144-150 + 217-222 Radical Japan Vols 1-2

[Zot!]

A lot of Imamura is oop, so even if expectations are dashed for something more obscure for the Radical Japan banner, I would consider this something of a rescue. The arrow set would be a great follow up for another. I am also happy with individual releases like The Eel.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

The Pornographers in particular would have fit right in to the theme/era of this box.

Yeah, that's very puzzling to me as well. I've got the MOC and Criterion releases so it's too bad this isn't just UHD discs as I don't need more Region B blus. But Insect Woman and Intentions will look terrific so I'm sold. I really wish this box had A Man Vanishes tho. As to the OOP Arrow box, at least we know Fran knows which rights holders to talk to if they did a second Imamura box.

[domino harvey]

Have to imagine we’re going to see a standalone release of Profound Desires of the Gods too at some point

[Calvin]

From Fran:

‘Why wasn’t The Pornographers included’ - two reasons, one it was a test case for UHD. Two for those who have the MoC box this would clearly separate the titles since there would be less need for missing titles. While I like the early features, especially ENDLESS DESIRE, anyone who is completist enough to buy for those alone would be the type of person to upgrade for the 4Ks

[pzadvance]

I actually really appreciate that they consider things like that when putting these together - thanks Fran!

[Zot!]

I actually really appreciate that they consider things like that when putting these together - thanks Fran!

Exactly, it's actually very insightful and pragmatic. Now don't forget to release all the stuff I want.

[Finch]

Just noticed the spine numbers are mismatched between the product description/box set and the individual keep cases: 217-222 vs 212-216. I'll wait for Radiance to fix either before I update the thread title.

[Murdoch]

I'm elated to see Insect Woman get this treatment, which I recall loving when I still had the Criterion set. I run lukewarm to very cold on Imamura, but IW stood out to me as a masterpiece. I'm interested in revisiting the other two big titles as well (the MoC blu for Pigs and Battleships has long sat dormant on my shelf).

[rapta]

Great surprise, after I often dissuaded people from the logic of an Imamura set since we'd had two individual releases of his work already. Sounds like The Pornographers was a test to see how things went before a full box set, and I'm grateful here they've included two new films not previously released by MoC (particularly excited for Intentions of Murder, in 4K no less) as well as two upgrades to 4K for a couple of those ex-MoC ones. I'll definitely be getting this on release!

Supposedly the next volume of Radical Japan will be both a UK and US release, which implies it'll be someone previously unavailable in both territories (I'm thinking Wakamatsu, though my personal taste would be for Shinoda or Masumura).

Have to imagine we’re going to see a standalone release of Profound Desires of the Gods too at some point

Yup, that's the title from Nikkatsu I also assumed they'll try to do individually. It is already known to have had a 4K restoration, but I wonder if Radiance might want to do their own colour grading, if not a complete in-house restoration of their own (depends what the studio say yes to).

Vengeance is Mine would also be excellent but since it's Shochiku might prove trickier, especially if Criterion intend to upgrade theirs at some point soon. Again, it's a very strong film that would stand alone on its own released individually.