YOKOHAMA BJ BLUES (1984)
Label: Radiance Films
Region Code: A, B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 112 Minutes
Audio: Japanese PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen ,(1.78:1)
Director: Eiichi Kudo
Cast: Yusaku Matsuda, Hyoe Enoki, Mari Hemmi, Rebun Hori, Toby Kadoguchi, Keizo Kanie, Eri Kanuma, Keiko Kudo, Haruko Mabuchi, Rei Okamoto, Koen Okumura, Satoshi Sadanaga, Osamu Shigematsu, Yukiko Tachibana, Koji Tanaka, Jûgatsu Toi, Toshio Tomogane, Taiji Tonoyama
A moody slice of Japanese neo-noir set in the nearly always dreary looking city of Yokohama, where shaggy ex-cop turned blues singer BJ (Yusaku Matsuda, The Killing Game) moonlights as a private, he exudes cool at all times, an intriguing figure in a film chock full of intrigue. BJ finds himself under suspicion of murder when his cop pal Ryo is gunned down, it seems Ryo's current partner thinks that BJ had him murdered to steal his wife Tamiko (Mari Henmi), a former flame of BJ's. Now the blues-singer P.I. must team up with Akira (Kôji Tanaka), whom he had been earlier tasked with finding, as he navigates the drug filled alleys, gay and bikers bars, and seedier side of the filthy city looking for the truth, often while having to reconcile his past which has come back to haunt him, as well as uncovering a possible conspiracy that goes deep. It's a wonderful bit of neo-noir, steeped in melancholy and homoerotic vibes that just give it something extra, atop the already enthralling and at time surreal noir crime-mystery of it all, chock full of corrupt cops, drug smuggling, underground sex clubs, and crime syndicates, and of course some tasty blues tunes belted out by BJ.
Audio/Video: Yokohama BJ Blues (1981) makes it's worldwide Blu-ray debut on region A/B locked disc from Radiance Films. The film is presented in 1080p HD framed in 1.85:1, sourced from a HD master supplied by Toei Company, Ltd. The image quite filmic, grain is nicely resolved, the source is in terrific shape, colors please and black levels are rock solid. Audio comes by way of Japanese PCM 2.0 dual-mono with optional English subtitles, the track is clean and well-balanced, music and dialogue are exported without issue, no hiss or distortion detected.
Disc extras include a 14-min Interview with star Mari Hemmi; 22-min Interview with screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama; and an 18-min Interview with writer and Yokohama expert Toru Sano on the film and a look at the locations; plus the 2-min Trailer.
The Limited Edition (of 3000) release arrives in a clear full-height Scanavo keepcase with a Reversible Sleeve of Artwork featuring designs based on original poster artworks. The reversible artwork I found to be the most striking of the pair. We also get Radiance's signature Removable OBI Strip which leaves packaging free of certificates and markings. Inside is a 28-Page Illustrated Booklet featuring new writing by Dimitri Ianni on Toei Central Film, a subsidiary of Toei studios famed for releasing Pink Films and independent productions such as Yokohama BJ Blues and an archival review of the film.
Special Features:
- High-Definition digital transfer, world premiere on Blu-ray
- Uncompressed mono PCM audio
- Interview with star Mari Hemmi (13:47)
- Interview with screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama (22:13)
- Interview with writer and Yokohama expert Toru Sano on the film and a look at the locations (18:14)
-Trailer (2:19)
- Newly translated English subtitles
- Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
- Limited Edition 28-Page Illustrated Booklet featuring new writing by Dimitri Ianni on Toei Central Film, a subsidiary of Toei studios famed for releasing Pink Films and independent productions such as Yokohama BJ Blues and an archival review of the film
- Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
Screenshots from the Radiance Films Blu-ray:
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