Mid-Week DVD Pick

I'm all about subtitles right now. The last really good flicks I have watched have all been foreign.
This film, High and Low[1963] (aka Tengoku to Jigoku, literally meaning "Heaven and Hell ) directed by acclaimed Japanese film director, producer, and screenwriter Akira Kurosawa. Akira Kurosawa or "Tenno" (literally means "Emperor") for his legendary aggressive directing style in Japanese filmmaking. One of the few directors to recieve an Oscar (for Lifetime Achievement) and the prestigious Légion d'Honneur.
In the industry, Kurosawa was better known for his distinctive cinematographer style. He filmed using multiple cameras for action and was known to use telephoto lenses which give off a flat square image.
Also one of the first Japanese directors to througholy use weather and certain emotional elements to heighten the sense of a scene.
(These are all scenes from High and Low)
The movie High and Low is kidnapping, coming to age story about a rich executive in a over-the-hill shoe company, who is forced to comply with life's course. The story follows Kingo Gondo (Toshirō Mifune), a partner in a board of 8 members in the National shoes company. Over his 25 years at the company, Gondo tenure at National Shoes was mainly with the factory and the owner. Over the time, National Shoes starts to lose their steam so the board decides to produce lower quality shoes which upset Gondo. Gondo doesn't agree with tarnishing the business name or producing mass market shoes of lower quality.
When the executives meet to discuss the future of National Shoes factory it becomes all out war. Minutes after their meeting, Gondo receives a call that his son has been kidnapped. The movie becomes excellent right about here.. .
That is all I can say. I left out a few things but if you see the movie you will thank me for not telling you those few things. Definitely a great watch. I recently found out that the Criterion Collection just re-released this influential film with improved subtitles and a 37 minute making of High and Low.


I saw this movie on IFC but you can find Akira Kurosawa films on Netfliks and good film rental places(That means not Blockbuster)