#18 Battle Royale - Japanese students are forced to play the most dangerous game.

In response to rampant juvenile delinquency Japan's government passes the BR Act-a law which allows the military to kidnap one class of students a year, strand them on an island, arm them and compel them kill each other until only one remains standing. Director Kinji Kukasaku, known for his post-WWII yakuza films, makes a bold, violent and vastly entertaining statement with this film. Takeshi "Beat" Kitano stars as one of the students' teachers. As usual he brings dark humor and pathos to a senselessly violent tale. Unlike many great contemporary Japanese films, Battle Royale is available to US viewers and probably won't be remade by Hollywood.