Imprint

Showtime’s Masters of Horror is far from a collection of short films from the “masters of horror.” Most of the directors involved in this series are second rate Hollywood directors and/or horror directors that the seasoned horror fan “knows of.” I will give Don Coscarelli, Dario Argento, and Takashi Miike the credit of being “masters of horror.” In fact, Miike’s Imprint is the best one out of the series.

Takashi Miike seemed more focused on aesthetics with Imprint than most of his other films. Beautiful colors and fetuses makes for a soothing experience. Only in a fantastic dream could one find a variety of colorful flowers surrounding a fresh stream of abandoned babies. Imprint reminded me of Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams. I think that I prefer Takashi Miike’s dreams. Things also get confusing during storytelling with another possible Kurosawa influence Rashomon. Japanese cinema has changed dramatically over the past half century. I believe it is for the better.


Showtime cowardly decided not to air Imprint on cable television. They prefer showing softcore porn and Suburban drug dealing fantasies(Weeds). What a shameful act on their part. What American would not want to see the floating body of a pregnant woman on their way to a whorehouse? I don’t even need to go into the cutesy topless Asian girls being tortured by their madams. I think America is finally ready for Takashi Miike.

Next season Masters of Horror needs to feature Jorg Buttgereit, Nacho Cerda, Jim Van Bebber, Shinya Tsukamoto, and possibly even Nick Palumbo. But that probably won’t happen. Realistically you can expect the director of The Fog remake and executive producer of the Grudge 2.

-Ty E