DJariya

I'm heading to Tokyo next month (on the 15th)

I know Blu-Rays are for the most part extremely expensive in Japan. And I don't have the time to research everything on what is good or if there are any Japan-only exclusives. Amazon Japan is too hard to navigate.

So I wanted to pop in here and ask anyone familiar with the Japanese BD market if there are any good BDs you would recommend? It could be Japanese movies (modern day action, period or drama) or even an American release that is a Japan exclusive.

Are Japanese releases region-free? I don't have a Region free BD player. So that's another factor to consider as well.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I hope this can stay in the HD talk. I'd rather this not get moved to the International DVD forum since virtually noone visits that forum.

I'd prefer something that is pretty unique and not something that I can easily get at Amazon.com or walking into a local Target or Best Buy here. I know Well Go USA and a few other U.S. distributors sell Asian movies here in the U.S. I know not every Japanese movie makes it's way to America.

Ringmaster

Japanese blu-rays are region A, so you have nothing to worry about. If you're into Miyazaki films, there are English friendly blu rays of Spirited Away and Princess Mononke that aren't released here yet that you can pick up.

Giles

'Spirited Away' comes out in July

If you come across a copy of 'Kiki's Delivery Service' for 5,592 Yen or less, can you snag me a copy?

RocShemp

I think we need to start submitting orders to DJariya before he goes. Does he accept PayPal?

DJariya

Giles

in all honesty it's a perfect request / question for DJariya - would you be willing to pick up stuff for some folk?

GatorDeb

DJariya is a man?

BuckNaked2k

digidoh

You might not be staying long enough for it; the Blu-Ray of King Kong Vs Godzilla is schedule to come out in Japan on July 16. This will be the original Japanese version of the film, which hasn't ever been released in America.

DJariya

Cool thanks for the heads up. I'm actually leaving for Tokyo on July 15.

Paul_SD

There's a 3 disc Ultimate edition of Dawn Of The Dead out or due out soon. All three cuts on separate discs. Since AB has lost the rights here, and the single disc is OoP, it should be a while before we get anything like that here.

PhantomStranger

If you are really obsessed about A/V quality, a number of big Hollywood movies have their best BD version exclusive to Japan. The Last Samurai has lossless audio in Japan, for example.

Giles

all the lossless audio in the world can't fix the fact that Gerard struggles with the singing...

no, but the audio really is miles ahead superior to the lossy DD on the US bluray.

Ringmaster

I just checked Amazon JP. It's out now but it's $105 bucks before taxes and shipping! It looks cool though and I have a feeling something like this won't be available in the US ever, so it might be worth it.

Drexl

That's why I've held onto my HD-DVD.

BTW, what's wrong with the US Criterion release of The Last Emperor? Is it the framing?

Giles

yes, Criterion's AR is 2.02:1, the Japanese release is the original 2.35 AR.

Criterion: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Japanese: Englisht DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (using the 70mm 6-track audio mix)

hanshotfirst1138

Odd for Criterion to mess up that way.

hanshotfirst1138

Probably no subs though .

Paul_SD

They didn't. the AR change was at the request/demand of Storaro.
It as the same mod that afflicted Apocalypse Now on LD and DVD.

BuckNaked2k

Thank God Coppola finally came to his senses and put his boot on the neck of that crazy old DP.

RocShemp

I was actually being serious.

Mr. Salty

I just picked up David Lynch's "The Straight Story" from Amazon.co.jp. It was about $16 U.S. Fantastic film.

Giles

I was too...

I also want the Nathan Lane / Matthew Broderick 'The Producers' blu too.

John Pannozzi

And half of the film might be upscaled from SD since they only remastered the shorter festival cut in HD (the original Eastman print is in very poor condition).