Helter Skelter (2012) - Blu-ray Forum

Zen_Amako · 12-31-2012, 06:45 PM

The 2012 Japanese film Helter Skelter starring Erika Sawajiri will be released on January 15 in Hong Kong with English subtitles. Is anyone planning on picking this up? Reviews seem to be mostly negative, but evidently it at least looks good. It's from the director of Sakuran.

From YesAsia:

"I'll show them what they want to see"

Renowned photographer Ninagawa Mika returns to filmmaking five years after her directorial debut Sakuran with Helter Skelter, based on the award-winning manga by Okazaki Kyoko. The controversial Sawajiri Erika gives a career-defining performance in her long-awaited return to the world of cinema, playing a gorgeous superstar whose good looks were created by drastic plastic surgery. Acclaimed for her keen eye for visuals, Ninagawa offers audiences a kaleidoscope-like assault on the senses with her colorful, disturbing exploration into the entertainment industry, showing both its shiny glamor and its darkest corners. In addition to Sawajiri, the hit drama co-stars Omori Nao (Golden Slumbers), Terashima Shinobu (Catapillar), Ayano Go (Gantz), Mizuhara Kiko (Norwegian Wood), Arai Hirofumi (Himizu), plus cameos by Kubozuka Yosuke (Ping Pong) and Suzuki Anne (The Egoists).

Known for her impeccable good looks, television personality and model LiLiCo (Sawajiri Erika) sets the standard for beauty. Like any superstar at the peak of fame, LiLiCo is an arrogant, narcissistic figure who makes everyone around her – including her long-suffering manager (Terashima Shinobu) – miserable. However, LiLiCo also has a secret that only her stylist (Arai Hirofumi) and her talent agency boss (Mamoi Kaori) know: LiLiCo's beauty was almost entirely created via plastic surgery. When LiLiCo's manufactured body begins to fall apart, the superstar's psyche also begins to crumble from her paranoia and insecurities.

Trailer:

rewak · 01-01-2013, 03:29 AM

Seen this unsubbed and loved it, really looking forward to getting it with subs. Don't get what the negative reviews were about, but i read the manga first so maybe i just knew more what the expect? Just hope YesAsia is correct, it was listed with the English subs, then without, and now with again. Nothing on Intercontinentals pages about it yet, when it goes up on one of those i'll believe it more.

Here's a subtitled version of the trailer for anyone interested

McCrutchy · 01-01-2013, 05:27 AM

Now up at YesAsia:

Helter Skelter Blu-ray PRE-ORDER

darry · 01-03-2013, 01:33 AM

This looks pretty awesome. Didn't the actress have a nervous breakdown after this role?

rewak · 01-03-2013, 04:32 AM

She took a break saying she was mentally drained from doing the role, then the press sorta spun that into her having a nervous breakdown and developing multiple personalities. The Japanese media don't like Erika very much, she was pretty blunt with them at a press event for a dull movie she was in, having a blunt attitude doesn't serve well in Japan. It probably caused some of the negative reviews for the movie too, since then they've pretty much taken a kick at her whenever they can. Just watching the movie though you can easily believe she was mentally drained, she does a great job in this movie and it's a really hectic role to play.

Here's the cover for this release

3Maters · 01-06-2013, 09:47 AM

I was in Japan during the release of this and was able to go to the typical Japanese opening day stage greeting event. This is when you go to a major theatre in Tokyo, watch the film the first showing of the day it comes out, and afterwards the cast and director come out for a press event. It was so exciting! Sawajiri Erika was stunning in person. I read the manga prior to the film so I too knew what to expect and I LOVED this movie. It is visually and emotionally *assaulting, but it such a unique, beautiful, scary, and modern film! Really gives a huge commentary on fame and beauty especially in Japan. What I loved was that the lines between reality and fantasy were blurred. In the movie there is a stage greeting, and then we the audience found ourselves in that very event! The director is in the film as herself ( a photographer), sawajiri Erika went through many of the same things RIRICO goes through, etc. it's really mind boggling! Anyway I got the beautiful special edition bluray from Japan and it looks STUNNING! May pick this up too for the subtitles! It's easy to watch the film without subs though. It's absolute eye candy and it follows the manga nearly page by page. And the score is an absolute hoot, it's this crazy topsy turvy musical extravaganza ( when you see the movie you will get it right away)

And yeah, after the event 5 years ago when Erika showed disrespect, she lost alot of respect. I mean Japanese as a whole really despise her, I can tell you that from experience. I love her, despite she should not have done what she did at the event 5 years ago (that event too was one of these stage greetings) since then she is one of the few Japanese people to really express her opinions and comment on her own country objectively, which is really rare in Japan.

Hayabusa85 · 01-19-2013, 04:18 AM

Decided it was time for some blind buy shopping on DDDHouse the other day and this ended up being one of the six that ended up in the cart. Shipped out today so if nobody else get around to it first will post some impressions on the PQ and stuff when it comes in

deepbreathsanddeath · 01-19-2013, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayabusa85

Decided it was time for some blind buy shopping on DDDHouse the other day and this ended up being one of the six that ended up in the cart. Shipped out today so if nobody else get around to it first will post some impressions on the PQ and stuff when it comes in

Cheers. As much info as possible about the release

I'm very interested in getting it but I'll wait to hear back from you.

Zen_Amako · 01-21-2013, 02:00 AM

I watched this tonight. The picture quality is excellent and the subtitles are very well done. The movie reminded me at times of Black Swan, but in Japan and with fashion models. It's a fascinating commentary on the fashion industry and what some women put themselves through to live up to impossible standards for beauty. I enjoyed seeing Kiko Mizuhara (from Norwegian Wood) again and i thought Erika Sawajiri gave a brave and believable performance. My main complaint is that it felt a bit too long and there were perhaps too many endings. I would still definitely recommend it.

McCrutchy · 01-21-2013, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

I watched this tonight. The picture quality is excellent and the subtitles are very well done. The movie reminded me at times of Black Swan, but in Japan and with fashion models. It's a fascinating commentary on the fashion industry and what some women put themselves through to live up to impossible standards for beauty. I enjoyed seeing Kiko Mizuhara (from Norwegian Wood) again and i thought Erika Sawajiri gave a brave and believable performance. My main complaint is that it felt a bit too long and there were perhaps too many endings. I would still definitely recommend it.

Great to hear. Somehow, I don't see this one making it to the US on Blu-ray...

Sinthetic · 09-03-2013, 10:33 AM

Absolutely insane film. Loved it.

It's flat out gorgeous from start to finish. There's possibly a little too much shagging in it, but it builds up to a very creepy and elegant body horror.

The scene in the aquarium was breathtaking.

[Show spoiler]

darry · 09-03-2013, 10:57 AM

The bit where she says to the other chick something like 'do you want lick me?'.

mimurph1 · 09-03-2013, 12:23 PM

saw this earlier this year as well, much better than expected, gorgeous looking film

Mansinthe · 09-03-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darry

The bit where she says to the other chick something like 'do you want lick me?'.

enough said.. now i have to get this^^

would be nice for Sakuran to get a UK/US/HK release

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sakuran-Blu-ray/81721/

rewak · 09-06-2013, 11:20 AM

That Sakuran release has English subs and it's cheap (well, cheap-er than most Japanese releases) so it's a pretty good grab

None of the extras are subbed on it though which is a shame but you do get a good load of them.

It really shocks me that no distributor in the UK or US has picked up Helter Skelter for release, it played festivals all over the place and got good responses, it's crazy!

Zen_Amako · 09-07-2013, 12:50 PM

The manga (comic) was recently released in the U.S., which should raise awareness of both the manga and movie. If the manga sells well, I could see someone (Viz?) licensing the movie.

Futurhythm · 09-10-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

The manga (comic) was recently released in the U.S., which should raise awareness of both the manga and movie. If the manga sells well, I could see someone (Viz?) licensing the movie.

It's a bit too... risque for Viz though don't you think?

I saw the movie at last year's JFF and it absolutely loved it. I'm a huge fan of Mika Ninagawa and her stuff on Blu-ray is just glorious.

I picked up the manga and finished reading a couple of days ago. The movie is a very close adaptation with only some very minor differences. It's tonally a bit different though mainly because of the massive difference between Ninagawa's crazy vivid style for the movie and the manga's very rough and loose look.

For those that have seen it, does anybody else think the final epilogue scene of the movie with

[Show spoiler]

are just earth-shatteringly awesome?

Mansinthe · 09-19-2013, 01:39 PM

received my copy today

Mansinthe · 09-25-2013, 06:57 PM

watched the movie today ! just awesome, loved it from start to the end. every scene and set looked stunning.

mimurph1 · 09-26-2013, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched the movie today ! just awesome, loved it from start to the end. every scene and set looked stunning.

01-06-2013, 09:47 AM	#6
3Maters Active Member Member since:Jan 2011	I was in Japan during the release of this and was able to go to the typical Japanese opening day stage greeting event. This is when you go to a major theatre in Tokyo, watch the film the first showing of the day it comes out, and afterwards the cast and director come out for a press event. It was so exciting! Sawajiri Erika was stunning in person. I read the manga prior to the film so I too knew what to expect and I LOVED this movie. It is visually and emotionally assaulting, but it such a unique, beautiful, scary, and modern film! Really gives a huge commentary on fame and beauty especially in Japan. What I loved was that the lines between reality and fantasy were blurred. In the movie there is a stage greeting, and then we the audience found ourselves in that very event! The director is in the film as herself ( a photographer), sawajiri Erika went through many of the same things RIRICO goes through, etc. it's really mind boggling! Anyway I got the beautiful special edition bluray from Japan and it looks STUNNING! May pick this up too for the subtitles! It's easy to watch the film without subs though. It's absolute eye candy and it follows the manga nearly page by page. And the score is an absolute hoot, it's this crazy topsy turvy musical extravaganza ( when you see the movie you will get it right away) And yeah, after the event 5 years ago when Erika showed disrespect, she lost alot of respect. I mean Japanese as a whole really despise her, I can tell you that from experience. I love her, despite she should not have done what she did at the event 5 years ago (that event too was one of these stage greetings) since then she is one of the few Japanese people to really express her opinions and comment on her own country objectively, which is really rare in Japan. Last edited by 3Maters; 01-06-2013 at 10:15 AM.*

09-03-2013, 10:33 AM	#11
Sinthetic Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Nov 2011 Location:UK 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- Trading Score:18	Absolutely insane film. Loved it. It's flat out gorgeous from start to finish. There's possibly a little too much shagging in it, but it builds up to a very creepy and elegant body horror. The scene in the aquarium was breathtaking. [Show spoiler]Just like Erika Sawajiri.

09-03-2013, 10:57 AM	#12
darry Power Member Member since:Mar 2012 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:90	The bit where she says to the other chick something like 'do you want lick me?'. Last edited by darry; 07-11-2021 at 11:43 PM.

09-06-2013, 11:20 AM	#15
rewak Special Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2012 Location:UK 4K collection:317 Blu-ray collection:1050 Trading Score:4	That Sakuran release has English subs and it's cheap (well, cheap-er than most Japanese releases) so it's a pretty good grab None of the extras are subbed on it though which is a shame but you do get a good load of them. It really shocks me that no distributor in the UK or US has picked up Helter Skelter for release, it played festivals all over the place and got good responses, it's crazy! Last edited by rewak; 09-06-2013 at 11:23 AM.

01-01-2013, 05:27 AM	#3
McCrutchy Contributor Top contributor Member since:Dec 2008 Location:East Coast, USA Home Theater Gallery:2 4K collection:1263 Blu-ray collection:6773 DVD collection:253 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:17	Now up at YesAsia: Helter Skelter Blu-ray PRE-ORDER

01-03-2013, 01:33 AM	#4
darry Power Member Member since:Mar 2012 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:90	This looks pretty awesome. Didn't the actress have a nervous breakdown after this role?

01-03-2013, 04:32 AM	#5
rewak Special Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2012 Location:UK 4K collection:317 Blu-ray collection:1050 Trading Score:4	She took a break saying she was mentally drained from doing the role, then the press sorta spun that into her having a nervous breakdown and developing multiple personalities. The Japanese media don't like Erika very much, she was pretty blunt with them at a press event for a dull movie she was in, having a blunt attitude doesn't serve well in Japan. It probably caused some of the negative reviews for the movie too, since then they've pretty much taken a kick at her whenever they can. Just watching the movie though you can easily believe she was mentally drained, she does a great job in this movie and it's a really hectic role to play. Here's the cover for this release

01-19-2013, 04:18 AM	#7
Hayabusa85 Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Canada 🍁 Home Theater Gallery:1081 4K collection:1165 Blu-ray collection:8521 DVD collection:1829	Decided it was time for some blind buy shopping on DDDHouse the other day and this ended up being one of the six that ended up in the cart. Shipped out today so if nobody else get around to it first will post some impressions on the PQ and stuff when it comes in

01-21-2013, 02:00 AM	#9
Zen_Amako Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Northern VA, USA 4K collection:255 Blu-ray collection:659 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:13	I watched this tonight. The picture quality is excellent and the subtitles are very well done. The movie reminded me at times of Black Swan, but in Japan and with fashion models. It's a fascinating commentary on the fashion industry and what some women put themselves through to live up to impossible standards for beauty. I enjoyed seeing Kiko Mizuhara (from Norwegian Wood) again and i thought Erika Sawajiri gave a brave and believable performance. My main complaint is that it felt a bit too long and there were perhaps too many endings. I would still definitely recommend it.

09-03-2013, 12:23 PM	#13
mimurph1 Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2012 Location:Pittsburgh, PA Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:81 Blu-ray collection:1067 DVD collection:718 Digital collection:183 iTunes collection:85 Prime collection:1 Trading Score:1	saw this earlier this year as well, much better than expected, gorgeous looking film

09-07-2013, 12:50 PM	#16
Zen_Amako Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Northern VA, USA 4K collection:255 Blu-ray collection:659 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:13	The manga (comic) was recently released in the U.S., which should raise awareness of both the manga and movie. If the manga sells well, I could see someone (Viz?) licensing the movie.

09-19-2013, 01:39 PM	#18
Mansinthe Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Feb 2013 Location:Germany Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:1197 DVD collection:43 Blu-ray reviews: 37 Trading Score:14	received my copy today

09-25-2013, 06:57 PM	#19
Mansinthe Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Feb 2013 Location:Germany Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:1197 DVD collection:43 Blu-ray reviews: 37 Trading Score:14	watched the movie today ! just awesome, loved it from start to the end. every scene and set looked stunning.

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