7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Set during the tumultuous mid-19th century Edo period of Japan, Killing is the story of a masterless samurai or ronin named Ikematsu Sosuke. As the prevalent peace and tranquility are sure to be replaced by war and conflict across the land the swordsman feels restlessness creep upon him.
Starring: Sosuke Ikematsu, Yu Aoi, Tatsuya Nakamura, Shinya TsukamotoForeign | 100% |
Drama | 43% |
Period | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Note: This version of this film is available as part of Solid Metal Nightmares: The Films of Shinya Tsukamoto.
There are two names which American film fans may need either outright introductions to or at least reminders about when coming to Solid
Metal
Nightmares: The Films of Shinya Tsukamoto. The first name is that of Shinya Tsukamoto himself, a fascinating cult figure with a rather long
and
impressive filmography as a producer, director, actor, writer, editor, cinematographer, production designer and art director (one
assumes
if the IMDb had a tab for craft services contributions, he'd be listed there, too), but who is still kind of
curiously unknown by the general public at large on this side of the pond. The other name that may come into play with regard to this handsome
new
set released for the North American market by Arrow is Third Window Films, a label that releases Blu-rays in the United Kingdom and which has in
fact
put out previous editions of several of the Tsukamoto films Arrow has included in this set. For that reason, fans or at least those interested in
“comparison studies” are encouraged to visit our listings for the Third Window Films’ releases of Tetsuo: The Iron Man / Tetsuo II: Body Hammer, Tokyo Fist, Bullet Ballet, A Snake of
June, and Kotoko, not just for Svet Atanasov’s
thoughts
about each of the films, but also to be able to do side by side looks at screenshots as well as to size up supplemental features on each release. (A
sixth film offered in this set from Arrow, The
Adventure of Denchu-Kozo, looks like it's included as a supplement on Third Windows' double feature offering the two Tetsuo
films.)
The
Arrow set does at least offer ten films in one nicely aggregated and designed package which includes a rather beautiful hardback book, which may
at least recommend the set to those trying to
save
a little shelf space, if nothing else.
Killing is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert book offers only very generic data on all of the transfers in this set, with aspect ratios (at times misstated) and audio data detailed, and with a simple statement that the "high definition masters were provided by Nikkatsu Corporation". The back cover of the keepcase enclosing this disc mentions Tsukamoto embracing digital filmmaking with both Kotoko and this film, and the results here are typically quite sharp and well detailed. Tsukamoto still indulges in various stylistic conceits, and while the palette is relatively normal looking most of the time, there are selected moments that have been graded to a rather interesting almost purplish tone (see screenshot 4 for one example). Things are a little flat looking throughout some of this presentation, but detail levels are typically commendable throughout. A few dim interior scenes suffer from murky shadow detail, but I noticed no compression anomalies.
Killing features an at times pretty bombastic sounding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The film has a really interesting score which combines what sound like ethnic instruments with more of the typical Tsukamoto array of clanging quasi-percussive effects, and the result is quite intriguing. Some of the sword play also has potentially goofy but still neat sounding "whoosh" effects added that made me almost wish for an Atmos rendering of this track. Ambient environmental effects are also present, especially since so much of the film takes place outside. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly throughout, and I noticed no issues whatsoever with regard to any damage, distortion or dropouts.
As can be seen in the last screenshot accompanying this review, this disc offers two films. I'm listing all of the supplements on the disc, since while some supplements are ostensibly specific to one feature, there's still a certain amount of spillover.
- Kotoko UK Trailer (1080p; 2:01)
- Killing Original Japanese Trailer (1080p; 1:45)
- Kotoko (1080p; 4:10)
- Killing (1080p; 1:30)
For those who binge watch all of the films in Solid Metal Nightmares: The Films of Shinya Tsukamoto, you may have something akin to the same reaction I had when Killing begins with a samurai sword being forged, namely wondering whether that blade is going to be fused with some human, a la the metal-flesh hybrids offered in the Tetsuo films. Perhaps commendably Tsukamoto has moved beyond the more literal approach of those early efforts to offer his first so-called jidaigeki outing. The results may not be perfectly in tune with what lovers of more "traditional" samurai fare may expect, but Killing is still an often compelling viewing (and listening) experience. Technical merits are solid, and the supplementary package very interesting. Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
2004
2011
2002
バレット・バレエ
1998
2005
1987
東京フィスト / Tokyo Fuisuto / Tokyo Ken
1995
鉄男 / Tetsuo
1989
1992
切腹 / Seppuku
1962
赤ひげ / Akahige
1965
一命 / Ichimei
2011
山椒大夫 / Sanshô dayû
1954
人間の條件 / Ningen no jôken
1959
大菩薩峠 / Dai-bosatsu tôge
1966
雪之丞変化 / Yukinojô henge
1963
どですかでん / Dodesukaden
1970
浮草
1959
西鶴一代女 / Saikaku ichidai onna
1952
長屋紳士録
1947