Tuesday, May 15, 2007

This Just In: New DVD Releases

del Toro and Pan


Pan’s Labyrinth, 2006, Mexico, directed by Guillermo del Toro
In this fairy tale for adults, 10-year-old Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) stumbles on a decaying labyrinth guarded by Pan (Doug Jones), an ancient satyr who claims to know her destiny. With a new home, a new stepfather (Sergi Lopez) -- a Fascist officer in the pro-Franco army -- and a new sibling on the way, nothing is familiar to Ofelia in this multiple Oscar-winning tale set in 1944 Spain from director Guillermo del Toro.

Black Kiss, 2004, Japan, directed by Macoto Tezka
To advance her career, aspiring model Asuka (Reika Hashimoto) relocates to Toyko, where she moves in with a new roommate. Meanwhile, a serial killer is at large, and Asuka soon witnesses his demented handiwork: Across the street from her apartment, Asuka sees a grisly murder, the victim's body mutilated and arranged as a piece of art. At each crime scene, the killer leaves his mark, a black lip print, the kiss of death.

Vengeance Is Mine, (FukushĂ» Suruwa Wareniari), 1979, directed by Shohei Imamura
Legendary Japanese director Shohei Imamura (The Eel) helms this chilling tale of horror and revenge based on actual events about a seemingly harmless young man who blossomed into a cold-blooded, remorseless murderer. On the run from the police over the course of a 78-day killing spree, Iwao Enokizu (Ken Ogata) reflects on his life via flashback and reveals how he came to have such disdain for human life.