properly and which is populated by Mad Max-style bandits, itinerant preachers, downtrodden desperadoes, filthy-faced ragamuffin children and people who have been rendered mute and partially encased in fragments of mannequin bodies, with three days to locate Bernice and five to bring her back before his suit, to which the Governor carries the key on a chain around his neck, explodes and kills him, (I know you’re absolutely longing for a period by now; imagine how it feels to watch this thing), a deal to which Cage tacitly agrees – what choice has he?

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Sure, Sundance is absolutely loaded with some amazing prestige films that are sure to be in the discussion at the end of the year during awards season. Rebecca Hall’s “Passing?” Looks incredible and thought-provoking. “Together Together?” Sure to be a good time. And Jerrod Carmichael’s “On the Count of Three” looks pretty great, as well. But don’t call me crazy for thinking “Prisoners of The Ghostland” might be the most exciting film to make its debut at this year’s event.

Continue reading ‘Prisoners Of The Ghostland’ Director Would Be “Really Happy” If The Film Becomes Nicolas Cage’s Wildest Yet at The Playlist.

Nicolas Cage is no stranger to odd films. While the Academy Award-winning actor still makes time for the occasional film about cops, robbers, or whatever action movie trope is next, Cage is perhaps best known for his more unique film choices. In 2018 alone, he starred in “Mom and Dad,” “Teen Titans GO! To The Movies,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” and of course, “Mandy.” The latter of which is maybe his most insane film to date.

Continue reading ‘Mandy’ Star Nic Cage Says Upcoming ‘Prisoners Of The Ghostland’ Is His “Wildest Movie” Yet at The Playlist.

Review: Sion Sono’s Fantasia Fest Winner ‘Tag’

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Watch: Bonkers And Bloody Trailer For Sion Sono's 'Tag'

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Watch: First Teaser Trailer For Sion Sono's 'Shinjuku Swan'

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Review: Sion Sono's Blood-Drenched 'Why Don't You Play In Hell?'

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TIFF Trailer: Sion Sono's Wild, Hip Hop Driven 'Tokyo Tribe'

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Renny Harlin, Sion Sono & Pen-ek Ratanaruang Line Up Directorial Projects

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Watch: 'Venezia 70 - Future Reloaded' Short Films By Claire Denis, James Franco, Paul Schrader & Many More

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Watch: Intense Trailer For Sion Sono's Nuclear Crisis Drama 'The Land Of Hope'

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Eli Roth's 'The Green Inferno' & More Unveiled For TIFF's 25th Anniversary Midnight Madness Lineup

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Sion Sono To Direct 'Kill Bill'-Esque 'Why Don't You Play In Hell?'

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Ezra Miller May Star In Film About Norwegian Black Metal Band Mayhem From Japanese Helmer Shion Sono

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'Cold Fish' & 'Guilty Of Romance' Director Sion Sono Making Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Pic 'The Land Of Hope'

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Continue reading VIFF ’10 Review: Shion Sono An Exiting New Discovery; ‘Cold Fish’ Bleak, Bloody, Bold at The Playlist.

Perhaps like a counterpart to the hardcore gangsta rappers of the day, the Norwegian version of death metal was so hellbent on its severity and sincerity (like keepin’ it real), that it begat the new, more hardcore genre of known as doom or black metal (take your pick, there were many incarnations) that believed in practicing what they preached.

Continue reading ‘Twilight’ Kid To Hilariously Play Count Grishnackh In Scandanavian Death Metal Film, ‘Lords Of Chaos’ at The Playlist.