Tampopo

Along with Babette's Feast, this 1987 "noodle western" from the late Japanese comic master Juzo Itami is one of the truly wonderful culinary cinema treats. The story of a young widow (Nobuko Miyamoto) who hooks up with a truck-driving cowboy named Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) to create the perfect bowl of ramen and thereby win the discerning lunch crowd at her small noodle restaurant, Tampopo features a very nice video transfer that captures all but the actual aroma of the colorful food. Although the extras are skimpy (filmographies), this classic satirical comedy is more than filling all by itself. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Apr. 18, 2017—Criterion, 114 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1985's Tampopo features an excellent transfer and an uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include a 1986 “making-of” documentary (90 min.), director Juzo Itami's 1962 debut short “Rubber Band Pistol” (33 min.), “The Perfect Bowl” interviews with a ramen scholar and chefs (22 min.), interviews with food stylist Seiko Ogawa (16 min.) and star Nobuko Miyamoto (11 min.), “The Amateur and the Craftsperson” video essay with filmmakers Tony Zhou and Taylor Ramos (10 min.), and an essay by food and culture writer Willy Blackmore. Bottom line: this beloved foreign foodie film looks delicious on Blu-ray.]