November 21, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 19 Digitally restored ‘Rashomon’ now available by Dennis Seuling “Rashomon” (The Criterion Collection) is Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 classic, which is newly available in a Blu-ray digitally restored special edition. The film was innovative in its story-telling technique. Rather than confine himself to a traditional narrative, Kurosawa tells his story from the points-of-view of different characters. Set in 11th-century Japan, the movie uses four contradictory accounts of the same event: the rape of a woman (Machiko Kyo) and the subsequent death of her samurai husband (Masayuki Mori), possibly at the hands of an arrogant bandit (Toshiro Mifune). A woodcutter (Takashi Shimura) contributes his account, relating it initially to the authorities and later to a couple of men: a priest and a commoner who has a pessimistic view of humanity. While the rain falls in torrents, soaking the barren landscape, the woodcutter and his new acquaintances discuss and philosophize over the terrible events. As the different stories unfold, expectations give way to unusual ramifications that show the stories and characters in a different light. This story structure has been imitated in films many times since. A mere 88 minutes, “Rashomon” focuses on human fallibility, dishonesty, and self-centeredness rather than the notion that there is such a thing as one objective truth. A key line of dialogue is the woodcutter’s: “I just don’t understand.” He has heard the same events described by all three participants in three different ways with each claiming to be the killer. The new Blu-ray special edition contains a wealth of bonuses, including audio commentary by Japanese film historian Donald Richie, an interview with director Robert Altman about “Rashomon,” excerpts from a documentary Toshiro Mifune and Machiko Kyo in ‘Rashomon.’ on the film’s cinematographer, archival audio interview with actor Takashi Shimura, and a booklet featuring a critical essay, reprints of “Rashomon’s” two source stories, and a 68-minute documentary. “Guys and Dolls” (Warner Home Video) is the Samuel Goldwyn adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine, the film is based on the quirky, colorful stories of Broadway types by Damon Runyon. Nathan Detroit (Sinatra) runs a high-stakes craps game, but because of recent police pressure, he is having difficulty finding a location for the game. Only one person is willing to host the game, but he wants $1,000 up front. To raise the money, Nathan bets Sky Masterson (Brando) -- a high roller who will bet on anything on a whim -- that Sky can’t convince straitlaced Salvation Army worker Sarah Brown (Simmons) to go with him to Havana for the night. Meanwhile, Nathan is under pressure from his showgirl fiancée of 14 years, Adelaide (Blaine), to get married. The production takes place mostly in studio sets, though the artifice is appropriate for the exaggerated characters and situations of the story. Frank Loesser’s score ranks among the very best of Broadway and includes “Luck Be a Lady,” Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “I’ll Know,” “A Woman in Love,” and “A Bushel and a Peck.” Special features on the Blu-ray edition include the documentaries “The Goldwyn Touch” and “From Stage to Screen,” additional musical performances, and a 40-page book that features photos, a production history, and bios. “The Expendables 2” (Lionsgate) brings together a group of aging action stars in an adventure guaranteed to provide enough gunfire and explosions to last at least a year. Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is approached by CIA agent Church (Bruce Willis), who wants him and his mercenaries to go to the former Soviet Union to retrieve something that was on a plane that crashed. Church does not reveal exactly what it is he is getting. Once in Russia, all hell breaks loose when a hostage is taken. The roles of both Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been expanded from their short appearances in the first film. This film also stars Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph (continued on Crossword page)