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Fiction

The Human Condition

Image of The Human Condition (The Criterion Collection)
(1961)
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Michirô Minami, Jun Tatara, Kokinji Katsura, Michiyo Aratama, Tatsuya Nakadai
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
Masaki Kobayashi’s mammoth humanist drama is one of the most staggering achievements of Japanese cinema. Originally filmed and released in three parts, the nine-and-a-half-hour The Human Condition (Ningen no joken), adapted from Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel, tells of the journey of the well-intentioned yet naive Kaji (handsome Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly trying to rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his morals an impediment rather than an advantage. A raw indictment of its nation’s wartime mentality as well as a personal existential tragedy, Kobayashi’s riveting, gorgeously filmed epic is novelistic cinema at its best.
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160123AvailableDVD

Tora-San

Image of Tora-San: Collector's Set 1
(1969)
Director: Yoji Yamada
Starring: Kiyoshi Atsumi
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
Beginning with its theatrical premiere in 1969, the 48-film Tora-san series (aka "Otoko Wa Tsurai Yo," lit. "It's tough being a man") stands as a legendary symbol of Japan. Featuring Kiyoshi Atsumi as the beloved loser in the title role, each film has garnered tremendous critical praise worldwide, hailed by critics for its clever scripts, endearing protagonist, and thoughtful look into post-war Japanese culture. Includes: Tora-San, Our Lovable Tramp; Tora-San's Cherished Mother; Tora-San, His Tender Love; and Tora-San's Grand Scheme.
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160115AvailableDVD

Big Bird in Japan

Image of Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan
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Director: Jonathan Stone
Starring:
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Description: 
There's plenty of adventure, music and mystery for Big Bird and Barkely the Dog in Japan! The excitement begins when they're separated from their tour group in Tokyo and are befriended by a young-and mysterious-Japanese woman. Could she be the mythical "Bamboo Princess" of Japanese folklore? Come along as Big Bird searches for the true identity of his new friend and discovers the beauty of Japan and the Japanese people. Travel with him as he explores some of Japan's most famous sights, meets a Japanese family and learns some Japanese words and customs. Four original songs make Big Bird in Japan a magical musical trip!
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160114AvailableDVD

Echoes of the Rainbow

Image of Echoes of The Rainbow
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Director: Alex Law
Starring:
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
This film depicts Hong Kong in the striving 60s, as seen through the eyes of a child. Nosy, naughty and always running into trouble, the kid observes with wit and humor the ever changing society of Hong Kong. The story revolves around the kid and his family - a working class father, a happy-go-lucky mother, an aspiring, starry-eyed elder brother, and our young protagonist himself. Through the elder brother's first romance, and the family's encounters with love, hope, failure, death and rebirth, we travel back to a place called old Hong Kong, a time we'll always remember, and a place we have always called home.
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120142AvailableDVD

End of Love

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Director: Simon Chung
Starring: Joman Chiang, Guthrie Yip, Clifton Kwan, Ben Yeung, Chi-Kin Lee
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
The lives of two young men cross in a Christian rehab camp where they are supposed to be healed from their addictions. This is a story about friendship but also about the intense and often brutal reality of life when it comes to drug abuse. Ming is an attractive young gay man with a passion for drugs and partying. After an overdose his secret identity as a male prostitute is revealed to his boyfriend who is furious about it and breaks up with him. Ming is transferred to a Christian rehab camp. Here he comes clean with his addiction and his sense of guilt. When released he is determined to live a "good" life but it is only a matter of time before the past catches up with him...
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120141AvailableDVD

Legend of the Condor Heroes

Image of Legend of the Condor Heroes (The Complete TV Series) 3 DVD Boxset
(1982)
Director:
Starring:
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Description: 
The Guo and the Yang clan face brutal mass slaughter during the Southern Song era and all survivors scatter into different directions afterwards. Guo Jing (Felix Wong), the successor of the Guo clan, is full of sincerity and perseverance. What's more, ever since his early childhood, he has been trained in top secret martial arts. The superb martial arts scholar accidentally runs into the lively and charming Huang Rong (Yung Mei Ling), which triggers a risky life and death romance!
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120138AvailableDVD

Dae Jang Geum: Volume 3

Image of Dae Jang Geum vol. 3
(2005)
Director:
Starring: Ji Jin Hee, Lee Young Ae
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Description: 
Jang-Geum returns to the palace as a physician, only to face the jealousy and hatred of longtime rival Keum-Young (Hong Li-Na). But Jang-Geum perseveres, curing many patients, and impresses the King with her competence and determination. She resolves to cure the King of his chronic illnesses, but with many government officials opposing her, the road she faces could be her toughest yet!
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140040AvailableDVD

Dae Jang Geum: Volume 2

Image of Dae Jang Geum vol. 2
(2005)
Director:
Starring: Ji Jin Hee, Lee Young Ae
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
Jang-Geum continues to endure the daily trails of life in the royal household. The Kitchen Ladies battle over heirarchy and preferential treatment from the Emperor, and the factional struggles over kitchen affairs become vicious - and even murderous! But even in this hostile world, the virtuous Jang-Geum manages to prevail wtih wisdom, integrity, and love.
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140039AvailableDVD

Dae Jang Geum: Volume 1

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Director: Lee Byung Hoon
Starring: Ji Jin Hee, Lee Young Ae
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
A historical drama based on a true story, Dae Jang Geum tells the tale of Jang-Geum, the first woman to become the King's personal physician. In a time when women held little influence in society, young Jang-Geum (Lee Young-Ae of JSA and One Fine Spring Day) strives to learn the secrets of Korean cooking and medicine in order to cure the King of his various ailments. Facing tremendous odds, palace intrigue, and politics she works her way to the top of the royal court with remarkable determination and wisdom.
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140038AvailableDVD

Jumong Volume 4

Image of Jumong Vol. 4
(2007)
Director: Lee Ju-Hwan
Starring: Kim Seung Soo, Han Hye Jin, Song Il Gook
Rating: Unrated
Description: 
The Legend Never Dies. The epic tale of war and love comes to a thrilling climax in the final volume of Jumong! One of the greatest Korean television series of all time, this award-winning historical drama takes its breathtaking plot twists and stunning visuals to an unforgettable conclusion in Jumong Volume 4. After years of valiant struggle and painful sacrifices, Jumong is closer than ever to his goal of uniting the rivaling factions of ancient Korea against the Han Chinese forces. Born from these turbulent times, the legendary leader must now face his final battle to bring peace to the land and forge a new day for his people.
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140012ReservedDVD
240013AvailableDVD