- 21 Jun 2004
- 489
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As many of you may or may not know, I am very difficult to please when it comes to US releases of Japanese or Asian films in general. Somehow, somewhere, some suit will make a decision that will ultimately piss me off and have me hear whining for all to read.
Well, I have to say that I was a little surprised upon going to Best Buy and getting the Zatoichi/Sonatine 2-Pack released by Miramax. While I could have done without the bastardisation of the cool Zatoichi cover we COULD have had because Miramax decided to plaster a pic of the old VHS box of Sonatine on the side saying 'FIRST TIME ON DVD!!!", I would have to say that what was contained within was heartwarming and shows that they went through great pains to make this a damned fine release. (Can anyone say run-on sentence?)
Anyway, with Zatoichi, there aren't 2 DVD's like the Japanese/Korean/HK/Chinese/Thai versions. There are, however, a lot of cool features. Interviews with some of the cast, a featurette that is pretty long about the making of the film as well as I think.. the trailer? Anyway, the same sound mix is used as the Korean and Japanese releases of a nice 5.1 and the colour... All I can say is that I heard that the Japanese and Korean releases used the theatrical film prints in their mastering and therefore the picture seems a bit faded, which may have been intentional. But Miramax went ahead and seemingly just restored the colour of the film, making it so vibrant. Wow.
With Sonatine, all I can say is that I am so happy to have this film land on my shores in DVD form. It's Kitano at his best.
So, US Kitano fans, but this set. Well worth it.
I just wish I could get some covers done for these.
Ah well.
Ant
Well, I have to say that I was a little surprised upon going to Best Buy and getting the Zatoichi/Sonatine 2-Pack released by Miramax. While I could have done without the bastardisation of the cool Zatoichi cover we COULD have had because Miramax decided to plaster a pic of the old VHS box of Sonatine on the side saying 'FIRST TIME ON DVD!!!", I would have to say that what was contained within was heartwarming and shows that they went through great pains to make this a damned fine release. (Can anyone say run-on sentence?)
Anyway, with Zatoichi, there aren't 2 DVD's like the Japanese/Korean/HK/Chinese/Thai versions. There are, however, a lot of cool features. Interviews with some of the cast, a featurette that is pretty long about the making of the film as well as I think.. the trailer? Anyway, the same sound mix is used as the Korean and Japanese releases of a nice 5.1 and the colour... All I can say is that I heard that the Japanese and Korean releases used the theatrical film prints in their mastering and therefore the picture seems a bit faded, which may have been intentional. But Miramax went ahead and seemingly just restored the colour of the film, making it so vibrant. Wow.
With Sonatine, all I can say is that I am so happy to have this film land on my shores in DVD form. It's Kitano at his best.
So, US Kitano fans, but this set. Well worth it.
I just wish I could get some covers done for these.
Ah well.
Ant