Japanese Films on DVD/Blu-ray

[artfilmfan]

In my opinion, the answer is yes. Also, on the Shochiku EF, they translate the poem in the class re-union sequence.

[Michael Kerpan]

The Shochiku DVD of Equinox Flower was gorgeous -- so the Blu-Ray is even better? ;-}

[artfilmfan]

If one doesn't mind the absence of the greenishness, the Blu-ray provides a different viewing experience, one that is very satisfying The Shochiku EF Blu is one of the best-looking Blu-rays I bought last year.

[artfilmfan]

According to YesAsia dot com, there's a Korean DVD release of Petal Dance (with English subtitles) that comes out next week (at a more affordable price).

[Calvin]

A trio of Masasuki Suo films - Fancy Dance, Sumo Do, Sumo Don't and Shall We Dance? - are being released on Blu-Ray on September 12th, with transfers being derived from new 4K scans.

Also, it appears that Shochiku are launching a new Blu-Ray line ('Shochiku BEST' is what Google Translate seems to call it, trailer here) with the first titles being Yoshitarō Nomura's Castle of Sand and The Village of Eight Gravestones, Satsuo Yamamoto's Kôtei no inai hachigatsu, Yoji Yamada's The Yellow Handkerchief, Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri. I think Harakiri, Castle of Sand and The Yellow Handkerchief are re-releases, but I'm not sure if they have new transfers.

[feihong]

That's great that Shochiku is committing to bluray for these films. These pictures appeared in Hong Kong on dvd in part of a somewhat ubiquitous "Japanese cinema" collection, along with the Gosha pictures Bandit vs. Samurai Squadron and The Hunter in the Dark. I hope Shochiku plans to put those Gosha movies on bluray!

[Vegeta84]

That's great that Shochiku is committing to bluray for these films. These pictures appeared in Hong Kong on dvd in part of a somewhat ubiquitous "Japanese cinema" collection, along with the Gosha pictures Bandit vs. Samurai Squadron and The Hunter in the Dark. I hope Shochiku plans to put those Gosha movies on bluray!

I hope Criterion puts them out on Blu-Ray as well. They do have the rights to both Hunter in the Dark and Bandits vs Samurai Squadron. Not sure why they both haven't been released yet.

[djvaso]

"The Best of Classic Shochiku Collection"
Village of Eight Gravestones (1977)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00L9SHSO8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Castle of Sand (1974)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00L9QJC26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kôtei no inai hachigatsu (1978)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00L9STTSG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Yellow Handkerchief (1977)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00L9QYQR2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Amagi goe (1983)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00M2FXRN8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Harakiri (1962)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00L9SA5GQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fall Guy (1983)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00M2HWTAI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Goke, Bodysnatcher from Hell (1968)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00MXVXHGS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Furueru shita (1980)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00MXUS8JU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Watashi no kokoro wa papa no mono (1988)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00MXV7CKU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mostly asia]

one of my favorite childhood movies is now available outside the expensive box set and in excellent picture quality with perfect subs!
Yoichi Higashi's "Village of Dreams"
http://www.yesasia.com/global/village-o ... /info.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Movie_00 ... ms_5484885" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%B5%B5%E3%81 ... E%E6%9D%91" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
this is a mega improvement to the old "Letterboxed" Image Entertainment DVD!
highly recommended!

[L.A.]

Anyone know whether those upcoming "The Best of Classic Shochiku Collection" Blu-rays have English subtitles?

[manicsounds]

Japanese subtitles only, according to the Shochiku website.

[Calvin]

There's an Isao Takahata box set due for release on January 21st, consisting of:

Horus: Prince of the Sun
Panda! Go, Panda!
Chie the Brat
Gauche the Cellist
The Story of Yanagawa's Canals
Grave of the Fireflies
Akage no An: Road to Green Gables
Only Yesterday
Pom Poko
My Neighbours the Yamadas
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

The Miyazaki box set released earlier this year had English subtitles, so hopefully this will as well. It's pricey though, as is to be expected from a Japanese release.

[artfilmfan]

After reading about it in one of Donald Richie's books some years ago and have wanted to see it since then, I finally watched Gan (Wild Geese) on the (un-subbed) Japanese DVD that came out late last year. For the most part, it's a visually impressive film that reminded me of Naruse' The Song Lantern. I think it's worth seeing if you're a fan of Hideko Takamine or classic Japanese cinema.

[Michael Kerpan]

After reading about it in one of Donald Richie's books some years ago and have wanted to see it since then, I finally watched Gan (Wild Geese) on the (un-subbed) Japanese DVD that came out late last year. For the most part, it's a visually impressive film that reminded me of Naruse' The Song Lantern. I think it's worth seeing if you're a fan of Hideko Takamine or classic Japanese cinema.

This is now available in subbed form on Hulu+. I don't think Toyoda has the subtlety of Ozu or Naruse (or maybe even Gosho), but Gan is definitely worth seeing.

[artfilmfan]

Michael, I agree that Toyoda doesn't have the subtlety of Ozu or Naruse. IMO, when it comes to subtlety, Ozu and Naruse are in the class of their own.

What really got my attention about Gan (when I read about it) was that Hideko Takamine was in it and it was made in the 1950's (Gan was made in 1953, two years before Takamine's great(est) performance ... in Floating Clouds).

Talking about Hideko Takamine, Gan is the third movie that I noticed her "great way of moving" (the other two are Floating Clouds and Yearning). In an online article by Ben Sachs of the ChicagoReader that was written about the Naruse/Takamine film series back in January 2012, of Takamine, Doc Films programmer Edo Choi said the following: " ... and she has this great way of moving- she slouches a lot..."

I'm glad to know that Gan is on Hulu+ and with subs. That's good news for Takamine's fans who do the streaming.

[Michael Kerpan]

Another particularly great Takamine performance -- not currently available -- was in Naruse's Arakure. But I may like her best in Lightning.

[artfilmfan]

I haven't watched Lightning since the Naruse retrospective 10 years ago. So, I don't remember much about it. I do have the Japanese DVD. I'll put it on my to-watch list.

[Michael Kerpan]

Lightning gives her a chance to show off her comic skills (in a first-rate film -- as opposed to the fundamentally silly Carmen films of Kinoshita).... (Arakure also offers some comic moments).

[artfilmfan]

Michael, thanks for mentioning Arakure. I read the imdb user comments to find out more about it. Now, I'm really interested in seeing it. Too bad it's not available.

[Michael Kerpan]

Well -- if you get a copy of the (translated) novel -- "Rough Living", I can always lend you my unsubbed copy of the Japanese TV broadcast (assuming I can find it and that it still plays).

[artfilmfan]

Thanks for the lending offer, Michael. If you find it, please let me know and I'll PM you my address.

I'm used to watching movies without subs. I usually try to read about the films as much as I can in advance so that at least I understand the story. Although I don't understand everything, it's still better than not seeing the films at all. The latest example was Gan. Reading the imdb user reviews in advance really helped.

[Michael Kerpan]

The book that Naruse's film is based on is quite good. Following the film is a snap, once you read it.

[jguitar]

But I may like her best in Lightning.

Michael, you're right about Lightning. That film yields up new riches every time I see it. Students always respond very well to it as well. Takamine may have the best sneer in all cinema.

[Michael Kerpan]

Takamine's little move of half standing up when she is slurping noodles that turn out to be longer than expected cracks me up every time.

[artfilmfan]

The book that Naruse's film is based on is quite good. Following the film is a snap, once you read it.

I've placed an order for a copy