DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 77 minutes, two featurettes, original trailer, photo gallery, and Tartan Asia Extreme Previews

STUDIO: Tartan Video/ Kaijyu Theater

RELEASE DATE:  2-25-2005

Writer/Director Shinya Tsukamoto is becoming my favorite Japanese filmmaker. His films are very distinct. TETSUO was a screw trip where VITAL was a emotional journey. Just like VITAL, you have a person on a journey of discovery. Unlike VITAL, A SNAKE OF JUNE is a look at erotic voyeurism that brings a woman to life. She has been repressing her feelings while her husband hasn't slept with her for a while. She one day receives a an envelope of photos showing her masturbating. She is blackmailed to do a few things for the mysterious voyeur (who is dying from cancer and played by the director of this film) while he watches. She must do what he asks to get the negatives. However, he isn't finished when she gets the negatives. He brings her husband into the game. Just like VITAL, I couldn't take my eyes off the film and went along the journey. For 77 minutes, A SNAKE OF JUNE was at the right length and never overstayed it's welcome. The look and feel of a Tsukamoto film is hard to mistake for any other type of film. Having taken various photographs over the years, I can appreciate what the voyeur is trying to show with his photos. The music, rain, and production design play a huge role in this blueish concrete jungle of buried desires that want to be unleashed.

VIDEO: 1.33:1 (Full Frame)

The blue and white textures are captured just right. Image detail is good.

AUDIO: Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital, Japanese 5.1 DTS, Japanese 2.0 DS

Subtitles: English, Spanish (film only)

Dialogue is clear and subtitles are easy to understand. Tartan captures the sounds of rain and all other natural sounds like no one else. It is like you're there.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The photo gallery isn't much to talk about. The behind the scenes stuff and interviews are the things you should check out. PLAYING A SANKE OF JUNE has some interesting cast interviews while SHOOTING A SNAKE OF JUNE is the best making of featurette of an Asian film I have ever seen. SHOOTING A SNAKE OF JUNE covers shooting it in black and white (and adding a blue tinge to it), the failed attempts to shoot in a square frame, rain effects, music, and production design. It is definitely worth watching for any film fan or filmmaker.

Tartan previews- A SNAKE OF JUNE, A TALE OF TWO SISTERS, KOMA, OLDBOY, WHISPERING CORRIDORS

FINAL ANALYSIS: A SNAKE OF JUNE is another riveting film from Shinya Tsukamoto. It is an extraordinary piece of work.

this review is (c)8-2-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com