Radiance Films has released Yasuharu Hasebe’s “Black Tight Killers” on Blu-ray. It is a blast of surreal Japanese pop cinema that will please any fan of Seijun Suzuki’s works.
Radiance Films has given Yuzo Kawashima’s “Elegant Beast” a release. The Japanese comedy of manners and sexual politics holds up well.
“Yakuza Graveyard” reunited director Kinji Fukasaku with writer Kazuo Kasahara. With a cast that includes Tetsuya Watari, Nobuo Kaneko, and Meiko Kaji, the results are predictably excellent. Radiance Films has given the film a Blu-ray release.
“Big Time Gambling Boss” – the inaugural release by Radiance Films – is an emotionally deep Yakuza film brimming with iconic Japanese actors that deserves to be discovered..
Mill Creek’s release of “Metropolis”brought a rare Blu-ray back into print in a well designed steelbook packaging. The technical specs are good, but the film quality is excellent. Otomo and Rintaro created a visually stunning world.
Arrow Video has brought Shinji Somai’s genrebending yakuza/coming-of-age/idol film/dramedy “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun” to Blu-ray. The long-take sequences are truly impressive, and the film is strangely hypnotic.
“Giants and Toys” is an acidic takedown of the Japanese business world of the Fifties, and one of the darkest showbiz polemics of its time. Arrow Video have brought the film to Blu-ray with solid technical specs and good supplemental material.
The WInd Rises is a beautifully written and directed film from master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The film may take place during some of the hardest times for the world, but the central story is focused on selfless love and the desire for artistic expression. Shout! Factory have given the film a pristine release.
MVD Rewind Collection have given the inscrutable fan favorite film from maverick director Takashi Miike a new Collector’s Edition with two cuts of the film and great technical specs.
The third film by acclaimed anime filmmaker Satoshi Kon has finally been released on Blu-ray and it looks and sounds fantastic. All four of his films have now received stateside releases.
The Street Fighter Collection is fantastic. Fans of Sonny Chiba or martial arts films from the Seventies owe it to themselves to own a copy.
On his hundredth film, Takashi Miike delivers one of his most enjoyable samurai epics. Based on the iconic graphic novel, Blade of the Immortal is an ultra-violent crowd pleaser.