All Things: Asian Film, Vol. III

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More American Indie than "Asian," I guess...

But still...Rinko Kikuchi!!!

I liked this movie, even though it was basically just a re-telling of Don Quixote.
 
Fantasia Review: Sion Sono's 'Shinjuku Swan'

"Shinjuku Swan" makes an unsuccessful attempt to say something about the connection between class, ambition, and loyalty, but the message is as unclear as any other of the thematic elements of the movie. It's this feeling of a lack of commitment that pervades much of film, as it swings from comedy to drama with little rhyme or reason from moment to moment, and stylistically, remains mostly un-noteworthy, except when there is a random burst of rear projection work or a fight scene to choreograph. While it's not quite an ugly duckling, "Shinjuku Swan" never takes flight into something memorable. [C-]
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Fantasia 2015 Review: SHINJUKU SWAN, Sono's Glossy Yakuza Melodrama

Much more positive.
 
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Watch New Trailer For Tsukamoto Shinya's A SNAKE OF JUNE

A Snake of June, as we previously reported, will be presented for the first time anywhere in HD with some exclusive bonus features. The new transfer, supervised by Tsukamoto, will be in the director's preferred "blue version" (the only way I've ever seen it, for what it's worth). In addition to the new transfer, the disc will also include a brand new interview with the director, a feature length commentary from Tom Mes, author of Iron Man: The Cinema a Shinya Tsukamoto, a 20 minute documentary regarding the film's original release in Japan, and this brand new trailer. Oh, and for the collector geeks out there, this disc will feature a slipcover like Third Window's previous Tsukamoto Blu-rays.
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Thank **** for region-hackable Blu-ray players!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Arrow to Release Wake Up and Kill and Battles Without Honor and Humanity on Blu-ray

Arrow Video has announced that it will release on Blu-ray Kinji Fukasaku's Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973) and Carlo Lizzani's Wake Up and Kill (1966). The two releases will be available for purchase in the U.S. and UK.
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This Limited Edition collections features Kinji Fukasaku's (BATTLE ROYALE) original five films in the series with brand new extras, the never-before-seen in the west 'Complete Saga' and a 150-page hardback book! Limited to just 2000 copies (UK) and 3000 copies (USA). Individual editions of each of the five films (the Saga and book remain exclusive to this collection) will become available in 2016!

Special Features:

Limited Edition Blu-ray Collection
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of all five original films
Original Mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays)
Optional English subtitles for all five films
Remembering Kinji – a new featurette about director Kinji Fukasaku and his work, featuring interviews with Kenta Fukasaku and film critic and Fukasaku biographer Sadao Yamane
Secrets of the Piranha Army – a new documentary about the troupe of supporting actors who appeared throughout the series, featuring new interviews with original Piranha members Masaru Shiga and Takashi Noguchi, plus second-generation Piranha, Takashi Nishina and Akira Murota
All the Bad Guys – a new, comprehensive video guide to the actors in the films
Fukasaku Family – a new interview with Proxy War and Police Tactics assistant director Toru Dobashi
Man of Action – a new interview with series fight choreographer Ryuzo Ueno
Tales of a Bit Player – a new interview with supporting actor and stuntman Seizo Fukumoto
Last Days of the Boss – a new interview with Final Episode screenwriter Koji Takada
Yakuza Graveyard – a new interview with Takashi Miike about Kinji Fukasaku and the yakuza film genre
Original trailers for the series
Original poster gallery for the series
Limited Edition packaging and reversible sleeves for all five films including original and newly commissioned artwork by Reinhard Kleist

THE COMPLETE SAGA [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]

English-subtitled premiere of the 224-minute compilation edition of the first four films, previously screened only as part of a limited Japanese theatrical release in 1980 and on the Toei cable channel
Introduction by Complete Saga editorial supervisor Toru Dobashi

THE YAKUZA PAPERS [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]

150-page hardback book featuring writing on the history of the yakuza film genre, the background and continuing importance of the Battles series, and additional essays on the men who made them, including a newly-reprinted and fully annotated edition of Paul Schrader's classic 1974 Film Comment essay Yakuza-Eiga: A Primer, a new, exclusive English translation of screenwriter Kazuo Kasahara's 1974 Scenario magazine essay on his writing process for the first four films, as well as new essays and interviews from critics and authors Chris D., Grady Hendrix, Patrick Macias, Tom Mes, Mark Schilling, and Jasper Sharp.
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HOLY ****ING ****.
 
Review: Sion Sono’s Fantasia Fest Winner ‘Tag’

However, it’s worth being reminded that this is a movie that starts with extreme violence, not high drama. It’s also quite lighthearted as well, a bat**** comedy of sorts, which makes Sono’s ability to weave a social message throughout, and keep it present but understated, quite admirable. For those just looking for straight out madness, “Tag” gets the job done, and the Explosions In The Sky-esque score is also another surprising, creative touch that manages to work quite well.

One of a reported half-dozen movies Sono will release this year, it’s inevitable that some will miss (read our review of “Shinjuku Swan”), but from what I’ve seen so far, none of these projects feel rushed or tossed off. Sono is investigating a variety of cinematic languages at the moment, and in that sense, “Tag” is somewhat primitive on the surface (the VFX seem to have been done on a modest budget, but their lo-fi quality only helps the movie) but with some serious smarts the deeper you look.
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THE PIPER: Deliciously Grim Trailer For Korean Reimagining Of The Classic Tale

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Review: THE PIPER, A Satisfyingly Grimm Fairy Tale

As sound and convincing as the build to the meat of the story is, The Piper is at its best in the moments that it slowly strips its characters of their humanity and foists them on to somber paths. Ultimately, the iniquity of the many actuates the gruesome retribution of the few in a final act that comes to life through striking images and which boasts a powerful and emotional climax. With a promising first feature that stands apart from its Korean peers, director Kim has marked himself as a talent to watch.
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 15th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed that it plans to celebrate the 15th anniversary of acclaimed director Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with a brand new Blu-ray release. Advertised as Mastered in 4K, the release will be available for purchase on April 5, 2016.

In addition to the standard release, Sony will have available for sale a Limited Edition Blu-ray which will street on the same date.
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No word on specs yet.
 
TIFF: Watch The Trailer For Johnnie To's Musical 'Office' Starring Chow Yun-Fat

That’s right, folks: “Office,” his crazy-looking new picture, is a straight-up, unapologetic musical, all filtered through that distinct Johnnie To lens. And it’s… about the financial crisis of 2008? And it’s in… wait, it’s in 3D? Don’t take my word for it: a new trailer has just landed online, so feel free to check it out for yourself.
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Chow Yun Fat in a musical!
 
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