November « 2008 « SciFi Japan

Archive for November, 2008

November 25th, 2008 2:36 am
In News, Events, News, Godzilla / Toho, News, Kaiju / Monsters, News, Ultraman / Tsuburaya
ArtCenter/South Florida presents KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH

Florida Gallery Host Exhibition of Japanese Monster Art
Source: ArtCenter/South Florida press release
Visit KAIJU MONSTER INVASION on MySpace

December 2, 2008 – January 4, 2009
ArtCenter/South Florida’s Richard Shack Gallery
800 Lincoln Road at Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Admission is free!

ArtCenter/South Florida (“ACSF”) presents KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH 2008, an exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists.

The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen have been inspired by and amassed their very own collections of the famed vinyl monsters. The opening reception takes place on December 3, followed by an artists signing on December 5 and a kaiju-themed computer music concert on December 6.
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November 23rd, 2008 6:40 pm
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Merchandise
VIZ Anime and Manga Releases for Winter 2008

Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui, Kara Brovsky, and Erik Jansen

Publishing, animation and licensing company VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced an array of new manga and animated titles scheduled for release throughout the Fourth Quarter. The new anime releases include the long-awaited launch of a new series – HUNTER X HUNTER – as well as a variety of DVD Box Sets Featuring Special Collectible Figurines, Special Editions and single disc editions of popular series including BLEACH, NARUTO, DEATH NOTE, BUSO RENKIN, BLUE DRAGON and much-loved classics like INUYASHA.

On the manga front, seven new series are set to debut: Blank Slate, Nora: the Last Chronicle of Devildom, Solanin, Captive Hearts, Gaba Kawa, We Were There and St. ♥ Dragon Girl. The first titles will premiere this month and are designed to appeal to Teen and Older Teen readers with a variety of different story lines that will capture the interest of many new and old fans alike. “We are looking forward to bringing a diverse range of titles in Q4 which will range from slice-of-life stories to romance and more!” says Evelyn Dubocq, Sr. Director of Public Relations, VIZ Media. “As the 2008 holiday season approaches, manga fans will have multiple strong VIZ Media releases to choose from in every genre.”
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November 22nd, 2008 12:27 am
In News, International Cinema, News, Tokusatsu / FX
DEATH BELL: New Korean Horror

SAW Meets BATTLE ROYALE in Korean Box Office Hit
Author: Kim Song-ho (Loomis) and Keith Aiken
Source: Mirovision Inc., Official DEATH BELL Press Kit, American Film Market, various
Official Website (Korea): Gosa2008

170 days before college entrance exams, the twenty top students at a high school meet for a special Saturday exam cram session. Midway through class, the students are interrupted by Beethoven’s piano solo “Für Elise” playing over the school p.a. system. The picture on the classroom TV switches to reveal the top ranked student, Hye-yeong, trapped in a tank that is filling with water. As the water level rises and the girl screams and struggles to breathe, an unidentified voice comes over the loudspeaker and asks a question from the mid-term exam. If the students answer incorrectly the girl will lose her life. And for each additional wrong answer, another student from the class will die.

With nowhere to run, and only 20 students and 3 teachers on campus, the bloody exam begins just for them.

DEATH BELL (Gosa: Piui Junggangosa) is a new South Korean horror movie which was recently released on home video in its native country and is now being marketed for international export. Released to theaters this past August 6, the movie brought in 1.7 million admissions, making it a surprise hit at the box office. It now ranks as the second most successful horror film in Korean history, behind only the acclaimed A TALE OF TWO SISTERS (Janghwa, Hongryeon, 2003).
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November 21st, 2008 10:57 am
In News, Anime, News, Merchandise
BLEACH Posterzine on Sale December 2nd

Edition Features 11 Full-Color Posters Inspired by Hit Animated/Manga Series and 2 Original Exclusive Creations
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the upcoming release of a special BLEACH Posterzine, which features 11 massive full-color posters inspired by the smash hit manga and animated series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) created by Tite Kubo.

Available exclusively through participating newsstands nationwide beginning December 2nd, the Posterzine carries an MSRP of $9.99 and includes two original creations made especially for this unique release. Each poster in the collection folds out to 16” x 22” and depicts the heroic Soul Reaper Ichigo and his friends as well as villains rendered in beautiful detail. This special publication will also include 2 free BLEACH sticker sheets and an iTunes gift card valid for a free download of episode 59 of the popular BLEACH animated series and access to an interview with the creator of BLEACH, Tite Kubo (iTunes gift card valid in the United States only).

BLEACH follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a fifteen-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. His fate takes an extraordinary turn when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who shows up at Ichigo’s house on the trail of a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul.
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November 20th, 2008 3:47 pm
In News, International Cinema, News, Kaiju / Monsters
US Remake of THE HOST Finally Moving Forward

After Two Years, Producers, Director, and Screenwriter Named for English Language Adaptation
Source: Variety, Korean news sources, various
Special Thanks to Kim Song-ho (Loomis)

In 2006, THE HOST (Gwoemul) became the highest grossing movie in Korean history. The film also won numerous awards, including “Best Picture” at the Blue Dragon Awards, the Baek Sang Art Awards, the Asian Film Awards, and the Korean Film Awards. THE HOST even caught on with international audiences; it was a major hit at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and AFI Fest, and was named one of the “Must See” movies of 2006 by the American magazine Premiere. It was quickly picked up for distribution in more than 30 countries, including the United States.

But months before THE HOST was given a limited US theatrical release by Magnolia Pictures, Universal Pictures had already acquired American remake rights for the film. At a screening of THE HOST at the Hollywood AFI Fest in November 2006, director Bong Joon-ho told attendees he was interested in seeing how Universal adapted his film for English-speaking audiences.

Two years later, Variety and Korean news reports have announced that Universal is finally moving forward with the project. Gore Verbinski, who had previously directed the remake of THE RING and the blockbuster PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN trilogy, will produce the American version of THE HOST.
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November 19th, 2008 5:36 am
In News, Anime, News, Merchandise
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Anime to Stream FREE on NARUTO.com

VIZ Media Announces Unprecedented Campaign To Provide Near Simultaneous U.S.-Japan Release Of New NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Animated Episodes
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced an innovative and unprecedented multimedia plan to provide near-simultaneous Japan-U.S. release of NARUTO, one of the most popular Japanese animated and manga properties in the world. This campaign is the latest expansion of VIZ Media’s ongoing strategy to utilize the web to its maximum potential to stream a variety of hit animated properties.

Beginning on January 15th the latest episode of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (English-subtitled) animated series will be available for free viewing on the ultimate destination for anything NARUTO – the official NARUTO website, www.naruto.com, within days of its original airdate in Japan. A new English-subtitled episode will be added every Thursday thereafter.

On January 2nd, VIZ Media will also debut, for free, 8 uncut, English-subtitled episodes from the beginning of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series on naruto.com. Each Friday thereafter there will be an additional 8 uncut, English-subtitled episodes added on naruto.com until the series eventually catches up to the current third season of the hit program. Also, coming this week, an exclusive sneak peek of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (English-subtitled) debuting on naruto.com.
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November 18th, 2008 7:05 pm
In News, Anime, News, Events
Anime Expo and MTV Casting for TRUE LIFE

Casting Call for Fanboys/Fangirls for Documentary Series
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

Obsessed with comic books, anime, fantasy, or manga? Obsessed with cosplaying and attending anime conventions? Do your friends consider you a fanboy/fangirl? Have you ever missed work, school, or other important events to engage in role-playing or cosplay? Are you misunderstood by your family or significant other because of your loyal fandom? Anime Expo 2009 and MTV Network’s TRUE LIFE series wants to hear your story and is looking to cast three (3) individuals for an upcoming show.
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November 18th, 2008 12:00 am
In News, Godzilla / Toho
Toho Horror Film HOUSE on IFC

Source: Independent Film Channel
Special Thanks to Doran Gaston

This weekend, the Independent Film Channel will air Toho’s 1977 horror movie HOUSE (Hausu). While the film did have a few scattered theatrical screenings in the United States courtesy of Toho International, HOUSE has never received any kind of wide release in America and is not available on R1 DVD.

HOUSE is a satirical take on the classic haunted house story. A teenager named Oshare (Kimiko Ikegami) struggles to deal with the recent death of her mother. Hoping to get away from her problems (and her father’s new girlfriend), Oshare invites six female classmates to join her on a visit to her aunt’s secluded mansion. Upon their arrival, the girls fall prey to the dark, supernatural power infesting the home; each experiences bizarre hallucinations before they are picked off one by one and literally devoured by the haunted house.
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November 17th, 2008 9:25 am
In News, Events, News, Tokusatsu / FX
Canadian Theatrical Debut of DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME

Special One-Night-Only Presentation of Supernatural Crime Thriller to Delight Canadian Fans
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Official Movie Site: Death Note Films
Special Thanks to Manami Iiboshi and Erik Jansen

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced an exciting one-night only theatrical event – DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME – showing at select Cineplex Entertainment and Empire Theatres locations across Canada on Wednesday, December 3rd.

Advance tickets are now on sale. For more information, screening times, advance tickets and a complete list of participating theatres go to DeathNoteFilms.com/tickets, cineplex.com, or empiretheatres.com/deathnote2. VIZ Media’s SHONEN JUMP magazine will lend additional support with a promo ad in the December 2008 issue, which hit stores on November 4th.

Earlier this year, VIZ Pictures partnered with Cineplex Entertainment and Empire Theatres to present the first DEATH NOTE live-action film theatrically in Canada. Based on the enthusiastic response, combined with the continued overall popularity of the DEATH NOTE franchise, the companies will again be showing this presentation (English dubbed) in nearly every major Canadian city.
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November 14th, 2008 11:46 am
In News, Tribute
Forrest J Ackerman Tributes

Thanks and Best Wishes to the Ultimate Fan
Author: the SciFi Japan Staff

Friends of Forrest J Ackerman have reported that “Uncle Forry” is in ill health. The 91 year-old is battling pneumonia and has also been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

“Legendary” is a word that gets tossed around much too often, but anyone who knows or has heard of Forry Ackerman would agree that in his case it absolutely fits. He is best known for the legendary (there it is again) magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland, but his impact extends far beyond FM…. the man has influenced literally generations of fans, artists, writers, and filmmakers. Forry has given an amazing gift to his fellow fans and will leave behind an incredible legacy.

Rather than remain in the hospital, Forry has chosen to return home where he can spend his days meeting with his legion of friends and fans. Forry’s friends, including caretaker Joe Moe, have stated that anyone wishing to stop by and pay their respects are welcome to visit. Cards and letters may also be sent to the same address:

FORREST J ACKERMAN
4511 Russell Ave
Los Angeles CA 90027

The staff of SciFi Japan are proud to be among the countless number inspired by Forrest Ackerman and Famous Monsters, and we encourage everyone who sees this report to follow Joe’s advice and call, write, or visit Forry and let him know how much he means to you and to fandom. We’re also pleased to share Sean Kotz’s look at the many accomplishments of FJA as well as reminiscences by many of our writers and contributors.
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November 13th, 2008 9:17 pm
In News, Anime, News, Merchandise
BLEACH and DEATH NOTE on XBOX Live

Two of the Hottest Animated Series in North America are Now Available for Download-To-Own
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the availability of the hit animated action series BLEACH and DEATH NOTE (both Uncut and English dubbed) on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment console from Microsoft. Fans in the U.S. will now have the ability to watch these episodes on a Download-To-Own (DTO) basis through Xbox LIVE for 160 Microsoft Points per episode.

BLEACH features episodes 1-41 dubbed in English with more to be added, and DEATH NOTE features the full 37-episode series dubbed in English. The two series join NARUTO Uncut, which has been offered on Xbox LIVE since November 2007 and currently features episodes 1- 52 dubbed in English as well as episodes 1 – 24 subbed (with English subtitles), with more to be added. Episodes and more information are available at xbox.com/live.
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November 12th, 2008 8:42 pm
In News, Anime, News, Merchandise
Imagi Studios Announces First ASTRO BOY Licensing Deals

Studio and ASTRO BOY Distributor, Summit Entertainment, Also Unveil Global Marketing Alliances
Source: Imagi Studios press release
Official Website: Imagi Studios

Imagi Studios announced that it has signed worldwide licensing agreements with American Greetings, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Jazwares Inc., D3Publisher and IDW Publishing for ASTRO BOY, its upcoming CG-animated film based on the adventures of the superhero icon. The studio’s agreement with American Greetings also extends to future Imagi films.

ASTRO BOY, slated for domestic release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi’s reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.
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November 11th, 2008 8:30 am
In News, Anime, News, Events, News, Godzilla / Toho, News, Tokusatsu / FX
Japanese Movies at American Film Market 2008

K-20, MONSTER X STRIKES BACK, 20TH CENTURY BOYS, IKIGAMI, GOD’S PUZZLE and more screened in California
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: AFM, Shochiku Co., Ltd., NTV, Gold View Co., Ltd., TBS, Toei Co., Ltd.

Since 1981, the Independent Film and Television Alliance has hosted an annual motion picture trade show in Santa Monica, CA called the American Film Market (AFM). The 29th American Film Market started on November 5 and concludes November 12.

The event has drawn more than 400 motion picture companies from around the globe, including the major Japanese studios Toho, Shochiku, Kadokawa, Toei, and Nikkatsu, as well as Nippon Television Network, Tokyo Broadcasting System, Gold View, Pony Canyon, Fuji Television, Gaga Communications, and Geneon. Approximately 25 different Japanese productions were screened at AFM, with dozens more advertised.
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November 9th, 2008 10:05 am
In News, Anime, News, Events, News, Godzilla / Toho
ANIME KAIJU EXPERIENCE Festival in New England, November 21-23

Guest List Includes Don Frye, Bob Eggleton, Johnny Yong Bosch and More
Source: Anime Kaiju Experience press release
Official Site: animekaijuexperience.com
Special Thanks to Paul Aldred and Mary Dumas

The Anime Kaiju Experience, New England’s celebration of Japanese pop culture and the world’s adaptations of it, is proud to welcome Don Frye (UFC champion and star of GODZILLA: FINAL WARS), Bob Eggleton (kaiju expert and Hugo award winning illustrator), Vic Mignogna (voiced for the Gamera trilogy, but best remembered as the voice of Edward Elric in the mega-hit FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST) and Johnny Yong Bosch (Black Power Ranger kaiju smack-down buddy, who’s now known as the voice of Ichigo in the anime hit BLEACH). Appearing at the New England Fan Experience, November 21-23, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge (575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139-4896), these gentlemen are the final addition to a stellar line-up of guests and programming… this is promising to be an Experience to remember.
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November 8th, 2008 10:32 am
In News, Ultraman / Tsuburaya
ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE – NEO

It’s a kaiju battle royale in the highly anticipated sequel series!
Author: James Ballard
Official Website: Daikaijyu.com

Toho may have retired their legendary monster star Godzilla in 2004, and the likelihood of a new Gamera movie may seem bleak following the monster’s 2006 outing, but giant monsters are still running amok on Japan’s airwaves.

The Ultra Galaxy franchise is a spin-off from Tsuburaya Productions’ popular Ultraman series, showcasing the show’s giant monsters rather than the Ultraman heroes. It began as an arcade game MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA MONSTERS (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Monsutaazu), which tied in with a series of monster trading cards featuring bar codes that could be read by the arcade machines.

The popularity of the video game and trading cards led to last year’s TV series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE (Urutora Gyarakushii Daikaiju Batoru).

Now, the franchise will return to TV with the new series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE – NEVER ENDING ODYSSEY (Urutora Garakushii Daikaiju Batoru Nebaa Endingu Odessei), which starts broadcasting from December 20th every Saturday at 7.00AM on Japan’s satellite station BS11.
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November 7th, 2008 7:32 pm
In News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Superheroes, News, Tokusatsu / FX
Inazuman Comes to DVD in the US!

Source: JN Productions, Inc.
Official Website: Generation Kikaida

Riding on the success and popularity of the Toei tokusatsu (live-action) series of the 70′s KIKAIDA, JN Productions and Generation Kikaida will release another action-packed Japanese superhero DVD box set INAZUMAN on November 21, 2008. Inazuman, the Fighter for Freedom, battles mutant monsters of the evil Bamba Empire who are threatening the world.

Watari Goro, a college student, saves two youngsters from the Neo-Human Empire’s Fantom Army. The youngsters bring him to the base of the Youth League, a group of pure-hearted young mutants with psionic powers. Their leader, Capt. Sarra, awakens Goro to his own super powers that allow him to turn first into Sanagiman, then into Inazuman. After he defeats a Neo-Human monster, Goro is accepted into the Youth League, and presented with the amazing vehicle, Raijingo.
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November 7th, 2008 12:00 am
In News, Events, News, Godzilla / Toho
Godzilla Returns to Portland Radio Authority’s HORROR HOLOCAUST

Source: Portland Radio Authority, Kyle Yount

Godzilla returns to the airwaves with a 54th birthday celebration on Portland Radio Authority’s show HORROR HOLOCAUST. For two hours, hosts DJ Fulci and Damien Karras will play music, audio clips, and rarities featuring the King of the Monsters and other Japanese favorites like Rodan, King Ghidorah, Mothra, Mechagodzilla, and Gamera. Adding to the fun will be conversation and Japanese monster news from special guest monster expert (and old friend) Kyle Yount of the Shrine of Gamera.

HORROR HOLOCAUST’s Godzilla-themed show will air today, Friday, November 7 at 2:00pm PST. HORROR HOLOCAUST can be heard on the Portland Radio Authority website. Just click on one of the “128 mp3 stream” links to open the show in a web-enabled mp3 player and spend your afternoon enjoying hours of monster talk and music.


November 5th, 2008 10:55 pm
In News, Godzilla / Toho
English Language Version of the Official Ishiro Honda Website Launches Today

New English Site for Director of GODZILLA and Other Toho Classics
Source: Ishiro Honda Official Site

The English language version of the Ishiro Honda Official Site was launched today.

Honda (1911-1993) joined Toho (then known as PCL) as an assistant director in 1932. He directed his first feature film, THE BLUE PEARL (Aoi Shinju), in 1951. After co-writing and directing the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954), Ishiro Honda became Toho’s top director of monster and FX films; his credits include RODAN (Sora no Daikaiju Radon, 1956), THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957), MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), GORATH (Yosei Gorasu, 1962), ATRAGON (Kaitei Gunkan, 1963), FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (Furankenshutain tai Chite Kaiju Baragon, 1965) WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (Furankenshutain no Kaiju: Sanda tai Gaira, 1966), and seven Godzilla sequels from 1962-1975.

In 2007, the official Japanese language website devoted to Ishiro Honda was established by the director’s widow Kimi Honda and son Ryuji Honda, along with other family members, co-workers such as actor Kenji Sahara (RODAN, MATANGO, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS) and assistant director Koji Kajita (who worked with Honda on GODZILLA and many other films), and fans like popular Godzilla sculptor Yuji Kaida. Working with friends in the United States, the staff has now created a version of the site for English readers.
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November 4th, 2008 2:01 am
In News, Ultraman / Tsuburaya
Tsuburaya Pro Unveils New “Visual Translation System”

ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE is First Series Offered
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Tsuburaya Productions

Last month, Tsuburaya Productions introduced a surprising new filming system that they hope will make their long-running Ultraman franchise more sellable to overseas markets. Dubbed the “Visual Translation System”, this new arrangement would allow foreign distributors to customize TPC shows to suit the country of export.

The Visual Translation System was unveiled at MIPCOM, an annual entertainment industry market and trade event held in Cannes, France. The 2008 MIPCOM took place from October 13-17 and featured 13,588 industry professionals from more than 100 countries. Tsuburuya Pro has routinely attended both MIPCOM and its sister event MIP-TV to help promote and export programs and films like ULTRAMAN MAX (Urutoraman Makkusu, 2005) and MIRROR MAN: REFLEX (Miraaman Rifurekkusu, 2006). But these shows have not received much interest from European and American buyers, and TPC believes the Visual Translation System may help in that regard.

In a recent statement, the company explained their plan: “Our shows attract fans from all over the world, but we feel we can do more. For many of the superhero programs dubbed in a foreign language and exported abroad, the impact of the original piece is diminished. This is often due to the main character being a foreigner. We realize that audiences overseas may not be familiar with the Japanese actors and actresses in our shows. We want our audience to have a stronger connection with the actors. In order to solve this issue, we’ve created the Visual Translation System.”
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November 3rd, 2008 4:56 pm
In News, Ultraman / Tsuburaya
Takeshi Yagi’s Official Website

Ultraman director launches English homepage
Author: James Ballard
Official Website: www.takeshi-yagi.com

Japanese director/producer Takeshi Yagi launched his official English language homepage today.

Yagi joined Tsuburaya Productions in the mid-1990s after graduating from Waseda University, where he began serving as an assistant director on popular shows such as ULTRAMAN TIGA (Urutoraman Tiga, 1996).

He quickly made his directorial debut with on an episode of the original video series MOONSPIRAL (Muunsupairaru, 1996), and followed this with his on-air debut directing an episode of ULTRAMAN GAIA (Urutoraman Gaia, 1998).
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November 3rd, 2008 2:57 am
In News, Events, News, International Cinema, News, Kaiju / Monsters
Two LOST SKELETON Movies Screen in Hollywood

THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA and the All-New Sequel THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN Play the Egyptian Theatre
Official Movie Website: THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN
Event Website: American Cinematheque
Special Thanks to Michael Schlesinger

Sunday, November 9 – 5:00
THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA. 2004, Sony Repertory, 89 min. Dir. Larry Blamire. If you missed it before or just need a refresher, here’s the original cult favorite! A gleefully deadpan recreation of those ultra-cheap ’50s sci-fi horror movies, as a host of stereotypes descend upon Bronson Canyon in search of a meteorite containing a mysterious radioactive element. A rare chance to see one of the most quotable movies of recent years on the big screen. Plus Ub Iwerks’ 1937 cartoon classic, SKELETON FROLICS. Writer/Director/Star Larry Blamire will introduce the screening.

Sunday, November 9 – 7:30 – Los Angeles Premiere!
THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN. 2008, Bantam Street, 91 min. Dir. Larry Blamire. It’s two years later, and the action shifts to the Amazon Jungle, as old friends and new enemies schlep into the dreaded Valley of the Monsters in search of yet another rare element. This bigger, better, bonier sequel moves up the budgetary scale from Ed Wood to Sam Katzman, containing some nifty special effects and a dynamic musical score–along with the expected hilarious performances and Blamire’s trademark loopy dialogue. But you can still see the wires! Discussion following with the cast and crew.

Tickets are available in advance at the Egyptian box office or through Fandango. The Egyptian is at 6712 Hollywood Blvd., 2 blocks east of Highland.
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November 2nd, 2008 6:48 am
In News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, International Cinema
JASON SLASHER COLLECTION DVD Set Includes FRIDAY THE 13TH Movie Pass

Source: Warner Bros. Home Video
Official Movie Website: FRIDAY THE 13TH

On February 13, 2009 New Line Pictures and Paramount Pictures will release the new FRIDAY THE 13TH, a reboot of the popular horror series focusing on hockey-masked killer Jason Vorhees. Ten days before the film opens in theaters nationwide, Warner Bros. Home Video will release the NEW LINE JASON SLASHER COLLECTION, a slimcase DVD set of Jason’s last three movies.

JASON GOES TO HELL: (1993) Think he’s dead? That’s dead wrong. Jason is reborn with the ability to take on the identity of whomever he touches. He could be anywhere. Or anyone. (Don’t stand so close to the person next to you.)

JASON X: (2002) Out-of-this-world horror: 25th-century space voyagers thaw the mysterious cryo-specimen they brought aboard – Jason. Buckle up. It’s going to be a bloody flight!

FREDDY VS. JASON: (2003) This town’s not big enough for both of them, not when the world’s most fiendish killers each want to spill all the blood. So the awesome showdown begins: Freddy Krueger vs. Jason Voorhees. Winner kills all!

The JASON SLASHER COLLECTION includes all three R-rated films in widescreen, all with a pass for $5.00 off the ticket price to see the new FRIDAY THE 13TH. The DVD set has a suggested retail price of $23.97.
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