Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

April 25, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

The 15th Pokémon film “Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice” is a fun, action-packed family film featuring a coming-of-age story about a Pokémon who wants to be a member of the “Sword of Justice” and take on the mighty Pokémon dragon known as Kyurem. Pokémon fans of all ages will enjoy this animated film!

DVD TITLE: Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2012

DURATION: 70 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Dolby Digital, English Stereo

COMPANY: Viz Media

RATED: TV Y7 FV

RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2013

Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama

Screenplay by Hideki Sonoda

Music by Shinji Miyazaki

Original Concept by Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori, Satoshi Tajiri

Character Design: Kazuaki Moori, Kazumi Sato, Sayuri Ichiishi, Tokuhiro Matsubara, Toshiya Yamada

Art Director: Minoru Akiba

Art Design: Toshinari Tanaka

Anime Production: Oriental Light and Magic

Featuring the following voice talent:

Eileen Stevens as Iris

Ikue Ohtani as Pikachu

Jason Griffith as Cilan

Sarah Natochenny as Ash Ketchum

Vic Mignogna as Keldeo

Bill Rogers as Cilan’s Stunfisk

Eli James as Ash’s Krokorok/Cilan’s Pansage

Jason Griffith as Ash’s Scraggy

Kayzie Rogers as Iris’s Axew

Lisa Ortiz as Ash’s Oshawott

Marc Thompson as Ash’s Pignite

Michele Knotz as Ash’s Snivy

Mika Kanai as Iris’s Emolga

Rodger Parsons as Narrator

Tom Wayland as Ash’s Boldore/Cilan’s Crustle

Ash and Pikachu along with their friends Iris and Cilan are on a train headed to the next stop on their journey. From the train Ash spots an injured Pokemon one he’s never seen before. He’s trying to figure out how he can help when the train is attacked by the Legendary Kyurem a Dragon-type Pokemon with immense power! Ash and the others barely manage to escape the rampaging Kyurem’s attack and as the dust settles they turn their attention to the injured Pokemon. Their new acquaintance turns out to be the Mythical Pokemon Keldeo and it’s on a mission to rescue its friends Cobalion Terrakion and Virizion the Legendary Pokemon known as the Swords of Justice from Kyurem’s icy clutches! But Kyurem’s rampage isn’t over and it’s drawing power from Reshiram and Zekrom changing into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem to make its attacks even stronger! Why is Kyurem attacking Ash and his friends with such unrelenting fury? How will they be able to overcome this danger? To protect its friends to discover true power and genuine courage and to preserve its bond with Ash and its companions a hidden strength awakens within Keldeo

In Japan, right after the film “Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram and White – Victini and Zekrom” in 2011, audiences were teased with a new Boundary Pokemon known as Kyurem, but also teased with new Pokémon such as Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion and the newest Pokémon, Keldeo.

By the summer of 2012, the 15th Pokemon film titled “Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice” (or “Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo”) was released in theaters to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Japanese manga publisher Shogakukan. And by December 2012, American audiences were treated with the latest Pokemon film!

And now “Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice” was released on DVD courtesy of Viz Media.

The film around a young Pokémon named Keldeo who has been training with Sword of Justice Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion (three Pokemon that are protectors against evil Pokemon). But during training, he wants to learn how to use the move “Sacred Sword” so he can become part of the group and fight against Kyurem. But the three feel that Keldeo is just not ready to be a Sword of Justice just yet.

That night, Keldeo sneaks out and goes to the Full Court to challenge Kyurem. He pretends to be a member of the Sword of Justice and challenges Kyurem to a duel.

During the battle, Kyurem easily beats Keldeo and breaks off his horn. The three Sword of Justice comes to Keldeo’s rescue but Kyurem transforms to White Kyurem and uses his power to freeze them, shocked about what has transpired, Keldeo runs away in fear. While Kyurem, chases after him to let Keldeo know that their battle is not over.

Meanwhile, in another city, Ash and his friends Iris and Cilan are on the train and take a brief stop in Windy Station to try some Darumaka boxed lunches. They are interrupted when they discover an injured Keldeo on the train. They rush to his aid but Keldeo tells them that Kyurem is coming and he collapses. Iris recalls being told a story about Kyurem from an elder, that Kyurem is a dragon Pokemon and is the living corpse of the ancient dragon that Reshiram and Zekrom split from after the original owners of the dragon Pokémon had a conflict. Meanwhile, Kyurem arrives and tries to attack all of them but everyone manages to escape.

The three take Keldeo to Roshan City’s Pokemon Center for rehabilitation and Nurse Joy explains to them about who Keldeo is and how he is training to be a Sword of Justice.

Learning about how the Sword of Justice are protectors of Pokémon in danger, Ash and friends come up with a plan to help Keldeo free the Sword of Justice but also giving him the confidence that he can also be a member of the Sword of Justice one day.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice” is another film that demonstrates that with each year, things look better for the Pokémon films . With each newer film, there is much better detail in the paintings and better use of CG.

Of course, with this being DVD, you are going to see mild artifacts and some banding but nothing to bothersome and I doubt the children will even care. It’s a beautiful looking film! But I do hope that Viz Media considers a Blu-ray release for these films in the near future.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in 2.0 and 5.1 Dolby Digital. Dialogue is clear and understandable, special effects sound very good coming through the center and front channels. I don’t really recall hearing the surround channels being utilized all that much but for the most part, dialogue and music are quite clear. It’s important to note that only the English dub is featured and the Japanese soundtrack is not included.

Subtitles are available in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Pokémon” comes with a trailer.

As a father who has grown up with a child who enjoys “Pokémon” and having been in Japan during the time of the Pokemon merchandise explosion, it’s always intriguing for me to see how “Pokémon” remains innovative and how it manages to attract the attention of a new generation of young (and older) fans continually well for over a decade and I’m sure it will continue many years from now.

With “Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice”, the storyline definitely is much more family oriented, as in the past where we see Ash and friends in major trouble and using their Pokemon to fight a major adversary, this time around, Ash and friends are more of a supporting cast to Keldeo and giving him the confidence to find out his inner strength.

So, more or less, this animated film is a coming-of-age storyline about a young Pokémon who thinks he has what it takes to beat the ultimate Kyurem, but he learns an important lesson about friendship but also having confidence in one to do their best.

While most children will enjoy this film, having reviewed the Pokémon films since the very first film, I have to say the storyline was playing it safe, but what makes it very exciting is the introduction of the Swords of Justice but also this menacing looking Pokémon named Kyurem, who is the living corpse of the ancient dragon that both Reshiram and Zekrom split from.

As for parents who are considering buying this DVD for their child, there is really nothing violent about the storyline, while some younger children may find one scene where it looks like Keldeo got badly hurt (don’t worry, he was just exhausted) and children will obviously learn that Nurse Joy of the Pokémon Center will make them healthy again.

As mentioned in the video quality section, the film looks vibrant and fantastic! And with each year of a Pokémon movie release, animation is better, well0-detailed art backgrounds and for the most part, animation studios tend to put more time into an animated film versus a single episode of a TV series, so the films look at lot better.

Overall, if you or your child (or a fan that is young at heart) who loves the Pokémon series whether on TV series, collectors cards or video games, I definitely recommend “Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice”.

Filed Under: Anime on DVD

Toriko: Part Four (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

April 17, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Toriko: Part Four” is about partnerships but Toriko knowing that from here on in, Komatsu is going to be his partner and he must do all he can to protect him and that is by getting stronger. So, Toriko must undergo training and prepare himself for dangers that lie ahead. A fun and crazy volume of “Toriko” that anime fans and foodies will enjoy! “Toriko: Part four” is recommended!

DVD TITLE: Toriko: Part Four

DURATION: Episodes 27-38

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Bilingual Japanese & English, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: FUNimation

RATED: 13+

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Originally created by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro

Directed by Akifumi Zako

Series Composition by Isao Murayama

Script: Isao Murayama, Tomoko Taguchi, Yoichi Takahashi

Music by Hiromi Mizutani

Character Design by Hisashi Kagawa

Art by Masanobu Nomura

Anime Production by Toei Animation

Featuring the following voice talent:

Romi Park/Josh Grelle as Komatsu

Ryotaro Okiayu/Ian Sinclair as Toriko

Akio Ohtsuka as Livebearer

Akira Ishida as Tommyrod

Asami Tano/Leah Clark as Rin

Kokoro Kikuchi/Heather Walker as Cruppo

Banjou Ginga as Yosaku

Hideyuki Tanaka/Chuck Huber as Acacia

Hiro Yuuki as Ootake

Juurouta Kosugi as Mansam

Kenji Matsuda as Zebra

Kenjiro Ishimaru/Chris Guerrero as Narrator

Kenyuu Horiuchi as Ichiryu

Kokoro Kikuchi as Kruppoh

Masahito Yabe as Bei

Masaki Terasoma as Midora

Masaya Onosaka/David Wald as Teppei

Mitsuo Iwata/Aaron Robers as Sani (Sunny)

Nana Mizuki/Morgan Garrett as Tina

Sakiko Uran/Juli Erickson as Setsuno

Shinichiro Miki/Scott Freeman as Stajyun (Starjun)

Shinji Kawada/Robert McCollum as Johannes

Takahiro Sakurai/Jarrod Greene as Coco

Tetsuya Kakihara as Tom

Toshiyuki Morikawa/Philip Weber as Jirou

Yuji Mitsuya/Chris Rager as Grinpatch

Get ready for the next great anime adventure from TOEI, the legendary force behind Dragon Ball Z and One Piece! Welcome to the Gourmet Age, a time when the world is full of deliciously deadly ingredients that the wealthiest appetites in existence can’t wait to devour. But only a mighty masticating mercenary like Toriko can track down the rarest animals on the planet and put them on a plate! This gluttonous gourmet hunter is one of the four Legendary Kings, superhuman warriors born to battle the likes of Troll Kongs, Gararagators, and Devil Pythons! Accompanied by his loyal Battle Wolf and the promising young chef Komatsu, Toriko will circle the globe in search of the mouthwateringly lethal ingredients that will one day make up his Full Course Menu of Life! The more ferocious the beast the bigger the feast, but never forget the code of a true gourmet hunter: You gotta eat what you defeat!

The pursuit of for culinary delights continues in “Toriko: Part Three” as Toriko and Komatsu search for the “Century Soup” but unbeknownst to the group, someone powerful named Tommyrod a Sous Chef and members of the Gourmet Corps go after them.

Find out in “Toriko: Part Three” from FUNimation!

What is “Toriko”?

In Japan, we have seen Shonen Jump series that have had a long life, not just as manga but as anime series. From the “Dragon Ball” series, “One Piece”, “Naruto”, “Bleach” and another series that has captivated readers and viewers is “Toriko”.

Created by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro in 2008, the manga series has been published on “Weekly Shonen Jump” and is currently on 22nd tankobon volume, while the anime series produced by Toei Animation is still being broadcast since 2011 on Fuji TV. And now the third part of the anime series will be released in the U.S. courtesy of FUNimation in March 2013.

The series is directed by Akifumi Zako (“Fresh Pretty Cure”, “Ashita no Nadia”, “Ojamajo Doremi Na-i-sho”), series composition by Isao Murayama (“Saint Seiya Omega”, “Kaidan Restaurant”), music by Hiromi Mizutani (“Hell Girl”, “Hyakko”), character designs by Hisashi Kagawa (“Bomberman Jetters”, “Hataraki Man”, “Fresh Pretty Cure”) and art direction by Masanobu Nomura (“Blue Drop”, “The Big O”, “K”, “The Idolm@ster”, “Gurren Lagann”).

It’s important to note that in Japan, the first episode was a cross-over special with “One Piece”. For the U.S. DVD release, this cross over episode is not included.

Toriko takes place during a time where gourmet is important. The taste, the texture of food and rare ingredients are what chefs seek for, but in order to get rare ingredients and animals, major organizations hire Bishokuya (which are “gourmet hunters”).

After the last volume of Toriko losing an arm and now going through a process that may regenerate his arm, Komatsu has been trying to find the necessary ingredients to complete the Century Soup and it appears that he has found it and may be able to help Toriko, grow back his arm.

Meanwhile, more adventures await Toriko but he needs to undergo major training in order to compete against significant foes. But the IGO President gives him advice that from here on in, he will be best to partner with a chef for his adventures and with Toriko and Komatsu having endured several adventures, the question is if Komatsu is ready to put his life on the line for the ultimate ingredients.

Will Komatsu join Toriko in his next quest, this time to find the Ozone Grass that will put them in harms way but also to test out their partnership?

“Toriko: Part Four” features the following episodes (Note: Just to remind everyone that the episode 1 special featuring “One Piece” is not included. So, episode order is an episode off compared to what was shown in Japan.)

EPISODE 39 – Komatsu finds the final ingredient to complete the Century Soup!
EPISODE 40 – With the final ingredient, Toriko may get his arm back. Will it work?
EPISODE 41 – Toriko contacts his architect Smile to build him a candy house.
EPISODE 42 – Toriko, Sunny and CoCo look for the Seven-Color Nessie!
EPISODE 43 – The group continues on their quest to find the Seven-Color Nessie.
EPISODE 44 – Toriko wants to test his out his fighting technique against the IGO President.
EPISODE 45 – Toriko and Komatsu go on a mission to find the delicious Ozone Grass.
EPISODE 46 – Toriko and Komatsu continue on their perilous quest to find the Ozone Grass.
EPISODE 47 – Toriko and Komatsu find the Ozone Grass but also something sinister is also there.
EPISODE 48 – Toriko and Komatsu spy on what appears to be a GT Robot near the Ozone Grass. Why is it there?
EPISODE 49 – Toriko goes on another training adventure!
EPISODE 50 – Toriko goes to the Underground Forest for training.

The main characters of “Toriko” are:

Toriko – A gourmet hunter and one of the “Four Heavenly Kings” who loves to eat! Toriko does not kill and just eat any animal, he only will kill those that he wants to eat. A man with animal-tracking senses, superhuman strength, fighting skills and immunity to many poisons.
Komatsu – A five star chef who works for the Hotel Gourmet, a prestigious restaurant owned by the International Gourmet Organization. A highly skilled chef who wants to get better and that is why he wants to join Toriko on his mission to find rare ingredients and become the best chef in the world.
Coco – One of the “Four Heavenly Kings” who is a fortune teller and has exceptional stealth techniques and a wonderful animal tracker who is also immune to many poisons.
Sunny – One of the “Four Heavenly Kings” and the older brother of Rin. He has a talent of sensing ones physical state.
Zebra - One of the “Four Heavenly Kings” and is the most powerful of the four. Often angry and has a short-temper.
Rin – A member of IGO who is tomboyish in nature, she has a major crush on Toriko and the younger sister of Sunny.
Mansam – The IGO Development Bureau Director and Gourmet Research Facility Chief. An old friend of Toriko.
Tina – A television reporter for “Gourmet News” who is following Toriko and Komatsu.
Takimaru – A member of the Gourmet Knights and is able to dislodge an opponents bones and joints.
Setsuno – The Gourmet Living National Treasure and one of the top five chefs in the world.
Match – The Chief of the Gourmet Yakuza and a close friend of Toriko.
Teppei – A famous healer working for Yosaku and the grandchild of Jiro.
Yosako – Runs a revival institute in Mother Wood. Wears clothes stained in blood.
Grinpatch – An evil sous chef for the Gourmet Corps, best known for his black teeth, four arms and giant straw.
Tommyrod – An evil sous chef for the Gourmet corps. Able to shoot out parasitic bugs from his body and has no need for a GT Robo.
Barrygamon – 4th Branch Head of the Gourmet corps. Known for wearing special armor made from the shell of a Crush Turtle.
Bogie Woods – 5th Branch Chief of the Gourmet corps. Able to manipulate his bones and joints.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Toriko” is an anime series that is full of detail for a TV series. Produced by Toei Animation, the animated series has a style of a classic old school anime series in terms of character design but what catches your eye is the detailed art backgrounds which are fantastic. Some scenes are in CG (such as water effects) but I really enjoyed the animation for this series.

As for audio, “Toriko” is presented in English 5.1 surround and in Japanese stereo. The English 5.1 soundtrack has better dynamic range when it comes to use of the surround channels but both are well-acted. For the English dub, both Ian Sinclair and Josh Grelle are both FUNimation veterans who are well-known for their voice work on series such as “Black Butler”, “Bird the Mighty” and “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”.

For the Japanese soundtrack, you also get to hear veterans Romi Park (best known as Edward Elric for the “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” series and Toushiro Hitsugaya in “Bleach”) as Komatsu and Ryotaro Okiayu (Katsuhiko Jinnai in “El Hazard”, Scar on “Fullmetal Alchemist” and Kunimitsu Tezuka of “Prince of Tennis”) and Park’s delivery of the constant fear that Komatsu is often encountering is well-captured in her voice.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Toriko: Part Four” comes with the following special features:

Episode 40 Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Ian Sinclair (Toriko) and Jarrod Greene (Coco).
Feast with the Cast of Toriko: Episode 42 Video Commentary – Featuring a video commentary by Ian Sinclair (Toriko), Jarrod Greene (Coco), Aaron Robers (Sunny) and Morgan Garrett (Tina) as the four have cooked and brought their own dishes and each tries each other’s food.
Episode 46 Audio Commentary- Featuring audio commentary by Ian Sinclair (Toriko) and Josh Grelle (Komatsu).
Textless Opening and Ending Songs – Textless opening for “Gatsu Gatsu!!” by Akira Kushida and closing theme “Sabrina” by Leo Ieiri.
U.S. Trailer – FUNimation trailer for “Toriko”.
Trailers – FUNimation trailers

The fun adventures of Toriko and friends continue in “Toriko: Part Four”!

With the last volume being action-packed, the storyline begins to take a breather as Toriko has to get better after his last fight and recuperate from losing an arm but knowing that he must get more training in order to prepare himself for more of these perilous adventures.

While the first half of the series deals with Komatsu finding the ingredients to complete the Century Soup and Toriko feeling good about his new attacks, he finds out quickly that it’s not even enough to go against the IGO President. Knowing this, he needs more training. And what best than to go on adventures with his brothers but also another adventure with Komatsu.

But most importantly, knowing that any adventures in the future, he will need to bring a partner who is a chef and what best than to put his trust into Komatsu. The question is…with so much danger, will Komatsu want to be involved in these adventures.

For the second part of the series, it focuses on Toriko and Komatsu’s quest to find the Ozone Grass but knowing that an ominous presence is also there looking for it. Knowing what is at stake and knowing he must do all he can to protect Komatsu in the future, Toriko knows he needs more training and to become more powerful. Can he do it?

As for the DVD, the picture quality is pretty cool with the old school style of animation in combined with modern style of detailed art backgrounds and CG use. The series looks very good and it’s a colorful anime series that doesn’t look too soft. And for special features, you get two audio commentary from FUNimation English voice dub talent but possibly the wildest video commentary is featuring four of the voice talent cooking their own food and everyone partaking in the meal. The video commentary was a wonderful addition to part four and I hope this become a permanent feature for each “Toriko” DVD release because not only does it makes sense, but it’s just so much fun to watch and listen to.

Overall, “Toriko: Part Four” is about partnerships but Toriko knowing that from here on in, Komatsu is going to be his partner and he must do all he can to protect him and that is by getting stronger. So, Toriko must undergo training and prepare himself for dangers that lie ahead.

A fun and crazy volume of “Toriko” that anime fans and foodies will enjoy! “Toriko: Part four” is recommended!

Filed Under: Anime on DVD

Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 14, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

The “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” DVD box set is a sample of Masaki Kobayashi’s work and what he has done for his entire career. His humanism and pacifism is noted throughout his career and while he may be known best for “The Human Condition”, “Harakiri” and “Kwaidan”, the four films presented in this set shows how this one man went into filmmaking to make a difference and to not be like other Japanese filmmakers. From his first film in the 1950′s to his last in the 1980′s, his films were seen as rebellious but in truth, it was his voice trying to reach a larger audience and challenging the viewer to consider their the direction that society was headed. “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” is highly recommended!

TITLE: Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System

DURATION: The Thick-Walled Room (110 minutes), I Will Buy You (112 minutes), Black River (110 minutes) and The Inheritance (108 minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio, (2:40:1 for “The Inheritance”), Monaural, Japanese with English subtitles

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: April 16, 2013

One of the most important filmmakers to emerge from Japan’s cinematic golden age, Masaki Kobayashi is best remembered today for his 1959 epic The Human Condition, but that is just one of the blistering films he made in a career dedicated to criticizing his country’s rigid social and political orders. He first found his voice—rebellious, angry, engaged—in the fifties, following his life-altering experiences as a soldier in World War II; the four films collected here, made in the same period as The Human Condition, reflect Kobayashi’s coming into his own as an artist. He fought to get these powerful dramas made at a studio more oriented at the time toward quiet family melodramas; they are unforgettable pictures of a postwar Japan troubled by identity crises and moral corruption on scales both intimate and institutional.

When it comes to Japanese cinema, when Masaki Kobayashi’s name comes up, one will remember the filmmaker for being a pacifist but taking on films that criticized his country’s social and political orders.

Best known for his trilogy of films titled “The Human Condition” (1959-1961), a trilogy on the effects of World War II on a Japanese pacifist and socialist, Kobayashi is also known for his films “Harakiri” (1962, which won the Jury Prize at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival) and “Kwaidan ” (1964, which won the Special Jury Prize at the 1965 Cannes Film Festival and received a “Best Foreign Language Film” Academy Award nomination).

But prior to these cinematic masterpiece, Kobayashi showed a rebellious side in his earlier films from the ’50s. To best showcase his earlier work, The Criterion Collection has put together four of his earlier films in an Eclipse Series set titled “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”.

Included are the following three films from the ’50s and one from the ’60s : “The Thick-Walled Room” (“Kabe atsuki heya”, 1953), “I Will Buy You” (“Anata Kaimasu”, 1956), “Black River” (“Kuroi kawa”, 1957) and “The Inheritance” (“Karami-Ai”, 1964).

Here are my reviews for each of the films included in this DVD set:

The Thick-Walled Room” (“Kabe atsuki heya”, 1953)

“I Will Buy You” (“Anata Kaimasu”, 1956)

“Black River” (“Kuroi kawa”, 1957)

“The Inheritance” (“Karami-Ai”, 1964)

For those unfamiliar with Masaki Kobayashi’s films, one must know that there is always a message that he wants his viewers to see, learn and realize how society is being corrupted . It’s a Japan that he has seen change and not for the best.

His films tend to feature characters that are flawed, characters who have shaded pasts or are currently shady that you can understand why Kobayashi goes through the effort of trying to get his message out. It’s because its a big part of the human nature that existed and still exists today not just in Japanese culture but all around the world.

With the release of the four-movie DVD set “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”, the Criterion Collection has selected four films that are very different from each other, but they also have similarities.

Masaki Kobayashi’s “The Thick-Walled Room” is thought-provoking and bold.

Considering the film was one of the first to be made after World War II about Japanese soldiers after the war, his film confronts the harsh realities of life for war criminals but also confronting the reality that those who made the decisions of war, those who ordered the soldiers to do the things they did were not punished as badly as them.

But also the harsh reality that life for these war criminals would no longer be the same after they leave prison, even if it’s for a day of mourning.

Their life for many of these war criminals have been stripped and during American occupation, because of the atrocities that some of the soldiers had committed, they weren’t going to receive any special treatment.

“The Thick-Walled Room” was not about coming up with solutions. Yamashita is a man who was forced by his commanding officer to kill an innocent man that too them in and fed them and to make things worse, his friend makes up a lie that he is responsible for killing innocent people to steal their food and earning him more time in jail. And among the soldiers featured, he is the one that has suffered the most. And you wonder what will happen if released from jail, so he can go back to his family to mourn his mother’s death for a day. Will he seek revenge against the former friend who lied? Will he run away, so he can never return back to prison? How will life be for this man outside of prison? Or is life much better for him if he goes back to prison?

Yokota is the complex character of the film. During the war, he was a translator who did not want to fight. But with a rotten superior officer, he was forced to do things he never wanted to do.

He is a man who also tries to understand who is at fault for the war. Was it the soldiers? Was it the people who commanded them? Is this harsh prison sentence created for them to repent? He struggles with how life has changed for him and his fellow soldiers.

But he really wants to repent or at least contribute while in prison.

While the portrayals of the Japanese are well-done, there are things that are important to point out. In Japan, there was a lot of propaganda during World War II that Americans and other allies had mistreated and tortured Japanese prisoner of war. There were major incidents that things did happen such as a soldier sending a Japanese skull back home or a letter opener carved from Japanese bone. But also those who did surrender being killed to death by soldiers. Of course, American military said these actions were based on rumors. But true or false, it did make Japanese feel that they should die by fighting back than surrender and be stuck in a prison where they would be tortured. It is known that in some areas, Japanese POW’s treatment were terrible, especially those who surrendered to the Soviet forces as these POW’s.

We do see how in the film, Japanese POW’s were used for propaganda and to spread rumors around the prison. We do see POW’s who wish they can kill themselves but also the shame that many feel about surrendering and not dying.

While Kobayashi probably could have been more polemic with this film, the film was more about how these men have changed from being soldiers to prisoners that feel there is no life for them. Anything that literally made them happy, has been stripped away. Honor for their family, love for their wives or girlfriends, all they know is the cell they sleep in, the hard labor that they occasionally have to do and being around other Japanese who feel shamed, or dealing with the atrocities they had committed, these things weigh heavily on their mind and some can suppress it and try to repent, other just want to end their miserable life.

For his next film titled “I Will Buy You”, it’s probably a film that can be summarized with the word “greed” or perhaps one can call it “the way of modern business”.

I suppose in our day and age of professional athletes making millions of dollars and endorsement deals, we no longer balk about a unique quarterback, a pitcher or a basketball player making a ton of money. The agents get the same amount of press for landing major deals and as for scouting, go on a sports news site and colleges incurring major infractions because of incorrect scouting is still big news.

But while the concept of scouting athletes have gone on for decades, I find it interesting that filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi zeroed on this back in 1956 for his film “I Will Buy You”.

At first, we are shown how a scout named Kishimoto, for the baseball team, the Toyo Flowers is determined on trying to recruit graduating college player Kurita. We see through his narration of how he observes everyone around Kurita, from his mentor and handler Kyuki, his brothers and even his girlfriend.

But while Kishimoto is wise, we also learn that Kyuki is also wise to the scouts, trying to make things better for him as a businessman and also earning a fat paycheck. But Kyuki is also sick…or is he?

We see this tete a tete between both men, also seeing other scouts trying to shower the family and Kurita with gifts.

But then the bombshell…Kurita is not a dumb athlete, he knows that by milking everyone, he can earn big money and gifts for his family and he is just as bad as the scout and his handler, which his girlfriend now detests.

While I’m not sure how the impact of the film was to professional baseball in Japan at the time, while Kobayashi is a rebel when it comes to his films, having followed Japanese pop culture for decades and seeing how Japanese baseball is such a popular pasttime in the country, it’s almost how we feel today when star players receive a major deal from their sports team or even an actor or actress that receives a big payday for a film, we don’t blink an eye because it’s how things are.

Still, this was 1956, not long after World War II, so I’m sure the film did probably raise a few eyebrows, but this is the atmosphere created by the team owners and them wanting to land a huge star athlete. But in the case of “I Will Buy You”, we start to see Kishimoto realizing things about the work that he does. He is torn by the dishonesty and the practices of the industry, but that is part of the business of professional sports.

Forty years after this film was made, in America, Cameron Crowe would direct the film “Jerry Maguire” which centers around an agent with his only star athlete but showing how the business of professional sports is about, with an added romantic angle to the film.

And nearly 20-years after that film was made, now all we hear is about college infractions of bad recruiting practices to star athletes who lost their fortune.

But it’s obvious that Minoru Ono (who wrote the original novel) saw how professional sports was heading and Masaki Kobayashi saw it as a way to show people the greed that exists in professional sports.

Unfortunately, where greed and corruption in politics is what people rebel against, but when it comes to sports, it’s still entertainment and whenever it comes to athletes making big money, may it be in the 1950′s to today’s major sports, people are much more forgiving.

“Black River” has a message from filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi that tries to show how life for people after post-war and those living near the U.S. military bases are being affected negatively by Western culture.

The message of western culture affecting other countries is nothing new. Even in feudal Japan with the first confrontation of foreign merchants, there have always been a belief that the foreigners brought diseases and other unwanted situations to their country and it changed people for the worse.

Even today, the political debate of US bases in Asia is still a sore spot for many people and unfortunate, even American soldiers have been guilty of committing crimes upon Japanese that increases the hostility of locals even more.

But after World War II, Japan was under uncertain times. Actually, many countries and their future were uncertain as people lived in poverty, without jobs, without income and people did things in order to survive.

For “Black River”, women are seen turning to prostitution in order to make money. Men were unemployed and in order to get things done (or to get people out of an establishment), some turned to the yakuza.

While the living conditions of these people are bad but not the worst, the message that Kobayashi delivered with this film at the time is why isn’t anything being done to stop this deviant behavior?

The film also goes into the woman’s right after rape. The character of Shizuko is set-up by Killer Joe, who has been infatuated with the young woman and pretends to be her savior, when in truth, he became the man who raped her while she was unconscious.

The following day, she wants Killer Joe to accompany her to the police but Joe reminds her that all it would do is embarrass the both of them. And she knows it is true. Rape laws were not as strong as today and even in America during the 1950′s, rape was only punishable if there was extreme physical violence involved. If a woman did not fight back, there was no crime. Eventually, laws in the 1960′s would later change this but Masaki Kobayashi knew that it was terrible that a woman’s word was not strong enough and Kobayashi showed the film that because of her situation, she couldn’t tell police because she was unconscious at the time and probably for many rape victims in Japan of the time, whether or not it was intentional, the message was that women had to bear the burden after becoming a rape victim, as there were no major rape laws in Japan.

As for the film, while enjoyable as a whole, the problem lies within its pacing as the film starts introducing us to the people who live in the slum village but then begins to focus on Nishida, Shizuka and Joe and the love triangle that exists for the three. The other characters featured in the first half are not given the same presence by the second half and you tend to forget them, as your attention is diverted on the love triangle and how things will eventually resolve itself by the end of the film.

Still, when it comes to a message about the changes upon Japan society because of the U.S. military bases, Kobayashi’s “Black River” definitely showcases a message of a corrupted culture.

While created after his masterpiece “The Human Condition”, Masaki Kobayashi’s “The Inheritance” showcases the worst behavior of people and sometimes it happens after the death of a loved one (especially if that loved one had money).

While the story of people trying to get their cut from one’s will may seem banal, Kobayashi’s film is different as it showcases how one secretary was able to methodically plan her way to get into her boss’s will.

“The Inheritance” begins with a wealthy business man dying from cancer and trying to plan his will before he dies. What he knows is that his current wife will get a third from the will, but also wanting to give a third to his illegitimate children, the problem is that he doesn’t even know who his children are, nor has he been a part of their lives. But he sends his secretary Yasuko to find them.

Meanwhile, his lawyer and his staff know they want a cut from the will and try to find a way to get some of that money, as does the businessman’s young wife who tries to find a way to derail any finding of the illegitimate children, so she can get most of the money herself.

Suffice to say, a common theme from Kobayashi’s films are characters that are typically shady in their own right. But the performance from actress Keiko Kishi as the cool and collected secretary Yasuko was well-done, and to see how her character is able to plan her way of getting into the film was quite fascinating and the writing was clever.

Overall, the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” DVD box set is a sample of Masaki Kobayashi’s work and what he has done for his entire career. His humanism and pacifism is noted throughout his career and while he may be known best for “The Human Condition”, “Harakiri” and “Kwaidan”, the four films presented in this set shows how this one man went into filmmaking to make a difference and to not be like other Japanese filmmakers. From his first film in the 1950′s to his last in the 1980′s, his films were seen as rebellious but in truth, it was his voice trying to reach a larger audience and challenging the viewer to consider their the direction that society was headed.

“Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” is highly recommended!

Filed Under: Asian Cinema DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews, THE CRITERION COLLECTION

The Inheritance (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 14, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“The Inheritance” is a film that benefits from its use of 2:40:1 and capturing more of the surroundings of its characters, the film also benefits from the performances of its cast and also clever writing. As the fourth film presented in the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”, the film is probably the best of the four in terms of quality and storytelling. A fitting addition to this DVD set!

TITLE: The Inheritance (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System)

YEAR OF FILM: 1962

DURATION: 108 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, 2:40:1 Aspect Ratio, Monaural, Japanese with English subtitles

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: April 16, 2013

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Based on the Novel by Norio Nanjo

Written by Koichi Inagaki

Music by Toru Takemitsu

Cinematography by Takashi Kawamata

Starring:

Toru Abe as Detective

Minoru Chiaki as Fujii Junichi

Jun Hamamura

Atsuko Kawaguchi as Mayumi

Yusuke Kawazu as Sadao

Keiko Kishi as Yasuko

Tatsuya Nakadai as Furukawa Kikuo

On his deathbed, a wealthy businessman announces that his fortune is to be split equally among his three illegitimate children, whose whereabouts are unknown. A bevy of lawyers and associates begin machinations to procure the money for themselves, resorting to the use of impostors and blackmail. Yet all are outwitted by the cunning of the man’s secretary (Keiko Kishi), in this entertaining condemnation of unchecked greed.

With the previous three films included in the “Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” released in the 1950′s, “The Inheritance” was released in 1962 after Kobayashi’s hit film “The Human Condition”. Also, another major difference is this film was shot in 2:40:1 aspect ratio versus the standard 1:33:1.

“The Inheritance” begins with a woman named Yasuko (portrayed by Keiko Kishi) doing some shopping and runs into a man that she did not want to see.

Yasuko’s story begins with the introduction to the wealthy businessman (portrayed by So Yamamura) who finds out that he has only several months to live. Knowing that he is about to die, he plans out his will of who will get the inheritance. He knows that his young wife (portrayed by Misako Watanabe) will get a third but he also has three illegitimate children that need to be found.

He has not kept up with the whereabouts of the three children and no one knows about them. So, the search begins for these three illegitimate children as they would get a right to his inheritance. And as his lawyer tries to search for them, the businessman also has his secretary looking for them as well.

But when word of an inheritance begins catch the attention of various individuals, everyone starts to have their own personal interest of trying to get a piece of it.

But are any of these individuals entitled to the inheritance?

VIDEO:

“The Inheritance” is presented in black and white and the only film in the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” DVD set to be featured in 2:40:1 aspect ratio. Of the four films featured in the DVD box set, “The Inheritance” does look the best. Better contrast when it comes to the gray and white and black levels are also good. Detail is much more evident and the picture quality is just looks better than Kobayashi’s films from the 50′s.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Inheritance” is presented in Japanese monaural with English subtitles. Dialogue is clear, Toru Takemitsu’s jazzy score sounds very good and I heard no significant clicks, pops or humming through the entire film.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Eclipse Series releases do not come with special features but included in the insert is a background on Kobayashi and the information about the film.

Watching “The Inheritance”, the four film included in the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” DVD box set. You start to realize the underlying theme of capitalism and greed.

Overall, “The Inheritance” is a film that benefits from its use of 2:40:1 and capturing more of the surroundings of its characters, the film also benefits from the performances of its cast and also clever writing. As the fourth film presented in the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”, the film is probably the best of the four in terms of quality and storytelling. A fitting addition to this DVD set!

Filed Under: Asian Cinema DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews, THE CRITERION COLLECTION

Nickelodeon Favorites – Once Upon a Rhyme (a J!-ENT Children’s DVD Review)

April 13, 2013 by alder · Leave a Comment

“Nickelodeon Favorites – Once Upon a Rhyme” is recommended for parents wanting something educational and fun for their children. Featuring seven episodes from Nickelodeon’s top children’s shows, this DVD is recommended for younger children!

Images are courtesy of
© 2013 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. NICKELODEON, NICK JR., DORA THE EXPLORER, WONDER PETS, BUBBLE GUPPIES, BLUE’S ROOM, TEAM UMIZOOMI,, THE FRESH BEAT BAND and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

DVD TITLE: Nickelodeon Favorites – Once Upon a Rhyme

DURATION: 7 Episodes (139 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Full Screen, Dolby Digital

COMPANY: Nickelodeon/Paramount

RATED: NOT RATED

RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2013

Bubble Guppies

Created by Jonny Belt and Robert Scull

Team Umizoomi

Written by Soo Kim, Michael Smith, O. Kevin Strader, Brian L. Perkins, Jennifer Twomey, Jeff Borkin, Sascha Paladino, Clark Stubbs

Produced by Soo Kim, Michael Smith

The Fresh Beat Band

Executive Producer: Scott Kraft, Nadine Van der Velde

Dora the Explorer

Created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh and Eric Weiner

Wonder Pets!

Executive Producer: Josh Selig

Blue’s Room

Executive Producer: Traci Paige Johnson, Angela C. Santoromero

Developed by Wendy Harris, Dave Palmer, Jennifer Twomey, Dr. Alice Wilder

Join your Nickelodeon friends for storytime in 7 enchanted takes! Explore fairy tales with Dora, Bubble Guppies and Blue! Search for treasure with team Umizoomi! Save nursery rhymes with the Wonder Pets, and join a royal wedding with the Fresh Beats!

In the latest Nickelodeon children’s DVD compilation of “Nickelodeon Favorites”, the theme is nursery rhymes. Featuring seven episodes from Nick Jr. children’s shows such as “Bubble Guppies”, “Team Umizoomi”, “The Fresh Beat Band”, “Dora the Explorer”, “Wonder Pets!” (note: “Wonder Pets!” comes with a second episode) and “Blue’s Room”.

Included are the following episodes:

Bubble Guppies – “Who’s Gonna Play the Big Bad Wolf” - The Bubbleguppies learn about actors and what a play is about and find out who will play the Big Bad Wolf.
Team Umizoomi – “The Umi City Treasure Hunt” – Team Umizoomi meets their friend Square Beard the Pirate. And he gives them the map to the long-lost treasure of Umi City.
The Fresh Beat Band – “Royal Wedding” – The band is excited that a royal wedding is happening in town, but what happens when the princess calls off the wedding because she wants to marry Twist?
Dora the Explorer – “Dora Saves the Three Little Piggies” - Dora and Boots go to Fairy Tale Land and must help the Three Little Piggies.
Wonder Pets – “Help the Cow Jump Over the Moon/Save the Unicorn!” – The Wonder Pets are contacted by a pop-up book that needs them to help a young cow from a nursery rhyme, jump over the moon. In the second episode, the Wonder Pets jump into a storybook to help a unicorn who’s horn is lost inside a tree.
Blue’s Room – “Little Red Riding Blue” – Blue, Sprinkles and Joe do their own version of “Little Red Riding Hood”.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

The episodes featured in “Nickelodeon Favorites – Once Upon a Rhyme” are presented in full screen and in Dolby Digital stereo. Animation features vibrant colors and dialogue is clear and understandable.

Picture quality is dependent on the series as “Dora the Explorer” is animation-based, “Team Umizoomi” and “Wonder Pets!” tend to combine CG, while “The Fresh Beat Band” and Blue’s Room utilizes real live actors and puppets. But also the fact that these episodes range from 2007-2012.

But I doubt children will be to picky with video and audio, but if anything, picture and audio quality for this DVD is very good.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Nickelodeon Favorites – Once Upon a Rhyme” comes with no special features.

Are you a parent looking for a children’s DVD that your young children will love, episodes that are safe but also episodes that your children can learn from? Definitely give Nickelodeon’s “Once Upon a Rhyme” a try as children can learn about popular stories derived from nursery rhymes. But also episodes filled wit a lot of adventure, fun and as always, is educational for children.

With “Bubble Guppies”, “Go, Diego, Go!”, “Dora, the Explorer” and “Wonder Pets, these four episodes showcase the importance of teamwork and decision-making, while The Fresh Beat Band utilizes music to entertain the children with music and “Team Umizoomi” utilizing math.

And with Nickelodeon often releasing children’s DVD’s based on a certain theme, this is the first DVD compilation to feature episodes that revolves around the nursery rhyme theme.

My child was raised watching these Nickelodeon educational children’s shows and I do believe that it helped in his development as he is doing exceptionally well at school, especially when it comes to decision making and also an appreciation for other cultures and languages.

Overall, your young children should be entertained by this DVD. All episodes are safe for children and parents will also be happy to know that they can learn from each of these episodes and also it will definitely help keep the children occupied as well.

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

Black River (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 13, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

When it comes to a message about the changes upon Japan society because of the U.S. military bases, Kobayashi’s “Black River” definitely showcases a message of a corrupted culture. As the third film featured in the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”, “Black River” is another worthy addition to this DVD box set.

TITLE: Black River (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System)

YEAR OF FILM: 1956

DURATION: 110 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio, Monaural, Japanese with English subtitles

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: April 16, 2013

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Based on the Story by Takeo Tomishima

Written by Zenzo Matsuyama

Music by Chuji Kinoshita

Cinematography by Yuharu Atsuta

Art Direction by Kazue Hirataka

Starring:

Fumio Watanabe as Nishida

Ineko Arima as Shizuka

Tatsuya Nakadai as Killer Joe

Asao Sano

Seiji Miyaguchi

Eijiro Tono

Perhaps Masaki Kobayashi’s most sordid film, Black River examines the rampant corruption on and around U.S. military bases in Japan following World War II. Kobayashi spirals out from the story of a love triangle that develops between a good-natured student, his innocent girlfriend, and a coldhearted petty criminal (Tatsuya Nakadai, in his first major role) to reveal a nation slowly succumbing to lawlessness and violence.

With “The Thick-Walled Room” focusing on Japanese prisoners during American occupation and “I Will Buy You” focusing on the Japanese business of scouting and high earnings for an upcoming college baseball player, for the film “Black River”, Masaki Kobayashi focused on life for Japanese near the U.S. military bases near Japan following World War II.

With many Japanese not having an income, for one neighborhood near Atsugi naval air base, the people living in the area are poor and Japanese women earn their money through prostitution while bars catering to American serviceman can be seen in the area. The area invites the criminal element, especially the yakuza and the message that Kobayashi wants people to see is how can this behavior go on without anyone being punished?

“Black River” focuses on a group of people living in the slum neighborhood, just barely surviving. And for many of them, they live under a landlord (portrayed by Isuzu Yamada) who is becoming more adamant when it comes to collecting the end of the month rent. But unknown to them is that the landlord is conspiring with a yakuza named Killer Joe (portrayed by Tatsuya Nakadai) to drive the residents out, so she can install a bathhouse. The landlord has also hired a woman to take the feces from the waste area and use it as fertilizer for plants to be planted near the slum.

For book seller/reader Nishida (portrayed by Fumio Watanabe), he is more interested in doing his work and reading that working a full-time or part-time job and rather not integrate with the people living in the slum but preferring to live in the area because it is cheap. Shizuko (portrayed by Ineko Arima) is a local girl who works to pay the bills and has an interest in Nishida.

The two live alongside a man with tuberculosis who is sick and his wife is trying to help him, several prostitutes and a husband who finds out his wife is a prostitute for the American servicemen.

And while the US military police try to prevent prostitution, servicemen end up finding their way into the neighborhood.

As for Shizuko, her life is changed when Killer Joe stages a kidnapping and comes to save Shizuko, but ends up raping her and making her his girlfriend. But when Joe finds out that she has an interest towards Nishida, and she tells Nishida the truth of what happened to her and why she’s with a guy like Joe, what will happen?

VIDEO:

“Black River” is presented in black and white (1:33:1 Aspect Ratio). Considering the film is nearly 60-years-old, this film fares better compared to “The Thick-Walled Room” which had a bit of damage and white and black specks. For “Black River”, picture quality is much better and looks great on DVD. The film looks very good for its age, better contrast with white and grays, black levels are good and no signs of excessive digital noise reduction, flicker and maintains a good amount of detail.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Black River” is presented in Japanese monaural with English subtitles. Dialogue is clear and heard no significant clicks, pops or humming through the entire film.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Eclipse Series releases do not come with special features but included in the insert is a background on Kobayashi and the information about the “Black River”.

Still, when it comes to a message about the changes upon Japan society because of the U.S. military bases, Kobayashi’s “Black River” definitely showcases a message of a corrupted culture. As the third film featured in the “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”, “Black River” is another worthy addition to this DVD box set.

Filed Under: Asian Cinema DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews, THE CRITERION COLLECTION

I Will Buy You (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 13, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“I Will Buy You” is an exciting and enjoyable film from Masaki Kobayashi showing us the big business of recruiting a star college baseball player for the big leagues and how far these scouts would go, as well as the handlers and even the athlete themselves. A worthy addition to “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” DVD box set.

TITLE: I Will Buy You (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System)

YEAR OF FILM: 1956

DURATION: 112 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio, Monaural, Japanese with English subtitles

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: April 16, 2013

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Based on the Story by Minoru Ono

Written by Zenzo Matsuyama

Music by Chuji Kinoshita

Cinematography by Yuharu Atsuta

Art Direction by Kazue Hirataka

Starring:

Keiji Sada as Kishimoto

Keiko Kishi as Fueko

Minoru Oki as Kurita

Yunosuke Ito as Kyuki

Mitsuko Mito

Jun Tatara

Masaki Kobayashi’s pitiless take on Japan’s professional baseball industry is unlike any other sports film ever made. A condemnation of the inhumanity bred by a mercenary, bribery-fueled business, it follows the sharklike maneuvers of a scout dead set on signing a promising player to the team the Toyo Flowers.

As baseball is loved by the Japanese, as professional sports is known to be big business today with scouting, agents, coaches and so many people involved in trying to find the next big thing, it’s almost common knowledge to see how each year, colleges try to recruit the best athletes for their program. But before then, when a player was to go professional, before any draft system was in place, players were scouted and they and their families were enticed by gifts to join a team.

While one can see such a trait as life for a professional athlete and in today’s world, it may seem trivial since football, baseball and basketball athletes become multimillionaires and some have seen the asking price of these athletes as a sport corrupted by big money and greed.

In Japan, back in 1956, director Masaki Kobayashi saw how the sports world was full of greed and ruthless people on both sides were affected and decided to take a step back from criticizing Japan’s social and political stance and take on Japan’s favorite pasttime…baseball.

And with his film “I will Buy You, an adaptation of Minoru Ono’s novel, it’s not more about baseball but the strategy scouts try to recruit a top athlete, how far they will go and how the players and their families get involved in the process.

The film is about a scout named Kishimoto (portrayed by Keiji Sada) for the Toyo Flowers, team not known for its finances but they really want to land baseball’s young and popular hitters about to graduate from college, Goro Kurita (portrayed by Minoru Ooki). But Kishimoto quickly learns that to entice Kurita, he must try to win over the young player’s mentor and guardian Kyuki (portrayed by Yunosuke Ito).

And Kishimoto tries to use strategies to winover Kyuki but also try and entice Kyuki’s poor family, especially his brothers.

But Kishimoto knows that things are going to be tough because Kyuki also has his own interests and that is to use his position with Kurita and get a better job and earn a lot of money.

And as Kishimoto must go against other scouting companies using strategies to land Kurita, Kyuki tries to be a middleman and try to hold out in the last minute, in order to raise Kurita’s stock as a baseball player, so the asking price can go up.

But as these men try to outwit each other by brandishing gifts to Kurita and his family, his girlfriend Fueko (portrayed by Keiko Kishi), is absolutely disgusted by Kurita because Kurita is pretending that he knows nothing about baseball, when in fact, he is milking everyone in order for him and his family to get free gifts, but also using them in the process.

But in the end, how far will each of these men go in order to seal the deal!

VIDEO:

“I Will Buy You” is presented in black and white (1:33:1 Aspect Ratio). Considering the film is nearly 60-years-old, this film fares better compared to “The Thick-Walled Room” which had a bit of damage and white and black specks. For “I Will Buy You”, picture quality is much better and looks great on DVD. The film looks very good for its age, better contrast with white and grays, black levels are good and no signs of excessive digital noise reduction, flicker and maintains a good amount of detail.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“I Will Buy You” is presented in Japanese monaural with English subtitles. Dialogue is clear and heard no significant clicks, pops or humming through the entire film.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Eclipse Series releases do not come with special features but included in the insert is a background on Kobayashi and the information about the film.

A film about greed or perhaps one can call it “the way of modern business”.

But while the concept of scouting athletes have gone on for decades, I find it interesting that filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi zeroed on this back in 1956 for his film “I Will Buy You”.

We see this tete a tete between both men, also seeing other scouts trying to shower the family and Kurita with gifts.

And nearly 20-years after that film was made, now all we hear is about college infractions of bad recruiting practices to star athletes who lost their fortune.

Overall, “I Will Buy You” is an exciting and enjoyable film from Masaki Kobayashi showing us the big business of recruiting a star college baseball player for the big leagues and how far these scouts would go, as well as the handlers and even the athlete themselves. A worthy addition to “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System” DVD box set.

Filed Under: Asian Cinema DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews, THE CRITERION COLLECTION

The Thick-Walled Room (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 11, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“The Thick-Walled Room” is a fascinating film by Masaki Kobayashi and as an earlier work, he would go so much further in a film like “The Human Condition” over a decade later. But a film such as “The Thick-Walled Room”, goes to show how bold he was to stand up against social and political orders. A rebellious early film for Masaki Kobayashi and a fitting film to be included in “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”!

TITLE: The Thick-Walled Room (as part of the Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System)

YEAR OF FILM: 1956

DURATION: 110 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio, Monaural, Japanese with English subtitles

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: April 16, 2013

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Written by Kobo Abe

Music by Chuji Kinoshita

Cinematography by Hiroyuki Kusuda

Starring:

Ko Mishima

Torahiko Hamada

Keiko Kishi

Toshiko Kobayashi

Eitaro Ozawa

Even early on in his directing career, Masaki Kobayashi didn’t shy away from controversy. Among the first Japanese films to deal directly with the scars of World War II, this drama about a group of rank-and-file Japanese soldiers jailed for crimes against humanity was adapted from the diaries of real prisoners. Because of its potentially inflammatory content, the film was shelved by the studio for three years before being released.

Back in 1941, Kobayashi became an apprentice director for Shochiku Studios. But he was immediately drafted into the army and sent to Manchuria. As a pacifist, he would do all he can to refuse promotion to a rank higher than a private and also spent time as a prisoner of war.

This would have an influence in his third film made in 1953 titled “Kabe atsuki heya” (“The Thick-Walled room”) in which he wanted to create a post-war film in regards to war criminals, rank-and-file military men who acted on orders and have been imprisoned and are treated cruelly by the American occupying force.

The film is based on the diaries of real-life prisoners and how the low-ranking soldiers are treated and the psychological anguish they endured in the prison.

Although the film was created after American occupation of Japan ended in 1952, the Japanese government feared that it would offend the U.S. and demanded the film to be cut or withheld. Kobayashi would not cut the film but the film was shelved and released three years later, in 1956.

“The Thick-Walled Room” focuses on six former B and C class soldiers held inside a thick-walled room. Tired of having to break rocks, the group sits in their cells reading letters (from family members who are shamed of their kin being war criminal or loved ones who have no idea what has happened to them) and remembering their life when they were free men or life as a soldier.

For Yamashita, he remembers how his group was helped by a villager and fed. But Yamashita receives orders from his commanding officer to kill the villager despite how much the villager has helped their group. And this memory continues to haunt them.

The film then transitions to the war between North and South Korea and how the Americans are involved. Yokota receives word that he is being visited by a guest in prison and it’s his brother, a journalist. His brother asks him how his cell mates are doing and Yokota describes how he thought life in prison would make things much more spiritual but it became the opposite. People became more vulgar.

He describes how one guy keeps imagining that he has a store, another keeps talking about intimate details of his wife, but for the most part, everyone has gone for the worse. Yokota’s brother tells him that they aren’t guilty for their crimes (as they were just following orders), but Yokota tells him that he has begun to think differently. War is evil but no one opposed the war. But Yokota’s brother tells him that those who started the war are at fault. The conglomerates, the military and their minions. And those who led the war got light sentences, while the B and C-class soldiers received the heavier sentences.

The film then shows Yokota’s past as a soldier and how he was a foreign language translator. And how a foreign prisoner of war was caught stealing and under orders, Yokota was forced to whip a foreign man, who screamed for help in front of Yokota. The foreign man ends up dying and Yokota would be responsible for taking the body to the crematorium but where he met a girl that he fell in love with.

But as other men have their own past and some who have their own inner personal demons to contend with, when Yokota’s brother publishes an article that may jeopardize the release of the group. But for the Japanese that are imprisoned, will their lives be the same after they are released?

VIDEO:

“The Thick-Walled Room” is presented in black and white (1:33:1 Aspect Ratio). Considering the film is 60-years-old, while some frames of the film had suffered damage overtime, and features white/black specks, they are not the type that hurts your viewing of the film. The film looks very good for its age, no signs of excessive digital noise reduction and maintains a good amount of detail.

It’s also important for people to remember that Eclipse Series films do not get the remastering and restoration that goes into a Criterion Collection release, but is presented on DVD the best possible way it can. And for the most part, the picture quality is as good as what one can expect from a DVD release.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Thick-Walled Room” is presented in Japanese monaural with English subtitles. Dialogue is clear and heard no significant clicks, pops or humming through the entire film.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Eclipse Series releases do not come with special features but included in the insert is a background on Kobayashi and the information about the film and why Shochiku was worried about “The Thick-Walled Room”.

Masaki Kobayashi’s “The Thick-Walled Room” is thought-provoking and bold.

But also the harsh reality that life for these war criminals would no longer be the same after they leave prison, even if it’s for a day of mourning.

Yokota is the complex character of the film. During the war, he was a translator who did not want to fight. But with a rotten superior officer, he was forced to do things he never wanted to do.

But he really wants to repent or at least contribute while in prison.

A rebellious early film for Masaki Kobayashi and a fitting film to be included in “Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System”!

Filed Under: Asian Cinema DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews, THE CRITERION COLLECTION

Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 9, 2013 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is a cool, stylish, well-written and exciting action-packed animated series worth watching! And if you are a parent or the young at heart who loves the card series or just wanting an exciting animated series, I definitely recommend “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” on DVD!

DVD TITLE: Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike

TV AIRDATE: 2012

DURATION: 110 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, English and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, English subtitles

COMPANY: Hasbro Studios/Shout! Factory

RATED: TV Y7 FV

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Written by Andrew Robinson, Henry Gilroy, Brandon Auman, Mark Hoffmeier, Marty Isenberg, Joseph Kuhr

Producer: Haven Alexander

Executive Producer: Stephen Davis

Supervising Producer: Gary Hartle

Music by Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis

Edited by Michael William Miles, Matt Barrios

Art Direction by David Colman

Featuring the following voice talent:

Phil LaMarr as Gabe Wallace

Kari Wahlgren as Allie Underhill

Scott Wolf as Ray Pierce-Okamoto

David Sobolov as Bob

Dee Bradley Baker as Gargle

Oded Fehr as The Choten

Andrew Kishino as Grandpa

Freddy Rodriguez as Chavez

Grey DeLisle as Alakshmi

John Di Maggio as Nigel

Jason Marsden as Fingers

Rachel Robinson as Megaria

Recruited by the mysterious Duel Masters, young Ray, joined by his best friends Gabe and Allie, must use the powerful art of Kaijudo to defend his home dimension from the sinister mastermind known as the Choten, whose own skills in The Way Of The Creature allow him to summon vicious beasts from a parallel dimension to wreak havoc across Earth.

What happens when Allison is transported to the land of the creatures and where the Lord Skycrusher reigns. Will Ray and Gabe be able to find her?

Find out in the second volume of “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” available in April 2013 from Shout! Factory.

What is “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters”?

In 2012, Hasbro’s subsidiary Wizards of the West Coast released the Kaijudo collectible card game.

With the popularity of the “Duel Masters” franchise, Hasbro Studios with South Korean animation company Moi Animation, created “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” developed by Henry Gilroy and Andrew Robinson of Wizards of the West Coast.

The series premiered on The Hub in June 2012 and with close to two dozen episodes aired on television since, the first five episodes of the animated series will be released on DVD titled “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Creatures Unleashed”.

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is a series that revolves around three friends: Ray Pierce-Okamoto is half-Japanese and lives with his mother and his elderly Japanese grandfather. Ray hangs out with his good friends Allison Underhill (who looks tough but has a soft heart for cute things) and his tech-loving friend Gabriel Wallace.

He and his friends are often bullied in school, mostly Ray and is teased about being half Japanese and half Caucasian. And despite being bullied, his grandfather tries to give him advice to bob and weave if he is ever attacked by the bullies.

Meanwhile, in town, monsters have been coming into the human world through a rift. And Duel Master Hector Chavez of the Fire Civilization is seen trying to send the monsters back and closing the rift. It appears that The Choten, a former Duel Master and now evil genius has went rogue to pursue his own goals of enslaving the creatures, so he can take over Earth.

One day, one of Ray’s drawings of a creature comes out of the rift and in the process, the Duel Masters wonder how is it that this young boy is able to draw these creatures out to the real world.

When taken to the Kaijudo Temple, the Duel Masters sense something special within Ray and want him to become a Duel Master, but Ray will not join unless his two friends become Duel Masters as well. And so, the three must prove themselves deserving of this new power and to train and learn the basics of creature dueling.

But while these three train, the antagonist known as the Choten has his own plans by creating chaos through bringing the creatures to the real world. Can Ray and friends stop him and the creatures for hurting anyone?

In “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike”, the DVD contains the following episodes (spoilerless summary):

EPISODE 6 – Into the Fire, Part 1 - Allison is transported to the land of the creatures and is held captive by Lord Skycrusher.
EPISODE 7 – Into the Fire, Part 2 – Lord Skycrusher makes Tatsurion fight against Ray and Allison.
EPISODE 23 – Heavenly Creatures – The Duel Masters and Acolytes look for Choten’s spell.
EPISODE 25 – The Rising, Part 1 – Choten has taken all five artifacts and intends to collapse the Veil and awaken the 5 Creature Kings.
EPISODE 26 – The Rising, Part 2 – The Duel Masters must take on the 5 Creature Kings.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Kaijudo: Rose of the Duel Masters” is an animated series that has an anime style, but thanks to its Korean roots of animation, definitely its own unique style when it comes to character design. Character designs are well-done and also the art backgrounds which compliment the action which happen in various locations throughout the series. Animation is vibrant on DVD and as for dialogue, the dialogue is crystal clear via Dolby Digital.

While it would be nice to hear a more immersive 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, I was quite pleased with the voice acting. You have solid talent involved with this series such as Scott Wolf, Kari Wahlgren, Oded Fehr, David Sobolov and others that bring a cool, exciting overall feel to the animated series.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” comes with no special features.

EXTRAS:

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” comes with a “Herald of Infernus Card” featuring exclusive art.

The adventures of the Duel Masters continues in “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike”!

Exciting, action-packed and a great compliment to the popular “Duel Masters” card game, “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is awesome!

And with the latest “Dragonstrike” volume you get five episodes. Each of the episodes are exciting and action-packed but where the last volume featured the first five episodes, “Dragonstrike” features episodes 6-7, 23, 25-26. So, I’m wondering why they didn’t continue the order of 6-10 and went directly to the final episodes of the first season.

Sure, “Kaijudo” may receive comparisons to “Pokemon” or “Digimon” through its young characters being able to access creatures with special abilities during battle but the series definitely has a style that will attract younger viewers as well as older viewers.

For one, the monsters are not necessarily cute and cuddly and created for the sake of stuffed animal merchandise to appeal to young children. These creatures are created for the sake of battle and for the card battles, when people compete, they want to use a creature that is powerful.

And so, the series has creatures that can be deadly or menacing. And unlike “Pokemon” where the creatures are often going against each other, the antagonists are evil people, so bad that Ray and friends are often targeted and their lives can be at stake. Granted, I doubt the writers would put these young characters into any harm but you will see a character like Alkashmi with an evil puppet like creature with razor sharp claws and throwing these bladed claws towards Ray and friends. You have one scene where a demon burping creature is trying to destroy a bridge where the train goes through and with help, Ray and friends must try to find a way to defeat the monster and prevent a major, tragic disaster.

So, these creatures can cause harm to humans and also, these human characters fight back. Unlike a series such as “Pokemon” where the trainer tells the monster what to do, the human owners/trainers must also take part in battle and even become part of the action against the antagonists.

And what I also enjoyed about the series is how it takes normal people and put them in situations where they must grow up and learn about each other. One of the things that surprised me is how the bullies picked on Ray especially for being half-Caucasian and half-Japanese. As an Asian American, the topic of being “hapa” (half) is always something that I have known friends struggling with, when it comes to identity to also being teased by others. And the fact that Ray is a person who was bullied by it but yet respects both sides of his heritage is a positive character role. And the series also features his friends such as Allie, who sticks up for her friends and Gabe who is African-American yet is smart with technology. So, it’s great to see this diversity in an animated series.

I watched the series with my ten-year-old and he absolutely loved the series and I also enjoyed it as well. It’s full of humor, action and the five episodes included on the DVD are quite exciting. And as marketing for the collectible cards, even my son was intrigued as he is a Pokemon collectible card collector and now is interested in “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters”. And with this volume, a “Kaijudo” card is included (although, there are no special features).

I can only hope that the complete series will be released on Blu-ray and DVD because it’s a very well-written, cool animated series!

Overall, “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is a cool, stylish, well-written and exciting action-packed animated series worth watching! And if you are a parent or the young at heart who loves the card series or just wanting an exciting animated series, I definitely recommend “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” on DVD!

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 8, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” was quite entertaining. Not to be compared to the previous film adaptations or even the original story, on its own, with the amount of characters and the focus of relationships around Judah Ben Hur, there is enough difference with this mini-series to make it still exciting and enjoyable for viewers.

DVD TITLE: Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2010

DURATION: 192 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

RATED: Not Rated

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Directed by Steve Shill

Written by Alan Sharp

Producer: Roger Corbi, Simon Vaughan

Executive Producer: Dirk Beinhold, Manuel Corbi, Frank Konigsberg, Michael Prupas, Steve Shill, David Wyler

Co-Producer: Zakari Alaoui

Behind-the-Scenes Producer: Betty Palik

Music by Rob Lane

Cinematography by Ousama Rawi

Edited by Annie Ilkow, Simon Webb

Casting by Amy Hubbard, Daniel Hubbard, Andrea Kenyon, Randi Wells

Production Design by Benjamin Fernandez

Art Direction by Alejandro Fernandez, Marco Trentini

Set Decoration by Deborah Chambers, Nuria Muni

Costume Design by Simonetta Mariano

Starring:

Joseph Morgan as Judah Ben-Hur

Stephen Campbell Moore as Messala

Emily Van Camp as Esther

Kristin Kreuk as Tirzah

Ben Cross as Emperor Tiberius

Simon Adreu as Simonides

Alex Kingston as Ruth

James Faulkner as Marcellus

Art Malik as Ilderim

Marc Warren as David

Lucia Jiminez as Athene

Miguel Angel Munoz as Antegua

Kris Holden-Ried as Gaius

Michael Nardone as Horator

Eugene Simon as Young Ben Hur

Toby Marlow as Young Messala

Daniella Ereny as Young Tirzah

In this new adaptation of the colossal classic, Ben Hur the mini-series delivers more action, passion and revenge than ever before. The timeless story follows two friends who become bitter enemies and the historic events of the time as told through the eyes of Judah Ben-Hur. Born a wealthy Jewish merchant’s son, he is destined to live many lives: a powerful businessman, a dutiful slave, a fierce gladiator, a Roman nobleman, and finally…a conquering hero. This extraordinary adventure-filled saga is the historic epic for a new generation.

In 2010, a Canadian TV miniseries based on Len Wallace’s 1880 novel “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” was created.

Originally aired during the week of Easter in Canada followed by an airing in ABC in 2010, the mini-series is directed by Steve Shill (“Dexter”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) and written by Alan Sharp (“Rob Roy”, “The Osterman Weekend”, “Night moves”).

The mini-series would star Joseph Morgan (“Immortals”, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”, “Alexander”), Stephen Campbell Moore (“The Bank Job”, “Season of the Witch”, “The History Boys”), Emily Van Camp (“Brothers & Sisters”, “Revenge”, “Everwood”), Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville”, “Eurotrip”, “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li”), Ben Cross (“Star Trek”, “Chariots of Fire”), Simon Andreu (“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, “Die Another Day”), Alex Kingston (“Dr. Who”, “ER”, “Like Crazy”) and James Faulkner (“Bridget Jones’ Diary”, “The Bank Job”, “X-Men: First Class”).

“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” revolves around Judah Ben Hur (portrayed by Joseph Morgan), a hardworking son of a wealth merchant. Also, a son living with his mother Ruth (portrayed by Alex Kingston) and his younger sister Tirzah (portrayed by Kristin Kreuk) and lived with Octavius Messala (portrayed by Stephen Campbell Moore). Living with them was Octavius Messala, raised by the Ben Hur family after his mother died.

When he became a teenager, Octavius was sent a letter that he would have to follow his father’s footsteps as a Roman officer.

Fast forward many years later, Judah is engaged to marry Esther (portrayed by Emily Van Camp). In the village, a few people included Simonides (portrayed by Simon Andreu) are planning for a rebellion and to assassinate Valerius Gratus, the fourth Roman prefect of Judaea. For Octavius, because a Roman prefect is in his village, he must make sure that everything goes smooth.

While the two friends are excited to reunite with each other, Judah sees how much Octavius has changed and not for the good. Octavius wants Judah’s word that if he hears any uprising in the village, to please let him know. And Judah gives him his word.

While the Romans along with Pontius Pilate were marching into town, a tile that Judah’s hands were on, has broken off, falls and injures Valerius. Because this is an embarrassment to his post, Octavius declares the accident as an assassination attempt.

Judah and his fiance’s father is sent to be crucified and his mother and sister would be punished and made as an example by strangulation. But Octavius feels guilty and has Judah sent to be slave working on the oars on a Roman ship.

While working on the ship, Judah catches the attention of Arrius, the captain of the Roman warship, with his intelligence. Arrius has Judah join him and to tell him is life story of why a man of intelligence is a slave. During a battle with Greek pirates, nearly everyone is killed except Judah who saves Arrius. Grateful for Judah saving his life, Arrius takes Judah as his own personal salve, has him trained as a warrior. But still suffering from his wounds that he endured from the attack against the pirate ship, Arrius decides to adopt Judah and make him a free man but also a Roman citizen who will carry on his name and inherit his wealth.

Now a free man and a Roman, Judah Ben Hur plans his revenge to kill the man that ruined his life and for killing his family, Octavius Messala.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” is presented in 1:78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Picture quality is good as one can expect form DVD. There is softness, outdoor scenes shot in Morocco look the best but there are scenes that are incredibly dark at times, but it fits, considering there was no electricity during that time. So, dark scenes are going to be a bit dark. There is also some use of CG in the film (especially in scenes that take place in sea).

For the most part, picture quality is good, I didn’t notice any excessive artifacts or any problematic issues during my viewing.

Audio is presented in English and French 5.1 Dolby Digital. Dialogue is clear and while a dialogue driven film, there are scenes with crowds and surround usage featuring ambiance.

Subtitles are in English, English SDH and French.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” comes with the following special feature:

The Making of Ben Hur - (7:10) Featuring the making of “Ben Hur: The Epic miniseries Event” with interviews with director Steve Shill, executive producer David Wyler and the cast of the series.

It would be too difficult to follow up the 1959 Charleston Heston classic “Ben Hur” with a new film, despite many adaptations, the producers wanted to try something different with “Ben Hur” in a mini-series format.

While the message and the scenario of a Jewish man oppressed by the Romans and betrayed by his best friend remain the same, for the mini-series, the biggest change is that the series is taking place in a small village in Jerusalem and with more characters. But to also further explore the relationship between Judah and Octavius but to also incorporate more scenes with other characters.

And of course being a television mini-series, a focus about a good man who had bad things happen to him, so now his thirst for revenge is strong, despite his meeting up with Jesus Christ. Eventually, the story is one man’s drive for revenge but later seeking for forgiveness and believing in God.

While the mini-series shares more in common with the film and some parts of the novel that it’s based on, because of the longer duration of the mini-series, it allowed for more exploration of Judah as a man and the things he must go through in order to get back home. But also the emotions of a man and also a scene which involves his mother Ruth and sister Tirzah. But also much more emotion when it comes to Judah and Octavius.

For those who have watched the 1959 or even the old silent version of “Ben Hur”, one should not expect a large budget or extravagant production costume and production design, but the film does look good especially keeping things minimal. Granted, the chariot race is nothing like the film versions but in some way, I was expecting for the mini-series to be not as elaborate as the film versions.

As for casting, I know that the series, like previous films are not going to make the characters look like they are from the region. And in the case of the mini-series, there is no doubt that they wanted to utilize young talent to bring in new (and possibly younger) generation of viewers who may watch the series. Joseph Morgan looks more European than Jewish but yet, he has the vitality of a young man who has been put through a wide variety of situations.

The series also features well-known US drama series actresses Emily Van Camp and Kristin Kreuk. But also talent such as Ben cross, Alex Kingston, James Faulkner, Stephen Campbell Moore.

While the series was shown on television, this DVD version is uncut and is not a version you want to have the children watching. Not only is their violence, there is also a sex scene between Judah and Messala’s whore, and also nudity.

Overall, “Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” was quite entertaining. Not to be compared to the previous film adaptations or even the original story, on its own, with the amount of characters and the focus of relationships around Judah Ben Hur, there is enough difference with this mini-series to make it still exciting and enjoyable for viewers.

Filed Under: DVD Reviews

« Previous Page — Next Page »