SciFi Japan

    HOUSE director Nobuhiko Obayashi and daughter Chigumi are coming to New York for a retrospective of his films. Photo courtesy of Marc Walkow.

    Asian Cinema

    Acclaimed Filmmaker to Attend Screenings of His Work at Museum of Modern Art Author: Marc Walkow Official Site: Art Theater Guild and Japanese Underground Cinema, 1960–1986 Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Nobuhiko Obayashi -- best known outside of Japan for his 1977 pop-art fantasy / horror film HOUSE (???, Hausu) -- will be making a rare trip to New York City this week for several film screenings and the launch of a new exhibition / film series at the Museum of Modern Art. Accompanying him will be his family, including daughter Chigumi, who was responsible for writing the original story for HOUSE, when she was only 14 years old! Obayashi (or OB, as he`s frequently called) is one of those rare filmmakers who has worked comfortably in both the art-house and commercial areas of his field. Beginning his work as an 8mm and 16mm filmmaker in the 1960s,

    The live action manga adaptation RUROUNI KENSHIN will make its North American premiere in Los Angeles on December 14th. Photo courtesy of LA EigaFest. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2012

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    Director Keishi Otomo to Attend Source: LA EigaFest press release Official Movie Site: warnerbros.co.jp/rurouni-kenshin (Japan) The hit film RUROUNI KENSHIN (??????, 2012) will make its North American premiere as the opening selection for the 2012 LA EigaFest. Rurouni Kenshi is a hugely popular manga series that has fans among not only those who read Japanese manga but is also beloved by people familiar with the subsequent anime series and video games. The film has succeeded in bringing the original story to a live action movie and was a blockbuster summer hit in Japan. The director, Keishi Otomo, will attend the premiere and opening red carpet ceremony. LA EigaFest is a Japanese film festival based in Los Angeles and hosted by the Japan Film Society. The event will run Friday, December 14 – Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028.

    Frankie Sakai (MOTHRA) in THE SUN IN THE LAST DAY OF THE SHOGUNATE, being shown in a digitally restored version at the

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    Source: The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Special Thanks to Andrew Nguyen On September 10, 2012, Japan’s Nikkatsu Film Studio celebrated its 100th anniversary. One of Japan’s oldest and most acclaimed film studios, the Nikkatsu libraries contain approximately 3,300 film titles, including some of the most important Japanese films from the silent era to the classical period, from the postwar era to the new wave, and up to the current renaissance of Japanese cinema. Nikkatsu’s collection includes period pieces, samurai films, melodramas, youth films, gangster films, “pink” movies, horror films and contemporary blockbusters, with major critical and box-office successes in each of those areas. From October 26-28, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles presents "Nikkatsu at 100". This three-day event will draw from Nikkatsu’s library to celebrate 100 years of Japanese cinema, and will include screenings and discussions with filmmakers, scholars and critics on Nikkatsu’s enduring legacy in Japan

    The Terracotta Festival begins its UK tour this month. Image courtesy of Terracotta Distribution. © 2012 Terracotta Distribution

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    Source: Terracotta Distribution Official Site: terracottafestival.com Special Thanks to Claire Marty For the first time in its four year history, Terracotta Festival is expanding its successful London residency of current Asian cinema showcase to selected venues in the UK. The touring festival will kick off at the Cornerhouse cinema in Manchester on September 19th, followed by the Watershed in Bristol and will continue through October at the Genesis in London as well as dates in Brighton and Nottingham. More cities will be announced on the festival website. Organisers are bringing a shortened programme of five contemporary films offering a taster of the best in current cinema in the Far East. There will be two Japanese films, including ISN`T ANYONE ALIVE? which marks the return of Sogo Ishii to filmmaking after a 10 year absence, and crowd-pleasing comedy THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN. Also

    It`s back to the future with Max Headroom. © 1985 Chrysalis Visual Programming/Channel 4/All3Media

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    Original UK TV movie of MAX HEADROOM: 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE finally makes it to DVD Author: Robert Saint John Official Site: Transformer 20 years into the past... it was 1985, and the pre-Post Apocalyptic future was so bright, I had to wear shades. I decided to take a long vacation from life-as-I-knew-it-then in Ohio, sold everything I owned, and went to live in the UK for a few months. I had lots of big red hair and an attitude (I`ve since lost the former), and everything interesting in the Gothic Rock scene was happening in not-so-merry old England. Cynicism was the rule of the day, AIDS was becoming a global epidemic, Reaganomics and Thatcherism were ensuring that the rich got richer while the poor got poorer, The Bomb was probably going to fall any day now, and the Japanese appeared poised to purchase whatever

    Poster art for SPIDER-MAN 3. Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures. © 2007 Columbia Pictures

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    Source: Sony Pictures Official Site: Spider-Man 3 The following production notes were created by Columbia Pictures for the upcoming theatrical release of SPIDER-MAN 3. The text is © 2007 Columbia Pictures. MARVEL, and all Marvel characters including the Spider-Man, Sandman and Venom characters are © 2007 Marvel Characters, Inc. Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN 3 reunites the cast and filmmakers from the first two blockbuster adventures for a web of excitement that will transport worldwide audiences to thrilling new heights on May 4, 2007. In SPIDER-MAN 3, based on the legendary Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. When his Spider-Man suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well. Under the influence of the suit, Peter becomes

    Cover art for the new THE JUNGLE BOOK 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Home Ent. © 2007 Disney

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    Author: Keith Aiken Source: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Walt Disney Home Entertainment celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the animated classic THE JUNGLE BOOK with a 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD. The film has been restored with enhanced picture and sound, and comes with a wealth of bonus features. Somewhat loosely based on the stories by Rudyard Kipling, THE JUNGLE BOOK was the last animated feature that Walt Disney was personally involved with. Following the box office failure of THE SWORD IN THE STONE Disney decided that THE JUNGLE BOOK should be fast paced and fun, and while the finished film may not match the beauty of some earlier Disney’s features it is certainly one of the most enjoyable movies ever produced by the studio. For the DVD, the film was digitally restored back to its originally appeared back in 1967. THE JUNGLE BOOK is presented in the original

    Waterskier Chelsea (Willa Ford) spots hockey masked killer Jason Vorhees (Derek Mears) in the new FRIDAY THE 13TH reboot. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. ©2009 New Line Productions

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Movie Website: FRIDAY THE 13TH SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. Welcome back to Crystal Lake in a chilling re-imagining of the classic horror film FRIDAY THE 13TH. Searching for his missing sister, Clay Miller (Jared Padalecki) heads up to the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins behind moss-covered trees. And that’s not the only thing lying in wait under the brush. Against the advice of police and cautions from the locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has in the search for his missing sister, Whitney (Amanda Righetti), with the help of Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), a young woman he meets among a group of college kids up for an all-thrills weekend. But they are all about to find much more

    Josh Brolin stars as the disfigured western hero in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure JONAH HEX, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © DC Comics.

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    Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Official Website: Jonah-Hex.com After a disappointing opening weekend box office take of $5.4 million, the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures` comic book adaptation JONAH HEX plummeted 70% this past weekend to $1.6 million in ticket sales. The film is already being labeled one of the biggest failures of 2010 and has further cemented actress Megan Fox`s growing reputation as box office poison. The one bright spot so far has been lead actor Josh Brolin, whose performance as the DC Comics western hero has drawn positive notices. Warner Bros. recently sent us photos and detailed production notes for JONAH HEX so we thought we`d show the film a little love and share the material with any SciFi Japan readers who have seen JONAH HEX and/or enjoyed the comic book series... SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie.

    The short film ROMANCE will be screened opening night of

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    Spring Fling Film Series Screens over 20 Outré Love Stories with U.S. and World Premieres Source: Japan Society Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett New York, NY - Bad romance, blind love, amour fou: this spring Japan Society screens a series of twisted, heart-blazing films from Japan and Korea. "Love Will Tear Us Apart", the sixth annual Globus Film Series, runs March 2-18 at Japan Society, and showcases select seminal stories of love gone wrong, erotic obsession and the lyrical, sometimes sadistic, and ever-elusive nature of sexual and sentimental passions. Featuring 23 films -- mostly from the past decade with a few classics from as far back as 1969 -- the "Love Will Tear Us Apart" lineup includes the U.S. premiere of Shinya Tsukamoto`s latest film, KOTOKO, and the world premiere of Koji Wakamatsu’s PETREL HOTEL BLUE, as well as Hirokazu Kore’eda’s AIR DOLL,

    Otomo (Takeshi Kitano) is back from the dead, out of prison, and deep in trouble once again in OUTRAGE BEYOND, the sequel to Kitano`s gangster film OUTRAGE. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ? 2012

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, FilmPressPlus Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/outrage2 (Japan) Translations: Elliot Gay Special Thanks to Richard Lormand SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. A manipulative police crackdown on organized crime ignites a tricky power struggle involving the two biggest yakuza families in OUTRAGE BEYOND (?????? ????, Autoreiji Biyondo), the new film by "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (OUTRAGE, BROTHER, HANA-BI) opening in Japan on October 6, 2012. SYNOPSIS The huge Sanno crime family has grown into a huge organization, expanding its power into politics and legitimate big business. The Sanno’s upper ranks are now dominated by young executives who promote black-marketeering rather than the traditional underground income sources. The old-guard members are penting up resentment as they see themselves being pushed to the sidelines. This vulnerable spot in the Sanno hierachy is exactly what anti-gang

    Japanese poster. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2012 “Akko-Chan: The Movie” Film Partners. © Fujio Akatsuka

    Asian Cinema

    Manga Adaptation Opens in Japan on September 1st Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: akko-chan-movie.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming Japanese movie. The compact can transform you into "anything you want to be". Just say the secret magic words... Akko-chan (??????????, Himitsu no Akko-chan) is a manga by Fujio Akatsuka that created a great sensation in Japan. Originally serialized in Sueisha`s Ribon magazine from 1962-1965, Akko-chan was adapted by Toei as three THE SECRET OF AKKOCHAN anime television series and two animated feature films between 1969 and 1999. On September 1st, it will appear on the silver screen as a brand-new original story, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE (?? ??????????, Eiga Himitsu no Akko-chan). Haruka Ayase (CYBORG SHE, ICHI) stars as Akko in this first live-action adaptation of the comic.

    Ai Hashimoto (SADAKO 3D) and Ryunosuke Kamiki (THE GREAT YOKAI WAR) star in THE KIRISHIMA THING, the new film from director Daihachi Yoshida. Photo courtesy of Showgate. © 2012 “Kirishima” Film Club. © Ryo Asai/ Shueisha

    Asian Cinema

    Everyone is Caught Up in the Turmoil of the Kirishima Thing... Source: Showgate, NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: kirishima-movie.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new Japanese movie. Directed by Daihachi Yoshida, whose FUNUKE: SHOW SOME LOVE, YOU LOSERS! (??????????????? Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero, 2007) was officially selected for the Critics` Week at the 60th Cannes Film Festival, THE KIRISHIMA THING (???????????, Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo) is the perfect showcase of his unique portrayal of the dark side of people who end up being sympathetic. In this, his first time to work in the teenage milieu, he explores the human geography of a high school as it descends into turmoil caused by the unseen character of Kirishima. What results is a fascinating blend of character study, unforeseen twists and very real emotion

    Samurai Hanshiro Tsukumo (Ebizo Ichikawa) plans to end his life with a final act of vengeance in Takashi Miike`s HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film. © 2011 Ichimei Film Partners

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    VOD and Limited Theatrical Run in 3D Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tribeca Film Official Site: ichimei.jp (Japan), tribecafilm/hara-kiri-death-of-a-samurai (US) HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI (??, Ichimei, 2011), director Takashi Miike`s (AUDITION, 13 ASSASSINS) remake of Masaki Kobayashi’s cult classic HARAKIRI (??, Seppuku, 1962), is now available in the United States from distributor Tribeca Film. The film was released nationwide on VOD July 18th and begins a limited theatrical run on July 20th. In HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI, a mysterious samurai arrives at the doorstep of his feudal lord, requesting an honorable death by ritual suicide in his courtyard. The lord threatens him with the brutal tale of Motome, a desperate young ronin who made a similar request with ulterior motives, only to meet a grisly end. Undaunted, the samurai begins to tell a story of his own, with an ending no one

    Former motorcycle gang leader Tetsu Hino (Yoshimi Tokui) takes out his frustration on Hirofumi Arai in Toei manga adaptation, BLAZING FAMIGLIA. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2012 Bakugyaku Famiglia Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Violent Manga Adaptation Opens September 8th Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: bakugyaku.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. On September 8th, the action film BLAZING FAMIGLIA (????, Bakugyaku Kazoku) will open in theaters across Japan. Based on the 1994-2004 manga series of the same name by Hiroshi Tanaka (originally serialized in Kodansha`s Weekly Young Magazine), the film was produced and distributed by Toei Co. BLAZING FAMIGLIA was directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (KICHIKU, SKETCHES OF KAITAN CITY) and stars Yoshimi Tokui of the comedy group Chutorial. Additional cast members include Sadao Abe (THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, MAKO HAAAAN!!!!), Tetsuji Tamayama (CASSHERN, GOEMON), Hirofumi Arai (HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI), Arata Iura (20TH CENTURY BOYS), Kazuki Kitamura (GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, KAIBUTSU-KUN: THE MOVIE), Nao Omori (ALWAYS -SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- 3, HELTER SKELTER), Jun Murakami

    Top model Ririko (Erika Sawajiri) finds the dark side of fame in the manga adaptation HELTER SKELTER. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2012 Film “Helter Skelter” Production Committee

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    "Desire is the Only Truth!" in Live Action Adaptation of the Award-Winning Manga Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Site: hs-movie.com (Japan) Translations: Elliot Gay SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming Japanese movie. Actress Erika Sawajiri (ASHURA, SHINOBI) makes her return to the big screen after a 5 year hiatus with HELTER SKELTER (?????????, Heruta Sukeruta), opening in Japan on July 14, 2012. The movie is based on Kyoko Okazaki`s manga of the same -- first published by Shodensha in 2003 -- which took top honors from the 2004 Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize. Sawajiri plays Ririko, an icon who is the top star in the acting world. Her fame is so great it’s hard to look anywhere without seeing Ririko`s image plastered all over magazines, on television or in film. But Ririko has a secret that

    Samurai Hanshiro Tsukumo (Ebizo Ichikawa) plans to end his life with a final act of vengeance in Takashi Miike`s HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. © 2011 Ichimei Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Takashi Miike Remakes Cult Classic in 3D Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., FilmPressPlus Official Site: ichimei.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Richard Lormand SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States. HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI (??, Ichimei, 2011) is director Takashi Miike`s (AUDITION, 13 ASSASSINS) remake of Masaki Kobayashi’s cult classic HARAKIRI (??, Seppuku, 1962). It was the first 3D movie to compete for the Palme d`Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Released in Japan in late 2011, the film received a limited theatrical run in the UK this past May from Revolver Entertainment and will open in Australia on August 23rd from Icon Films. Plans for distribution in North American have not yet been announced. SciFi Japan presents a look at HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI with press notes and

    Fists will fly and noses will shatter in TAI CHI 0, coming to US theaters this October. © 2012 Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment Co., Ltd.

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    Well Go USA Teams with Variance to Release What is Clearly the Most Awesome Film Ever Made Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland Everyone knows Well Go USA Entertainment, who brought you such kung-fu badassery as IP MAN, IP MAN 2, LEGEND OF THE FIST and SHAOLIN is the best home entertainment company ever. It is also clear that Variance Films, whose corporate motto is “we are not afraid of you and we will beat your ass,” is probably the best theatrical distributor of all time. In their exhaustive travels, Well Go USA discovered a film called TAI CHI 0 (??????), which may be the most awesome film ever made. For proof: ? It is a steampunk martial arts film. ? It’s from the creators of SHAOLIN SOCCER and DETECTIVE DEE. ? It features choreography by

    WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE, Taiwan’s official Oscar entry, will receive a US theatrical release in April. © 2011 ARS Film Production Central Motion Picture Corporation

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    Taiwan’s Foreign Language Oscar Entry to Open in Major Markets Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Movie Site: seediqbalethemovie.com Special Thanks to Leif Helland Well Go USA Entertainment has set April 27, 2012 for the theatrical release of WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE (???·??, 2011), Taiwan’s official entry for the Academy Awards foreign language category. The film will open in key markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Vancouver, Austin, and Honolulu. Produced by John Woo, the epic WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE was directed by Wei Te-Sheng (CAPE NO. 7) and tells the true story of Taiwan’s aboriginal people who were almost wiped out by Japanese colonizers in the 1930s. The film stars Lin Ching-Tai, Umin Boya, Ando Masanobu, Kawahara Sabu, Vivian Hsu, Lo Mei-Ling, Landy Wen, Da Ching, Pawan Nawi, Yakau Kuhon, Lee Shih-Chia

    BATTLE ROYALE runs May 25-31 at the IFC Center in NYC. © 2000 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: IFC Center Special Thanks to Subway Cinema Today, the cult classic BATTLE ROYALE (?????????, Batoru Rowaiaru, 2000) begins its New York City theatrical premiere engagement with a week-long run at the IFC Center. A long-unavailable underground hit, veteran director Fukasaku’s epically violent, still-shocking and deeply influential genre masterpiece takes place in a dystopic alternate universe. To combat social unrest and economic catastrophe, the government has taken radical steps: every year, a randomly-selected ninth-grade class is sent to a deserted island and forced to battle to the death until only one survivor is left. Chiaki Kuriyama (KILL BILL), Tatsuya Fujiwara (DEATH NOTE), Aki Maeda (GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS), Kou Shibasaki (DORORO), Masanobu Ando (SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO) and screen legend Takeshi Kitano (BOILING POINT, BROTHER) star in the movie that has been argued, acclaimed and banned around the world. More than a decade later, it remains

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