Tuesday, June 12, 2007

This Just In: New DVDs

Silk (Guisi), 2006, directed by Chao-Bin Su
A team of paranormal researchers investigates the strange death of a Canadian scientist, a case that yields just one clue: a photo of a boy in an empty room. The team soon discovers that the boy is actually a ghost, and using the latest technology, they physically capture his spirit. But as they unlock the secret of his death, the researchers realize that there's a much more powerful supernatural force at work.

Id (Ido), 2005, directed by Kei Fujiwara, Japan
A string of gruesome accidents in an isolated town seems to be tied to a wanted murderer, until a local woman is implicated in the violent death of a factory manager. The murderer and the woman realize they share a powerful connection, making it clear that there are mysterious forces at work. This psychological thriller examines the id -- the subconscious force that taps our deepest desires -- and asks what happens when it can't be controlled.

Late Ozu: Early Spring (Soshun), 1956, , directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
Acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu explores the bleak hopelessness of the white-collar corporate world in this postwar tale of marriage, infidelity and passion. In an attempt to break out of a mind-numbing daily routine, an ordinary office worker embarks on a risky affair with a stenographer, all the while hoping that his colleagues -- and his wife -- never find out.

Late Ozu: Tokyo Twilight (Tokyo boshoku ), 1957, directed by Yosujiro Ozu, Japan
In this black-and-white drama, acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu shines a light on the dark side of sisterhood, exposing shame and family secrets in postwar Tokyo. While living at home with their aging father (Chishu Ryu), two sisters (Setsuko Hara and Ineko Arima) face shocking revelations, the most profound of which is that their mother -- whom they long assumed to be dead -- may still be alive.

Late Ozu: Equinox Flower (Higanbana), 1958, directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
In his first color film, acclaimed director Yasujiro Ozu explores the tension between modern romance and family tradition in postwar Japanese society. A prosperous businessman (Shin Saburi) with a reputation for doling out sound, objective relationship advice to his friends finds it difficult to practice what he preaches when his oldest daughter (Ineko Arima) announces her engagement to a man he doesn't like.

Late Ozu: The End of Summer (Kohayagawa-ke no aki), 1961, directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
In his penultimate film, acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu examines the relationship between an aging father (Ganjiro Nakamura) and his three caring daughters (Setsuko Hara, Yôko Tsukasa and Michiyo Aratama), who needlessly worry that he'll spend the rest of his life alone. Little do they know that dad is anything but solitary, having recently reconnected with his former mistress.

Late Ozu: Late Autumn (Akibiyori), 1963, directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
Acclaimed director Yasujiro Ozu explores the flipside of the traditional mother-daughter bond in this touching family comedy set in postwar Japan. Reluctant to marry and leave her widowed mother (Setsuko Hara) all alone, a dutiful daughter (Yôko Tsukasa) resists selecting a suitor. But her late father's friends, who are eager to see both women happy, insist on stepping in to play matchmaker.