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    We have a winner! Classic Media`s GOJIRA DVD wins a Rondo Award, makes some Top 10 lists and is nominated for a Saturn Award. ©1954 Toho Co., Ltd./2006 Classic Media.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Classic Media’s DVD of the original GODZILLA proves popular with fans and critics Classic Media’s GOJIRA was named “Best DVD of 2006” in the 5th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards. The DVD’s audio commentary by Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle also came in second place for “Best DVD Commentary” behind THE WICKER MAN commentary by Ed Woodward, Robin Hardy, Mark Kermode and the legendary Christopher Lee. The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards were started by David Colton and Kerry Gammill of the Classic Horror Film Boards. The award statue is a bust of horror film actor Rondo Hatton, who starred in such films as THE PEARL OF DEATH (1944), HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946) and THE BRUTE MAN (1946). Further details and a complete list of winners can be found on the awards website. SciFi Japan offers our congratulations to this year’s award winners! In related

    Japanese poster art for CUTIE HONEY. © 2004 Dynamic Planning, Inc./Warner Bros. Ent.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Bandai Entertainment On April 17, Warner Bros. Japan’s CUTIE HONEY (Kutei Hanii, 2004) will be released on DVD in America by Bandai Entertainment. The movie was directed by Hideaki Anno (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION) and stars fashion model Eriko Sato (a.k.a. “Sato Eri”) as the flesh and blood incarnation of Go Nagai’s famous manga and anime character. CUTIE HONEY is a fun and fast-paced film in which the super-heroine goes through more than thirty different costume changes as she battles a host of bizarre and silly villains. Bandai has announced that there will be two different releases of CUTIE HONEY. The standard DVD release will retail for $29.98 and includes the 93 minute long feature with the original Japanese audio, an English dub and English subtitles, plus the theatrical trailers, a promo video, and a “Making of CUTIE HONEY” documentary. The Limited

    © 1956 Nikkatsu Corp / 2007 Criterion

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: John DeSentis Official Site: The Criterion Collection The Criterion Collection has announced the March 13, 2007 DVD releases of two classic war dramas by director Kon Ichikawa, THE BURMESE HARP (Biruma no tategoto, 1956) and FIRES ON THE PLAIN (Nobi, 1959). Both are newly restored high-definition digital transfers presented in their original aspect ratios (1.33:1 and 2.35:1, respectively) and feature newly remastered soundtracks. MSRP for both titles is $29.95 each. THE BURMESE HARP stars Shoji Yasui (THE FALL OF AKO CASTLE) as Mizushima, a POW at the end of World War II sent on a mission that will change his very identity. Music plays a key role in the film, which features a score by the late Akira Ifukube (GODZILLA, DAIMAJIN). The DVD also features interviews with director Kon Ichikawa and veteran actor Rentaro Mikuni (KWAIDAN), and an essay by film historian

    Theatrical poster for THE GRUDGE 2. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2006 GHP 4-Grudge 2, LLC.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    The Cast and Crew go behind the scenes for the horror sequel Source: Sony Pictures Official Site: Do You Have A Grudge The following production notes were created by Sony Pictures for the October 13, 2006 theatrical release of THE GRUDGE 2. The text is © 2006 Sony Pictures. THE GRUDGE 2 will be released on DVD on February 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. From Sam Raimi and Columbia Pictures comes the eerie thriller THE GRUDGE 2, which explores the dark secrets behind the revenge-seeking grudge’s wrath as the terrifying supernatural curse is unleashed on a group of seemingly unrelated victims, moving out of the burned-out house and spreading everywhere. The much-anticipated sequel to the 2004 hit THE GRUDGE, which earned over $188 million in worldwide box office receipts, stars Amber Tamblyn (JOAN OF ARCADIA), with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning briefly in the memorable

    A murdered woman returns as the DOLL FROM HELL. Photo courtesy of Media Blasters. © 1996 Gaga Communications

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    New DVD Info, Cover Art, and Release Dates for the `Tokyo Shock` Label Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Media Blasters has provided new cover art and information on their upcoming Tokyo Shock releases. Look for the following Region 1 DVDs in the next few months. February 13, 2007: DOLL FROM HELL (Ikenie, 1996) This horror thriller from Gaga Communications (ZEIRAM) is also known as SACRIFICE. Out in the middle of nowhere sits a remote mountain villa where an old doll maker and his daughter Erika reside. There`s is a peaceful existence until a gang of ruthless thugs bring about a whole mess of trouble. When the gang thinks Erika witnessed one of their crimes, they attack and kill her and disfigure her father with acid. With the help of a magic spell, the doll maker sacrifices himself in order to bring Erika back as

    DVD cover art for SYNESTHESIA. Photo courtesy of ADV Films. © 2004 Art Port/Shochiku/Euro Space /Kansai Telecasting Corp.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: ADV Films ADV Films of Houston, TX recently announced that they had acquired North American theatrical, video and TV rights for several recent properties from the Japanese studio Shochiku Co., Ltd. Their first release will be the 2005 suspense thriller SYNESTHESIA (Gimme Heaven). SYNESTHESIA was the feature film debut of docuentary director Toru Matsuura. It stars Yosuke Eguchi of ANOTHER HEAVEN (Anazahevun, 2000) and SAMURAI COMMANDO: MISSION 1549 (Sengoku Jieitai 1549, 2005); Masanobu Ando from the blockbuster hits REX: A DINOSAUR`S STORY (Rex: Kyoryu Monogatari, 1993), BATTLE ROYALE (Batoru Rowaiaru, 2000) and AEGIS (Bokoku no Igisu, 2005); and actress Aoi Miyazaki from EUREKA (2000) and TOMIE: FORBIDDEN FRUIT (Tomie: Saishu-sho Kindan no Kajitsu, 2002). Rounding out the cast are Ryuhei Matsuda (IZO), Yuriko Ishida (PRINCESS MONONOKE), Hijiri Kojima (OTAKUS IN LOVE), and Shigemitsu Ogi (THE HYPNOTIST). The film was written by Yuji Sakamoto, screenwriter of

    Richard Jaeckel, Akira Takarada, Linda Haynes, Joseph Cotten and Kin Omae in LATITUDE ZERO, coming to DVD in 2007 from Media Blasters. © 1969 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Tokyo Shock Release Schedule Updated for 2007 Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc., various Special Thanks to Clay Holden SciFi Japan has learned that Linda Haynes may be recording a brand-new audio commentary for Media Blasters’ Region 1 DVD of LATITUDE ZERO. The former Miss Miami played Dr. Anne Barton in the 1969 Toho science fiction film by director Ishiro Honda and special fx director Eiji Tsuburaya. Her other film credits include COFFY (1973), ROLLING THUNDER (1977), and BRUBAKER (1980). The deal is still in the talking stages, but the actress herself revealed that she had been contacted about providing commentaries for both LATITUDE ZERO and HUMAN EXPERIMENTS, a 1980 American horror film coming to DVD next year from Code Red. We’ll be sure to announce if/when the agreement is approved and confirmed by Media Blasters and Toho. In related news, Media Blasters announced that the

    Beauty and the beast revisited: Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and King Kong. Photo courtesy of Weta Digital Ltd./Universal Studios.© 2005 Universal Studios.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    The Cast and Crew Discuss Making a New Eighth Wonder of the World Source: Universal Studios Official Site: King Kong Movie The following production notes were created by Universal Pictures for the December 14, 2005 theatrical release of KING KONG. The text is © 2005 Universal Studios. Triple Academy Award winner Peter Jackson, whose THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy made motion picture history, now brings his sweeping cinematic vision to one of the screen’s most enduring classics and one of the greatest filmic adventures of all time: KING KONG. Assuming directing, producing and co-screenwriting duties, Jackson turns his attention to the iconic tale immortalized in 1933 by adventurers-turned-filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and co-director Ernest B. Schoedsack, who first conjured the indelible image of the gigantic ape atop the Empire State Building, protecting his human companion from an onslaught of attacking biplanes. Jackson

    The packaging for the new KING KONG DELUXE EXTENDED EDITION details the features of the DVD. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. © 2005 Universal Studios.

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    More Dinosaurs, More Kong in a Spectacular New 3-Disc Set Author: Keith Aiken Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Official Site: King Kong Movie KING KONG ON DVD KING KONG PRODUCTION NOTES from Universal Studios KING KONG DELUXE EXTENDED EDITION Running Time: 201 Minutes Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) Dolby Digital 5.1 SRP: $34.98 Release Date: November 14, 2006 Few movies have had the impact of the original KING KONG. Merian C. Cooper— working with co-director Ernest B. Shoedsack, special effects wizard Willis O’Brien, and a talented cast headlined by Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong— had crafted a “Beauty and the Beast” fable full of adventure, romance, and dinosaurs; a perfect (if temporary) escape for audiences reeling from the Great Depression. The RKO Radio Picture was a box office sensation upon its initial release in March of

    ADV will release the thriller SYNESTHESIA and the horror film GHOST TRAIN in 2007. SYNESTHESIA international publicity flyer courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. © 2004 Art Port/Shochiku/Euro Space/Kansai Telecasting Corp. GHOST TRAIN AFM screening advertisement © 2006 Ghost Train Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: ADV Films Special Thanks to Shochiku Co., Ltd. ADV Films of Houston, TX and Shochiku Co., Ltd. of Tokyo have announced an agreement for several recent properties from the Japanese studio. Under terms of the deal, ADV has North American theatrical, video and TV rights to the feature films GHOST TRAIN and SYNESTHESIA, as well as North American, British, and Australian video, TV and Video On Demand rights to the hit animated series LE CHEVALIER D’EON. These titles are planned for release before the summer of 2007. Founded in 1895, Shochiku is involved in movie and television production, theatrical distribution of Japanese and foreign motion pictures, worldwide sales, exhibition, DVD and home video distribution, and the Kabuki Theater. The company has produced a number of critically and financially successful films, including Yoji Yamada’s THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI (Tasogare Seibei, 2003), the 2004 Academy Award nominee for best

    Lake Sai near Mt Fuji is home to a hungry plesiosaur in LEGEND OF DINOSAURS AND MONSTER BIRDS. © 1977 Toei Co., Ltd

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Tokyo Shock Release Schedule for November 2006-March 2007 Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Media Blasters has announced the following Tokyo Shock titles for November 2006 through March 2007. Not all details are final, but the following information provides a sneak peek at what will be on Region 1 DVD in the coming months. November 7, 2006: ZEIRAM Special Edition (Zeiramu, 1991) The vicious space outlaw Zeiram (Mizuho Yoshida) escapes to earth, pursued by an attractive bounty hunter named Iria (Yuko Moriyama) and her assistant Bob, a sentient computer. Iria sets up a dimensional trap called the Zone that will allow her to fight and capture the bio-engineered monster without drawing any outside attention, but two bumbling power company employees, Kamiya and Tepphei (Yukijiro Hotaru, Kunihiko Iida), accidentally stumble into the trap as it is being activated. Iria now has to save

    Godzilla battles Angilas in GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, one of two classic Godzilla films coming to DVD next month. © 1955 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Classic Media Official site: Godzilla on DVD Classic Media is offering FREE Shipping on all orders (US only) for GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA on DVD received now through 10/27/06. Enter the code GRAMOTH1 at check out and free shipping will be reflected in your order. Your order will be shipped to arrive on or just prior to the release date of 11/07/06. All orders received after 10/27/06 will be subject to applicable shipping and handling fees. Standard delivery orders received after 10/27/06 and 2-3 day Rush delivery orders received after 11/4/06 are not guaranteed to arrive prior to the release date. Official Press Release:

    The gathering of good yokai brings together (from l to r) Tenoume, Kasabake, Bakeneko, Noterabo, Shojo, Kawataro, Yuki Onna, Zashiki, General Nurarihyon, Furu Furu, Lamp Oil, Namahage, Rokurokubi, Mitsume Kozo, Kawahime, and Kamakiri. Photo courtesy of Horizon Entertainment. © 2005

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    A look at the incredible fantasy adventure YOKAI DAISENSO from Takashi Miike and Kadokawa Pictures Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc., Horizon Entertainment Ltd Official site: Yokai-Movie Special Thanks to Kyle Yount, Daisuke Ishizuka, Vivian Chen, JustBeComplex.com, Clay Holden, and Kyle Byrd DVD REVIEW: THE GREAT YOKAI WAR Double-Disc Special Edition from Media Blasters The Cast and Characters of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR The legends of Japan are replete with tales of the strange creatures known as yokai. Not quite apparitions, monsters, or ghosts, the yokai are mystical beings that secretly live in the world of men. Mostly unseen, they come in a variety of bizarre forms— some hideous, some cute— and have incredible supernatural powers. They tend to be mischievous and playful, but they are sometimes dangerous towards humans because the yokai are not restrained by the

    The River Sanzu is the threshold to the afterlife. © 1960 Kokusai Hoei

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Nobuo Nakagawa’s HELL on DVD from the Criterion Collection Author: Keith Aiken Source: Criterion Collection “Shocking, outrageous, and poetic, JIGOKU (HELL, a.k.a. THE SINNERS OF HELL) is the most innovative creation from Nobuo Nakagawa, the father of the Japanese horror film. After a young theology student flees a hit-and-run accident, he is plagued by both his own guilt-ridden conscience and a mysterious, diabolical doppelganger. But all possible escape routes lead straight to hell— literally. In the gloriously gory final third of the film, Nakagawa offers up his vision of the underworld in a tour de force of torture and degradation. A striking departure from traditional Japanese ghost stories, JIGOKU, with its truly eye-popping (and -gouging) imagery, created aftershocks that are still reverberating in contemporary world horror cinema.” – from Criterion publicity materials The award-winning Criterion Collection continues their tradition of top-quality DVDs

    Media Blasters will be bringing FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD and LATITUDE ZERO to DVD early next year. © 1965/69 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Media Blasters announces more Toho DVDs Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Tuesday’s coverage of Media Blasters’ upcoming DVDs revealed that the company was planning to release more Toho titles in the new year. Today, Media Blasters officially announced that the Ishiro Honda/Eiji Tsuburaya collaborations FRANKENSTEIN VS BARAGON (Furankenshutain tai Chite Kaiju Baragon, US title FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, 1965) and LATITUDE ZERO (Ido Zero Daisakusen, 1969) will be coming to Region 1 DVD in 2007 from the `Tokyo Shock` label. This will be the first US DVD release for both films. Media Blasters put out their first DVDs of classic Toho fx movies in March 2005, and to date they have released THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957), VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (Daikaiju Baran, 1958), MATANGO: ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE (Matango, 1963), ATRAGON (Kaitei Gunkan, 1963), DOGORA (Uchu Daikaiju Dogora, aka DAGORA THE SPACE MONSTER, 1964),

    ZEBRAMAN and DEVILMAN are coming to DVD from Media Blasters in 2007. English promotional materials courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ZEBRAMAN © 2004 Zebraman Partners. DEVILMAN © 2004 Devilman Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Upcoming 2006 Titles from the `Tokyo Shock` Label... and Early News on What to Expect in 2007 Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Media Blasters has announced the following Tokyo Shock titles for November 2006 through January 2007. Not all details are final, but the following information provides a sneak peek at what will be coming to Region 1 DVD over the next few months. November 7, 2006: ZEIRAM Special Edition (Zeiramu, 1991) The vicious space outlaw Zeiram (Mizuho Yoshida) escapes to earth, pursued by an attractive bounty hunter named Iria (Yuko Moriyama) and her assistant Bob, a sentient computer. Iria sets up a dimensional trap called the Zone that will allow her to fight and capture the bio-engineered monster without drawing any outside attention, but two bumbling power company employees, Kamiya and Tepphei (Yukijiro Hotaru, Kunihiko Iida), accidentally stumble into the

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