The Madman Asian Eastern Eye/Director's Suite Thread!

memetic · Post by **memetic** » 26 Oct 2005, 13:25

Sanshiro Sugata is Kurosawa's first ever film. If you've seen Johnnie To's Throwdown, you'll notice a dedication to Kurosawa at the beginning - he was referring to this film as they are both about Judo. I also think Lucas borrowed most of his Force philosophy from the film too, so one could argue that this film is more of an inspiration to Star Wars than The Hidden Fortress was.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Oct 2005, 15:56

grim_tales wrote: Brad when I said "that Kurosawa film" I was talking about Shanshiro Sugata not Weather Woman (should of been clearer). My bad

I posted about it a month or so ago it's his debut.

p.s - Cheat you've edited your post + phew I was getting worried there

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 26 Oct 2005, 18:50

The Zatoichi films vary in quality do for for me, but the ones I have watched so far have entertained and I look forward to beter ones to come, I think theres maybe 30ish Zatoichi films.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 26 Oct 2005, 19:19

Cool

30 is a lot though

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 26 Oct 2005, 21:43

Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo is fun, as it acctually stars Yojimbo from the Kurasawa films!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Nov 2005, 21:07

Updates:

Retail:

* The Grudge 2 - The same as posted in August but now with DTS and a delay to 23/11/2005
* Godzilla: Invasion of the Astro-Monster - Japanese DD5.1 + Restored original 2.35:1 transfer, Japanese Theatrical Trailer, Poster Gallery

Coming in 2006:

* Bang Rajan - This is never going to beat the UK R2
* Infernal Affairs 2 - Unless this has the directors commentary (which it won't) I can't see it beating the UK R2, still it will probably have better cover art!
* Azumi 2
* Godzilla Final Wars

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Jan 2006, 13:55

This list isn't conclusive. For the rest check out:

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/label. ... labelId=57

Updates:

Retail:

* Bang Rajan: 29/03/06 - This looks to be a port of the Premier Asia DVD including the Bey Logan commentary:

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view

* Inner Sense: 15/03/06 - - It looks the same as the UK R2 Tartan DVD but at least has a release date:

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view

Rental:

* Koma: 01/03/06 - It looks the same as the UK R2 Tartan DVD:

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view

* Infernal Affairs 2: 01/02/2006 - It looks the same as the UK R2 Tartan DVD except it has two more extras (Outtakes, Music Video) and considerably better cover art BUT looses DTS. I'd go with the UK R2:

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 01 Feb 2006, 10:58

bradavon wrote:* Infernal Affairs 2: 01/02/2006 - It looks the same as the UK R2 Tartan DVD except it has two more extras (Outtakes, Music Video) and considerably better cover art BUT looses DTS. I'd go with the UK R2:

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view

And to set the record straight:- The Tartan release of IA2 DOES have subtitles on the DELETED SCENES - I own the fucking disc.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Feb 2006, 11:53

Calm down! Was there any need to swear?

To my knowledge only one review ever said it didn't and that was from a preview copy.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 01 Feb 2006, 12:43

bradavon wrote:Calm down! Was there any need to swear?

Meh. When did you become so prudish Brad?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Feb 2006, 12:53

I'm not (how is that being prudish?).

You could've used another word, it's not like you were arguing with someone so why fuck this and fuck that? Besides you sounded angry.

It's not important, just my opinion. Moving on . . .

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2006, 13:07

IA2 will have DTS also:

http://madboards.madman.com.au/viewtopi ... 572#540572

Making it better than the UK R2 (decent cover art also).

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 03 Feb 2006, 13:34

Just one additional deleted scene and a couple trivial easter eggs. Yeah HUGE difference there.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2006, 14:00

Who said the differences had to be huge. I was specifically talking to those who don't own it yet BUT the UK R2 will be much cheaper so who knows.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 05 Mar 2006, 11:40

Godzilla: Final Wars (out 29-3-06) sports and a native PAL transfer and appears to have more extras than the Sony R1. (source)

Eastern Eye no longer suck as much apparently since they claim that 90% of their output since mid-2005 has been native PAL transfers. (source)

Madman's 2-discer of Appleseed (2004) is HD-to-PAL (the UK release is NTSC-PAL). (Source)

Also their upcoming release of Howl's Moving Castle is also HD-to-PAL. (Source) On March 15th they're releasing a 2-disc LE with "exclusive extras".

There are releases of Kairo (source) and Kim Di-duk's The Isle (out 15/5/06) out this year, both should be superior to the R2UK releases. R2UK Kairo will have Optimum's typical massive burnt-in subs. (source) and Tartan's The Isle is cut for animal cruelty (source).

EE's Lone Wolf & Cub releases of all six films are all native PAL. (source)

Madman also has the rights to:-
Kamikaze Taxi (1995, Japan) - Out 2nd half 2006.
(Source)
Spider Forest (2004, S.Korea) (source)

They also have the rights to Sympathy for Lady Vengeace and A Bittersweet Life (source=a newsletter that I received early this year which I've long since deleted.).

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 05 Mar 2006, 23:41

Good man there Eva.

EvaUnit02 wrote:There are releases of Kairo (source) and Kim Di-duk's The Isle (out 15/5/06) out this year, both should be superior to the R2UK releases.

I've just literally ordered my Korean DVD copy of The Isle for £17.50 delivered. Expensive but it's been OOP for sometime now and there is no guarantee Buyoyo will be able to get hold of it for me. I think I'm going to risk it and cancel my order. Brad wanders off to work out how to.

The Korean DVD is the only anamorphic/5.1 version which is uncut too. The R1 and HK R3 are both non-anamorphic/2.0. I hear it's very good in 5.1. I have the HK DVD at the moment.

It should be uncut right?

R2UK Kairo will have Optimum's typical massive burnt-in subs. (source) and Tartan's The Isle is cut for animal cruelty (source).

Good news on Kairo too. Strangely all releases except the HK DVD have DD2.0 (including the Japanese DVD). Which is a pity as it's effective in 5.1.

The 40 Minute Making Of. looks interesting on the UK R2 but tbh I doubt I'll bother to upgrade this one, the HK DVD is fine for me.

There is also an R1 which looks exactly the same as the UK R2 but may not have burnt in subs:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=20277

For me on this one 5.1 is more important than extras, especially when the PQ looks to be ported from the HK DVD too.

EvaUnit02 wrote:They also have the rights to Sympathy for Lady Vengeace and A Bittersweet Life (source=a newsletter that I received early this year which I've long since deleted.).

Odd I get their newsletter too and don't remember seeing this mentioned.

They've not got Oldboy or SFMV which is odd.

I won't be waiting for these though as knowing Madman it will be November at the very earliest I'll be able to get my hands on them. I can't see either being 2 disc releases or beating the Tartan DVDs (NTSC to PAL issues possibly aside).

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 06 Mar 2006, 03:06

bradavon wrote: It should be uncut right?

It should be. I'll ask over at the Madman forums - about the cut status and whether the transfer is native PAL or not.

The Aussies don't have daft animal cruelty that compromises art just to appease extreme-left hippies (eg you) like they do over there in your neck of woods. Frankly forced censorship is downright totalitarian and goes against the fundamental ideals of the advanced western world.

Strangely all releases except the HK DVD have DD2.0 (including the Japanese DVD).

That's unsurprising. Stereo is still in heavy use over in Japan, especially by filmmakers who have to work with low budgets. Chuck Ringu, Dark Water or Ju-on into your player and fast forward to the end of the credits, you'll most likely see no "Dolby Digital" or "DTS Digital Surround Sound" logos, probably just stereo logos. I'm pretty sure those films I mentioned were remixed into 5.1 at later stage, ie for the DVD releases.

The 40 Minute Making Of. looks interesting on the UK R2 but tbh I doubt I'll bother to upgrade this one, the HK DVD is fine for me.

I've been wanting to see Kairo for a while now. I'll wait and see how the R4 turns out, otherwise I'll get another region disc.

There is also an R1 which looks exactly the same as the UK R2 but may not have burnt in subs:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=20277

For me on this one 5.1 is more important than extras, especially when the PQ looks to be ported from the HK DVD too.

Fuck the R1, it looks too pricy for just a port of the HK disc ($20USD = like $30NZD+).

I won't be waiting for these though as knowing Madman it will be November at the very earliest I'll be able to get my hands on them. I can't see either being 2 disc releases or beating the Tartan DVDs (NTSC to PAL issues possibly aside).

I can wait for the R4 of ABL (which just sounds like an above average post-Infernal Affairs thriller anyway) but I'm excited about SFLV since Oldboy was fucking awesome - will prolly try to grab the R3K LE for both versions of the film.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 06 Mar 2006, 04:26

...and the R4 of The Isle is the winner!

Chris of EE wrote:It's too early for Kairo/Pulse as I haven't reviewed the materials yet.

However, for The Isle I can give you full info:

Release date is for Retail:

VIDEO
- 16:9 Anamorphic with uncropped OAR of 1.85:1
- Native film-PAL transfer (resulting in a sped-up running time of 87 mins)
- film is uncut

AUDIO
- Korean Dolby 5.1 & 2.0 tracks

EXTRAS
- Making of (9 mins)
- Interviews with 7 cast & crew inc. Kim Ki-duk (total 27 mins)
- Featurette on Music Scoring (5 mins)
- Featurette covering Kim Ki-duk and his oeuvre (9 mins)
- Featurette about The Isle (7 mins)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Production Stills gallery (38 stills of behind-the-scenes & onset photos)
- Egg

Also the R4's of Kurosawa's Scandal (1950) and Sanshiro Sugata (1943) have been confirmed to have native PAL transfers.

Chris of EE wrote:It's a mixed bag. Ones around mid-2005 certainly were. Off the top of my head, I recall both Scandal and Sanshiro Sugata were. We haven't done any Kurosawas under the EE label since them.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 06 Mar 2006, 06:37

Woooo! More Kitano from Madman coming:-
This time it's Dolls (2002) (out 17/05/2006) released under their "Directors Suite" label (Eastern Eye seems more for the three "Asian Extreme" genres - I realise it has Kurosawa stuff but essentially it's his "action movies", yes 7Sam is an action movie.).

It looks like it has ALL the extras from the French/German/Spanish/Belgium releases + a DD5.1 track (the R2UK Artificial Eye release only has a 2.0 track), thus making it the best English-language release available globally. They've most likely sourced the same native PAL transfer that's used on all the previously mentioned R2 releases.

DVD Special Features

-Interviews with director Takeshi Kitano, actors Miho Kanno and Hidetoshi Nishijima, and costune designer Yohji Yamamoto
-Behind-the-scenes footage
-Footage from the Venice Biennale 2002
-Stills gallery
-Dolby Digital 5.1
-Liner notes by Henrik Sylow of kitanotakeshi.com

Release Date: 17/05/2006

Audio tracks: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround: Japanese

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 06 Mar 2006, 10:25

I hope you're right.

I have the R1 Canadian which is pretty much the same as the R4 but the PQ is a bit ropey, it's to soft.

I considered getting the UK R2 for this reason but would miss the DD5.1. I'll upgrade more than likely.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 06 Mar 2006, 10:57

bradavon wrote:I have the R1 Canadian which is pretty much the same as the R4 but the PQ is a bit ropey, it's to soft.

Eww, that has a PAL-to-NTSC transfer.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 06 Mar 2006, 11:18

Really that would explain a lot. I went for it as on paper it looked the best and will keep it but it should've been much better.

They've most likely sourced the same native PAL transfer that's used on all the previously mentioned R2 releases.

If it does I'll upgrade if not I won't.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 06 Mar 2006, 12:17

I have the AritficialEye release from the UK.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 06 Mar 2006, 22:08

thelostdragon wrote:I have the AritficialEye release from the UK.

Why? The German release is far better.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 06 Mar 2006, 23:18

I bought it before the German DVD release. I thought it wasn't going to be released here.

Is the German disc better in terms of video quality. That's the most important aspect about "Dolls".