Audition (1999) Arrow

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Mr. Thomsen

I hope this means the door is open for more Miike? Would love to see the Dead or Alive series or Visitor Q from Arrow.

I'd like for it to open the door to J-horror and maybe some Korean horror too. A few people suggested Ringu, but I'd absolutely love Ju-on: The Grudge (if not the first two theatrical films, then at least the first one). As for Korean horrors, take your pick...

Basically, there's a lot of titles Tartan used to release that Arrow could probably get hold of now. They're obviously just deciding which ones will be worth releasing and which can be forgotten about. They've picked well so far - Katakuris is a little hyper for my tastes, but Audition has something much darker to it, hence why I'm more interested in getting it than I was for Katakuris.

Originally Posted by unj

Wonder if any of these extras (outside the writing), will be exclusive to the steelbook?

I don't think so. Basically the Amaray edition is Blu-ray only, whilst the steelbook has the exclusive booklet and a DVD copy of the same Blu-ray disc. Keeping it simple - some people are a little peeved about the booklet though, which is fair enough...though I don't think those people should be so fussy about steelbooks as they apparently are. You pay a little bit more and get deluxe packaging, a DVD copy and a booklet.

[Impossible]

Originally Posted by rapta

I'd like for it to open the door to J-horror and maybe some Korean horror too. A few people suggested Ringu, but I'd absolutely love Ju-on: The Grudge (if not the first two theatrical films, then at least the first one). As for Korean horrors, take your pick...

Basically, there's a lot of titles Tartan used to release that Arrow could probably get hold of now. They're obviously just deciding which ones will be worth releasing and which can be forgotten about. They've picked well so far - Katakuris is a little hyper for my tastes, but Audition has something much darker to it, hence why I'm more interested in getting it than I was for Katakuris.

Ju-on is one of my faves too. I'd love the Three Extreme's sets and the Dumplings feature length also.

Dark Water, The Eye and The Phone would also be welcome additions to blu.

[dwk]

Michael, is Arrow responsible for the master or are they getting it from the licensor?

[Cinematt]

Definitely be ordering this one, and I'll probably be tempted into the steelbook for the booklet, regardless of having no interest in either the packaging or the DVD copy.

[dwk]

Thanks Michael.

Sigh, since the Shout Blu came out six years ago (which I bought on release day, as it was a vast improvement over the two previous US DVDs), I've no doubt a new scan of earlier elements will be an improvement, and I know I'm gonna be tempted to buy it again on Blu...

[submergedindirt]

Not a steel book fan, but definitely a booklet fan. I probably have 20 I need to start reading. Can't have too many of those, so steel book it is for me. Audition is intense. One of Asia's best.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Impossible

Ju-on is one of my faves too. I'd love the Three Extreme's sets and the Dumplings feature length also.

Dark Water, The Eye and The Phone would also be welcome additions to blu.

I'd be all over Ju-on (any and all installments Arrow could get their hands on) and Dark Water, and let's toss in Pulse and Cure while we're at it. Especially Cure, which maybe is more mystery/thriller with a supernatural twist than outright horror, but it's awesome either way.

[drterror666]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I'm very happy to confirm that this is a brand new, in-house restoration sourced from the original 35mm interpos, and apparently it looks terrific - it should be a substantial advance on all previous video editions, and hilariously so on my ancient HK DVD.

And in further upgrade news, the four pre-existing interviews have been featured on an earlier DVD release, but this time round they're being presented in full HD.

Michael, you and all the others who work really hard delivering this stuff, are, indeed, da man! I've been watching this stuff since I got a VHS player in 1982 and am constantly blown away by what I see compared to what I used to see. So, keep it up because I cannot respect you and the team enough!

BTW, I recieved no payment whatsoever for this post!!!

[lolwut]

So glad we're finally getting a proper release (and from Arrow). But that artwork is shockingly bad. The home video releases all used much better art (even the previous Blu-ray with its mediocre art).

[rapta]

Reckon they'll do some spot-glossing on the steelbook, like Blood and Black Lace? Maybe not, considering the price, but it might spice it up a little. I actually quite like the artwork...at least it's better than Blow-Out!

[DaveSimonH]

I saw this film for the first time when I was around 20, it genuinely creeped me out, to the point where I had trouble getting to sleep that night.
Horror films generally don't phase me, but there was just someting about this one.

So the booklet is going to be exclusive to the steelbook?

[CouncilSpectre]

Went with the steel as I want the booklet

[unj]

I love how we are all gambling with the booklet despite that there is no mention of how much there is, whos writing, or whatever. As long as we're reading about Miike I guess.

Hope a good chunk of additions are included. This is a film with an interesting history and I'd love to know more about how it was received in Japan (Mes states on Midnight Eye that the New York City premier probably out grossed its income in Japan) or the films themes as I recall many an early message board reading in the early 2000s of people claiming the film really upset them as they couldn't find any meeting through its brutality.

A young woman on YouTube who is studying Japanese culture uploaded a good video that involves the author of the original novel describing the thoughts behind it all. (

Japanese Film Reviews #1: Miike Takashi's AUDITION - YouTube

) The book is even more brutal but I'll try not to spoil that here.

[rip63]

Originally Posted by Mr. Thomsen

I was afraid we would not see more Miike from Arrow after The Katakuris, so this is a pleasant surprise. I have often contemplated buying the US BD, but always hold off due to the less than stellar reviews, so I am happy to finally be able to upgrade the old DVD.

I hope this means the door is open for more Miike? Would love to see the Dead or Alive series or Visitor Q from Arrow.

Ichi The Killer needs a decent Blu-ray release. Thus far, they've all been dreadful.

[nitin]

this is very welcome but I'm sure this thread will be filled with comments about 'excessive grain' once it is actually out!

[Refused]

You can bet your bollocks either Tom Mes or Jasper Sharp will have writing included in the booklet, and both men know their potatoes when it comes to Asian cinema. Going to have to get the steelbook just for that.

[huntauk]

Pre-ordered Audition SB; along with 13 Assassins one of Miike's best and must have that booklet!

Hopefully Ringu, Ju-On: The Grudge, Pulse & Shutter all appear if this one sells well. I suspect Ichi will appear next, although really have no love for that film and would by-pass but understand it has its fans.

[pnaschy]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

I'd be all over Ju-on (any and all installments Arrow could get their hands on) and Dark Water, and let's toss in Pulse and Cure while we're at it. Especially Cure, which maybe is more mystery/thriller with a supernatural twist than outright horror, but it's awesome either way.

I'd like all of these, and Umuzaki, Kakashi and Tomei. Plus a load of Korean horror.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by huntauk

Pre-ordered Audition SB; along with 13 Assassins one of Miike's best and must have that booklet!

Hopefully Ringu, Ju-On: The Grudge, Pulse & Shutter all appear if this one sells well. I suspect Ichi will appear next, although really have no love for that film and would by-pass but understand it has its fans.

Agree with all of this, and pre-ordered it myself. Doubt it will drop much more than the Arrow store price though so I might end up switching my pre-order.

[Chouan]

Sweet memories of the Hong Kong import DVD I bought, back in 2002. I had no idea what to expect, other than the recommendation of the shop owner “just buy this one, I'm not going to tell you what it's about, but I'm sure you will like it”. No spoiler pictures, no English text. An only mildly interesting film for the first 40 minutes or so. Almost boring. Up to the “jumping bag”...

Needless to say, I still think this is the best way to see this film. If you want to introduce someone to this one, give them the disc only, add the cover after they watched it. I did it that way a few times, got a big thank you every time.

As for suggestions for more Asian titles, what about The Isle (Kim Ki-Duk)? Not saying it's a fantastic film, but as disturbing images go, the fish hook is hard to top !