Rarely am I devoting column space (whatever that means in virtual realms) to individual home-video releases––at least if they’re not likely to receive a complementary theatrical run. But I’m unusually elated seeing a favorite discovery get the upgrade most would rightly bet on never coming: Eiichi Kudo’s Yokohama Bj Blues, an ’80s Japanese anti-noir that only assumes genre form when its character tries (miserably) to solve a case. A masterclass in telling lackadaisical mystery that’s also suffused with wintry Japanese skies, Yokohama‘s passed around cinephile circles for years like an underground object. Radiance are spearheading a Blu-ray release on December 16 (available in the US from Diabolik), ahead of which is a trailer displaying some recent restoration work.

Here’s the official synopsis: “When his police detective best friend is killed, down-at-heel private eye and part-time blues singer Bj gets the blame. He must start...