Grab a bag of Trader Joe’s olive oil popcorn (or a skull of absinthe). It’s time for my latest Japan/Gothic movie reviews. (Thanks to VIZ Media, Tigerlily Films and Alliance Atlantis for the DVDs/passes.)

Is there anything more epic than Spinal Tap? Yes: a new Japanese extravaganza called Detroit Metal City. Negishi, a doofus with a mushroom haircut finds no success with his cheese tart love songs. Somehow, he’s roped into singing for a Visual death metal band. You’ll cackle like the evil record label boss as Negishi tries to balance his oshare (Daikanyama-trendy) and Satanic double life. The movie is pure camp: Negishi’s dorky running, the metal-heads screaming to “kill everyone” lyrics, and even a “metal buffalo.” Gene Simmons of KISS appears as the reigning metal god, alongside Marty Friedman of Megadeth — what more could you want?

San Francisco friends, there will be a screening of Detroit Metal City on November 4th, 7:15pm at VIZ Cinema in New People World. The DVD comes out from VIZ Pictures on November 9th, so you can order a copy here.

Cruise vacations make me think of retirees. Conga lines. All you can eat buffets. Lame. But what if one of these vessels were pillaged by a crew of Goths? Ingenious. Goth Cruise. The documentary follows a wide cross-section of Goths, from parents to crossdressers. We learn who they are and how they fell into dark culture. While I wasn’t inspired by the American Goth fashion in the film, the narrative is balanced and respectful, and has an A+ soundtrack that includes The Cure and The Banshees. Find out more on the film’s website (and also check out my 10 Quirkiest Theme Cruises article for CNNGo.)

I’ve been biting my nails in anticipation for The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, the final film based on Stieg Larsson’s breakout novels. (You may recall that I reviewed the second installation, The Girl Who Played With Fire.) Lisbeth Salander, the defiant Gothic hacker, unintentionally sports a “guro” look as she recovers from severe wounds. In no time, she’s back in her platform boots, a deathrock hairstyle and several spiked necklaces: armor against the three murder charges that threaten to institutionalize her forever.

The problem with being a law school graduate is that it’s impossible to accept the liberties taken with proper courtroom procedure: such as broadcasting a video the prosecution has not seen, or surprising the court with evidence stolen by a hacker. Although there’s less action and mystery in the last installement, Hornet’s Nest succeeds in tying up narrative ends and resolving character questions — a hard task for a trilogy. I also felt for Lisabeth the most in this film, which shows her quiet strength as a survivor. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest is out today in North American theaters and on DVD.

Just released: the new PV (music video) of Calendula Requiem by KanonXKanon (the collaboration between Miss Wakeshima and An Cafe). What do you think?

Anyone excited about upcoming movies? Which films have you watched recently and enjoyed?

Japanese Word of the Day: Kiseki – Miracle
Song of the Day: KanonXKanon – Calendula Requiem