Unlucky ’13’

Lauded Japanese director Takashi Miike returned last year to direct an action-packed ode to the samurai films of Kurosawa with 13 Assassins, new on DVD this week. Set in feudal Japan, the film follows the titular killers who join forces for the common good of eliminating an evil lord bent on ruling the country with an iron fist. Filled with cutthroat thrills, 13 Assassins features Babel and Memoirs of a Geisha star Koji Yakusho and an ensemble cast of Japan’s up-and-coming talent. Rated R.