2) Universe - Region 3 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Chimera / Ventura - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Shout! Factory (2-disc) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

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NOTE: Eric tell us us in email "Just to let you know, in between the Ventura R1 non-anamorphic DVD of AUDITION and the Shout Factory Blu-Ray, there was also a LionsGate SD-DVD release that was anamorphic but interlaced. I think most of the extras were the same." (thanks Eric!)

Audio too takes the leap forward with three Japanese track options - a DTS-HD Master 5.0 at 2002 kbps, a less robust TrueHD 5.0 at 1219 kbps and a linear PCM 2.0 track at 2304 Kbps. I sampled all but settled for the blander stereo mix for no specific reason. I should note that these audio options cannot be changed on the fly with the 'audio' button of your remote - you must utilize the Pop-up menu. Then you can make another choice without disturbing the film's flow. I couldn't find a way to totally remove the white English subtitles. My Momitsu has identified this as being Region 'A'-locked.

Supplements have a brief introduction to the film presentation by Takashi Miike (1:18) and a new commentary recorded in Tokyo - May 2009 with the director and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan. It is in Japanese with English subtitles but they remove the feature's subs and audio (boo!). The discussion is quite good - recalling that it never felt like they were making a 'horror' film when they were filming Audition - and often how meetings during production didn't focus on specific details. There is a second, single-layered DVD, disc which includes interviews with cast Ryo Ishibashi (16:17), Eihi Shiina, (20:07) Renji Ishibashi (20:53) and Ren Ôsugi (16:23) in Japanese with optional English subtitles - as well as two trailers - the 'International' and the Japanese (both in widescreen letterboxed). Lastly you get an 8-page booklet with photos and an essay.

For less than $18 - I think this is a great buy although the disc authoring is imperfect. I had forgotten what a strangely compelling film Audition is - a horror that often feels more humanistic with the eventual gore being that much more impacting. It's a great storyline - with unforgettable moments. This Blu-ray is the best looking and sounding presentation of the film for your home theater. It ends up being a tremendous difference from DVD.       

Gary Tooze

ADDITION (Tartan - July -04): Where the old Tartan DVD suffered from an incredible bad image, the new Tartan DVD is a vast improvement, with a balanced color scheme, which is more softer and clearer next to the Chimera DVD. The Tartan frame differs slightly (0,7% to the right) from the Chimera.

The DTS track on the Tartan DVD is surprisingly flat. While the normal stereo track is quiet effective and the 5.1 track is very special, the DTS lacks definition in the rears.

The interview with Miike is a nice addition. The questions are standard, but Miike's answers give us a good feel about his approach to film and directing. As a trivia note: The interview was held at the Nordam room at the Westin hotel in Rotterdam.

Chimera vs Universe DVDs: Region 1 disc has better picture, but unfortunately it's not anamorphic. It's also sharper than Mei Ah disc. The added extras - an interview with the director and a commentary for the last 40 minutes -makes Chimera disc a clear choice between two releases.

 Gregory Meshman