Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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NEW UK/US TITLE: Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Vol 1 (Arrow Video) Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD - Three thrilling genre pictures previously unreleased in the West make their debut on home video. If you like tough guys, mobsters and wanderers… the Diamond Guys deliver in spades!

Pre-order your UK copy here: http://bit.ly/1WBFYZ2
US pre-orders will be live soon!

Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol 1 (Arrow Video) Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD

Nikkatsu, the oldest film studio in Japan, inaugurated a star system in the late 1950s, finding talent and contracting to their Diamond Line for a series of wild genre pictures. This collection celebrates these “Diamond Guys” with three classic films from directors Seijun Suzuki (Branded to Kill), Toshio Masuda (Rusty Knife) and Buichi Saito (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril).
An old hand at tough guy action roles, Hideaki Nitani (Tokyo Drifter, Massacre Gun) stars in Suzuki’s Voice Without a Shadow. Asako, a former telephone operator once heard the voice of a murder suspect which has continued to haunt her. Years later her husband invites his boss, Hamazaki, over for dinner and she realises his voice is suspiciously like that of the killer. Before she can investigate further, Hamazaki is found dead and her husband becomes the prime suspect…
Next, 50s subculture icon Yujiro Ishihara (Crazed Fruit) stars in Masuda’s Red Pier as “Jiro the Lefty”, a killer with a natural talent. Shortly after arriving in Kobe, he witnesses a man die in a crane accident which turns out to be a cover-up for a murder. Jiro soon finds himself on the run, tailed by a determined cop...
Finally, in Saito’s The Rambling Guitarist, mega star Akira Kobayashi (Battles Without Honour and Humanity) stars as wandering street musician Shinji, who falls in with mob boss Akitsu after saving one of his henchmen in a bar fight. Tasked by Akitsu with evicting an offshore fishery, Shinji finds himself in the middle of a very unusual domestic dispute...
Presented on Blu-ray and DVD for the first time in the West, these thrilling genre films feature Nikkatsu’s leading talent at their best.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
• Limited Edition Blu-ray collection (3000 copies)
• High Definition digital transfers of all three films, from original film elements by Nikkatsu Corporation
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Specially recorded video discussions with Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp on Diamond Guys Hideaki Nitani and Yujiro Ishihara
• Original trailers for all three films and trailer preview for Diamond Guys Vol. 2
• Extensive promotional image galleries for all three films
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
• Booklet featuring new essays on all three films and director profiles by Stuart Galbraith, Tom Mes and Mark Schilling

Region: Free
UK RRP £29.99
US SRP $49.95
UK Release Date 25th January
US Release Date 26th January


- https://www.facebook.com/ArrowVideo/pos ... 7653941228

So, these films should be:

Voice Without a Shadow aka Kagenaki koe (1958)
Red Harbour aka Left Hand of Jiro aka Akai hatoba (1958)
The Rambling Guitarist aka Guitar o motta wataridori (1959)
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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NEW UK/US TITLE: Outlaw: Gangster VIP Collection (Arrow Video) Dual Format DVD & Blu-ray

A gritty yakuza yarn based on the writings of real life ex-gangster Goro Fujita.

Pre-order your UK copy here: http://bit.ly/1Zfpafe
North American pre-orders links should be live soon!

UK Release Date: 18th April 2016
US Release Date: 19th April 2016
Region: Region free

In 1968, acclaimed director Toshio Masuda (Rusty Knife, Tora! Tora! Tora!) and rising star Tetsuya Watari (Tokyo Drifter) teamed up for Outlaw: Gangster VIP, a gritty yakuza yarn based on the writings of real life ex-gangster Goro Fujita.

The series offers up a depiction of the Japanese underworld that was unprecedented in its realism and its sympathetic portrayal of its protagonist as a man haunted by his past, unable to escape a life of crime. The success of the initial instalment spawned five sequels, continuing the story of the lone wolf “Slasher” Goro and his quest for redemption.

The films presented a new kind of realism and violence that would prefigure Kinji Fukasaku’s Battles Without Honor and Humanity series, with their winning combination of brutal violence, gang warfare and sweeping romance, these films make for a unique and unforgettable viewing experience.

The set includes six films in the Outlaw series released for the first time in the west: Gangster VIP, Gangster VIP 2, Heartless, Goro the Assassin, Black Dagger, and Kill!

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
•Limited Edition Box Set (3000 copies) containing all six films in the Outlaw series, available with English subtitles for the first time on any home video format
•High Definition digital transfers of all six films, from original film elements by Nikkatsu Corporation
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
•Original uncompressed mono audio
•Newly translated English subtitles
•Audio commentary on Outlaw: Gangster VIP by Jasper Sharp
•Visual essay covering the entire series by Kevin Gilvear
•Original trailers for all six films
•Extensive promotional image galleries for all six films
•Exclusive gatefold packaging featuring brand new artwork by Tonci Zonjic
•Booklet featuring an interview with director Toshio Masuda by Mark Schilling, plus new writing by Schilling, Chris D and Kevin Gilvear

https://www.facebook.com/ArrowVideo/pho ... =3&theater

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist wrote:Toei is releasing a big bunch of samurai films that have been available for rental before, but not for sale. The price is very cheap, just over 2000 yen. The release date is Jan. 6, 2016.
Looks like this bunch is even bigger as the releases continue with 12 more DVDs on February 10th...

The Lord Takes a Bride (Ohtori-jo no hanayome) (鳳城の花嫁) (1957) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Seven from Edo (Ooedo shichininshu) (大江戸七人衆) (1958) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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An Unrivaled Sword (Furyu shisha: Tenka muso no ken) (風流使者 天下無双の剣) (1959) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Lord Mito 2 (Mito Kōmon Tenka no Fuku-Shōgun) (水戸黄門 天下の副将軍) (1959) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Shingo's Ten Duels Parts 1-2 Collection (Shingo juban shobu) (新吾十番勝負 第一部・第二部 総集版) (1959) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda & Ozawa Shigehiro

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Shingo's Ten Duels Part 3 (Shingo juban shobu) 新吾十番勝負 第三部 (1960) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Shingo's Ten Duels Part 4/The Final Part (Shingo juban shobu kanketsu-hen) (新吾十番勝負 完結篇) (1960) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Six Great Men of the Tenpo Period: Pathway to Hell (Tenpou rokkasen - Jigoku no hanamichi) (地獄の花道 天保六花撰) (1960) dir. Masahiro Makino

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Knightly Advice (Tenka no gyoi kenban) (天下の御意見番) (1962) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Umontorimonochou Benitokage (右門捕物帖 紅蜥蜴) (1962) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Castle of Owls (Ninja hicho fukuro no shiro) (忍者秘帖 梟の城) (1963) dir. Eiichi Kudo - Previously released on DVD by Toei in 2007

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Yagyu Chronicles 9: Assassin's Sword (Jubei Ansatsu-ken) (十兵衛暗殺剣) dir. Kurata Junji - Previously released on DVD by Toei in 2012

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Last edited by Guro Taku on 22 Jan 2016, 21:14, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Post by HungFist »

Excellent info, thanks!
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Post by Guro Taku »

Guro Taku wrote:Looks like this bunch is even bigger as the releases continue with 12 more DVDs on February 10th...
And another 10 DVDs on March 9th!

A World in Danger (Isshin Tasuke - Tenka no ichi-daiji) (一心太助 天下の一大事) (1958) dir. Tadashi Sawashima

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A Spectacular Showdown (Ketto Suikoden Dotou no Taiketsu) (血斗水滸傳 怒涛の対決) (1959) dir. Sasaki Yasushi

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Gambler's Code on the Nakasendo (Ninkyo Nakasendo) 任侠中仙道 (1960) dir. Sadatsugu Matsuda

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Hanjiro of Kusama: Bird of Passage (Kusama no Hanjiro: Kiri no Naka no Wataridori) (草間の半次郎 霧の中の渡り鳥) (1960) dir. Koukichi Uchide

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Sword of Destiny (Koken wa Orezu Tsukikage Ittoryu) (孤剣は折れず 月影一刀流) (1960) dir. Sasaki Yasushi

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Case of a Young Lord 8: Young Samurai Detective Story (Wakasama Samurai Torimonochou) 若さま侍捕物帖 (1960) dir. Sasaki Yasushi

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Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia 若さま侍捕物帖 黒い椿 (1961) dir. Tadashi Sawashima

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The Red Shadow (Akai kageboushi) (赤い影法師) (1961) dir. Shigehiro Ozawa

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The Great Killing (Dai satsujin) (大殺陣) (1964) dir. Eiichi Kudo

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The Shogun's Vault (Gokinzo Yaburi) (御金蔵破り) (1964) dir. Teruo Ishii

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist wrote:
HungFist wrote: December 6

Modern Yakuza: Outlaw's Code (現代やくざ 与太者の掟) (1969)
Director: Yasuo Furuhata
Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Junko Fuji

Modern Yakuza: Outlaw's Honor and Humanity (現代やくざ 与太者仁義) (1969)
Director: Yasuo Furuhata
Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Ryo Ikebe, Fumio Watanabe

Modern Yakuza: Loyalty Offering Breakdown (現代やくざ 盃返します) (1971)
Director: Kiyoshi Saeki
Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Hiroki Matsukata, Yumiko Nogawa, Asao Koike
Artworks:

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According to this article, that'd be parts 1,2 and 4 of the series. Part 6, Fukasaku's STREET MOBSTER, already came out in 2003 and got a cheaper re-release to coincide with the release of the other parts. Why does Toei insist on releasing pretty much all their film series out of order?
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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You sure they'll be available via the usual suspects? That's great! :clap:


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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Yesasia, CD Japan, Amazon.co.jp, sure, they should have them.

Welcome to the board!
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Tsukamoto films coming to BD in Japan.

May 12: Fires on the Plain
June 2: Tetsuo 1, Tetsuo 2
July 6: Tokyo Fist, Bullet Ballet
August 3: Vital, Snake of June, Haze + Adventures of Electric Rod Boy
- http://www.cinematoday.jp/gallery/E0008913/06.jpg.html
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Post by Guro Taku »

I'll definetely pick up those not already on my shelf as UK BDs. I'm especially looking forward to upgrading VITAL. Shame GEMINI is still missing though.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Marc Walcow has been conducting interviews in Japan. Sadao Nakajima was one, and is this Kazuhiko Yamaguchi? Maybe Arrow (?) are finally releasing the best ever Sonny Chiba film, Wolfguy, which I've been suggesting for them?

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-https://twitter.com/outcastmarc/status/ ... 4352207874

Yamaguchi in 2009
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Same guy?
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Three Noboru Ando films from Toei on 2016/06/08.

True Account of the Ando Gang: Yakuza and Feuds (やくざと抗争 実録安藤組) (1973)
Director: Junya Sato
Cast: Noboru Ando, Tetsuro Tamba
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2912374
- this is the 2nd part in the 3 film series. The first movie, やくざと抗争, is already available on DVD.

Account of the Ando Gang: Killer Younger Brother (安藤組外伝 人斬り舎弟) (1974)
Director: Sadao Nakajima
Cast: Noboru Ando, Bunta Sugawara
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228012/reference

Noboru Ando's Account of Filthy Escape into Sex (安藤昇のわが逃亡とSEXの記録) (1976)
Director: Noboru Tanaka
Cast: Noboru Ando
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0225068

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist wrote:Image
Really interesting to see that at least this time the DVD cover is indeed more explicit than the old VHS cover, whereas it's usually the other way round.

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Needless to say, I'm very happy about this release! It's one of those titles I've been hoping would get a DVD upgrade for years and years.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist wrote: December 6

Modern Yakuza: Outlaw's Code (現代やくざ 与太者の掟) (1969)
Director: Yasuo Furuhata
Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Junko Fuji

Modern Yakuza: Outlaw's Honor and Humanity (現代やくざ 与太者仁義) (1969)
Director: Yasuo Furuhata
Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Ryo Ikebe, Fumio Watanabe

Modern Yakuza: Loyalty Offering Breakdown (現代やくざ 盃返します) (1971)
Director: Kiyoshi Saeki
Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Hiroki Matsukata, Yumiko Nogawa, Asao Koike

These are parts 1, 2 and 4 in the series. I'm not sure why Toei skipped part 3.
Guro Taku wrote: According to this article, that'd be parts 1,2 and 4 of the series. Part 6, Fukasaku's STREET MOBSTER, already came out in 2003 and got a cheaper re-release to coincide with the release of the other parts. Why does Toei insist on releasing pretty much all their film series out of order?
ok, my mistake. And Chris D's mistake. And Ratgirl's mistake. Toei skipped part 3 (新宿の与太者 / Shinjuku no yotamono) because it's not part 3. The article above, as well as Chris D's book, mistakenly consider it a part of the series when it's not. For some reason they even address it by incorrect title ("Gendai Yakuza: Shinjuku no yotamono", when there in reality it's just "Shinjuku no yotamono").
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist wrote:
HungFist wrote:I was kinda expecting this: Toei's second catalogue hit series to make it on BD will be Truck Yaro. There will be two box sets, Vol. 1 in February and Vol. 2 April.
- http://www.toei-video.co.jp/BD/truck.html
Artworks

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The first box set will also feature a bonus DVD. Contents are unknown so far. Each BD is said to feature only trailer as extra. All discs will also be available separately.

Here's the thing...Toei seems to apply an idiotic pricing strategy where box sets cost more than the sum of the discs they contain. The two box sets are listed a 28,350 and 27,300 respectively, while the stand alone releases are 5,040. Unless I fucked my math, five times 5040 is less than the price of either one of these box sets! For box set 1 you can somehow justify a higher price as it comes with a bonus DVD, but why the fuck is box set 2 so expensive? There better be something we're not seeing in the product pictures, otherwise it's pure madness!

I didn't notice it before, but Battles without Honor and Humanity BD set is also more expensive than the 5 BD's it contains! It does have two bonus discs and some cards, but that doesn't make it a fair game!

Sidenote: I'm willing to bet a few hundred yen Toei's next BD release will be either the Red Peony Gambler series of Yusaku Matsuda films.
Yeah, I can confirm that none of the extra goodies are shown on those product photos above!

I bought the two Truck Guys BD box sets and I'd say they're the only two Toei box sets so far where the extra price is fully justified. The first box not only has the bonus DVD (which includes interviews with Bunta Sugawara and Kinya Aikawa as well as a 2010 TV special on pimped up trucks) but also 64 full color reproductions of all the lobby cards for all 10 films and a booklet, also in full color, that actually provides some interesting content (interviews, behind the scenes etc.) instead of just cast and crew lists like in the Abashiri and Brutal Tales of Chivalry boxes. The second Truck Guys box is also jam-packed with goodies. This time it's two complete screenplays and 6 booklets focusing on individual films as well as a heftier booklet, which seems to be a reprint of a special issue of something called the "Truckers Magazine" that was paying homage to the series.

In summary, if you're even a bit of a fan of the series, grab those box sets while they're still available. They're veritable treasure chests and worth every bit of additional cost!
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Thanks. Good to know.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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I had completely missed this release. Came out in January, from Kadokawa.

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The Moon Mask Rider (Gekko kamen) (1982)
Director: Yukihiro Sawada
Cast: Daisuke Kuwahara, Etsuko Shihomi, Takeo Chii

I haven't seen the film yet, nor the original Gekko kamen films from the 1950s, which Toei has released (all?) on DVD.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
Limited Edition Blu-ray collection (3000 copies)
Brand new 2K restorations of all four films in the series presented on High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD
Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays) for all films
Optional English subtitles for all films
Double-sided fold out poster of two original artworks
Reversible sleeves for all films featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan
Booklet featuring an extract from Unchained Melody: The Films of Meiko Kaji, an upcoming book on the star by critic and author Tom Mes, an archive interview with Meiko Kaji, and a brand new interview with Toru Shinohara, creator of the original Female Prisoner Scorpion manga

FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION
Newly filmed appreciation by filmmaker Gareth Evans (The Raid)
Archive interview with director Shunya Ito
New interview with assistant director Yutaka Kohira
Theatrical Trailers for all films in the series

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41
Newly filmed appreciation by critic Kier-La Janisse
Japanese cinema critic Jasper Sharp looks over the career of Shunya Ito
New interview with production designer Tadayuki Kuwana
Original Theatrical Trailer

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE
Newly filmed appreciation by critic Kat Ellinger
Archive interview with director Shunya Ito
New visual essay on the career of star and icon Meiko Kaji by critic Tom Mes
Original Theatrical Trailer

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701’s GRUDGE SONG
Newly filmed appreciation by filmmaker Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Kichiku: Banquet of the Beasts)
Archive interview with director Yasuharu Hasebe
Japanese cinema critic Jasper Sharp looks over the career of Yasuharu Hasebe
Visual essay on the Scorpion series by critic Tom Mes
Original Theatrical Trailer

UK Release Date: 25th July 2016
US Release Date: 26th July 2016
Region: A+B / 1+2

- http://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/shop/index. ... uct_id=721

I'm not a fan of that artwork (nor it saying "The Complete Collection" when it lacks the two New Female Prisoner Scorpion movies from 1976 & 1977), but yeah, I guess I'll need to pick this up. Great film, with Jailhouse 41 being one of the best exploitation movies ever made.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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HungFist wrote:I'm not a fan of that artwork (nor it saying "The Complete Collection" when it lacks the two New Female Prisoner Scorpion movies from 1976 & 1977), but yeah, I guess I'll need to pick this up.
The films are based on a manga series so I guess the manga-style box artwork makes a bit of sense. I'm not a fan either though and the omission of the New Female Prisoner Scorpion movies really is unfortunate. I remember quite enjoying those.
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Quick reviews of the two Wild Cop films:

Wild Cop (Gokiburi deka / ゴキブリ刑事) (1973)
Dirty Harry influenced cop film with Tetsuya Watari as a detective who spends most of his time beating, drugging or suffocating suspects. And when he isn't, he's either giving nasty looks to his superiors or visiting a girl whose boyfriend he killed. Gritty and entertaining, but mostly unexceptional. More action and character development wouldn't have hurt; now the film pales in comparison to Kinji Fukasaku's terrific and somewhat similar Yakuza Graveyard (1976), also starring Watari. The finale is quite memorable, though, with Watari literally crashing into the villains' headquarters with a front loader, and the film is never boring.

DVD
Toho's dvds for both films looks pretty good, although a bit dark at times. No problems with audio as far as I can remember. I already sold the dvds a few months ago, but the extras included at least trailers, photo galleries (posters, stills and images from the screenplays), and complete soundtrack on Wild Cop 2 dvd. Small size (dvd case size) poster re-prints are included inside both cases.

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Photo gallery
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Poster
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Wild Cop Returns (Za gokiburi / ザ ゴキブリ) (1973)
A slightly superior sequel. There's a great scene early on where cop Watari handcuffs a gangster to his patrol car window, throws the poor man on the roof and then rides back to the station as if there was nothing odd going on. It's scenes like this that make both Wild Cop quite fun to watch, but they also suffer from the lack of characterization and action scenes that aren't quite as stylish as you'd wish (although they are entertaining). The film contains a best insult in recent memory, with Watari calling a certain woman "cockroach bitch".

DVD
See the previous post

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Photo gallery
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Poster
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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Crest of the Wolf (狼の紋章) (1973)

This was the first one of the two live action films based on Kazumasa Hirai's Wolfguy manga franchise. There were two Wolfguy mangas being published simultaneously: "Wolfguy" and " Adult Wolfguy", aimed at youth and adult readers respectively. This movie, produced by Toho, was based on the former, which followed its werewolf hero as a bullied high school boy. It's a quite an imaginative and often atmospheric, if sometimes cheesy story that suffers from a couple of slow patches despite the wonderfully short 77 minute running time. Young Yusaku Matsuda does his feature film debut as a villain. Although the material was aimed at younger readers, the films is quite bloody and features copious amounts of nudity, especially by the hero's kind teacher (Yoko Ichiji). As enjoyable as it is, the film however pales in comparison to the incredible Toei adaptation Wolfguy: Enraged Lycanthrope (1975), which was based on the "Adult Wolfguy" manga and upped the sex and violence to a whole new level.

I viewed the VoD version on Amazon (JP) Video, but the movie is also available on Toho DVD. The DVD first came out in 2006, but there has been a number of re-issues and the latest one from 2015 should be quite affordable. The screencaps below are from the VoD version.

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Yoko Ichiji as the teacher
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Matsuda
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DVD
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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I finally found time to see this:

Crime Hunter (クライムハンター 怒りの銃弾) (1989)
The very first V-Cinema production; a stripped to the bone action film about a cop avenging his partner's (the very young Riki Takeuchi) death. Running only 60 minutes, there isn't much other than action and a tiny bit of sex in the film. Most of it is mediocre, but the grande finale is a stand out with our heroes blasting bad guys away with grenade launchers and heavy machine guns - first grade weapons pornography. There's a decent bit of pleasant V-Cinema nostalgia to be had - they don't 'em like this anymore. Star Masanori Sera makes a surprisingly uncharismatic hero, though; bad guy Seiji Matano fares much better with his Yoshio Harada looks, and the real Yoshio Harada is in the film too! One interesting thing about the film is that it's not clear where it is set. The main characters are Japanese, the clubs are filled with Caucasians, the signs are in English and "Little Tokyo" is written at the side of the main character's patrol car.

Riki Takeuchi
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Masanori Sera
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Seiji Matano
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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

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King of Beggars
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Joined: 29 Apr 2014, 16:37

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Post by Guro Taku »

HungFist wrote:and from Eastern Star, the much awated original language Golgo 13 anime
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Release date: 2012-07-24
Blu-ray, also from Eastern Star, this August:

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