Savant had a nice little education in modern action movie lore yesterday, watching a new Japanese crime film. I also have another Criterion classic newly reviewed.

Chimera/The American Cinematheque presents Takashi Miike's City of Lost Souls, a wild and freewheeling cross-cultural melange that actually creates entertaiment from a generic tale of star-crossed lovers on the run. With guns, swords, CGI cockfights, and a Japanese-Brazilian hero!

Criterion's Trouble in Paradise breathes new life into an Ernst Lubitsch favorite. Herbert Marshall, Miriam Hopkins and Kay Francis sparkle with pre-code sexuality. Enhanced with an entire Lubitsch short silent feature.

Savant finally caught up with SPIRITED AWAY last night, the praised but under-released Japanese animated film that really ought to win the Oscar this year. It was truly fantastic, and if you find any way to see it before it comes to DVD, it's recommended, even in the (very good) dubbed version. Thanks! Glenn Erickson