HomeReviewsBlu-ray Review Round-up: Films by Yasujiro Ozu, Allan Dwan, Georges Franju &...

Blu-ray Review Round-up: Films by Yasujiro Ozu, Allan Dwan, Georges Franju & more!

A few personalities stand out as icons in the legendary history of film, influencing the genre with their distinct perspectives and significant achievements. Here, we will do a Blu-ray review of some of the greatest films of legendary directors.

Yasujiro Ozu’s films were known for their unique approach to portraying day-to-day life.

He had a long and illustrious career that stretched over 50 years, during which he explored the complexities of family relationships and societal shifts.

Born in 1903, Ozu’s work remains celebrated for its intimate, thoughtful, and nuanced depictions of ordinary existence.

Learning about Allan Dwan, a true pioneer of Hollywood’s Golden Age, is fascinating.

He directed an impressive 400 films throughout his career, demonstrating his versatility by creating masterpieces across different genres.

Dwan’s contribution to the film industry, from swashbuckling adventures to film noir, is remarkable.

It’s incredible to think that he worked from the silent era until the early 1960s.

Georges Franju’s contributions to French cinema are genuinely remarkable. He co-founded the Cinémathèque Française and is known for his unique style that blends lyricism and the macabre.

Born in 1912, he created a range of thought-provoking films that explored existential themes through visual poetry.

Although he was renowned for his work in horror, his films went beyond the genre and challenged conventional norms.

“Eyes Without a Face” is a haunting masterpiece that showcases Franju’s exceptional talent and creativity.

Discovering the cinematic legacies of Ozu, Dwan, and Franju is a mesmerizing experience that transcends time and cultural boundaries.

These legendary directors remind us of the enduring power of storytelling, and their masterpieces continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Witnessing their artistry is awe-inspiring, and it’s remarkable to see how their films have stood the test of time, leaving an everlasting impact on the history of filmmaking.

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Blu-ray Review: Good Morning (ohayo, 1959) Criterion Collection

How many films by your favorite arthouse director include multiple jokes about pants-shitting?

Yasujiro Ozu’s “Good Morning,” often considered a minor work but gaining appreciation over time, stands out for seamlessly blending such humor with the director’s usual bittersweet portrayals of imperfect human connections.

While “Good Morning” is a comedy, it’s not superficial, and its jokes are rooted in an understanding of human fallibility and quirks that persist through generations.

The central story revolves around two brothers, Minoru and Isamu, attempting to convince their parents to buy a television.

When their parents refuse, the boys embark on a vow of silence, triggering a series of perceived slights in the neighborhood.

Good Morning
Good Morning Movie poster.

The film explores the boys’ rebellion against social niceties, juxtaposed with their unique ways of communicating, including a humorous farting game.

Ozu subtly reminds viewers of the comfort found in social routines.

Criterion’s Blu-ray upgrade improves on a previously subpar transfer, offering a 4K-restoration-sourced 1080p transfer that is visually stunning.

The color palette is vibrant, and the overall image quality is impressive. The mono soundtrack is clean and stable.

The disc includes enhanced extras such as an overview of Ozu’s style by David Bordwell and a presentation of Ozu’s 1932 silent film “I Was Born, But…” – the loose inspiration for “Good Morning.”

Additional fragments of Ozu’s 1929 film “A Straightforward Boy” and an insert with an essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum complete the package.

The Son of Joseph (Le fils de Joseph, 2016) Kino Lorber

Formalist filmmakers are often criticized for being emotionally reserved, with directors like Bresson or Kubrick labeled “cold.”

However, Eugène Green, an American-born French director, challenges this perception in his latest film, The Son of Joseph.

The movie cleverly reimagines the concept of a “virgin birth.” It explores themes of family, art, and commerce with Green’s characteristic precision and a deep appreciation for Baroque art, all presented in a Bressonian manner.

The performances in the film are restrained, but rather than suppressing emotions, this approach clarifies them.

Natacha Régnier, the star of Green’s earlier work Le pont des Arts, delivers an empathetic performance as Marie, the mother of Vincent, played by Victor Ezenfis.

Régnier’s expressive eyes and nuanced portrayal of sorrow and joy elevate the entire film to a higher emotional level, showcasing the impact of every movement and gesture in her performance.

Meanwhile, The Son of Joseph may feel somewhat lightweight in portraying pretentious aesthetes more concerned with status than artistic expression.

Particularly in the character of book publisher Oscar Pormenor, played by Mathieu Amalric, the film gains depth when Vincent seeks out his biological father.

The Son of Joseph
The Son of Joseph

A chance encounter with Oscar’s brother Joseph, portrayed by Fabrizio Rongione in adherence to Green’s style, evolves into a friendship and the paternal guidance Vincent seeks.

Although The Son of Joseph might not reach the transcendent heights of Green’s previous film, La Sapienza, it operates more deliberately groundedly.

In La Sapienza, Green’s camera celebrated the beauty of Baroque architecture. In contrast, The Son of Joseph focuses on earthly elements, offering a moving reinterpretation of a fundamentally religious tale.

Kino’s 1080p, 1.85:1 transfer features are apparent, and sharp images with vital fine details and stable color reproduction.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is clean, with sparingly used music and effects. The disc includes a trailer and a conversation between Green and Régnier, presented in a style reminiscent of Green’s films.

Spotlight on a Murderer (Pleins feux sur l’assassin, 1961) Arrow Video

Georges Franju’s “Eyes Without a Face” is a well-known atmospheric horror classic, but his subsequent film, “Spotlight on a Murderer,” has remained relatively obscure.

However, Arrow’s recent film release aims to bring it more attention, though it may not achieve the status of a rediscovered classic.

According to Arrow’s packaging, the film playfully acknowledges and exploits traditional murder mystery clichés.

While acknowledging clichés is plausible, the film’s execution may not be as joyful as its Agatha Christie-style plot.

Involving a family of entitled individuals facing mysterious deaths comes across as consistently outdated, regardless of its self-awareness.

The premise, based on a novel by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac (“Diabolique”), is solid: a wealthy count (Pierre Brasseur) leaves his heirs in suspense by hiding in his castle just before his death.

Due to the missing body, the heirs, including Jean-Louis Trintignant in an early role, must wait five years for their inheritance while maintaining the estate.

Franju occasionally employs the expansive castle to create a spooky atmosphere.

While there are some noteworthy scenes, particularly those involving the demise of family members and glimpses of Franju’s ability to evoke dread.

Spotlight on a Murderer
Spotlight on a Murderer

Especially in scenes set on a dark body of water, the plot, with its mysterious footsteps and rocking chairs, descends into cheesy territory.

The lack of distinct character development makes the question of the murderer less engaging.

Despite the film’s obscurity, the Blu-ray release by Arrow is commendable. The 1080p, 1.37:1 transfer is solid, with excellent fine detail, good grayscale separation, and minimal damage.

The picture is generally sharp and clear, with only occasional softness. The uncompressed mono soundtrack handles music and dialogue well without noticeable hiss or noise.

This Arrow release is relatively barebones in terms of extras, reflecting a lack of solid enthusiasm for the film. However, it includes a vintage on-set featurette and a trailer.

Zaza (1923) Kino Lorber

Kino has released Allan Dwan’s “Zaza,” marking the beginning of a series of collaborations between Dwan and Gloria Swanson, with “Stage Struck” and “Manhandled” also in the pipeline.

Dwan’s versatile career spanned genres from westerns to melodramas to war films, and “Zaza” is an aesthetically pleasing adaptation of an 1899 French play, albeit with a somewhat erratic narrative.

The real standout is Swanson, whose vigorous performance demands a highly emotionally charged story.

The film navigates through various stages, from backstage drama to medical melodrama to a poignant love triangle.

Providing a framework for Swanson to showcase her range from rage over a misplaced costume to passionate moments in a hospital bed and the realization of her affair.

The film’s pleasures lie in Swanson’s elemental performance, her expressive face conveying annoyance, fear, anger, and heartbreak.

Dwan adeptly shifts between the lively music hall setting and more intimate spaces, amplifying Swanson’s emotional depth.

Zaza
Zaza

Kino’s Blu-ray offers a satisfactory but not exceptional 1080p, 1.33:1 transfer, sourced from elements with some dropped frames and damage.

The image retains inherent softness, partially attributed to scenes shot through a silk stocking.

While fine detail is acceptable, the stability of the image is generally maintained.

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack features a lively piano score by Jeff Rapsis, adapted from the original 1923 cue sheet.

Aside from an included essay by Imogen Sara Smith, the only extra is an audio commentary by Frederic Lombardi, an author specializing in Allan Dwan and the studio system.

The commentary is informative, offering biographical tidbits about various cast and crew members, but it occasionally veers into personal lives rather than focusing on the on-screen content.

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Ashish Dahal
Ashish Dahal
Ashish is a prolific content writer, blends with the creativity with precision in his writing. His work, characterized by clarity and engaging storytelling has gathered a loyal readership. His passion for words fuels his constant pursuit of excellence.

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    Ashish Dahal has combined his interests and content writing. Through his work, he showcases enthusiasm and ability to deliver captivating content consistently. Ashish's writing demonstrates his passion for storytelling and content creation.

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