New Releases for January 26!

It’s another glorious New Release Tuesday!

BLU = Also available to rent on Blu-ray disc

3D BLU = Available for rent on lovely 3D Blu-ray, though you must have a 3D TV to experience the full glory

@ = Available for sale in the store (but we can special order anything, see us for details)

First up is the latest film from Taiwanese master Hou Hsiao-hsien, THE ASSASSIN (@ BLU). Shu Qi (who also starred in Hou’s MILLENNIUM MAMBO) plays the titular killer, sent to liquidate a man with whom she has a personal history. Hou’s films are typically slow, meticulous, and gorgeously photographed, and this one is no different, but they way he’s grafted his style onto a more traditional martial arts story makes this one of the most beautiful and unique films of last year.

Then there’s Spike Lee’s controversial and vital CHI-RAQ (@ BLU). Lee has freely adapted Aristophanes’ comedy “Lysistrata”, moving the action to modern day Chicago, where the title character organizes the local women in a sex strike, denying their men any carnal pleasures until the gang violence that plagues the community comes to an end. This is a bitterly funny and bitterly angry film, full of Lee’s trademark idiosyncrasy, and one of his most interesting films.

As for the rest, don’t forget to check out the following: Arrow has a trio of deep-cut vintage Japanese thrillers in their new NIKKATSU DIAMOND GUYS (@ BLU) set. Bradley Cooper is a disgraced chef trying to win back his reputation in BURNT (BLU). They finally made a movie out of GOOSEBUMPS (BLU 3D). James Spader may be a Jack The Ripper copycat killer in 80’s cult classic JACK’S BACK (@ BLU). SONNY BOY (@ BLU) is another disturbing little underseen gem. And for TV fans we’ve got the sixth season of DOWNTON ABBEY (@ BLU) as well as DOCTOR WHO SERIES PART 2 (@ BLU).