The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

This movie rocked my face.



Masahiro Shinoda's 1964 film, Pale Flower, combines the fatalism of American film noir with the alluring alienation of Michelangelo Antonioni films for a stunning end result. When Muraki, played by Ryo Ikebe, returns to yakuza life after his release from prison, he encounters Saeko, a beautiful thrill-seeker played by Mariko Kaga. The ensuing relationship between the experienced, but burned out gangster and the young flower destined to wither as quickly as she blooms sets the stage for an observation of life as a dead end path paved by a series of fleeting diversions.

Muraki, with his body language of deliberate coolness, comes across as a slightly cruder descendent of Marcello Mastroianni and exudes an aesthetic of resigned futility in both himself and those around him. He greets his freedom nonchalantly, with the knowledge that nothing has changed. His former lover, who remained devoted to him during his prison sentence, has wasted her devotion. The yakuza personalities, with their endless gambling by way of hanafuda cards and horse racing, may forge new allies and gain new adversaries, but every option leads to the same ending. Muraki's protective inclinations toward Saeko form the emotional crescendo of this tale, and contemporary viewers may think of Michael Fassbender's similarly daunting protective relationship with his sister, played by Carey Mulligan, in Steve McQueen's Shame.

Saeko, with her fragile beauty, arouses the intrigue of all who cross paths with her, and, indeed, a mere glance into her eyes is worth the price of admission with this high definition presentation of the film. Early in the story, I thought of Saeko as the embodiment of all that seems unattainable in life, because her visage and demeanor conjure comparisons with the beautiful and privileged abandon that is always just beyond the grasp of one's fingertips. As the film progressed, though, I understood that she, in turn, is yearning from an inner emptiness toward a desire that remains out of reach.

When Saeko, to Muraki's chagrin, becomes intrigued by the troubling drug addict, Yoh, played by Takashi Fujiki, a destructive triangle of sorts unfolds. A close-up shot of Yoh standing in the shadows made me think of a similar shot of Max Schreck's vampire in Murnau's Nosferatu, and I'm inclined to think that the similarity is not accidental. This character represents choices that suck the life not only from those who indulge, but from all of those in their circles. The hanafuda gambling sequences are tense in their own right, and, while they may remind modern audiences of the poker scenes in the 2006 Bond film, Casino Royale, their inclusion in this film, marked by superb sound effects, comes across as a chilling death march.

Pale Flower is one of the most visually-entrancing films that I have seen in recent memory, and I quickly decided that it is my favorite yakuza film to date. It's a movie that caters both to my love of film noir and to my love of ethereal cinematography. The avant garde music of Pale Flower is the lifeblood of the film, with its chilling percussion and offbeat jazz approach. A revelation from Shinoda's supplementary interview on this Blu-ray that a recording of tap-dancing shoes was used to represent the sound effects of shuffling hanafuda cards brought a smile to my face.

This is a remarkable Criterion Blu-ray.

[Mansinthe]

we told you that you would like it ! its one of my favorite criterions as well.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

we told you that you would like it ! its one of my favorite criterions as well.

This will probably be one of my most frequently-revisited Criterion titles in the long run. I've already watched it twice, with last night's first viewing and this morning's viewing while I was writing the above review.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This movie rocked my face.



Masahiro Shinoda's 1964 film, Pale Flower, combines the fatalism of American film noir with the alluring alienation of Michelangelo Antonioni films for a stunning end result. When Muraki, played by Ryo Ikebe, returns to yakuza life after his release from prison, he encounters Saeko, a beautiful thrill-seeker played by Mariko Kaga. The ensuing relationship between the experienced, but burned out gangster and the young flower destined to wither as quickly as she blooms sets the stage for an observation of life as a dead end path paved by a series of fleeting diversions.

Muraki, with his body language of deliberate coolness, comes across as a slightly cruder descendent of Marcello Mastroianni and exudes an aesthetic of resigned futility in both himself and those around him. He greets his freedom nonchalantly, with the knowledge that nothing has changed. His former lover, who remained devoted to him during his prison sentence, has wasted her devotion. The yakuza personalities, with their endless gambling by way of hanafuda cards and horse racing, may forge new allies and gain new adversaries, but every option leads to the same ending. Muraki's protective inclinations toward Saeko form the emotional crescendo of this tale, and contemporary viewers may think of Michael Fassbender's similarly daunting protective relationship with his sister, played by Carey Mulligan, in Steve McQueen's Shame.

Saeko, with her fragile beauty, arouses the intrigue of all who cross paths with her, and, indeed, a mere glance into her eyes is worth the price of admission with this high definition presentation of the film. Early in the story, I thought of Saeko as the embodiment of all that seems unattainable in life, because her visage and demeanor conjure comparisons with the beautiful and privileged abandon that is always just beyond the grasp of one's fingertips. As the film progressed, though, I understood that she, in turn, is yearning from an inner emptiness toward a desire that remains out of reach.

When Saeko, to Muraki's chagrin, becomes intrigued by the troubling drug addict, Yoh, played by Takashi Fujiki, a destructive triangle of sorts unfolds. A close-up shot of Yoh standing in the shadows made me think of a similar shot of Max Schreck's vampire in Murnau's Nosferatu, and I'm inclined to think that the similarity is not accidental. This character represents choices that suck the life not only from those who indulge, but from all of those in their circles. The hanafuda gambling sequences are tense in their own right, and, while they may remind modern audiences of the poker scenes in the 2006 Bond film, Casino Royale, their inclusion in this film, marked by superb sound effects, comes across as a chilling death march.

Pale Flower is one of the most visually-entrancing films that I have seen in recent memory, and I quickly decided that it is my favorite yakuza film to date. It's a movie that caters both to my love of film noir and to my love of ethereal cinematography. The avant garde music of Pale Flower is the lifeblood of the film, with its chilling percussion and offbeat jazz approach. A revelation from Shinoda's supplementary interview on this Blu-ray that a recording of tap-dancing shoes was used to represent the sound effects of shuffling hanafuda cards brought a smile to my face.

This is a remarkable Criterion Blu-ray.

Well looks like I now need to make one more trip to BN before the 16th. Thanks Owl!! haha!

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

My three favorite spines:
Repo Man
Shoah
The Ballad of Narayama

Guesses for March:
Touch of Evil
Don't Look Now
Persona
The Passion of Joan of Arc (upgrade)

Touch of Evil would be an awesome release! Just thinking of that long one shot in the beginning. Mmmmm....

I'd love to see another Hitchcock release myself... Rope!

[UncleBuckWild]

Before the B1G1 ends, I'll be getting these two:



I've watched bits of Smiles of a Summer Night and found it hilarious... however i'll probably blind-buy Design for Living < any thoughts on this film.

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

we told you that you would like it ! its one of my favorite criterions as well.

Crap. Another blind buy .... I hate you guys ... Wages of Fear was amazing ... Thanks

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Well looks like I now need to make one more trip to BN before the 16th. Thanks Owl!! haha!

What happens on the 16th L

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by mdonovan

What happens on the 16th L

Judgement Day... no actually - it's the last day of Barnes & Noble B1G1.

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

Judgement Day... no actually - it's the last day of Barnes & Noble B1G1.

Do I need a coupon ?

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by mdonovan

Do I need a coupon ?

You can use coupons in-stores, online doesn't work.

Good thing is this time the goofy B&N folks aren't fessing over using coupons.

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

You can use coupons in-stores, online doesn't work.

Good thing is this time the goofy B&N folks aren't fessing over using coupons.

Sorry to belabor this ..where can I get the coupon ?

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by mdonovan

Sorry to belabor this ..where can I get the coupon ?

If you're a B&N member, they usually send you discount coupons, by post or mostly to your email account.

If you're not a member, you can find non-member coupons @ DVDTalk forum.

There's the B1G1 Criterion thread currently active, check it out:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=232990

[Meek12345]

Off topic question: Is the Eureka release of Metropolis worth buying if I already own the Kino release The Complete Metropolis on blu-ray? I don't own a region free player, but I have been told that one can be bought for about $50.

Also, do you all believe that an upgrade of Ugetsu will happen any time soon? The DVD release sounds amazing with the documentary on Mizoguchi's life and career, and the gigantic booklet (around 100 pages I believe). I wonder if the booklet size and special features would change if Ugetsu is upgraded with a dual format release. I would buy the DVD release, if I were told that the booklet and special features would be downsized with an upgrade.

I'm glad that you enjoyed Pale Flower Great Owl! It is just outside of my top 10 Criterions to own list. I wish the blu had more special features. Although, I'm sure Criterion did their best to round up good features.

Do you all think Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion would be a good blind buy? The synopsis has me intrigued and it appears to have a tremendous amount of special features. This title appears to be a hot seller on Amazon. Whenever I think about buying it, it is out of stock again.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Just guessing through IMDb that it is Cries & Whispers.

Been on my re-issue want list for ages... fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed also that I'll somehow manage to watch more of my blus (and dvds) and less of my dvr... I guess a sledge hammer might to the trick.

(Edit: Think I'll give Pale Flower a shot today.)

[fdm]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

You should see Brewster Mccloud then
One of my favorites of his and quite funny.

Pretty good/ok one (I thought it dragged a bit last couple times I watched it), but nobody ever seems to give M*A*S*H a mention, so thought I'd throw that in. Maybe the subsequent tv series tainted its reputation, but I loved it when it first came out. (Haven't really watched it much, maybe once, since then, but that's mostly because I practically memorized it originally.)

[Gusto-Guus]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Off topic question: Is the Eureka release of Metropolis worth buying if I already own the Kino release The Complete Metropolis on blu-ray? I don't own a region free player, but I have been told that one can be bought for about $50.

Also, do you all believe that an upgrade of Ugetsu will happen any time soon? The DVD release sounds amazing with the documentary on Mizoguchi's life and career, and the gigantic booklet (around 100 pages I believe). I wonder if the booklet size and special features would change if Ugetsu is upgraded with a dual format release. I would buy the DVD release, if I were told that the booklet and special features would be downsized with an upgrade.

I'm glad that you enjoyed Pale Flower Great Owl! It is just outside of my top 10 Criterions to own list. I wish the blu had more special features. Although, I'm sure Criterion did their best to round up good features.

Do you all think Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion would be a good blind buy? The synopsis has me intrigued and it appears to have a tremendous amount of special features. This title appears to be a hot seller on Amazon. Whenever I think about buying it, it is out of stock again.

I blind bought Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and I loved it. To put it simply, if you're interested in human civilization (Example, Capitalists, Socialists, communists, etc.), philosophy, the human condition, than you'll enjoy this movie.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

Before the B1G1 ends, I'll be getting these two:



I've watched bits of Smiles of a Summer Night and found it hilarious... however i'll probably blind-buy Design for Living < any thoughts on this film.

I like it, but then my favorite film era is the early '30s and more specifically pre-code films. The three stars are fun and Miriam Hopkins is sexy as hell! I've always enjoyed her films and she was one of those actresses who really shined in the pre-code era.

[Zenzucht]

Czech National film archive is going to restore Closely Watched Trains, so it might be released by Criterion in the future..

I was hoping for the Journey to the Beginning of Time.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by Zenzucht

Czech National film archive is going to restore Closely Watched Trains, so it might be released by Criterion in the future..

I was hoping for the Journey to the Beginning of Time.

They restored The Firemen's Ball last year so hopefully a Criterion upgrade isn't too far off.

In case you don't know, Journey to the Beginning of Time is available on Blu-Ray with English subtitles.