"Actor: Ayaka Maeda"

• Battle Royale (Director's Cut) | Blu Ray | (10/07/2017) from £15.75   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence it’s only fitting that Kenta Fukasaku’s Battle Royale is being touted as A Clockwork Orange for the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a series of fleeting images of unruly Japanese schoolkids, whose bad behaviour provides a justification for the "punishments" which will ensue. To be honest, anyone who has grown up with Grange Hill will view these aggressive teenagers’ acts as pretty moderate, but in the context of Japanese culture, their lack of respect is a challenge to the traditional values of respecting your elders. Once the prequel has been dispensed with the classmates are drugged and awaken on an island where they find they have been fitted with dog collars that monitor their every move. Instructed by their old teacher ("Beat" Takeshi) with the aid of an upbeat MTV-style video, they are told of their fate: after an impartial Lottery they have been chosen to fight each other in a three-day, no-rules contest, the "Battle Royale". Their only chance of survival in the "Battle" is through the death of all their classmates. Some pupils embrace their mission with zeal, while others simply give up or try to become peacemakers and revolutionaries. However, the ultimate drive for survival comes from the desire to protect the one you love. The film looks like a war-flick on occasions, with intense Apocalypse Now-style imagery (check out the classical score blasted over the tannoys with sweeping shots of helicopters). Yet, Battle Royale works on many different levels, highlighting the authorities’ desperation to enforce law and order and the alienation caused by the generation gap. But whether you view the film as an important social commentary or simply enjoy the adrenalin-fuelled violence, this is set to become cult viewing for the computer game generation and beyond. On the DVD: Battle Royale has been re-released in this new and improved version. Now offered in progressive scan, utilising NTSC technology which has enhanced the picture quality. Please be aware though that not all DVD players are compatible, if unsure your best to opt for the first release.--Nikki Disney

• Battle Royale | Blu Ray | (22/11/2021) from £34.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The kids of Third Year Class-B Shiroiwa Junior High School are back, in a 4K restoration of the classic cult shocker adapted from the controversial novel by Koushun Takami. Presenting an alternate dystopian vision of turn-of-the-millennium Japan, Battle Royale follows the 42 junior high school students selected to take part in the government's annual Battle Royale programme, established as an extreme method of addressing concerns about juvenile delinquency. Dispatched to a remote island, they are each given individual weapons (ranging from Uzis and machetes to pan lids and binoculars), food and water, and the order to go out and kill each other. Every player is fitted with an explosive collar around their neck, imposing a strict three-day time limit on the deadly games in which there can only be one survivor. Overseeing the carnage is ˜Beat' Takeshi Kitano (Sonatine, Hana-bi, Zatoichi) as the teacher pushed to the edge by his unruly charges. Playing like a turbo-charged hybrid of Lord of the Flies and The Most Dangerous Game, the final completed work by veteran yakuza-film director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles without Honor and Humanity, Graveyard of Honor) helped launch a new wave of appreciation for Asian cinema in the 21st century. 4K Ultra-HD Special Edition Contents 4K restoration of the Original Theatrical Version and Special Edition Director's Cut of Battle Royale from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by Kenta Fukasaku 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation of both versions in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 stereo audio on both cuts ¢ Optional English subtitles on both cuts Illustrated collector's booklet featuring essays by Matt Alt and Anne Billson Disc One Battle Royale: Original Theatrical Version Audio commentary by critics Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp Coming of Age: Battle Royale at 20, a 42-minute documentary about the legacy of Battle Royale Bloody Education: Kenta Fukasaku on Battle Royale, an interview with the film's producer and screenwriter The Making of Battle Royale: The Experience of 42 High School Students, documentary featuring footage from the shooting of the film and cast and crew discussions The Slaughter of 42 High School Students, a look behind the scenes of the shoot Behind the scenes footage with comments from the cast and crew Filming on Set, a look at the shooting of key scenes from the film Conducting Battle Royale with the Warsaw National Philharmonic, archive footage of Masamichi Amano conducting the soundtrack rehearsal Disc Two Battle Royale: Special Edition Director's Cut Shooting the Special Edition, on-location featurette with footage of the cast and crew reuniting for the shoot of the Special Edition Royale Rehearsals, featurette on Kinji Fukasaku directing the film's young cast Masamichi Amano Conducts Battle Royale, archive featurette Takeshi Kitano Interview, filmed on location with the Japanese star The Correct Way to Fight in Battle Royale, instructional video explaining the rules of the game The Correct Way to Make ˜Battle Royale': Birthday Version, a new version of the original instructional video made to celebrate Kinji Fukasaku's birthday Premiere Press Conference, preceding the film's first public screening Tokyo International Film Festival Presentation, With footage from the gala screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival Opening Day at the Marunouchi Toei Movie Theatre, archive footage of the Japanese opening Special Effects Comparison showing how the film's violent killings were created Original Trailers and TV spots Kinji Fukasaku trailer reel, a collection of original trailers for Fukasaku's classic yakuza films from the 70s Image gallery

• Suicide Manual | DVD | (14/11/2005) from £3.34   |  Saving you £17.91 (861.06%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Where there is a hand there is a death. Chilling horror based on the best-selling book Kanzen Jisatsu Manual (The Complete Manual Of Suicide) by Wataru Tsurumi. Three young men and a woman meet online... Soon they are all dead. A secret manual on a DVD appears to be the cause. While a TV reporter investigates the deaths continue. Can anyone stop the deadly disc?