You Only Live Once – Imprint Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1937
Director: Fritz Lang
Writers: Gene Towne, Charles Graham Baker
Cast: Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda, Barton MacLane, Jean Dixon, William Gargan, Jerome Cowan, Chic Sale, Margaret Hamilton, Warren Hymer, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, John Wray

Release Date: July 28th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 85 Minutes 56 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: M (Australia)
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: AUD$39.95 (Australia)

"After a spell in prison, Eddie vainly attempts to gain acceptance in normal society. Only his wife seems to trust him. Wrongly accused of a crime, he kills a priest while trying to escape from the police. A manhunt begins…" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray."

You Only Live Once comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 30.3 GB

Feature: 22.2 GB

This release uses the same source that ClassixFlix used for their 2017 Blu-ray release. Although some minor source debris remains, the source generally looks excellent. Image clarity is solid, contrast and black levels are strong, there are no issues with compression, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced; that said, range-wise things sound limited.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a restoration comparison (5 minutes 12 seconds, DTS-HD mono English, no subtitles), You Only Live Once: Film Takes From a Film in the Making (10 minutes 38 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an interview with George M. Wilson (24 minutes 52 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a career-spanning audio interview with Fritz Lang that focuses on his German films, recorded in 1962 at The National Film Theatre (83 minutes 57 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), and a slipcase.

Summary:

Fritz Lang directed You Only Live Once Notable films he directed include Der Müde Tod (Destiny), Metropolis, Spies, M, Scarlet Street, The Woman in the Window, and The Big Heat.

A public defender's secretary falls in love with a career criminal who is one felony away from life in prison. Now free, he tries to fit in, only to have his past derail any progress he’s able to make. Things come to a head when he’s wrongly accused and convicted of a bank robbery where six people were killed. Desperate, now on death row, he makes a daring prison escape, and while it is unfolding, it's revealed that he’s been pardoned. Jaded, he does not trust what he’s hearing; he kills a priest in his escape, starting the cycle all over again.

You Only Live Once is the second of three films Fritz Lang made with Sylvia Sidney. Like their first collaboration, Fury, You Only Live Once has many elements that foreshadow Film noir cinema. You Only Live Once puts an interesting twist on Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘wrong man’ premise; it sows seeds of doubt about his innocence while never fully exonerating him.

At the heart of You Only Live Once is a film about an ex-con struggling to fit into society after paying his debt. Despite his best efforts and the support he receives from a woman that he marries, he’s unable to remove the stigma of his past bad deeds. The opening setup does a superb job showing he’s a changed man who really wants to move on from the past, and it is clear that his love for his wife is what drives him. That said, the way in which Fritz Lang depicts the protagonists in these opening moments not only humanizes them, it also helps blur the line when it comes to their later deeds.

All of the performances are excellent, especially the two leads, Henry Fonda (Once Upon a Time in the West) in the role of an ex-con named Eddie Taylor and Sylvia Sidney (Sabotage) in the role of Joan Graham, the woman who falls in love with Eddie. Their characters have polar opposite outlooks; Eddie distrusts the system, making his outlook on most things negative, while Joan has a positive outlook and tries to find the good in everything. They have a strong onscreen chemistry, which enhances and makes the moments they share the most engaging.

Fritz Lang always delivers when it comes to the visuals; he knows how to deliver tense and visually arresting moments. The most striking moment in You Only Live Once is the armored car robbery sequence. The way he obscures the criminals' identities heightens this sequence. It is clear as this sequence begins that something terrible is about to happen. The criminals use the rain and tear gas to obscure eyesight and neutralize anyone who might impede them. Another sequence of note is Eddie’s escape from prison; this meticulously executed moment is a textbook example of Fritz Lang’s ability to create tense moments that resonate.

Though You Only Live Once is a story about a man burdened by his past, it is also a love story. It does not matter what he does or asks of her; Joan’s loyalty to Eddie is unwavering. Even when Eddie gives her an opportunity to leave, she refuses, wanting to be by his side no matter what dangers are ahead. Ultimately, You Only Live Once is an exemplary crime drama whose bleak finale serves as a perfect coda.

You Only Live Once gets a first release from Imprint Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a pair of insightful extras. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Yongary, Monster from the Deep – Vinegar Syndrome (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: South Korea, 1967
Director: Kim Ki-duk
Writers: Kim Ki-duk, Seo Yun-sung
Cast: Oh Yeong-il, Kwang Ho Lee, Nam Jeong-im, Lee Sun-jae, Moon Kang, Cho Kyoung-min

Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 79 Minutes 48 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: PG
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $64.98

"Earthquakes are causing havoc throughout Korea, and it's no simple seismic mayhem, but instead the mythic monster Yongary emerging from the earth! After nuclear testing awakens the giant monster presaged in Korean folklore, Yongary threatens to level the country, breathing fire and stomping entire buildings. Only scientist Il-Woo, with the help of his girlfriend's prankster kid brother Icho, can figure out how to slow down the terrible Yongary, who gobbles up petroleum products and only appears to be growing stronger. The seemingly powerless army considers using guided missiles against Yongary, potentially demolishing ancient historical landmarks in order to save lives, all in the hope of stopping his fiery path of destruction." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm interpositive."

Yongary, Monster from the Deep comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 56.6 GB

Feature: 56 GB

Kino Lorber’s 2016 Blu-ray came from a date source; this new release comes from a 4K scan, and the result is a noticeable improvement in every way. Although some minor debris still remains and grain is noticeably thicker in some moments, the bulk of the source looks excellent. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Yongary, Monster from the Deep comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.4 GB

Feature: 22 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. Though the audio sounds clean and clear, it is limited range-wise.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include an archival audio commentary with film historian Steve Ryfle and writer/film critic Kim Song-ho and an audio commentary with film historian Samm Deighan.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include an image gallery, an archival video interview with legendary kaiju suitmaker Keizo Murase, originally produced for TohoKingdom.com (20 minutes 31 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), a featurette with Korean film historians Kim Hyun-jae, Hong Gi-hun, and Park Sang-kyu titled Yongary: The Birth of Korea's Monster (19 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with non-removable English subtitles), an introduction by film historian Sean Rhoads, co-author of Japan's Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema (7 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), all that remains of Daegoesu Yonggari, the original Korean cut of Yongary with newly translated English subtitles, sourced from tape and courtesy of the Korean Film Archive (48 minutes 15 seconds, 2.35:1 aspect ratio, DTS-HD mono Korean with removable English subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Steve Ryfle and Kim Song-ho and an audio commentary with Samm Deighan.

Other extras include reversible cover art, an anatomy poster by renowned kaiju artist Matt Frank, and a spot gloss hard slipcase + slipcover combo (limited to 6,000 units).

Summary:

Kim Ki-duk directed Yongary, Monster from the Deep. He was one of the most prolific Korean filmmakers from the 1960s and 1970s, directing 66 films in 17 years. Despite sharing a surname, he’s not related to Kim Ki-duk, who directed The Isle, Samaritan Girl, and 3-Iron.

When Yongary, Monster from the Deep was sold outside of South Korea, the Korean producers shipped the film’s original negative and all sound elements to its international sales agent, Toei. Somewhere down the line these elements were lost, and all that remains is American International Pictures source material and about 48 minutes of the original Korean version, which is held by the Korean Film Archive. That said, it is a shame that the full-length Korean version is lost forever and cannot be compared to the English language version.

A nuclear test in the Middle East causes an earthquake in South Korea that awakens a giant monster.

Despite being one of South Korea’s best-known giant reptilian films, Yongary, Monster from the Deep was not its first; that distinction goes to Pulgasari: The Iron-Eating Monster, a film that is considered lost. Yongary, Monster from the Deep is a film clearly influenced by Japan's Kaiju films, notably Godzilla and Gamera. This link is especially clear to the latter; both films prominently feature child characters who interact with the monster and, content-wise, are child-friendly films.

Yongary, Monster from the Deep, like its Japanese counterparts, keeps things simple: a monster is awakened, characters frantically search for a way to kill it, and usually the simplest answer saves the day. The first 25 minutes are devoted to the human characters and getting to know them, while the last 55 minutes are mostly about the monster wreaking havoc by destroying everything and everyone in its path. That said, the narrative does a great job building momentum to its climax.

Without a doubt the highlight of Yongary, Monster from the Deep is its practical special effects, which were created by a Japanese crew who were well versed in Kaiju films. While evaluating the performances can be challenging, the voice acting ultimately surpasses expectations. Yongary, Monster from the Deep follows a formula similar to that of the Kaiju films that inspired it; despite its predictability, it effectively executes this formula. Yongary, Monster from the Deep does manage to get some humor into the mix, notably an absurd scene where the monster dances to rock and roll. Ultimately, Yongary, Monster from the Deep is a highly entertaining film that fans of kaiju cinema should thoroughly enjoy.

Vinegar Syndrome gives Yongary, Monster from the Deep its best home media release to date; highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell – 88 Films (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1977
Director: Masaru Konuma
Writer: Akio Ido
Cast: Asami Ogawa, Yûko Asuka, Eimei Esumi, Moeko Ezawa, Tamaki Katsura, Ichirô Kijima, Masakazu Kuwayama, Noboru Mitani, Rei Okamoto

Release Date: March 24th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 92 Minutes 37 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK)

"Passions are inflamed in an elite school for girls in 1930s Japan in Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell, as two of its students find solace away from the crowd in each other’s company. But can their love flourish amongst the corrupting influence of their parents and the school’s sinister principal, whose actions transform their lives into a living hell on earth?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Blu-Ray (1080P) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio."

Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.5 GB

Feature: 25.5 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, black levels are strong, and image clarity and compression are solid.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and range-wise ambient sounds are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with Kei Chiba titled Planet Girl (8 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with Ken Terawaki titled Life on Mars (14 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an audio Commentary with Anne McKnight and Jasper Sharp, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 12-page booklet with cast & crew information, and an essay titled Girls from Mars written by Caitlin Casiello.

Included is a DVD that has the same content as the Blu-ray.

Summary:

Masaru Konuma directed Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell. He is also known for Flower and Snake '74, Wife to Be Sacrificed, Cloistered Nun: Runa's Confession, Erotic Diary of an Office Lady, and Tattooed Flower Vase. Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell was adapted from Yumeno Kyusaku’s (Dogra Marga) novel Shoujo Jigoku (Girl Hell).

When their parents and a deviant principal stand in the way of their love, two girls who attend an all-girl religious school create hell on Earth.

Though Nikkatsu romantic pornography films are known for their sexual content, these films were actually diverse and covered a wide range of film genres. Case in point, Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell, a horror-themed film with fantasy elements. That said, Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell incorporates many elements characteristic of Nikkatsu’s romantic pornography films, such as nudity, deviant behavior, and sexually themed moments; as a result, it unfolds more like a conventional film than the typical offerings of this genre.

Masaru Konuma was one of the most prominent filmmakers making Nikkatsu romantic pornography films, and with Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell, he ventures away from his more familiar S&M-themed films. His direction is rock solid; Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell is a beautifully photographed film filled with visually arresting moments. The visuals are enhanced by an exemplary score that perfectly underscores the eerie tone of Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell.

When it comes to the performances, the cast are excellent in their roles, especially Asami Ogawa (Erotic Diary of an Office Lady), who portrays Utae, and Yûko Asuka (Star of David: Beautiful Girl Hunter), who portrays Aiko. Their characters are outcasts who struggle to fit in, finding solace only in each other's company as they escape the harshness of reality. Another performance of note is Masakazu Kuwayama (A Story Written with Water), who portrays a rapist principal.

At 93 minutes in length, Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell runs significantly longer than the typical 70-minute duration that Nikkatsu romantic pornography films usually clock in at. Though there is more of a focus on exposition, that's not to say that Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell is lacking when it comes to elements that Nikkatsu romantic pornography films are known for. When it comes to pacing the narrative, it does a superb job building to a surreal ending that serves as a perfect coda. Ultimately, Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell is a film that delves deeper than most Nikkatsu romantic pornography films, which are only concerned about what's on the surface.

Yumeno Kyusaku’s Girl Hell gets an exceptional release from 88 Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Yakuza Wives – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1986
Director: Hideo Gosha
Writer: Kôji Takada
Cast: Shima Iwashita, Rino Katase, Akiko Kana, Riki Takeuchi, Kôjiro Shimizu, Shôko Ieda, Yasuko Naito, Junko Enjô, Seizô Fukumoto, Mikio Narita, Kei Satô

Release Date: April 21st, 2025 (UK), April 22nd, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 119 Minutes 46 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"Shima Iwashita puts in a commanding performance as Tamaki, who takes over the reins of the Domoto clan while her husband is spending time in jail. Family relations are strained past breaking point when her younger sister Makoto embarks on a relationship with a member of a rival gang." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Blu-ray presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio".

Yakuza Wives comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.9 GB

Feature: 32.6 GB

The source looks great; flesh tones are healthy, colors look correct, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in excellent shape; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, ambient sounds are well-represented, and the score sounds appropriately robust. 

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background (stills/poster), two theatrical trailers (3 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an introduction by Mark Schilling (15 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Tattoo Artist Seiji Mouri (24 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet with cast & crew information, and an essay titled Rebirth of a Genre written by Nathan Stuart.

Summary:

Yakuza Wives was directed by Hideo Gosha, a filmmaker best known for directing samurai films. His notable films include Goyokin, The Wolves, Violent Streets, and Hunter in the Dark.

A power struggle ensues when those who are unhappy with the boss’ chosen successor break away and form a rival clan.

The Yakuza film often relegates women characters to roles that are unvirtuous or devious, portraying them as rarely matching the strength of their male counterparts. Even when they don’t fall into those categories, they are typically wives or girlfriends who serve as secondary characters and simply blend in. Though Japanese cinema features many examples of strong female characters who stand on equal footing with their male counterparts, a film like Yakuza Wives was among the first Yakuza films to provide women characters with traits typically reserved for their male counterparts.

Loyalty is a theme that dominates Yakuza cinema; characters are bound by a code, and breaking it never leads to anything good. Though loyalty had been predominantly viewed through the lens of male characters, Yakuza Wives offers a different view that shows the women in these men's lives have a fierce loyalty that rivals their male counterparts.

The narrative revolves around Tamaki, the wife of a yakuza who is currently serving time in prison. She is a strong-willed character who sets an example for the other women, and she commands respect from the men who serve her through strength and fear. While her husband is in jail, the boss of the Domoto clan passes away and names her husband as his successor. Unhappy with this decision, some of the men break away and form their own rival clan, which leads to a war between the two clans.

The other key female character is Makato, the younger, naive sister of Tamaki. Though she initially lives a life separate from the one her sister has immersed herself in, over time she becomes jaded and gains confidence. She becomes involved with a yakuza named Kiyoshi Sugita, who initially takes her by force. After an initial hesitancy about him, she falls madly in love with him, which causes a rift between her and her sister.

All around, the performances are outstanding, especially Shima Iwashita’s (Harakiri) portrayal of Tamaki. She delivers a commanding performance that perfectly captures her character's confidence and fearlessness. The other performance of note is Rino Katase’s portrayal of Makato. She would work with Hideo Gosha three more times: Tokyo Bordello, Carmen 1945, and Heat Wave. Notable cast members include Riki Takeuchi (Deadly Outlaw: Rekka), Masanori Sera, who portrays Kiyoshi, a man driven by his impulses, and Mikio Narita (Graveyard of Honor), who portrays Akimasa, who sees himself as the rightful heir to the Domoto clan, and he finds himself in a power struggle with Tamaki.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Yakuza Wives does not excel. In the first hour the narrative is all about building its characters, and violence is minimal. Though violence escalates in the latter half of the narrative it is still well below what one expects from a Yakuza film. There are three striking moments: the scene where Kiyoshi rapes Makato, a scene where Makato finally stands up to Tamaki, and a jarring climax that blends eroticism and carnage. Ultimately, Yakuza Wives is another exemplary film from Hideo Gosha, making it a must-see for fans of Yakuza cinema.

Yakuza Wives gets a solid release from 88 Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Yokohama BJ Blues: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1981
Director: Eiichi Kudô
Writer: Shoichi Maruyama
Cast: Yûsaku Matsuda, Mari Henmi, Toby Kadoguchi, Haruko Mabuchi, Kôji Tanaka, Taiji Tonoyama, Yûya Uchida, Tatsuo Yamada, Rikiya Yasuoka 

Release Date: December 16th, 2024 (UK), December 17th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 111 Minutes 49 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"When his police detective best friend is killed, down-at-heel private eye and part-time blues singer BJ (Yusaku Matsuda, The Game Trilogy) gets the blame. He must start his own investigation to clear his name, but what he uncovers is a tangled web involving crooked cops, drug-dealing gangsters, the city’s underground gay and biker scenes, and even his own past." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Yokohama BJ Blues was transferred in High-Definition by Toei Company, Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

Yokohama BJ Blues comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.5 GB

Feature: 32.6 GB

The source is in great shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced; range-wise, the score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer 2 minutes 9 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with writer and Yokohama expert Toru Sano (18 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama (22 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Mari Hemmi (13 minutes 48 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 28-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Mitsuru Kurosawa and Toei Central: A Creative Producer in the Post-Studio Era written by Dimitri Ianni, a review of Yokohama BJ Blues written by Satoshi Takahashi, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Eiichi Kudô directed Yokohama BJ Blues. He is also known for making the films 13 Assassins, The Great Killing, The Fort of Death, and Shadow Warriors.

A private detective and aspiring blues singer gets a case linked to the murder of his friend, a police officer.

Yokohama BJ Blues is a crime/drama with Neo-noir elements. Its protagonist, a private detective and aspiring blues singer named BJ, is a Philip Marlowe-like antihero. He only works as a private eye to make a living, and he does not discriminate when it comes to choosing his clients. That said, though he starts off not concerned with morality, by the end of the film he finally finds something he cares about.

So much of what makes Yokohama BJ Blues work is Yûsaku Matsuda’s (The Beast to Die) portrayal of the protagonist. He’s an actor who always exudes cool no matter what role he’s portraying. He delivers a phenomenal performance that elevates the rest of the cast. When it comes to the rest of the cast, they are filled with a rogues gallery of nefarious characters.

Yokohama BJ Blues is all over the place tone-wise; one moment is lighthearted, then the next is bursting with intensity. The narrative does not follow a straightforward path; there's an ample amount of twists and turns. Everything builds to its most jarring twist, a poignant, melancholy ending that serves as a perfect epitaph.

In its early moments, Yokohama BJ Blues makes it clear that it is going to take you to a dark place. Most of its characters lack morality, and even less of them deserve sympathy. Its narrative does a superb job creating tension, and pacing is never an issue with key moments given ample time to resonate. Also, its blues-infused soundtrack perfectly reinforces the mood. Ultimately, Yokohama BJ Blues is an abyss of darkness that explores the darker sides of humanity.

Yokohama BJ Blues gets a solid release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Yakuza Law – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1969
Director: Teruo Ishii
Writers: Teruo Ishii
Cast: Ryûtarô Ôtomo, Bunta Sugawara, Minoru Ôki, Hiroshi Miyauchi, Teruo Yoshida, Renji Ishibashi, Keiko Fujita, Yukie Kagawa, Hisaya Itô, Ichirô Sugai

Release Date: May 13th, 2019 (UK), May 14th, 2019 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 96 Minutes 23 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"In this deep dive into the world of the Yakuza, meet the violent men who rule the Japanese underworld and the cruel punishments inflicted on those who transgress them. The carnage begins in the Edo Period with a violent tale of samurai vengeance starring Bunta Sugawara (Battles Without Honor and Humanity), before shifting to the Meiji Period as the exiled Ogata (Minoru Oki, Shogun Assassin) returns to face punishment for his past transgressions... and, ultimately, to take his revenge." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "The film was remastered in high definition and supplied for this release by Toei Company, Ltd."

Yakuza Law comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.4 GB

Feature: 27.4 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, the image generally looks crisp, black levels are not as convincing as they should be, compression is solid, and there does not appear to be any digital noise reduction.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. Though the audio is in good shape, there are some crackle and distortion-related issues. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise things sound good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (12 images - stills/poster), an archival interview with director Teruo Ishii titled Erotic-Grotesque and Genre Hopping (47 minutes 40 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles) an audio commentary with author and film critic Jasper Sharp. reversible cover art and a 24-page booklet (limited to first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled The Long Harm of the Law written by Tom Mes and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Yakuza Law was written and directed by Teruo Ishii, whose other notable films include Shogun’s Joys of Torture, Inferno of Torture, Orgies of Edo, Horrors of Malformed Men, The Blind Woman’s Curse, and The Executioner.

Yakuza Law features three stories. And each of these three stories takes place in a different era: Edo, Taisho, and Showa.

The first of these stories revolves around a clan that’s just won a battle with a rival clan. And in this story, there is a cowardly yakuza whose lies led to other members of his clan being targeted as traitors. This story is the most violent of the three tales. In this story, body parts like an eye and an ear are cut off, and the cowardly yakuza has his lying tongue cut off.

The second of these stories revolves around a yakuza who’s betrayed by his clan. And when he gets out of prison, he’s abandoned by his clan. Now, on his own, he has to define himself from old enemies and his former clan. This is the shortest of the three stories, and outside of a scene where a hand is severed, the violence is tame compared to the other two stories.

The third of these tales revolves around a crime syndicate that has hired hitmen to retrieve a large sum of stolen gold. And though there are many alliances formed along the way, There are just as many double crosses. Violent set pieces in this tale include a man dangling from a rope tied to a helicopter, and to get him to talk, they drop him and drag his body across the ground. Other violent deaths include a face that’s burned beyond recognition, a man who’s trapped inside a car that gets crushed, and a couple that are buried in cement.

From a production standpoint, despite Yakuza Law having all the elements that have become synonymous with Teruo Ishii’s Torture film series, the result is easily the tamest entry in the Torture film series. Besides more restrained carnage, a lack of sadism and eroticism is another area where Yakuza Law falls short when compared to Teruo Ishii’s films from his Torture series.

Yakuza Law gets a first-rate release from Arrow Video that comes with a good audio/video presentation and a pair of informative extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer