This was the first film I got from arrow that I almost didn't finish. That fact alone is the only thing that got me to the end of it. And the fact that it's in a box set is the only thing that stopped me fucking it out the window.

It's quite a while since I've seen it, but you've pretty much encapsulated my objections. However, ISTR the last fifteen minutes or so kicking it up a notch and showing us that the film could've been truly great had it all been like that.

The gold standard, though, remains Warner's bluray release of Casablanca. When you put the disk in for the first time, it goes straight to the movie. That's it. No menus. No bullshit. It's the one and only disk (that I can recall) where that happened.
/rant ends

Like I said, things have gotten better; on boutique disks, at any rate. Eureka just give us one static page with all the options. Awesome. @vinsyn.bsky.social's chapters would ideally be in a submenu, but it's not the most egregious of sins. 5/6

Add all this together and we're in the ridiculous situation where you can slap a disk into the player and then start torrenting the movie in HD. You'll be watching the download long before the disk gets around to playing the damn thing. 4/6

Then, of course, there's the 'Pick A or B' choice. Did I idly press a button while waiting? I'm not sure. So which is the option I'll select… the one in red or the one in green? No fucking idea. Is it so hard to use an underline or glowy effect or something? 3/6

And don't even get me started on unskippable ads. Even skippable trailers are annoying; if I want to watch them, it'll be after the movie. But more often than not there's no menu option so they get skipped and remain forever unwatched. Looking at you, @srscinema.bsky.social. 2/6

I'm quite envious. You get to watch it for the first time.

The film makes a lot more sense when you realise it's by the same lad who made The Story of Ricky.

The fact that Kuang I made an onscreen appearance was the thing that truly delighted me on my latest watch; he's written so many great films, including quite a few of Chang Cheh's Shaw flicks.

Fukasaku was a busy lad. Haven't seen this, but I did see New Battles Without… 2, Cops vs. Thugs and Graveyard of Honour. All from the same year.

It's got some pretty impressive effects for the time, and the script has a lot more going on that just 'look at the scary witches'. I was impressed.

I dunno if it's on the Radiance release, but there's also a shorter version with William S. Burroughs narrating.

I bought this while I was on a bit of a Jack Hill buzz (which is mostly still going on, tbh). It absolutely wasn't what I expected, and became probably my favourite of his films.

I meant 'enough books', but can't edit. And in truth, is it really possible to have enough books?

Anyone whose bookshelves are tidy clearly doesn't have books.

Definitely one of the greats.