Chicago – Halloween just isn’t the same without an Onryō. Thanks to America’s tireless remakes of Japanese horror films, the materialization of Onryōs in pop culture has become as much of a seasonal tradition as witches and goblins. They’re often characterized by long black hair, white robes, bodily contortions, tragic backstories and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance beyond the grave.
In short, Onryōs unnervingly embody the old adage that “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…even a dead one.” It’s easy to see how spine-tingling modern classics like “Ringu” and “Ju-on: The Grudge” followed in the ghostly footsteps of Kaneto Shindô’s overlooked 1968 masterwork, “Kuroneko” (“Black Cat”). Though the film is more hypnotic than scary, it still manages to creep under the skin as it spins a tale of real emotional and erotic power.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
As in Shindô’s better-known 1964 classic, “Onibaba,” this film...
In short, Onryōs unnervingly embody the old adage that “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…even a dead one.” It’s easy to see how spine-tingling modern classics like “Ringu” and “Ju-on: The Grudge” followed in the ghostly footsteps of Kaneto Shindô’s overlooked 1968 masterwork, “Kuroneko” (“Black Cat”). Though the film is more hypnotic than scary, it still manages to creep under the skin as it spins a tale of real emotional and erotic power.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
As in Shindô’s better-known 1964 classic, “Onibaba,” this film...
- 10/25/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – I’m always amazed when smart people tell me they don’t see foreign films. The fact is that our foreign film market is worse than it’s ever been with fewer and fewer works from other countries actually making an impact in this one. I see dozens of foreign films a year and I’m still just chipping at the iceberg of the international film scene. One of the countries with the most vibrant filmmaking histories is Japan and for proof that they’ve been making intriguing dramas for decades now look no further than the Criterion edition of “Harakiri,” a striking drama that won the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and has recently been released on Blu-ray for the first time.
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Without the Criterion Collection, I wonder if “Harakiri” would even be on DVD, much less Blu-ray. Some of their titles — “Carlos,...
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Without the Criterion Collection, I wonder if “Harakiri” would even be on DVD, much less Blu-ray. Some of their titles — “Carlos,...
- 10/19/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
My experience with Japanese director Kaneto Shindo was zero before pushing play on Criterion's new Blu-ray presentation of the helmer's 1968 supernatural horror Kuroneko. I was familiar with Shindo only in that I'd heard of his '64 feature, Onibaba, and after reading the synopsis for that film it would seem Kuroneko is something of an even darker version of the helmer's film from four years earlier. Set in war-torn medieval Japan, Kuroneko centers on a mother and her daughter-in-law who are raped and murdered by itinerant samurais. Upon their death they make a deal with the devil to remain on Earth as spirits, luring samurai into their clutches and killing them to make up for the lives they've stolen. The story takes an interesting turn when the son returns home after being forced to join the war. Now a samurai in his own right, he comes back only to find his...
- 10/18/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Your Weekly Source for the Newest Releases to Blu-Ray Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Attack On Leningrad (2009)
Synopsis: When in 1941 Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, their troops quickly besieged Leningrad. Foreign journalists are evacuated but one of them, Kate Davies, is presumed dead and misses the plane. Alone in the city she is helped by Nina Tsvetnova a young and idealist police officer and together they will fight for their own survival and the survival of the people in the besieged Leningrad. (blu-ray.com)
Special Features: Unknown.
Baaria (2009)
Synopsis: Peppino, the nickname of the boy at the story’s heart, is a tough little kid in the 1930s, used to the rough-and-tumble world of Baaria (local slang for Tornatore’s native Bagheria), a hot and dusty Sicilian village with one main street. His adventures are many and his memories singular: men gambling in the local square, goats eating his schoolbooks, and...
Attack On Leningrad (2009)
Synopsis: When in 1941 Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, their troops quickly besieged Leningrad. Foreign journalists are evacuated but one of them, Kate Davies, is presumed dead and misses the plane. Alone in the city she is helped by Nina Tsvetnova a young and idealist police officer and together they will fight for their own survival and the survival of the people in the besieged Leningrad. (blu-ray.com)
Special Features: Unknown.
Baaria (2009)
Synopsis: Peppino, the nickname of the boy at the story’s heart, is a tough little kid in the 1930s, used to the rough-and-tumble world of Baaria (local slang for Tornatore’s native Bagheria), a hot and dusty Sicilian village with one main street. His adventures are many and his memories singular: men gambling in the local square, goats eating his schoolbooks, and...
- 10/18/2011
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Your Weekly Source for the Newest Releases to Blu-Ray Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas: 2-Disc Deluxe Edition (1974)
Synopsis: For some unexplained reason, letters to Santa Claus are being returned to the children of Junctionville. It seems some resident has angered St. Nick by calling him “a fraudulent myth!” Skeptical Albert Mouse has to be brought to his senses “and let up a little on the wonder why.” How Albert is persuaded to change his tune paves the way for Santa’s jolly return to town – and the joyous finale of the animated fable inspired by Clement Moore’s poem and produced by the merrymaking conjures of Rankin/bass studios. The voice talents of Joel grey, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver and George Gobel make this festive fable even more fun. (highdefdigest.com)
Special Features:
Tba
The 12 Dogs Of Christmas (2005)
Synopsis: A girl who uses dogs to...
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas: 2-Disc Deluxe Edition (1974)
Synopsis: For some unexplained reason, letters to Santa Claus are being returned to the children of Junctionville. It seems some resident has angered St. Nick by calling him “a fraudulent myth!” Skeptical Albert Mouse has to be brought to his senses “and let up a little on the wonder why.” How Albert is persuaded to change his tune paves the way for Santa’s jolly return to town – and the joyous finale of the animated fable inspired by Clement Moore’s poem and produced by the merrymaking conjures of Rankin/bass studios. The voice talents of Joel grey, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver and George Gobel make this festive fable even more fun. (highdefdigest.com)
Special Features:
Tba
The 12 Dogs Of Christmas (2005)
Synopsis: A girl who uses dogs to...
- 10/3/2011
- by Travis Keune
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Release Date: Oct. 18, 2011
Price: DVD $29.95, Blu-ray $39.95
Studio: Criterion
Kichiemon Nakamura and Kiwako Taichi close their eyes to the growing horror of Kuroneko.
The poetic and atmospheric 1968 Japanese horror film Kuroneko is set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, where a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well.
Directed by noted Japanese filmmaker Kaneto Shindo (Onibaba), Kuroneko (which translates into Black Cat in English) is an eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle. Today, it’s also highly regarded for its ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography.
Presented in Japanese with English subtitles, Criterion’s editions of the film offer a new high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray and new and improved English subtitle translation.
Here’s...
Price: DVD $29.95, Blu-ray $39.95
Studio: Criterion
Kichiemon Nakamura and Kiwako Taichi close their eyes to the growing horror of Kuroneko.
The poetic and atmospheric 1968 Japanese horror film Kuroneko is set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, where a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well.
Directed by noted Japanese filmmaker Kaneto Shindo (Onibaba), Kuroneko (which translates into Black Cat in English) is an eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle. Today, it’s also highly regarded for its ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography.
Presented in Japanese with English subtitles, Criterion’s editions of the film offer a new high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray and new and improved English subtitle translation.
Here’s...
- 8/11/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Oh, how we love when a new Criterion Collection Blu-ray release comes our way. Simply put, these discs are the gold standard in home video releases, and two true classics are set to make their debut this October.
First on October 18th we'll see Kaneto Shindo's Kuroneko.
Synopsis
In this poetic and atmospheric horror fable, set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well. From Kaneto Shindo, director of the terror classic Onibaba, Kuroneko (Black Cat) is a spectacularly eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle, evoked through ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography.
Special Features
New high-definition digital restoration (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition) Video interview with director Kaneto Shindo...
First on October 18th we'll see Kaneto Shindo's Kuroneko.
Synopsis
In this poetic and atmospheric horror fable, set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well. From Kaneto Shindo, director of the terror classic Onibaba, Kuroneko (Black Cat) is a spectacularly eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle, evoked through ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography.
Special Features
New high-definition digital restoration (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition) Video interview with director Kaneto Shindo...
- 7/19/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
"Margot Benacerraf, now in her 80s, only ever made one feature-length film," begins Josef Braun, "but that film remains so extraordinary, so very nearly singular, that it merits an admiration on par with many more prolific and esteemed bodies of work. After studying and gathering numerous influential allies in France and elsewhere, Benacerraf returned to her native Venezuela, specifically to an island no one had heard of, though when was discovered by the Spanish 450 years earlier it was deemed a sort of paradise on account of its abundance of one resource: salt, as valuable back then as gold. We can see the ruins of colonial fortresses erected to protect the island and its salt marshes, once the center of piracy in the Caribbean, during the prologue of Araya (1959). But historical context quickly gives way to the seeming timelessness of hard labour, to Benacerraf's lyrical approach to depicting the life of a community that was,...
- 5/17/2011
- MUBI
DVD Playhouse—November 2010
By Allen Gardner
Paths Of Glory (Criterion) Stanley Kubrick’s 1957 antiwar classic put him on the map as a major filmmaker. Kirk Douglas stars in a true story about a French officer in Ww I who locks horns with the military’s top brass after his men are court-martialed for failing to carry out an obvious suicide mission. A perfect film, across the board, with fine support from George Macready as one of the most despicable martinet’s ever captured on film, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou, all oily charm as a conniving General. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Audio commentary by critic Gary Giddins; Excerpt from 1966 audio interview with Kubrick; 1979 interview with Douglas; New interviews with Jan Harlan, Christiane Kubrick, and producer James B. Harris; French television documentary on real-life case which inspired the film; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
Winter’S Bone (Lionsgate) After her deadbeat father disappears,...
By Allen Gardner
Paths Of Glory (Criterion) Stanley Kubrick’s 1957 antiwar classic put him on the map as a major filmmaker. Kirk Douglas stars in a true story about a French officer in Ww I who locks horns with the military’s top brass after his men are court-martialed for failing to carry out an obvious suicide mission. A perfect film, across the board, with fine support from George Macready as one of the most despicable martinet’s ever captured on film, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou, all oily charm as a conniving General. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Audio commentary by critic Gary Giddins; Excerpt from 1966 audio interview with Kubrick; 1979 interview with Douglas; New interviews with Jan Harlan, Christiane Kubrick, and producer James B. Harris; French television documentary on real-life case which inspired the film; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
Winter’S Bone (Lionsgate) After her deadbeat father disappears,...
- 11/6/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Chicago – If one looks at the spine of a Criterion Collection release, he will see a number that indicates the order in which films have been inducted into the most important DVD/Blu-ray series in history. With over 500 films in the collection (this week’s “Paths of Glory” is #538), one might wonder where it all began. “Grand Illusion,” which Criterion no longer has rights to, is #1 but their second inductee has recently been transferred to Blu-ray and the two-disc release for “Seven Samurai” is a beauty.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
One of several films by Akira Kurosawa than can accurately be called “incredibly influential,” “Seven Samurai” inspired not just other films directly but is one of those movies that’s often cited by modern filmmakers as why they became involved in the movie industry in the first place. “Seven Samurai” is mesmerizing, a film that transports the viewer through Kurosawa’s amazing storytelling ability.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
One of several films by Akira Kurosawa than can accurately be called “incredibly influential,” “Seven Samurai” inspired not just other films directly but is one of those movies that’s often cited by modern filmmakers as why they became involved in the movie industry in the first place. “Seven Samurai” is mesmerizing, a film that transports the viewer through Kurosawa’s amazing storytelling ability.
- 10/28/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The first time I saw Seven Samurai was just over three years ago. In the three years since I have watched it a couple more times and was eager to return to it once again as it's one of a handful of films I instantly thought of as soon as Criterion revealed it would begin releasing films on Blu-ray. For me, it was up there with The Seventh Seal and 8 1/2 and go figure, now all three all available in high definition, and each the better for it. I guess it's time to start a new list...
For those that already own the three-disc DVD edition you aren't going to find anything new with this release. From the 60-page booklet to a second disc loaded with special features this is the exact same release with one major difference, there is absolutely no comparison when it comes to picture quality.
Retaining an excellent amount of grain,...
For those that already own the three-disc DVD edition you aren't going to find anything new with this release. From the 60-page booklet to a second disc loaded with special features this is the exact same release with one major difference, there is absolutely no comparison when it comes to picture quality.
Retaining an excellent amount of grain,...
- 10/19/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Predators
Extras include:
Commentary by producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród AntalMotion ComicsMoments of ExtractionCrucifiedEvolution of the Species: Predators RebornThe ChosenFox Movie Channel presents Making a SceneDeleted and Extended ScenesTheatrical Trailer
Apocalypse Now (Full Disclosure Edition) Blu-ray
Extras include:
Apocalypse Now - original 1979 CutApocalypse Now ReduxCommentary for both versions"A Conversation with Martin Sheen" interview by Francis Ford Coppola"An Interview with John Milius" interview by Francis Ford CoppolaComplete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film FestivalMonkey Sampan "lost scene"Additional Scenes"Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola"The Hollow Men," video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poemThe Birth of 5.1 SoundGhost Helicopter Flyover sound effects demonstrationA Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse NowThe Music of Apocalypse NowHeard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse NowThe Final MixApocalypse Then and NowThe Color Palette...
Extras include:
Commentary by producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród AntalMotion ComicsMoments of ExtractionCrucifiedEvolution of the Species: Predators RebornThe ChosenFox Movie Channel presents Making a SceneDeleted and Extended ScenesTheatrical Trailer
Apocalypse Now (Full Disclosure Edition) Blu-ray
Extras include:
Apocalypse Now - original 1979 CutApocalypse Now ReduxCommentary for both versions"A Conversation with Martin Sheen" interview by Francis Ford Coppola"An Interview with John Milius" interview by Francis Ford CoppolaComplete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film FestivalMonkey Sampan "lost scene"Additional Scenes"Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola"The Hollow Men," video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poemThe Birth of 5.1 SoundGhost Helicopter Flyover sound effects demonstrationA Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse NowThe Music of Apocalypse NowHeard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse NowThe Final MixApocalypse Then and NowThe Color Palette...
- 10/19/2010
- by josh@reelartsy.com (Joshua dos Santos)
- Reelartsy
While I may not be a fan of 3D, not in the slightest actually, sometimes there is a project that just sounds too good to be true.
And this may be that time.
According to Variety, Takashi Miike, best known for films like Audition and Ichi The Killer, is plotting his first foray into 3D, and it sounds like an absolute winner. The outlet is reporting that Miike is set to make a 3D feature film based on the legendary 1962 Masaki Kobayashi period film, Harakiri.
The original film followed Hanshiro Tsugumo, played by the always amazing Tatsuya Nakadai, a samurai looking to enact revenge after his son-in-law is forced to commit suicide with his sword.
Miike’s new film is set to shoot in October with a release set for next year, and personally, this is more than amazing news. I adore Miike as a filmmaker (I still to this...
And this may be that time.
According to Variety, Takashi Miike, best known for films like Audition and Ichi The Killer, is plotting his first foray into 3D, and it sounds like an absolute winner. The outlet is reporting that Miike is set to make a 3D feature film based on the legendary 1962 Masaki Kobayashi period film, Harakiri.
The original film followed Hanshiro Tsugumo, played by the always amazing Tatsuya Nakadai, a samurai looking to enact revenge after his son-in-law is forced to commit suicide with his sword.
Miike’s new film is set to shoot in October with a release set for next year, and personally, this is more than amazing news. I adore Miike as a filmmaker (I still to this...
- 9/19/2010
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
Here we are again: another mid-month Criterion Collection new release announcement, with some incredible titles to talk about. Many of today’s announced titles have been teased at in one way or another, over the past few months.
First up we are finally going to see Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece, Criterion Collection #2, Seven Samurai finally making its high definition debut in the states. This release was something that Criterion mentioned back in December, as the Ak 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa was released, and the Yojimbo / Sanjuro films were about to be announced on Blu-ray. In the post, Jonathan Turell mentioned that they wanted to have Seven Samurai ready on Blu-ray for Kurosawa’s birth month as well, but that it wouldn’t be ready until later in the year. The Seven Samurai Blu-ray was also teased at earlier this year when Amazon suddenly added a pre-order page for it,...
First up we are finally going to see Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece, Criterion Collection #2, Seven Samurai finally making its high definition debut in the states. This release was something that Criterion mentioned back in December, as the Ak 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa was released, and the Yojimbo / Sanjuro films were about to be announced on Blu-ray. In the post, Jonathan Turell mentioned that they wanted to have Seven Samurai ready on Blu-ray for Kurosawa’s birth month as well, but that it wouldn’t be ready until later in the year. The Seven Samurai Blu-ray was also teased at earlier this year when Amazon suddenly added a pre-order page for it,...
- 7/15/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.