Tsugawa, Masahiko

Death Note, Vol. 5

After fifty days of confinement the killings continue and Light and Misa are released only to face the ride of their lives with a seemingly crazed Soichiro. Then Light rejoins L in the investigation and notices a strange connection between the recent Kira murders and a business outfit called the Yotsuba Group.Misa agrees to pose as the Yotsuba Group's spokesperson with the eager Matsuda playing her manager. But Matsuda may be getting himself in too deep when he decides to do a little snooping at the Yotsuba Group's Tokyo headquarters!Contains episodes 17-20:ExecutionAllyMatsudaMakeshiftSystem Requirements:Running Time: 100 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ANIME UPC: 782009238126 Manufacturer No: DDN05

As the macabre fantasy Death Note begins building to its climax, the story grows increasingly complex. Although he agrees to release Light and Misa from prison, L still believes they are the murderers Kira I and Kira II. To ensure Light does nothing without his knowledge, L has them handcuffed together, like Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier in The Defiant Ones. Misa's notebook has fallen into the hands of the board of the Yotsuba Corporation, who are using the attendant Shinigami (god of death) to eliminate businessmen whose interests clash with theirs. Light, who only used the notebook's powers to kill criminals, is appalled at these cold-blooded murders. He and his father want to arrest the board members, but L is more interested in capturing Kira. The tensions between their approaches, interests, and suspicions lead L and Light to clash and even punch each other out. The Limited Edition comes with a collectible figure of Misa. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence, violence against women, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Death Note, Vol. 4

As the dark fantasy Death Note nears its midpoint, the filmmakers continue to ramp up the tension in the deadly battle of wits between Light Yagami and detective prodigy L. Misa, the teen idol who had acquired her own notebook and attendant Shinigami (god of death), discovers Light's murderous secret identity. She attempts to recruit him as a boyfriend and suffers terribly for her efforts. Light wants to use her to destroy L, but is outfoxed by his nemesis. When L makes an uncharacteristic trip outside to visit Light at his college, the artists showcase their physical contrasts. Handsome, arrogant Light strides across the campus like a demigod; L slouches and shuffles, darting glances from beneath his uncombed hair. Although it began slowly, Death Note gets better with every installment as the stakes grow higher in the duel between Light and L. The Limited Edition comes with a collectible plastic figure of Gelus, one of the less attractive Shinigami. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence, violence against women) --Charles Solomon

Light becomes the hunter when he's forced to track down Misa the second Kira. When she finds him first Light realizes he has a valuable asset on his hands and asks Misa to dispose of L. But Misa's focused on other matters - in addition to her Shinigami Eyes she's got eyes for Light! Any chance at love is dashed however when Misa's cover is blown and she's ordered to relinquish the Death Note. With Misa and Light detained the killings come to a halt but then mysteriously resume...Contains episodes 13-16:ConfessionFriendWagerDecisionSystem Requirements:Running Time: 100 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ANIME UPC: 782009238102 Manufacturer No: DDN04

Death Note - Vol. 3

As the macabre fantasy Death Note continues, the battle of wits between Light Yagami (the serial killer Kira) and investigator L escalates. The two teenagers meet when they take the entrance exam for a prestigious university. Although he's as brilliant as he is arrogant, Light finds himself hard-pressed to keep up with L in their deadly game of cat and mouse. Director Tetsuro Araki plays up the physical differences between the lead characters: Light is cool, handsome, and well-groomed; twitchy, slovenly L seems to think with his bare feet as well as his redoubtable brain. The appearance of a copycat killer who poses as Kira shocks both Light and L. A model named Misa has acquired her own notebook and attendant Shinigami (god of death). It will be interesting to see where this subplot goes, but it feels like unnecessary distraction that takes viewer away from central duel. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence) --Charles Solomon

For genius detective L Light's behavior is too perfect to be true and to get closer to him he enrolls at the same university and even invites Light into the investigation. The murders continue but with a new twist--there appears to be a second Kira at work! L has Light pose as the original Kira in order to lure out the copycat and Light agrees hoping to divert suspicion from himself. But he's surprised to discover that this new Kira has an ability even Light himself lacks...Episode 9: EncounterEpisode 10: DoubtEpisode 11: AssaultEpisode 12: LoveSystem Requirements:Run Time: 100 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ANIME UPC: 782009237860 Manufacturer No: DDN03

Death Note - Vol. 2

Some teenagers walk around with a chip on their shoulder: Light Yagami, the alienated hero of this macabre fantasy-adventure, has Ryuk, a Shinigami, or god of death, hovering over his shoulder. Light proceeds with his plan to eliminate anyone he considers worthy of death by writing their names in Ryuk's notebook. But when he kills the FBI agents who have come to Japan to help solve the spate of mysterious murders, the investigation shifts into higher gear. The elusive L meets with a small cadre of police officers who are willing to risk their lives to pursue the case--including Light's father. Although he's eccentric and twitchy, L is clearly brilliant. The police can gather information and run errands, but the case is now literally a duel to the death between L and Light. Director Tetsuro Araki maintains the suspense, although his cast isn't particularly likable. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence) --Charles Solomon

The net begins to tighten around Light when the enigmatic detective L brings in FBI agents to assist on the case. Light becomes rattled when he meets a woman who may have information that could lead to his arrest. But Light holds the ultimate trump card--the Death Note itself. Light needs to uncover her true identity and eliminate her before she goes to the task force. Then L raises the stakes by putting the Yagami household under surveillance. With L closing in on him will Light crack under the pressure? System Requirements:Run Time: 100 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ANIME UPC: 782009237754 Manufacturer No: DDN02

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah - Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

Fifty years ago the Japanese Defense Forces killed Godzilla® or so they thought. When a series of terrifying natural disasters begin to plague Japan including the inexplicable offshore sinking of a U.S. submarine a mystic old man warns his nation that Godzilla® has come back to destroy Japan as revenge for all the souls lost in the Pacific War. When mere military might can not squash the monster the mystic man awakens the Holy Beasts of Yamato - King GhidorahTM Mothra® and BaragonTM sleeping giants that protected Japan in ancient times. These untamed mammoth beasts take on Godzilla® with frightening supernatural brute power that has been 2000 years in the making. Tradition and technology collide in this chilling high-tech cutting-edge fable.System Requirements: Running Time 105 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: NR UPC: 043396100145 Manufacturer No: 10014

This 2001 Godzilla feature from Japan's Toho Studios, released as part of the mighty monster's 50th anniversary, is a visually impressive and action-packed entry in the long-running franchise, but also one with a fast and loose re-interpretation of its history that may displease some stalwart fans. Writer-director Shusuke Kaneko (who previously revitalized the Gamera series) erases everything that occurred after 1954's Godzilla and re-imagines the beast as a mythical creature harboring the souls of the Japanese victims of World War II; its attack is challenged by three "Guardian Monsters": Mothra, perennial villain King Ghidorah (here reinvented as hero) and B-list player Baragon (from Frankenstein Challenges the World). The retooling, while imaginative, is supported by spectacular special effects, but the monsters' brawls (a core reason for enjoying these films) seem abbreviated, and Kaneko's script experiences awkward seismic shifts from comedy to grim drama that may befuddle longtime G-fans. Columbia-Tri-Star's DVD is widescreen and offers Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and a Japanese language track (with English subtitles) that should please viewers with an aversion to dubbing. Trailers for other Sony/Columbia sci-fi titles like the American Godzilla feature are also included. --Paul Gaita

A Taxing Woman

English subtitles, Japanese language, Full Frame, All Region Import. Ryoko Itakura is a government tax agent who has just landed a big promotion. Her first assignment is to catch wheeler-dealer Hideki Gondo. She has a tough job, since in Japan tax evasion is an art and Gondo is, in effect, Rembrandt. Her job is complicated by a growing sympathy for the rogue and by political pressure to lay off.

Godzilla DVD Collection 7-Pack (Godzilla (1998) / Godzilla 2000 / vs. King Ghidora / and Mothra The Battle for Earth / vs. Destoroyah / vs. Space Godzilla / vs. Mechagodzilla / Giant Monsters All Out Attack / vs. Megaguirus)

Supermarket Woman

Japanese language, English subtitles. A new supermarket 'Bargains Galore' opens, and threatens the longer-established 'Honest Goro' with its aggressive price cutting. The owner of 'Honest Goro' (Goro, played by Masahiko Tsugawa) inspects the new store, and bumps into an old classmate he hasn't seen for years (Hanako, played by Nobuko Miyamoto). She uses her 'housewife's know' to show him why his supermarket is performing so badly. He resolves to make his supermarket the best in Japan, and gives her a job as head cashier.

Death Note - Vol. 3 (Limited Edition)

Japanese imported Limited Edition Collector's Figurine of L inside!For genius detective L Light's behavior is too perfect to be true and to get closer to him he enrolls at the same university and even invites Light into the investigation. The murders continue but with a new twist--there appears to be a second Kira at work! L has Light pose as the original Kira in order to lure out the copycat and Light agrees hoping to divert suspicion from himself. But he's surprised to discover that this new Kira has an ability even Light himself lacks...Episode 9: EncounterEpisode 10: DoubtEpisode 11: AssaultEpisode 12: LoveSystem Requirements:Run Time: 100 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ANIME UPC: 782009237877 Manufacturer No: DDND03

As the macabre fantasy Death Note continues, the battle of wits between Light Yagami (the serial killer Kira) and investigator L escalates. The two teenagers meet when they take the entrance exam for a prestigious university. Although he's as brilliant as he is arrogant, Light finds himself hard-pressed to keep up with L in their deadly game of cat and mouse. Director Tetsuro Araki plays up the physical differences between the lead characters: Light is cool, handsome, and well-groomed; twitchy, slovenly L seems to think with his bare feet as well as his redoubtable brain. The appearance of a copycat killer who poses as Kira shocks both Light and L. A model named Misa has acquired her own notebook and attendant Shinigami (god of death). It will be interesting to see where this subplot goes, but it feels like unnecessary distraction that takes viewer away from central duel. The Special Edition comes with a collectible figure of L in his characteristic crouching pose. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence) --Charles Solomon

Tampopo

Like seeds of a dandelion blowing in the wind, the plot of Tampopo wanders in several directions, following the lives of a quirky collection of characters. At the heart of this film is a young widow named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto), who is struggling to make ends meet by running a noodle restaurant. Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki), a truck driver, saves Tampopo's young son from being beaten by a group of school girls and is rewarded with a bowl of very bad ramen (noodles). Goro tells Tampopo the awful truth about her cooking and she asks for his help. Together they search for the perfect ramen recipe.

Intersecting this part of the plot are several smaller and less well-realized stories. Koji Yakusho, who stars in Shall We Dance, appears as a sensuous gangster who would rather play with his food than eat it. Then there's the mysterious Noodle Master who lives with a group of street vagabonds and a young executive who knows how to order food from a French menu, but not how to preserve the dignity of his superiors.

While the film as a whole feels somewhat disjointed, writer-director Juzo Itami manages to infuse Tampopo (which means "dandelion") with a sense of Japanese joie de vivre that is worth experiencing. Take notes during the "soup scenes" and see what you can cook up for yourself. --Luanne Brown