Radiance Films North America Thread

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Driver78

Radiance seems to be doing just fine with what they're releasing. I don't follow them as strongly as some folks do but it still feels like I'm eating dust as far as their output. I couldn't even begin to scratch the surface of researching the films they've released if I needed to. I'm glad they're not worrying about appealing to a mass audience, as much as that would boost their stance. That should not be the goal of a boutique label. The whole idea of a boutique is to cater to specific audiences even if that audience is niche. So far, that has worked nicely for most outfits.

I'm assuming you have picked up most of their Italian crime films? Most of these have been pretty good. Goodbye and Amen was a really good one if you haven't picked it up. My favorites so far total are Yakuza Graveyard and Sympathy for the Underdog and I know you said you picked up Sympathy, but if you haven't checked out Yakuza Graveyard, I guarantee you would enjoy that one. That's one movie that starts off rough, and never slows down as we see a corrupt cop spiral out of control.

[bergman864]

I think they've done a good job of fulfilling a need in the blu-ray/boutique market. I wouldn't want them to chase an audience that would lead to fewer hidden gems and untapped eras. I really want them to be successful but it's better if they're not trying to beat the big boys at their own game. There's still plenty of great titles to go around.

[Driver78]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I'm assuming you have picked up most of their Italian crime films? Most of these have been pretty good. Goodbye and Amen was a really good one if you haven't picked it up. My favorites so far total are Yakuza Graveyard and Sympathy for the Underdog and I know you said you picked up Sympathy, but if you haven't checked out Yakuza Graveyard, I guarantee you would enjoy that one. That's one movie that starts off rough, and never slows down as we see a corrupt cop spiral out of control.

Hate to admit some of the Yakuza films I've tried to watch, I've never finished. Yakuza Graveyard was Arrow, wasn't it? I sat to watch the first one a few weeks ago and my mind wandered off after a while, then something came up and I never went back to it. The trailer to Sympathy For the Underdog sold me on it but it looks like there are comedic tones to the film? I'm actually not a big fan of mixing genres because it's tough to pull off successfully. I like action films or thrillers to stay focused on the action and not go into antics or, dare I say, slapstick for comedic relief. One liners and such, like what you see in Bond films, is totally different, though.

Rest assured, I'm not giving up on them. I have quite a few in my collection. I bought them for a reason

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Driver78

Hate to admit some of the Yakuza films I've tried to watch, I've never finished. Yakuza Graveyard was Arrow, wasn't it? I sat to watch the first one a few weeks ago and my mind wandered off after a while, then something came up and I never went back to it. The trailer to Sympathy For the Underdog sold me on it but it looks like there are comedic tones to the film? I'm actually not a big fan of mixing genres because it's tough to pull off successfully. I like action films or thrillers to stay focused on the action and not go into antics or, dare I say, slapstick for comedic relief. One liners and such, like what you see in Bond films, is totally different, though.

Rest assured, I'm not giving up on them. I have quite a few in my collection. I bought them for a reason

Yakuza Graveyard is a Radiance film and thinking you're thinking of Yakuza Papers or Graveyard of Honor. Sympathy for the Underdog doesn't really have a lot of humor. Some moments, but there are moments that lighten the mood. I'm positive you will enjoy, and if you enjoy it I would highly suggest checking out Yakuza Graveyard. Here is the trailer for it.

Yakuza Graveyard (1976) Original Trailer [HD] - YouTube

[DukeTogo84]

One film I don't think I've ever suggested for Radiance is Black Is My Life, which is one of a handful of films Kinji Fukasaku directed for Shochiku. It's about a group of young friends who blackmail people for a living who get over their heads. It's a much different Fukasaku film, but it's undismissable that it is one of his films. The ending is one that hasn't left my mind twenty years after the fact.

Blackmail Is My Life | Action | Clip in Japanese Sub in English - YouTube

[The Great Owl]

I ventured to DiabolikDVD yesterday, and placed preorders for...

Daiei Gothic - Japanese Ghost Stories
I Vampiri
Planet of the Vampires (standard edition)

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I ventured to DiabolikDVD yesterday, and placed preorders for...

Daiei Gothic - Japanese Ghost Stories
I Vampiri
Planet of the Vampires (standard edition)

I did Daiei, Vampiri, and Dogra, and then on Wednesday night I was a little tipsy and emailed them and asked if they would add Haxan to the order, haha.

[bsend]

Originally Posted by jshaide

I did Daiei, Vampiri, and Dogra, and then on Wednesday night I was a little tipsy and emailed them and asked if they would add Haxan to the order, haha.

When I am on the fence about purchasing something but most likely want it. I will have a few beers on the weekend while watching a movie and then make the purchase.

[DukeTogo84]

So with Radiance being the go to place for releasing classic Japanese cinema every single month, I'm just curious what would be the top five Japanese classic releases people would like to see be released?

If you can, try to exclude Toho films, as it currently doesn't seem possible.

1. Onimasa: The Japanese Godfather
2. The Great Killing
3. Hitokiri (Tenchu)
4. Memoir of Japanese Assassinations
5. Resurrection of the Golden Wolf

[repulsed]

Maybe Radiance can put out some (box set would be excellent) Naoko Ogigami films since no one else seems to want to. Her films are outstanding!

[Thebunk]

Watched Sympathy for the Underdog and man that was a blast. The lead is as hell and I found it was the perfect length.

Now looking to pick up 18 Years in Prison but want to check out a review or two first.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

Watched Sympathy for the Underdog and man that was a blast. The lead is as hell and I found it was the perfect length.

Now looking to pick up 18 Years in Prison but want to check out a review or two first.

Make sure to pick up Radiance's release of Big Time Gambling Boss, Yakuza Graveyard too. Both highly rated Yakuza films, with the latter from the same director as Sympathy for the Underdog (Kinji Fukasaku).



Also if you haven't seen them yet, I also highly recommend Fukasaku's Battles without Honor and Humanity from Arrow. It's currently just $35 (plus extra 10% off with code ASHLEY) directly from them which is a steal since it's 5 films. I watched them for the first time last year, and I was hooked. I just picked up New Battles without Honor and Humanity from the sale, which I'm looking forward to watching.

https://www.arrowvideo.com/blu-ray/b...ductsuggestion

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

Watched Sympathy for the Underdog and man that was a blast. The lead is as hell and I found it was the perfect length.

Now looking to pick up 18 Years in Prison but want to check out a review or two first.

I'm not sure what you have seen and what you haven't, but like MifuneFan suggested, check those films out, especially Yakuza Graveyard. I know you like the Italian crime film, and it's very similar in tone to a lot of those. Fantastic film. I have a list a mile long if depending on what you have already seen.

[Martin_31]

Very excited about Dogra Magra. I heard about the novel a couple of months ago and read a couple of pages from the French translation, there isn’t an English one, and I really want to read the entire novel; it’s an 800 page beast. A bit expensive though to have it shipped from France.

[OceanBlue]

This past weekend, I had a look at the DVD Beaver review of July title Tchao pantin, and tonight have specifically looked at the comments in the Blu-ray.com review for the transfer. I can't make my mind up totally if the comments/observations about the colour grading are positive or not. It and The Agitator boxset are on my list of possible purchases of Radiance releases (I purchased Trenque Lauquen during the last few weeks).

Duke, do you have (or are getting) Radiance's Blu-ray releases of Tchao pantin and The Agitator?

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Duke, do you have (or are getting) Radiance's Blu-ray releases of Tchao pantin and The Agitator?

I have Tchao Pantin and thought it looked great. Very good film as well.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I have Tchao Pantin and thought it looked great. Very good film as well.

Appreciate the helpful reply Duke. Many thanks.

[Ben_C]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

This past weekend, I had a look at the DVD Beaver review of July title Tchao pantin, and tonight have specifically looked at the comments in the Blu-ray.com review for the transfer. I can't make my mind up totally if the comments/observations about the colour grading are positive or not. It and The Agitator boxset are on my list of possible purchases of Radiance releases (I purchased Trenque Lauquen during the last few weeks).

Duke, do you have (or are getting) Radiance's Blu-ray releases of Tchao pantin and The Agitator?

I watched my Agitator set a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. One of my favourite releases from Radiance so far. Literally knew nothing about any of the films or the director going into it, but all three films were so interesting, and had a pretty unique atmosphere.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Ben_C

I watched my Agitator set a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. One of my favourite releases from Radiance so far. Literally knew nothing about any of the films or the director going into it, but all three films were so interesting, and had a pretty unique atmosphere.

Thanks for the reply. The film I'm most interested in seeing in the Agitator boxset is Agent Trouble (because of the part-wintry setting (based on looking at the Mondo Digital review a few times (the one screenshot sold it for me (the building with the curved windows surrounded by snow). I had never heard of the director and their films before Radiance's announcement.

[DukeTogo84]

I mentioned this over in the UK thread, but figured I would mention it here as well as it's such a great fit for Radiance.

You know what I think would make a great release for Radiance? The Last Samurai, and no, not the Tom Cruise film. The 1974 Kenji Misumi film. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123129/

This is one of the few film Misumi made outside Daiei and honestly, it's probably his best film. It was also his final film before his premature death due to liver cancer. It also features a very dramatic score by the legendary Akira Ifukube of Godzilla fame.

An excellent film showing the downfall of the samurai system of feudal Japan that runs almost three hours, but flys by. It's with Shochiku, so seems like something that could be picked up.

Here is the trailer for those that want to check it out.

Kenji Misumi's "THE LAST SAMURAI" - YouTube