Third Window Films Discussion Thread

[dr727]

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

Oh wow a second Toyoda box set? The first one was surprisingly solid (9 Souls is very good) and I look forward to more of his works coming to the UK.

This is wonderful news! Thrilled to get Vol. 2.

[floor pie]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

Personally preferred releasing those sort of comedies myself, but in the age of bluray it's neigh on impossible to even come close to breaking even on them. Even the more 'genre' quirky releases like TASTE OF TEA and FISH STORY take like 3 years to break even on, so you can imagine what tiny comedies like 'Turtles' would nowadays. Pining for the 'easier' days of DVD releases...

This might be sacrilege here, but I wouldn't have much problem with some films being still DVD-only in this age. Let's say a Kitano film, or the new Sono, those I'd want on Blu-ray. But then there are some cases where visuals aren't the be all end all -- maybe DVD wouldn't be the end of the world with those. I think a DVD + Blu-ray market could work, at least for my wallet.

It's all relative in the end, and I can be perfectly happy with e.g. my DVDs of a couple of Altman films, or Bringing Out the Dead, which looked really amazing for a DVD that might be twenty years old. So I definitely feel for you!

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

Oh wow a second Toyoda box set? The first one was surprisingly solid (9 Souls is very good) and I look forward to more of his works coming to the UK.

Sounds great! Almost picked up Blue Spring in the Arrow sale, and liked the set a lot (except for Pornostar, which left me cold).

[Spenserian]

Thanks for the heads up, I grabbed a copy of the set quickly, and also the Tsukamoto limited edition Haze, Killing and Denchukozo before that runs out too...!

[jackranderson]

Finally watched Pink Films Vol 1 & 2 today - Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands is wonderful and worth the price of admission alone, really fascinating psychological neo-noir full of stylish imagery and a tremendous jazz fusion score. Didn't like Gushing Prayer at all, felt like it was trying too hard to be thought provoking without the depth to back it up, well shot though.

[Faustus]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

Personally preferred releasing those sort of comedies myself, but in the age of bluray it's neigh on impossible to even come close to breaking even on them. Even the more 'genre' quirky releases like TASTE OF TEA and FISH STORY take like 3 years to break even on, so you can imagine what tiny comedies like 'Turtles' would nowadays. Pining for the 'easier' days of DVD releases...

I consider that era of TWF the golden era. Things like The Woodsman and the Rain; Fukuchan of FukuFuku Flats; Adrift in Tokyo; Kakera: A Piece of Our Life; Fine, Totally Fine, etc, are my favourite part of the TWF catalogue.

Originally Posted by floor pie

This might be sacrilege here, but I wouldn't have much problem with some films being still DVD-only in this age.

I feel that the films are more important than the format - if there was to be a DVD-only division for films like that mentioned above, I’d wholeheartedly support it, too.

[smokebelch]

Brilliant news about The Funky/Warped Forest double pack!
Will certainly be grabbing as soon as released. Have the Japanese DVD of Funky, and always wanted to see Warped. Looking forward to it!

[Yami]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

Electric Dragon is a complicated one as the rights for some reason are handled by a major studio who not only don't seem too interested in making a new master, but at the same time told us we weren't allowed to make a new scan from our own accessible 35mm print of the film...

Though, after 2+ years of negotiations, it's looking like we may finally be able to release his film CRAZY THUNDER ROAD on bluray (though if you're not a fan of Burst City it may not interest you)

Well that would be phenomenal. Fingers and toes well and truly crossed.

August in the Water is another of his films that I'd love to see in a new scan.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Well now I’m annoyed for missing it when not everyone used their tickets

MUBI seem to have picked up distribution

Labyrinth of Cinema is indeed now available on MUBI. I dare say there's a chance of them releasing it on Blu in the future, but they don't seem to have any pattern when it comes to what they do and don't release physically.

The first two films in Obayashi's (anti-)War Trilogy, Casting Blossoms to the Sky and Seven Weeks, haven't had a release with English subtitles anywhere have they?

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by roguejp

I watched Pink Film Vol 5 & 6 last night.

I'm almost certain I had a DVD of Underwater Love, but I can't seem to find it in my collection...strange, but I suspect I wont be needing it anymore, because the blu-ray does it's job. It's a quirky movie but one with a heart, I really enjoyed it!
Forbidden Techniques is a surprisingly stylish movie with a basically sad story, but the best of the bunch was Woman Hell Song. Great story and the movie has a extra touch in some scenes that I won't spoil here.

Two odd things about the release: the cover states Underwater Love and Woman Hell Song as the main features, and Forbidden Techniques is an extra. But on the disc Woman Hell Song and Forbidden Techniques are the main features and Underwater Love is an extra. It doesn't matter whatsoever, but it was an odd touch. Maybe it was changed because of the second odd thing I noticed: Forbidden Techniques only has German audio. You get an explanation before the movie begins, and it's obvious why (the Japanese audio couldn't be located), but it was odd touch. Btw, I do understand German, so I didn't notice the subs after a while.

Great release by TWF and I'm wandering if there is going to be a vol 7&8? Earlier on Instagram they said more were on the way, but that was before 5&6 were released.

The DVD of Underwater Love not only has extras, that the BD doesn't have, but it also has the soundtrack.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Yami

Labyrinth of Cinema is indeed now available on MUBI. I dare say there's a chance of them releasing it on Blu in the future, but they don't seem to have any pattern when it comes to what they do and don't release physically.

The first two films in Obayashi's (anti-)War Trilogy, Casting Blossoms to the Sky and Seven Weeks, haven't had a release with English subtitles anywhere have they?

A new US label called Crescendo House will release it as their first spine number.

https://crescendo.house/pages/labyrinth-of-cinema

[Yami]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

A new US label called Crescendo House will release it as their first spine number.

https://crescendo.house/pages/labyrinth-of-cinema

Indeed, that was me that posted it in the US section

It's good news, but hopefully their inexperience doesn't show in the final product

[NormanicGrav]

I have one quick question regarding One Cut of the Dead in Hollywood. I already own the first print LE of the original film and considering the main difference with the upcoming release is the addition of the Hollywood film, I was wondering if there are plans to release the Hollywood film on its own or is it exclusive to this particular May 2021 release?

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

I have one quick question regarding One Cut of the Dead in Hollywood. I already own the first print LE of the original film and considering the main difference with the upcoming release is the addition of the Hollywood film, I was wondering if there are plans to release the Hollywood film on its own or is it exclusive to this particular May 2021 release?

No plans on releasing it standalone, nor on VOD

[Richard A]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

No plans on releasing it standalone, nor on VOD

I'd guess it's not really long enough to 'carry' a release of its own.

On the subject of Ueda, could Special Actors (2019) be in the frame for a possible future release?

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by Richard A

I'd guess it's not really long enough to 'carry' a release of its own.

On the subject of Ueda, could Special Actors (2019) be in the frame for a possible future release?

It's handled by a major studio, so too expensive and complicated to acquire...

[Last Lizard]

Any chance of some Pen-ek Ratanaruang ever coming from Third Window? I keep wishing for Last Life in the Universe and Invisible Waves.

[theosh]

Originally Posted by Last Lizard

Any chance of some Pen-ek Ratanaruang ever coming from Third Window? I keep wishing for Last Life in the Universe and Invisible Waves.

I second this wholeheartedly!! Whilst Last Life is the major priority, anything from Pen-ek would be welcomed on blu! He is a phenomenal director and sadly underrepresented on blu worldwide.

[Spenserian]

Hanging Garden confirmed for the new Toyoda boxset, wonderful news! More reveals coming soon apparently!
https://twitter.com/thirdwindow/stat...86639340032000

[ravenus]

With some reservations, I thought Cha no aji aka The Taste of Tea was a lovely bit of light surreal. It's kinda like if Takashi Miike was in a very happy and relaxed mood.

It is basically a series of vignettes centered around a family living out in the boondocks. Father's a hypnotherapist and mother's an animation artist. The school going son is getting over a previous crush who left the place (her departure by train mirrored by a train moving out of the son's forehead and traveling in space...of the mind, perhaps). His cute-as-a-button little sister keeps seeing a giant version of herself staring at her or mirroring her own actions. And grandpa's a real character too.

There is IMO no deep underlying philosophy or meaning to the film, but that doesn't stop it from being a pleasant whimsical trip. It does meander some (at a 143 min, I admit looking at my watch a few times), and I felt certain episodes could have been trimmed to bring down the running time, but the characters are very likeable and several of the visual ideas are delightfully wacky...and that l'il girl is soooo adorable. A film to watch with the whole family, which is rare for a TWF release .

The video is generally good, although contrast seems tamped down, like it was either a compromised print or one of those early digital productions. I'm sure it's something inherent to the source. The 5.1 audio is modest, but does some interesting things in select scenes. There's a meaty (90 min) making of included, which I have yet to watch, but this one already gets my thumbs up.

[NormanicGrav]

Originally Posted by Spenserian

Hanging Garden confirmed for the new Toyoda boxset, wonderful news! More reveals coming soon apparently!
https://twitter.com/thirdwindow/stat...86639340032000

Second film confirmed to be his 2012 film Monsters Club (モンスターズクラブ).