Gojira (Godzilla): The Original Japanese Masterpiece (NR)
Directed by Ishiro Honda
Toho/ClassicMedia/Sony
I've seen just about every sequel, remake and re- imagining of this classic film, but never had I seen the original, non-Americanized print of the 1954 masterpiece Gojira, known more famously here as Godzilla. The greatest, and most important film to ever come out of Japan (sorry, Kurosawa!), the original Japanese version is not just some monster film it's a blatant anti-nuke protest piece that's shockingly as relevant today as it must have been for the post- World War II, post-atomic devastation mindframe in which it was created. ClassicMedia's reissue is simply gorgeous, from the packaging to the film prints themselves. This is the DVD must-own pick of September, and a film no serious cinephile monster fan or not should be without. Louis Fowler
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Do You Like Hitchcock? (NR)
Directed by Dario Argento
Anchor Bay Entertainment
Last week, I reviewed Italian horror-god Dario Argento's entry into the Masters of Horror canon, Jenifer. It's been a busy year for the comeback kid, as he's also made a sly return to his former moody giallo greatness with the Hitchcock homage, Do You Like Hitchcock?, originally produced for Italian TV. Moving into Brian DePalma territory, Argento's tale is about a nerdish film student who becomes embroiled in a Strangers on a Train-style scenario. Set pieces from Rear Window and Vertigo, among other Hitchcock films, are mixed into the pot, all sifted and strained through Argento's twisted worldview. A great treat for Hitchcock and Argento fans alike. Louis Fowler
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Cromartie High: The Movie (NR)
Directed by Yudai Yamaguchi
Tokyo Shock/Media Blasters
I've said it once, and dammit, I'll say it again: No one makes films like the Japanese. Think of the craziest, most insane Western film you can, and it's still nowhere near what the Japanese can put on film. Case in point: the laugh-out-loud bizarre antics of Cromartie High: The Movie. Young Takashi attends Cromartie High, the worst school in Japan not only is it filled with punks and thugs, but robots and gorillas as well. Wanting to clean up the school, Takashi starts a gang designed to help, but only succeeds in initiating a hostile takeover by you guessed it gorillas from outer space. More a series of vignettes than a linear film, Cromartie is super-happy-fun-go-time all the way. Louis Fowler
