The festival includes the U.S. Premiere of the new animated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, the world premiere of BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE,
classics like IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, a tribute to Stan Winston, and a sneak preview of HELL RIDE.
THE CLONE WARS © 2008 Lucasfilm, Godzilla © Toho Co., Ltd., IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA © 1955 Columbia Pictures, HELL RIDE © 2008 Dimension Films

A Month of New and Classic Films at the Egyptian and Aero Theatres!
Source: American Cinematheque

From the American Cinematheque…

Join us for more of what you love best – new and vintage classic and cult fantastic films, including a Sneak Preview of Larry Bishop’s phantasmagorical biker pic HELL RIDE (produced and edited by Quentin Tarantino), the Pang Brothers’ newest, RE-CYCLE, the U.S. Premiere of the new animated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS and the World Premiere of Norman England’s documentary, BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE. Plus, more British horror classics from the Golden Age, including JACK THE RIPPER, A STUDY IN TERROR, THE TELL-TALE HEART, THE VAMPIRE LOVERS, brand new prints of Hammer Studios Christopher Lee adventure pix THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES, THE PIRATES OF BLOOD RIVER and TERROR OF THE TONGS, a new print of Hammer’s hardboiled wartime atrocity opus THE CAMP ON BLOOD ISLAND, plus a Peter Cushing sci-fi triple feature of THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF THE HIMALAYAS, ISLAND OF TERROR and ISLAND OF THE BURNING DAMNED, classic American sci-fi/horror IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA and EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (both with Ray Harryhausen’s SFX), KRONOS, CURSE OF THE FACELESS MAN, DEMENTIA 13, FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER, ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS, MUTINY IN OUTER SPACE, Italian horror THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA, a Pre-Code Hollywood horror double bill of ISLAND OF LOST SOULS and KONGO, an Egyptian Theatre 85th Anniversary double feature of ALIEN and ALIENS (both of which premiered at the Egyptian), a whole evening of sci-fi shorts and more! Keep an eye out for our must-see sidebars at the Aero with a LORD OF THE RINGS marathon, a Tribute to Stan Winston (including ALIENS, PUMPKINHEAD and PREDATOR 1 and 2) and a cozy Post-Apocalyptic weekend featuring DAMNATION ALLEY, A BOY AND HIS DOG, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE OMEGA MAN and more!
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Source: Warner Bros. Home Video
Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie
View the Theatrical Trailer

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment. © 2008 Warner Bros. Ent.

Warner Bros. Home Video has issued cover art for the Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray editions of SPEED RACER.
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First look at the final packaging art design and back cover for Classic Media’s upcoming DVD collection of RODAN and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS.
Photo courtesy of Classic Media. © 2008 Classic Media, Inc./© 1956, 1966 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Classic Media, Inc.
Official site: Godzilla on DVD

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

In 2006 and 2007 Classic Media released seven early Godzilla films on DVD. The company now completes their “Toho Master Collection” with a 2-disc set of RODAN (Sora no daikaiju Radon, 1956) and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (Furankenshutain no Kaiju: Sanda tai Gaira, 1966), featuring the American and Japanese versions of both films. As an added bonus, the RODAN DVD also includes the brand-new feature length documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE.

The RODAN and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS DVD collection will be available from online retailers and in stores on September 9, 2008. The suggested retail price is $19.95.

Classic Media has provided the latest information and a first look at the DVD cover art.
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Director Norman England chats with Godzilla actor Haruo Nakajima, and monster maker Shinichi Wakasa introduces writer/producer Ed Godziszewski to Godzilla
during the production of BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd./Classic Media, Inc.

Author: George Lawrence
Official site: Godzilla on DVD

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The original documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE: The Art of Japanese Special Effects will be included as a bonus feature with WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and RODAN. The three films will be released in a DVD set by Classic Media on September 9, 2008.

The Godzilla head props from TOKYO SOS and FINAL WARS. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd.
/Classic Media, Inc.

From the outset, the creative team behind BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE was not content to simply string together a series of movie clips and re-hash the story of Godzilla’s five-decades-long career.

“We wanted to explore what makes Japanese science fiction and fantasy movies distinct,” says producer and writer Steve Ryfle. “The heart and soul of these movies is the combination of miniature work and monster suits, and the organic, handmade quality of the special effects. Our goal was not to show how the films are made but to explain why they’re made that way, and to pay tribute to some of the genre’s unsung behind-the-scenes heroes.”

SciFi Japan continues our BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE coverage with a look at the making of the film and the people behind the production.
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In BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE, three generations of Godzilla suit actors get together for the first time: Tsutomu Kitagawa (1999-2004),
Haruo Nakajima (1954-1972), and Kenpachiro Satsuma (1984-1995) perform their “Godzilla walks”. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd./Classic Media, Inc.

Author: George Lawrence
Official site: Godzilla on DVD

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Title screen for BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd./Classic
Media, Inc.

Last week, SciFi Japan reported that BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE: The Art of Japanese Special Effects will have a premiere screening (along with WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and MOTHRA) at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on August 3. BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE is an original documentary produced by Classic Media, the company responsible for the recent “Toho Master Collection” Godzilla DVDs in the United States. The film will be included as a bonus feature with Classic Media’s DVD set of the Toho genre classics WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and RODAN, which goes on sale across the country on September 9, 2008.

We are now pleased to present an exclusive two-part report on BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE. Part 1: SYNOPSIS gives tokusatsu fans an early look at who and what they can expect to see in the upcoming documentary. Part 2: PRODUCTION NOTES and PERSONNEL FILE— which will run here in the next few days— covers the making of the film and the people behind the production.
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Source: Barbican Centre
Special Thanks to Laura Bushell, Sarah Harvey Publicity

Dozens of Osamu Tezuka’s anime creations will be screened
during a week long film festival at the Barbican Centre.
Photo courtesy of Barbican. © Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd.

OSAMU TEZUKA: MOVIES INTO MANGA
Thursday 18 to Wednesday 24 September

One of Japan’s most influential animators, Osamu Tezuka revolutionised the comic and cartoon industries, having created hundreds of comics and dozens of films and television series during his extensive career. Remaining a major influence on Japanese popular culture to this day, Tezuka’s creations include Astro Boy and Jungle Emperor Leo.

Barbican Film marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of Tezuka with a major season of feature films, short films and television episodes curated by Helen McCarthy (author of The Anime! Movie Guide, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, and founder of the magazine AnimeFX), many of which will be screening in the UK for the first time. Alongside this, Barbican Film is also delighted to present an exhibition of Tezuka’s drawings which, combined with his stunning cinematic offerings, celebrate the work which has inspired generations of successors and earned Tezuka the title “God of Manga”.
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Down goes Take-Majin! Guilala gets the better of his MONSTER X STRIKES BACK/ ATTACK THE G8 SUMMIT foe in a mock battle held at the World Characters Convention.
Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. Guilala and Take-majin © 2008 Guilala Production Committee

Author: Daisuke Ishizuka

The 23rd World Characters Convention was held at Tokyo Big Sight on July 20- 21. SciFi Japan correspondent Daisuke Ishizuka has sent a report and photos of this past weekend’s events…

I rarely attend conventions because I am not much interested in purchasing expensive toys. However, I attended the World Characters Convention on July 20 even though most of the convention floor was taken up by dealers. I had two purposes; first, this was chance to see in person the Guilala suit from the new movie MONSTER X STRIKES BACK/ ATTACK THE G8 SUMMIT!. Another was to get Mr. Koji Moritsugu’s new CD.
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On August 3, the Egyptian Theatre will premiere BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE. The all-new documentary features exclusive interviews with filmmakers behind Japan’s greatest monster movies and shows. Top row: Toho President/Executive Producer Shogo Tomiyama, GODZILLA star Akira Takarada, MOTHRA star Hiroshi Koizumi, Tsuburaya Dream Factory President Akira Tsuburaya, Godzilla series FX Director Teruyoshi Nakano. Bottom row: Original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima, Ultraman series Producer/Director Takeshi Yagi, the Toho special effects art staff (Toshio Miike, Akinori Takagi, Yasuyuki Inoue, Toshio Aoki),
Millennium Godzilla suit actor Tsutomu Kitagawa. © 2008 Classic Media, Inc.

BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE and Two Toho Classics at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood!
Source: American Cinematheque
Special Thanks to Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle

Japanese giant monsters return to Hollywood with a great Toho triple feature at the Egyptian Theatre.

The evening includes the premiere showing of the brand-new documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE (with exclusive interviews with filmmakers, special-effects artists, monster suit actors and the stars of GOJIRA, MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA, INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER and other classic films), a rare screening of the fan favorite WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, plus the original Japanese version of MOTHRA. Both of the feature films will be in 35mm.
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STAR TREK and HEROES star George Takei plays Ono, the owner of the kaiju-themed restaurant Monster Sushi in SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ.
Takei’s connection to the Toho monster movies dates back to the late 1950’s when he dubbed voices for RODAN and the first Godzilla sequel
GIGANTIS THE FIRE MONSTER. Photo courtesy of Robert Troch and Jim Cirile. © 2008 Showdown Of The Godz

Godzilla-themed satire featuring STAR TREK’s George Takei
Author: Robert Troch and Jim Cirile
Official Movie Site: SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ

Poster art for the new short film SHOWDOWN OF THE
GODZ. Photo courtesy of Robert Troch and Jim Cirile.
© 2008 Showdown Of The Godz

SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ is an independent family film that ANY kaiju fan can appreciate, and any non-kaiju fan can enjoy. A satire starring David Gassman (RAYMAN series, THE BOURNE IDENTITY), Alixx Schotland, Ayla Guttman and the legendary George Takei (STAR TREK, HEROES), SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ is a 17 minute short film written by Jim Cirile and Aaron Schnore, produced by John Reefer, Jim Cirile, Robert Troch, Julien Calderbank and directed by Julien Calderbank. The story goes like this…

Jesse (David Gasman) is the world’s biggest Japanese monster movie fan. Trapped in a stultifying insurance job and a deteriorating marriage, the only bright spot in his life is his obsession with a certain Japanese monster, which he shares with his adorable 7-year-old daughter Cassie (Ayla Guttman). Jesse’s power attorney wife Mary (Alixx Schottland) drags them into counseling, where Jesse reluctantly promises he will forgo all things monstrous for one week to focus on the family.

But when Jesse sees a rare monster toy on display at NYC’s Monster Sushi, he challenges proprietor Ono (George Takei) to a Japanese monster trivia contest. If Jesse wins, he gets the coveted toy. If he loses, he owes Ono $1,000. Ono accepts on one condition: Jesse must face a representative from Monster Sushi’s legendary Japanese monster movie archivist Matsuhisa Jin.

Jesse goes into geek overdrive preparing for the showdown. But on the eve of the event, Mary leaves him. Devastated, Jesse is a no-show. But wise Ono has one last surprise up his sleeve that may just pull the family back together.
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Godzilla gets caught in an ice storm in SON OF GODZILLA, showing this month on Turner Classic Movies. © 1967 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Turner Classic Movies

Godzilla makes his first appearance on Turner Classic Movies this month when the cable channel airs SON OF GODZILLA at 2:15 pm EST on Thursday, July 31.

SON OF GODZILLA (1967): Scientists get caught in the middle when Godzilla fights to protect his newborn son from prehistoric monsters. 86 mins, Eastmancolor, Letterbox Format
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Source: Warner Bros. Home Video
Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie
View the Theatrical Trailer

Warner Bros. Home Video has announced that the Wachowski Brothers’ live-action SPEED RACER movie will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 16.

The Wachowski Brothers’ big screen adaptation of the anime series SPEED RACER
is coming to DVD and Blu-ray. © 2008 Warner Bros. Ent.

Based on the popular 1967 Japanese animated series and budgeted at $120 million, SPEED RACER has been a huge commercial failure, taking in only $43 million to date in the US box office. Studio hopes for a successful theatrical release in Japan were also dashed when the film opened on July 5 and finished in 5th place at the Japanese box office.

Reviewers savaged the movie with 36 top national critics giving SPEED RACER a paltry 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.com. The film fared much better with audiences, who gave it a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B- average at Yahoo Movies.

The positive opinions of viewers may help SPEED RACER finally find its audience on video. The movie’s family-friendly storyline will make it a safe bet for purchases and rentals, and its extreme visuals make it a natural for high-def systems.
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Three powerful forces will decide the future of Gotham City in THE DARK KNIGHT, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed BATMAN BEGINS.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Batman returns in the sequel to BATMAN BEGINS
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Official Website: THE DARK KNIGHT
Special Thanks to Gemma Cacho and Donna Elyassian

IMAX poster art for THE DARK KNIGHT. Photo courtesy
of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2008 Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc.

The follow-up to the action hit “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and the committed new District Attorney, Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham City for good. The triumvirate initially proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces The Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.

Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger (“Brokeback Mountain”) portrays arch-villain The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart plays District Attorney Harvey Dent. Maggie Gyllenhaal joins the cast in the role of Rachel Dawes. Returning from “Batman Begins” are Gary Oldman as Lieutenant Jim Gordon; Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) as Alfred; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) as Lucius Fox.

Take a look behind the scenes of THE DARK KNIGHT with extensive production notes and more than 50 photos from the film!
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Screen shots from LONG DREAM, the J-Horror from the creator and director of UZUMAKI which is now available on DVD.
© 2000 “Junji Ito Horror Collection” Film Partners

DVD cover art for LONG DREAM. Photo courtesy of
Tidepoint Pictures and Facets Video. © 2000 “Junji Ito
Horror Collection” Film Partners

J-Horror from the Creator and Director of UZUMAKI
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Tidepoint Pictures, Facets Video

Dr. Kuroda (Masami Horiuchi) is perplexed by one of his patients, Tetsuro Mukouda (Shuuji Kashiwabara), who is terrified of going to sleep. It seems the young man’s dreams are spanning months and even years in a single night, and he can no longer tell what’s real life and what’s just a dream. As the dreams grow longer and longer, they begin taking as disturbing a toll on Mukouda’s body as they have on his mind.

Overtaken by ambition, Kuroda begins to believe that the secret to human immortality can be found in the long dream. He experiments on Mukouda, then another patient, Mami Takeshima (Tsgumi), who believes she is being hunted by Death. Finally, Kuroda begins the long dream experiment on himself, hoping to be reunited with his long-lost love Kana Sakurai (Eriko Hatsune) in dreamland…

The 2000 J-Horror film LONG DREAM has recently been released on Region 1 DVD by Tidepoint Pictures.
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Cover art for BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT Collector’s Edition.
© 2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Batman gets animated again as prelude to new film
Author: Aaron Cooper

I have to give Warner Bros. credit for interesting marketing ideas regarding the new and improved Batman film franchise. I personally have always enjoyed different anime anthologies, going as far back as ROBOT CARNIVAL to THE ANIMATRIX of a few years ago, and what better character to play with in terms of animated interpretations than Batman, a character that has endured various incarnations and versions throughout his 70 year history?

BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT is an anthology of six animated shorts that occurs after the events of BATMAN BEGINS and acts as a prelude of sorts to the upcoming DARK KNIGHT film. Several Japanese directors and animation studios, as well as American comic creators worked under Executive Producer Bruce Timm to create several unique visions of the Dark Knight. Yet, while all the stories feature unique anime styles and studios as well as direction and tone, there are several interwoven themes that link the stories into the prelude it’s meant to be.
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Cover art for SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY. Photo courtesy
of Warner Bros. Home Video. © 2007 Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc.

Can the Man of Steel come back from the dead?
Author: Aaron Cooper

Prepare yourself for a look at some recent animated delving into the DC Universe. As the resident SciFi Japan comic book geek, I’ve been promising the staff to do these reviews for a while.

It took me a while to sit and watch SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY. I’ll be the first to admit that the entire “Death and Return of Superman” storyline that permeated comics in the early 1990’s was far too excessive in hype, multiple covers, and bagged editions mixed with mediocre and melodramatic storytelling. Sure, it was exciting at the time…for about a month. It wasn’t necessarily something I wanted to revisit. Add to that, of all the DC Superheroes animation that Bruce Timm and Paul Dini had been producing for Warner Bros. for over a decade, the Superman series was the least interesting to me. Of course, being a Batman apologist never helps in this regard!

Regardless, I’m a little older and (hopefully) wiser now. Having separated myself from the source material for a while now, I thought it would be interesting to see how Warner Bros. did with SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY and see if I could give this title an unbiased review.
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