What DVD's should I get from Japan?

[Fat Man Hackett]

Hi.

I'm off to Japan next month, and I was woindering if there are any DVD exclusives I should buy. I know about "Scream" being the full Directors Cut version, but is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks!

[NexusSheep]

If you've won the lottery recently, buy all the Studio Ghibli anime titles. :D

[Grumpy]

There is a Mad Max Boxset that I've seen on the traders forum that looks a bit special.
So will you be taking orders before you go ?

[Innuendo]

Originally posted by Grumpy
So will you be taking orders before you go ?

LOL :D


Seriously, are you? :)

[tbibic]

Dark Angel and ER are two TV shows out on DVD in Japan that aren't available elsewhere in the world (for now).

[Innuendo]

Originally posted by tbibic
Dark Angel and ER are two TV shows out on DVD in Japan that aren't available elsewhere in the world (for now).

lol, hint hint...;)

[Madm@tt]

Leon - Version Integrale... If you don't mind no extras and not even a menu screen... Cheap RRP though...:)

[Fat Man Hackett]

Cheers all you cheeky beggars:D

It looks like it's boxsets all round that are special in Japan. I'm not sure how much "extra cash" I'm gonna be taking (seeing how expensive it is there), but I'll certainly keep my eyes open. If I do have any spare cash, and I find any of the boxsets above, I may well purchase one (or two)...

I've saved your names, and I get back on the 20th November, so I'll let you guys know!

Thanks again,

Tony

[dangermouse]

Leon: Version Integrale - remember the region 1 edition is much better than the Jap region 2 version (for a start it has a menu! :D )

[feverpitch96]

AKIRA R2 Japan Special Edition - out today and looking great

MESSENGERS - if you like that romantic Japanese twentysomething comedy kinda thing.... :) Includes English subtitles, which I'm given to believe is pretty unusual for Japanese DVDs...?

[Gareth Flynn]

Here's what I've picked up from Japan over the last year or so:

6th Day, The [Anamorphic / Full Bitrate DTS / Extras]
Being John Malkovich [Anamorphic / Full Bitrate DTS / Extras / Reference Book]
Cell, The [International Cut / Anamorphic / Full Bitrate DTS / Extras]
ER: The First Season Part 1 [4:3 / Dolby 2.0 Surround]
ER: The First Season Part 2 [4:3 / Dolby 2.0 Surround]
ER: The Second Season Part 1 [4:3 / Dolby 2.0 Surround]
ER: The Second Season Part 2 [4:3 / Dolby 2.0 Surround]
Frequency [Anamorphic / Full Bitrate DTS]
Manic Street Preachers: Leaving The 20th Century [Non-Anamorphic / PCM Stereo Soundtrack]
Scream [Director's Cut / Anamorphic / Dolby 5.1]
Shawshank Redemption, The [Anamorphic / Half Bitrate DTS]
Sixth Sense, The [Anamorphic / Full Bitrate DTS / Extras]
Straight Story, The [Anamorphic / Full Bitrate DTS / Extras]

[Madm@tt]

I wasn't asking for you to get me a copy! Just so you know...

[TARKUS]

Have a look at a film called AVALON...although I did not seen it (urgh...) an I do not know if you can get it in every shop.

But a friend describes it as a "Japanose form of Matrix" (sure...Matrix is much more better).

[Fat Man Hackett]

Cheers guys. Keep them coming...

[Batesman]

For a bit of Japanese Weirdness, try the following:

Kairo, Cure & Charisma, all by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, all three excellent films and excellent DVDs.
Also to be recommended: Avalon, Picnic, Focus, Sharkskin Man & Peach Hip Girl, Andromedia...

Supposedly one of the Planet of the Apes films is 10 Minutes longer, Escape from..., I believe.

Johnny Mnemonic is quite a bit longer, mainly footage with Takeshi Kitano (go figure).

Scream of course, being the longest version out there (great disc, too).

Oh and pick up a copy of the Ghost Dog Soundtrack while you're at it. More RZA, no songs.

have fun!

Norman.

[vila]

If your into sound japan is good for geting DVDs with REAL DTS(full bitrate) - Armageddon, basic instinct, Cliffhanger, Shawshank redmp.t, showgirls, stargate, cut throat island.

Expensive yes but audio wise nothing else touches them - i have armageddon and stargate - compared to the R2 its a freight train.

[Lenny Nero]

Besides ER and Ally McBeal TV series, which aren't that good, the ones I recommend are of course:
Dark Angel Season 1 Set 1 of 2, get a pilot disc too as it's not included in the box set but there is a special place left to fit it in!
Second set of season 1 is coming out nov 23rd I think.
2 more series/hidden gems that aren't out anywhere in the world are:
Total Recall series, 4 volumes out right now, maybe more, pilot and 3 eps first volume and 3 episodes on each subsequent installment.
Relic Hunter, Tia Carrere as a Tomb Raider/Indiana Jones kind of chick, 6 volumes out now, with 2 eps a disc, so 15+ dollars cheaper a volume.
I need 400 more dollars to order the above 2 series :eek:

[kanedaa]

Orginally posted by TARKUS
Have a look at a film called AVALON...although I did not seen it (urgh...) an I do not know if you can get it in every shop.

But a friend describes it as a "Japanose form of Matrix" (sure...Matrix is much more better).

My review of Avalon can be found here (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=241&story=2083)

don't expect the Matrix - you'll be sorely disappointed. still an outstanding film though.

i'll second Scream Directors Cut, the Studio Ghibli DVDs and anything Anime if thats your thing.

dave.

[tpr007]

Keep your eyes open for "Wicked Game".
nuff said!

[Philc]

Where abouts in Japan are you going to? Seriously if anyone wants anything purchasing DVD wise I will be more than glad to bring them back. I am bring flown home at Christmas so that is no problem cos I can post them from England. Be prepared to pay 4000Yen for each DVD about 24quid and more. Most new releases sell for about 20quid. You can pick up G.O.D the new release of Bruce Lee`s Game of Death too. Leon Intergrale: Not quite sure what the difference vetween the American theatrical version and this are? Scream DC very expensive! Battle Royal (Japanese Soundtrack only but anamorphic widescreen).

Have a good trip.

[kaneda]

How Japan's entire Anime collection.. can i pay by installments? :D

if you're still up for it nearer the time i wouldn't mind most of the Studio Ghibli dvd's

Won't you have a customs problem though shifting x amount of dvd's across?

[Lenny Nero]

Each of Total Recall 2070 tv series volumes is listed at 6090 yen at CDJapan, about 50 bucks, if you see them for 4-5 thousand yen then definetly get them! :D

[Philc]

Originally posted by kaneda
How Japan's entire Anime collection.. can i pay by installments? :D

if you're still up for it nearer the time i wouldn't mind most of the Studio Ghibli dvd's

Won't you have a customs problem though shifting x amount of dvd's across?

They didn't stop me bringing back 15 copies of Scream DC last time.