Daiei Gothic - Japanese Ghost Stories (1959-1968) (Radiance Films)

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

An amazing set. I've only see the Bride from Hades and it's really good. The Snow Woman is one I've been wanting to see for ages, so glad it was included in this set. Radiance is killing it yet again.

A day on and I look at that packaging design and choice of colours and I still love the look of it (the use of black and purple). Duke, I was going to ask you to sell these films to me, as I'm quietly intrigued by it and may actually stick my neck out and eventually pre-order this (plenty of time before October (not being complacent). These being Japanese gothic horror films has me interested (I have been interested in some gothic horror films (don't think I have many of them). Don't have many of Radiance's boxsets.

[Jajuka89]

I placed a preorder on this today since it went down a bit in price $. This will be a blind buy for me. I'm a fan of Japanese films especially horror.

I got "Kwaidan" a few months back. I haven't watched it yet. I'm saving it for Halloween season. Does anybody know if these films are retold stories that are in "Kwaidan" ?

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by Jajuka89

I placed a preorder on this today since it went down a bit in price $. This will be a blind buy for me. I'm a fan of Japanese films especially horror.

I got "Kwaidan" a few months back. I haven't watched it yet. I'm saving it for Halloween season. Does anybody know if these films are retold stories that are in "Kwaidan" ?

Kwaidan has its own version of The Snow Woman but that's the only cross between it and these films.

[Jajuka89]

Originally Posted by starsteam

Kwaidan has its own version of The Show Woman but that's the only cross between it and these films.

Okay good to know. Thanks for the info I appreciate it.

[ravenus]

Snow Woman was also done by Kurosawa in Dreams. I wonder why it's so frequently retold. Does it have some special resonance as a folk tale?

[InLikeFlynn]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Snow Woman was also done by Kurosawa in Dreams. I wonder why it's so frequently retold. Does it have some special resonance as a folk tale?

The Yuki-onna is one of the most popular yokai, especially outside of Japan.

[starsteam]

The Snow Woman also appears in both of the Great Yokai War films, which is why I sometimes link the film in this set to Daiei's Yokai Monsters franchise even though it's not officially part of it.

[MifuneFan]

I believe the story of Yuki-onna dates back to the 1300's. It's one of the most popular Japanese folktales.

[Jajuka89]

What would you guys say are some of the best Radiance Films titles worth checking out ?

[Naito9]

Originally Posted by Jajuka89

What would you guys say are some of the best Radiance Films titles worth checking out ?

Sympathy for the Underdog & The Shape of Night are my favorite Japanese Radiance Blu-rays. Imho, most Radiance releases are great.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Jajuka89

What would you guys say are some of the best Radiance Films titles worth checking out ?

They have a fairly wide catalog from crime noirs, procedurals, dramas, horror, surreal stuff, so it would help if you mentioned your preferences.

[Jajuka89]

Originally Posted by Naito9

Sympathy for the Underdog & The Shape of Night are my favorite Japanese Radiance Blu-rays. Imho, most Radiance releases are great.

I appreciate your answer thank you.

[Jajuka89]

Originally Posted by ravenus

They have a fairly wide catalog from crime noirs, procedurals, dramas, horror, surreal stuff, so it would help if you mentioned your preferences.

I pretty much like everything except romance.

[DukeTogo84]

First screenshots I've seen are here:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film10/blu-...es_blu-ray.htm

It's looking pretty good so far.

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

First screenshots I've seen are here:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film10/blu-...es_blu-ray.htm

It's looking pretty good so far.

There's noticeable DNR, particularly on the first movie. I might still pick up the set, but that sucks.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Surge92

There's noticeable DNR, particularly on the first movie. I might still pick up the set, but that sucks.

I've watched Ghost of Yotsuya and Snow Woman so far, and thought both looked good, although Yotsuya colors seemed a bit faded.

[DukeTogo84]

Finished watching The Daiei Gothic set yesterday and just wanted to put my thoughts down. Overall, since it's Radiance it's a quality package from front to end. Nice sturdy box with great art. VERY informative booklet, and the tech specs all looked great with plenty of interviews. As for the films?

The Ghost of Yotsuya. I honestly expected to like this one the least, but it ended up being my favorite of the three, even though it takes awhile before the all the horror elements take place. It's still very well paced and you actually have the characters being built up before things start to fall apart for most of them. A very solid film.

The Snow Woman. This one was the one I expected to like the most, but ended up liking the least. It's the same story from Kwaidan, but with a bit extra fluff to make the running time a bit longer. I felt lead Snow Woman looked amazing in costume and the stunning PQ make the snowy bits really pop. This film is not very creepy for the most part, but still entertaining, although I think the version in Kwaidan is much more effective in portraying this tale.

The Bride from Hades. This is probably the best made film in the set, as well as the most creepy, but also the most frustrating. I was actually yelling at my TV screen telling the ghosts to leave the man alone. He's trying to help the kids! Damn selfish ghosts have to try to take someone down with them and the one person they want is the one who is actually helping the community the most. Damn ghosts. Still, again the most creepy and best filmed of the three.

Overall, a very magnificent set and I hope Radiance and Kadokawa have a long healthy relationship and we can get another similar volume in the future. Lots of horror films remain from Kadokawa/Daiei. Oh, and more Shinobi No Mono films. We really need more of those too.

[logboy]

site review is up

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Daiei...365784/#Review

one for each film also there.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-G...365779/#Review

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-S...365781/#Review

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-B...365780/#Review

[timfitz99]

Originally Posted by Jajuka89

I placed a preorder on this today since it went down a bit in price $. This will be a blind buy for me. I'm a fan of Japanese films especially horror.

I got "Kwaidan" a few months back. I haven't watched it yet. I'm saving it for Halloween season. Does anybody know if these films are retold stories that are in "Kwaidan" ?

I haven't watched the new set yet, but Kwaidan is a favorite of mine. Absolutely gorgeous production design, and good stories. Hoichi the Earless is my favorite. Hope you like it!

My love for Kwaidan is what inspired me to get this set.

[starsteam]

Going back to that discussion on the Snow Woman above, Tuttle actually published a translated collection of yokai stories this year with a few for the Snow Woman. I picked up a copy at a Booksamillion a few weeks ago. Worth grabbing for those curious for more.
https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Other-Y.../dp/4805317582

Looking forward to having my copy of this Blu-ray set in-hand soon. I ended up ordering Visible Secret last week so this will now be my second Radiance purchase.