Cops vs Thugs + The Jacques Rivette Collection (Special Edition) Blu-Rays

Posted on May 20, 2017 by popcornnights in DVD/BLU-RAY REVIEWS // 0 Comments

Cops vs Thugs (Special Edition)

This week brings two Special Edition releases from Arrow Video. First, we have Kinji Fukasaku’s 1975 yakuza crime flick, “Cops vs Thugs”. This hard-boiled classic is considered by many one of the best Japanese films of the 70’s. This two-disk set includes a new HD transfer as well as a DVD. Along with the bonus features, there is an illustrated collector’s booklet. If you are a fan of classic Japanese crime stories, you will definitely want to pick up this release.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

High Definition digital transfer
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original uncompressed mono audio
Optional English subtitles
Beyond the Film: Cops vs Thugs, a new video appreciation by Fukasaku biographer Sadao Yamane
A new visual essay on cops & criminals in Fukasaku’s works by film scholar Tom Mes
Theatrical trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Patrick Macias

The Jacques Rivette Collection (Special Edition)

Up next, we have the six-disk Jacques Rivette Collection. In this set, you get brand new 2K restorations of “Duelle”, Noroît, and “Merry-Go-Round”. These three titles couldn’t be more different. One is a love story, the other a Wester, and third is a surreal mystery which was originally intended to be a musical thriller. Fans of Rivette’s work will definitely be pleased with this release from Arrow Academy. Along with the numerous bonus features, you also get a companion book with writing from Mary M. Wiles, Brad Stevens and Nick Pinkerton.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations of all three films from brand new 2K restorations of the films
Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays)
Optional newly-translated English subtitles for all films
Scenes from a Parallel Life: Jacques Rivette Remembers archive interview with the director, in which he discusses Duelle (une quarantaine), Noroit (une vengeance) and Merry-Go-Round
Remembering Duelle Bulle Ogier and Hermine Karagheuz recollect their work on the 1976 feature
Interview with critic Jonathan Rosenbaum, who reported from the sets of both Duelle (une quarantaine) and Noroit (une vengeance)
Exclusive perfect-bound book containing writing on the films by Mary M. Wiles, Brad Stevens and Nick Pinkerton plus a reprint of four on-set reports from Duelle (une quarantaine) and Noroit (une vengeance)
Reversible sleeves with original and newly commissioned artwork by Ignatius Fitzpatrick

By: Marc Ferman

Order: Cops vs Thugs (Special Edition) Blu-Ray
Order: The Jacques Rivette Collection (Special Edition) Blu-Ray