Happiness Of The Katakuris (2001) Rating: Starring: Keiko Matsuaka, Naomi Nishida, Kenji Sawada, Shinji Takeda, Naoto Takenaka, Tetsuro Tanba Director: Takashi Miike Category: Avant Garde, Foreign Studio: Ventura Subtitles: English Length: 113 mins     From the director of Audition and City of Lost Souls Takashi Miike's,The Happiness Of the Katakuris is a quirky, black comedy. Think Shallow Grave meets Japanese classic cult film, Crazy Family-and now imagine it with songs, dance numbers and animated sequences. Loosely based on the Korean black comedy, Quiet Family, this extraordinary genre-blending remake tells the story of a modern dysfunctional family and their shared dream of opening an inn in the country. Despite all their best efforts, the inn has the unfortunate habit of attracting guests who all turn up dead in the morning. The Katakuris do their utmost to make a success of the place despite the growing number of guests now planted in the grove behind the house. In tune with its quirky story, the film mixes movie genres and styles with abandon. Some sequences are filmed using claymation. As in a musical, the characters suddenly burst into song, or spontaneously start dancing as the mood takes them. There's even an incredible subplot with a Japanese conman who claims to be the bastard son of Queen Elizabeth of England. The movie features an all-star cast chosen for their acting talent and their ability to carry a tune. Mr. Katakuri is played by Kenji Sawada, a star from his day with the rock band, the Tigers and as an actor (The Man Who Stole the Sun, Mishima). Keiko Matsuzaka (Sting of Death, Ping Pong) plays his long-suffering wife, Naomi Nishida (Nabi's Love) plays the daughter and Shinji Takeda (Gohatto, Pulse, Tokyo Eyes) takes on the role of the useless son. Rock star Kiyoshiro Imawano plays the slightly foreign-looking conman in a naval uniform. A black comic musical that will have viewers cheering for the Katakuri family as they battle against the odds...and the bodies.