Masters of Horror - Takashi Miike: Imprint (DVD, 2006)

"Imprint" is the Takashi Miike episode of "Masters of Horror" that was deemed too disturbing to put on cable. Miike is known for such cutting edge horror movies as "Ichi The Killer" and "Audition", and he doesn't disappoint with this nightmarish tale of a man who battles with his personal demons and manifest guilt.
Christopher, a turn of the century American journalist, travels to a hellish Japanese brothel to find Kimomo, a prostitute that he fell in love with years before. At the house of ill repute, Christopher is met by a strange woman who tells him that she knows Kimomo, but Kimomo can no longer be reached. The strange woman reluctantly hints as to the fate of Kimomo, but Christopher, riddled with guilt and grief, demands to know the truth...in all it's gory detail.

takashi miike is to me the greatast extreme film maker around in the last 10 years,his contribution to the masters of horror,not surprisingly is too full on for cable as well as most people.A tale of lost love set to a back drop of demons,whores and taboo smashing visions of life and suffering.check out audition,visitor q ,itchi the killer and gozu,for the new bench mark in extremity!

Ok well, this is one episode of Masters of Horror you're not likely to forget--at least not right away! Not actually a horror story as much as a 'horrible if it happened to you' story. Billy Drago is suffiently creepy as an American who is looking for the sweet 'gal' he left behind in Japan and winds up on an island full of whores and demons...great special effects including a really nasty manicure... i understand why Showtime wouldn't run it, but now you can decide if you agree, after watching the just released DVD!

Pros
+ Disturbing & Painful to Watch!!!
+ Great Storytelling.
+ Some of Miike's best work & a great adaptation of the book.
+ Shocking twists throughout.

Cons
- Sadly the only Asian horror film in the series.
- Some may not 'get' the ending.

Comments
Terrific addition to the Masters of Horror series. Any fan of horror should be pleased. Scenes are disturbing, painful, and could cause an uneasy stomach.

Verdict
"Imprint" is pleasing. Can't recommend buying until they sell this series as a whole. Must watch film though.

i love takashi miike as a director, and i watch every masters of horror episode i can get my hands on. this one did not disapoint, though a bit slow in the beginning and a little less gory than i expected from miike, it was a decent story, good twist and definitely a worth while buy