Smuggler (2011)

Directed by: Katsuhito Ishii

No longer-aspiring actor Kinuta (Satoshi Tsumabuki) gambles in the wrong den, and to expunge his debts he’s forced to take up work as a smuggler: a mover/disposer of the bodies of people killed in organised-crime slayings.  When the fantastically-named hit team of Vertebrae and Viscera wipe out a gangland boss, the smugglers find themselves involved in a complex game of gang wars and double-crossing beauties.

None of which really explains what you’ll experience watching Smuggler. It’s been described as a drama, but action, martial arts, comedy, horror, vampire movie, torture porn and thriller are also applicable terms.  Katsuhito Ishii goes gloriously way, way over the top in depicting slow-mo ultra-violence.  It features an extended torture scene in which the utterly unhinged interrogator (who never bothers to ask questions) dresses in special costumes for different torture stages, one of which is conducted to the strains of the Colonel Bogey March.

Hard to give a recommendation one way or the other – you’ll know by now if this one’s for you.