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Pale Flower Directed by: Masahiro Shinoda Written by: Ataru Baba, Masahiro Shinoda Starring: Ryo Ikebe, Mariko Kaga, Takashi Fujiki I have practically no experience with Japanese New Wave filmmaking but it's clear that the influence of Pale Flower has seeped its way through the landscape of modern crime films (Jim Jarmusch's filmography comes to mind). After my first viewing I found Masahiro Shinoda's film to be as mysterious as it is cool with it's stark black and white photography, inspired visuals and complex characterizations. It also left me realizing that it might take a second viewing to totally grasp the subtleties of Pale Flower. The film stars Ryo Ikebe as Muraki, a Yakuza gangster fresh out of prison. Having been put away for murdering a member of a rival gang, he quickly realizes upon his release that the two factions have since called a truce, leaving him to adjust to the changes.

Hitting movie theaters this weekend:

Pirates of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides – Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane

Movie of the Week

Pirates of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides

The Stars: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane

The Plot: Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.

The Buzz: Who dares to release a film on the same day as the next Pirates film? No one dares. Well, slight correction — Woody Allen dares, but Midnight in Paris is a limited release. Really looking forward to that one too…but back on task…

I will admit my bias, as I absolutely adored the first three Pirates films, but that aside, this film’s first trailer knocked my socks off. Though it be a mere trailer, it had it all: Jack Sparrow (the...