Autumn Spring (DVD)
A Czech film from director Vladimir Michalek, AUTUMN SPRING tackles the theme of aging and death with subtle humor in this film, which tips its hat to the free-spirited New Wave cinema. Irrepressible reprobate Fanda (Vlastimil Brodsky) is determined not to go gently into that good night as he enters his eighties. He and partner-in-crime Eda (Stanislav Zindulka) love to pull stunts and gags, such as impersonating wealthy land-buyers, subway officials, and long-lost friends. Unfortunately their abilities are starting to slip due to their advanced age. Hana`s long-suffering wife (Stella Zazvorkova) meanwhile, is outraged that he is still up to his old tricks when its time to take life seriously, prepare for their funerals, give up their apartment, and move into a retirement home. This is a warmhearted but unsentimental look into how different people face inevitable demise, and the cast of seasoned seniors pulls it off with great style and humanity. The film is a career capstone for Brodsky. A renowned Czech actor (CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS, JAKOB THE LIAR), Brodsky committed suicide not long after this life-affirming film was completed. Still, no actor could ask for a more eloquent curtain call; it`s a fine, crowd-pleasing little classic, one for which he will surely be long remembered."
Director: Vladimir Michalek
ACTORS: Vlastimil Brodsky, Petra Spalkova, Ondrej Vetchy, Stella Zazvorkova, Stanislav Zindulka
Irma Vep (DVD)
Hong Kong diva Cheung stars as herself, having been cast on a director`s whim as the slinky, cat-burgling heroine of a remake of the vintage French serial Les Vampires. Once in Paris, Cheung encounters countless culture clashes, as well as set-related mishaps that echo Truffaut`s charming Day for Night. NR"
Director: Olivier Assayas
ACTORS: Maggie Cheung, Jean-Pierre Liaud, Nathalie Richard, Antoine Basler, Alex Descas
The Spartans (DVD)
One of world history`s most fascinating civilizations, the Greek city-state Sparta was responsible for producing a culture of supremely disciplined warriors. Believing that proper military training was the basis for building a powerful community, the Spartan authorities enforced a rule in which every male was forced to serve in the army. Classical historian Bettany Hughes examines this and other aspects of Spartan history and culture in this 3-part documentary series.NR"
Raiders of the Living Dead (DVD)
A zombie picture which benefits from original twists like burning the undead, creatures` heads blowing apart, and laser rays blasting the living dead.PG"
Director: Samuel M. Sherman|Brett Piper
Kwaidan (DVD) Criterion Collection Director Masaki Kobayashi invested five years of preparation before shooting this anthological adaptation of four tales of the supernatural by Lafcadio Hearn. The first, Black Hair, stars Rentaro Mikuni as a pove...
Director Masaki Kobayashi invested five years of preparation before shooting this anthological adaptation of four tales of the supernatural by Lafcadio Hearn. The first, Black Hair, stars Rentaro Mikuni as a poverty-stricken samurai who leaves his kind wife (Michiyo Aratama) to marry the daughter (Misako Watanabe) of a wealthy official. After years of misery with this woman he returns to his first wife to find a bitter surprise. In the second, The Woman of the Snow, a woodcutter (Tatsuya Nakadai) and his brother take shelter from a snowstorm in a deserted hut. However, trouble arises when a strange woman (Keiko Kishi) appears. The third, Hoichi the Earless, features a blind temple musician (Katsuo Nakamura), who is known for his mastery of the ballad of the Heike clan. A samurai ghost bids him sing the ballad at the Heike tomb, and Buddhist priests protect him by painting his body with a depiction of the sacred text. In the last tale, In a Cup of Tea, a samurai (Ganemon Nakamura) famed for courage, has a recurring vision of the face of another samurai in his tea. Shot entirely on a soundstage to allow the director complete control of the film`s palette, it`s a stunning display of sensuous color, perfectly suited to these otherworldly tales of the macabre. Takemitsu`s musique concrete score is eerily appropriate.
NR"
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
