Shakespearean hearts of darkness pump the lifeforce into "Throne of Blood," one of Akira Kurosawa's greatest films. Loosely based on "Macbeth," the movie is a blood-soaked tragedy set in feudal Japan of the 16th century. "Throne of Blood" is widely regarded as one of the most successful film adaptations of a Bard play. Kurosawa dares to edit … [Read more...]
Miyazakis’ ‘Poppy Hill’ in bloom
"It's like some cheap melodrama," the teen says to the girl he loves, who may or may not be his long-lost sister. It's teen melodrama all right, but hardly cheap. "From Up On Poppy Hill" is another handsome and touching film from Japan's Studio Ghibli, factory of animated masterpieces. Hayao Miyazaki, the director of "Princess Mononoke," … [Read more...]
Ghostly images: ‘Carriage,’ ‘Kuroneko’
Death can't catch a break in Hollywood. That's Death with a capital "D," the entity in black wielding a scythe. Aside from the "Final Destination" series (no screen time), "Meet Joe Black" (ugh) and "Harry Potter" (cameo), Death has been passed over in favor of the flesh-eating zombies, stylish vampires and demented serial killers of … [Read more...]
‘High and Low’ and hard-boiled
Akira Kurosawa wasn't known for film noir or crime thrillers, but he did do a genre drive-by back in 1963. Of course, it's killer. The Criterion Collection has reissued to Blu-ray "High and Low," the Japanese master's tale of a hardworking factory chief whose life is ruined after his son is targeted by kidnappers. Toshiro Mifune plays shoe … [Read more...]
Miyazaki’s ‘Ponyo’ surfaces on Blu-ray
Stateside pleas for Blu-ray versions of Hayao Miyazaki's animation classics will only intensify with the high-def release of his latest film, the delightful "Ponyo." The fish-out-of-water fantasy ranks as one of the best-looking animated features ever rendered in high definition. The hand-drawn images are brimming with color, movement and magic. … [Read more...]
