Love Hunter

Director - Seiichiro Yamaguchi (Love Hunter: Lust, Love Hunter: Hot Skin)

Starring - Hidemi Hara (Night of the Felines, Affair at Twilight), Mari Tanaka (The Naked Seven, Survivor of the Massacre), and Ryuhu Oizumi (Crazy for Love, Female Coed: Sexy Dynamite)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last few months I've been working hard on reviewing horror movies.  In fact, I think I may have horror'd myself out a little bit.  I love watching and reviewing movies but I've watched so many horror movies since Halloween that I'm a little burned out.  I still love watching movies so I decided to give horror a break for a few days while I watch a few movies that was sent my way from Impulse Pictures.  The first on the chopping block is 1972's Love Hunter from Seiichiro Yamaguchi.  This was a controversial release in Japan when it was released and several laws were put in place after it's release.  Thanks Impulse for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young man who is in love with his college girlfriend.  However, his sexual side is intrigued by the married woman who has sexual fantasies she wants fulfilled that her husband doesn't understand.

     Most of the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection is more on the torture and rape side with horror elements randomly placed.  I think these films were the starting point for torture porn within the extreme horror community.  However, Love Hunter is not that at all.  I'm not a scholar for the Nikkatsu films but I am making an assumption off the movie's I've reviewed in the past.  Love Hunter is a sexual drama that almost feels like an obscure romantic adult film with a love triangle.  Regardless, I actually enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is actually pretty well done.  The characters are very focused on the sex scenes but the acting leading up to it is actually solid.  The characters are cliched but the cast makes the scenes fun even when they are story focused and not focused on the sex.  The story for this one is a love triangle of sorts BUT centered around hedonism and sexual gratification.  It sounds like something that would run it's course before the hour mark is up but the movie is able to hold your attention with beautiful imagery, scenery, and character interaction.  It's not boring.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  However, if you want nudity, sexual intercourse, and beautifully shot scenes then this film is for you.  Overall, Love Hunter is a fun and sleazy film.  The story is entertaining and this transfer from Impulse looks absolutely amazing.  It's a shame that this one is lacking bonus content because it's a wonderful release that needs that little push to make it a contender.  Check it out if you are fans of other Nikkatsu releases.