Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

Discuss releases from Arrow and the films on them.

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chiendent
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:32 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#101 Post by chiendent » Tue Feb 13, 2018 8:05 pm

I'm curious when/if the films from this set will be available on Amazon prime streaming via FilmRise, since the Nikkatsu Diamond Guys/Outlaw Gangster VIP/Stray Cat Rock/Battles Without Honor and Humanity sets were all on there last I checked.

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ex-cowboy
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#102 Post by ex-cowboy » Mon Feb 19, 2018 7:58 am

Watched Akutaro / The Incorrigible at the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. It struck me as an interesting companion piece to Fighting Elegy - with the same focus on high school politics, proto-fascism, rebellion and sexual repression. However, whereas the latter film is darker owing to the militarism and wider political atmosphere of the Showa period, in The Incorrigible Suzuki seems to relish the relative freedom allowed in the Taisho period - evinced by the titular character. It's perhaps no wonder that Suzuki would return to this period in the Taisho trilogy - the short outpouring of more liberal, modernist tendencies seems to fascinate him. Having not read the source novel, I can't say what was taken from it, but I also enjoyed the interesting notes such as his reading of Shirakaba and Strindberg, whilst defiantly wearing more traditional Japanese attire was a nice touch (as was the anti-Westernism of the militant ethics brigade whilst relishing their western-style uniforms, made me chuckle).

Also, always nice to hear Kansai-dialect.

Looking forward to Born under Crossed Stars, which seems to be something of a companion to Akutaro. Interesting to note that both these films are based on novels by Toko Kon, who also provided the source novel for Suzuki's 1966 film Carmen from Kawachi, which I was fortunate enough to see a couple of years back at the ICA.

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Landjorden
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:16 am
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#103 Post by Landjorden » Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:58 pm

So, should I start worrying that I haven't recieved this from england yet? I really lost track of when it was supposed to release :)

McCrutchy
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:57 am
Location: East Coast, USA

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#104 Post by McCrutchy » Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:37 am

Okay, so looking at the posts here, I should buy this now if I want a UK copy, yes?

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Ribs
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:14 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#105 Post by Ribs » Fri Feb 23, 2018 12:33 pm

If you can afford it, there's no reason to wait.

McCrutchy
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#106 Post by McCrutchy » Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:50 pm

Ribs wrote:If you can afford it, there's no reason to wait.
Hmm, didn't realize it was only a 2xBD-50 set, and it is now £49.99, after being £32.99 as of 20th February. I may chance a wait for a few days and see what happens. Hopefully, the price drops one more time before Amazon sells out.

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dda1996a
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:14 am

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#107 Post by dda1996a » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:59 am

I actually pre ordered it for 32.99 at first, but then saw through blu-ray.com that it was down to 27 or something, which was basically nothing. I would say check through that site that discount might still be available.

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perkizitore
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#108 Post by perkizitore » Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:35 pm

I cannot see the set that low on Keepa's price history, but even if the price you quoted was valid, you could always get it directly from Amazon. Why advertise another site's affiliate links?
Last edited by perkizitore on Sat Feb 24, 2018 3:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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dda1996a
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#109 Post by dda1996a » Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:50 pm

Why should I care if it saved me a bunch of money? I barely go there, but was looking for more info on this set's selling out and saw it being offered for less than I originally paid.

kekid
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:55 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#110 Post by kekid » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:56 pm

From the postings it seems this box is almost (or completely?) sold out. What makes it so popular? Why is this such a runaway success compared to the Taisho Trilogy?

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Ribs
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:14 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#111 Post by Ribs » Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:27 pm

There's 1000 less in the world, for one. They're also accessible genre films and not really "difficult" in the way of the Taisho set.

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colinr0380
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#112 Post by colinr0380 » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:32 am


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Jean-Luc Garbo
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#113 Post by Jean-Luc Garbo » Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:30 pm

What's the take on Volume Two? Are these some of Suzuki's better (or equivalent to Volume One) films?

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Ribs
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:14 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#114 Post by Ribs » Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:35 pm

I think they're slightly more well known, but only slightly. I don't really think any of them are wildly seen enough to make an evaluation on their quality (which holds true for Vol. 1, too!) I believe Eight Hours of Terror is a loose remake of Stagecoach, which might have appeal, I guess!

McCrutchy
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#115 Post by McCrutchy » Wed Mar 28, 2018 2:52 pm

Just FYI for anyone reading the above posts, the Vol. 1 set has dropped from £49.99 to £36.65 with VAT. The lowest it has ever been is still that £32.99 (which it was again on the 13th, oh well), but I'm not fussed about less than £4 more. With the second box close behind, I have to assume that orders will pick up, and I don't want to miss out on the first one, especially as I also have the Taisho Trilogy set.

I hope the films are enjoyable, as they are all blind buys.

gap
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:26 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#116 Post by gap » Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:16 am

I have yet to come across a Seijun Suzuki film I haven't enjoyed in some way so you should be okay on that front.

More specifically concerning this release (to stay absolutely on topic and not be found guilty of padding), I watched Teenage Yakuza from the set last night and it was really good. It has all the hallmarks of a Yakuza film with the difference being the protagonist being under 18. In fact, in many ways it makes the brother vs brother theme even more effective as it is a lifetime of ruin/happiness ahead, depending on the choices. It is further elevated by the interesting and dynamic camera work that keeps you involved and glued to the screen. Highly recommended.
Last edited by gap on Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:08 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Apperson
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#117 Post by Apperson » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:20 pm

Vol.2 review at DVDBeaver

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DeprongMori
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:59 am
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#118 Post by DeprongMori » Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:52 am

DeepDiscount currently has Volume 2 at half price for those looking to pre-order.

I've enjoyed just about every Suzuki film I've seen. If nothing else -- even in his lesser films -- I love his visual composition. I'm forever grateful to Arrow for their release of The Taisho Trilogy. I haven't yet made it through the films in The Early Years, Volume 1, but given the descriptions I'll likely leap directly into the Volume 2 treasures.

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dda1996a
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:14 am

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#119 Post by dda1996a » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:00 am

Thanks I was waiting to cancel my Amazon order as I knew I'll find it cheaper somewhere. Just ordered, but is that site trustworthy?

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DeprongMori
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#120 Post by DeprongMori » Mon Apr 09, 2018 4:00 pm

I’ve ordered from DeepDiscount in the past without any problems. Just placed another order for their OLIVEBOGO sale to pick up some Olive titles I’d been eyeing (One of Our Aircraft is Missing, Cry Danger, Rio Grande, The Savage Innocents). Average price at $10 each.

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J Wilson
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#121 Post by J Wilson » Mon Apr 09, 2018 4:21 pm

Thanks for the heads up, cancelled my Amazon order.

TIVOLI
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:58 pm

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#122 Post by TIVOLI » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:24 pm

I have been ordering from Deep Discount much more frequently recently, given that Amazon charges 10.25% sales tax for Cook County, IL. residents.
The only caveat I would make is that while they had great prices on several Arrow releases, two orders were cancelled at the last minute.

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Morbii
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:38 am

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#123 Post by Morbii » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:53 pm

Yes, that’s the deep discount gamble. They stopped doing the gift certificates after the Apartment fiasco it seems.

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swo17
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Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#124 Post by swo17 » Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:45 pm

Just got shipping confirmation for Volume 2 from Deep Discount

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Morbii
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:38 am

Re: Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years

#125 Post by Morbii » Thu Apr 12, 2018 10:13 pm

Same here - seems the gamble paid off. <$30!

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