SciFi Japan » International Cinema http://www.scifijapan.com/articles Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:26:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 “Love Will Tear Us Apart” Japanese and Korean Film Series in NYC http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/08/love-will-tear-us-apart-japanese-and-korean-film-series-in-nyc/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/08/love-will-tear-us-apart-japanese-and-korean-film-series-in-nyc/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:05:24 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28832 The short film ROMANCE will be screened opening night of "Love Will Tear Us Apart", the Japan Society's March film series devoted to love gone wrong. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2010 D.Walker, Inc. 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, Nagisa Oshima’s arch-classic IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES, Yukio Ninagawa’s SNAKES AND EARRINGS, Lee Sang-il’s VILLAIN, Lee Chang-dong’s OASIS, and Kim Ki-duk’s BAD GUY, among other twisted tales of star-crossed lovers on the rocks and on the run. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/08/love-will-tear-us-apart-japanese-and-korean-film-series-in-nyc/feed/ 0 BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM on Australian DVD in March http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/04/royale-ii-requiem-on-australian-dvd-in-march/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/04/royale-ii-requiem-on-australian-dvd-in-march/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:01:01 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28486 Madman Entertainment press release
Australian DVD cover for BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2003 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee
BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (バトル・ロワイアル II～鎮魂歌（レクイエム）～, Batoru Rowaiaru II: Chinkonka, 2003), the follow-up to the cult classic BATTLE ROYALE (バトル・ロワイアル, Batoru Rouaiaru, 2000), will be released on Region 4 DVD in March by Madman Entertainment. The new release will be a "director's cut" (also known as BATTLE ROYALE II: REVENGE) with 25 minutes of extra footage. Never before seen in Australia, the extended version ups the stakes in every way. It's three years after the events of the original BATTLE ROYALE, and Shuya Nanahara (DEATH NOTE's Tatsuya Fujiwara) is now an internationally-known terrorist determined to bring down the government. His terrorist group, Wild Seven, stages an attack that levels several buildings in Tokyo on Christmas Day, killing 8000 people. Exactly one year afterward, the government enacts the "New Century Terrorist Counter-Measure Alternative" program, a.k.a. the BRII act, and sends the forty-two students of Shikanotoride Junior High Class 3-B to hunt Nanahara and his cohorts down in their island stronghold. Shiori Kitano (Ai Maeda, GAMERA 3), the daughter of the late headmaster of Nanahara's Battle Royale, signs up for the program, to avenge her father. In order for the government to study the benefits of "teamwork", the new students work in pairs, with their collars electronically linked so that if one of them is killed, the other dies as well. They must kill Nanahara in three days -- or die. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/04/royale-ii-requiem-on-australian-dvd-in-march/feed/ 0 ADRIFT IN TOKYO on UK DVD in February http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/29/adrift-in-tokyo-on-uk-dvd-in-february/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/29/adrift-in-tokyo-on-uk-dvd-in-february/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:07:31 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=27895 Loan shark Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura) and slacker law school student Fumiya Takemura (Joe Odagiri) walk across Tokyo in director Miki Satoshi's award-winning comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2007 Adrift in Tokyo Film Partners Acclaimed Comedy Streets February 27th Source: Third Window Films Official Movie Site: tokyosanpo.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/adrift-in-tokyo (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel
Cover art for the UK DVD of ADRIFT IN TOKYO. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2007 Adrift in Tokyo Film Partners
Joe Odagiri (MASKED RIDER KUUGA, BRIGHT FUTURE, AIR DOLL) stars in director Miki Satoshi's (TURTLES ARE SURPRISINGLY FAST SWIMMERS, INSTANT SWAMP) comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO (転々, TenTen, 2007), coming to DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27th from distributor Third Window Films. The film has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray in the United States. Leading a lazy life, Fumiya Takemura (Odagiri) has been a university student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura - ALWAYS-SUNSET ON THIRD STREET) comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across Tokyo to the police station of Kasumigaseki, where he intends to turn himself in for a crime he deeply regrets. Not having much choice, Fumiya accepts the deal. Thus begins their journey which will lead them to various unusual encounters, most of all with themselves. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/29/adrift-in-tokyo-on-uk-dvd-in-february/feed/ 0 BLADE OF KINGS Slices Onto Blu-ray and DVD March 6 http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/26/blade-of-kings-slices-onto-blu-ray-and-dvd-march-6/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/26/blade-of-kings-slices-onto-blu-ray-and-dvd-march-6/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:44:07 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28644 Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of BLADE OF KINGS. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2004 Emperor Entertainment Group Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan and Bing Bing Fan Star in an Epic Tale with Cutting Edge Martial Arts Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Hellend Donnie Yen (IP MAN), Jackie Chan (SHAOLIN, 1911) and Bing Bing Fan (SHAOLIN, MY WAY) star in the epic action adventure BLADE OF KINGS (千機變II花都大戰, Chin gei bin 2: Fa dou daai jin, aka THE TWINS EFFECT II, 2004), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD March 6th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The all-star cast also includes Charlene Choi (TRIPLE TAP, THE JADE AND THE PEARL), Gillian Chung (VAMPIRE EFFECT), and Hong Kong Film Award nominee for Best Newcomer Jaycee Chan (1911) in the tale of Charcoal Head, a humble boy born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of Huadu. Nominated for four Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Visual Effects, the film was directed by Patrick Leung and Cory Yuen. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/26/blade-of-kings-slices-onto-blu-ray-and-dvd-march-6/feed/ 0 NINJA BATTLE on UK DVD http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/25/ninja-battle-on-uk-dvd/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/25/ninja-battle-on-uk-dvd/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:32:51 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28078 tekken-bloodvengeance.com (Japan) Source: The Associates press release
UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Studio Bicolor Co., Ltd
Seiji Chiba, director of the cult hits NINJA GIRL, ALIEN VS NINJA and ROGUE NINJA, brings a further helping of period-set ninja action to the screen with NINJA BATTLE (忍邪, Sengoku: Iga No Ran, 2010), starring Aiko Ito (ULTRAMAN MENIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS; BLAST-DRAGON TASK FORCE ABARANGER), Shuji Kashiwabara (ALIEN VS NINJA), Daisuke Nagakura (BIG MAN JAPAN), Kentaro Shimazu (ROBO-GEISHA; TOKYO GORE POLICE; THE MACHINE GIRL) and Ben Hiura (ALIEN VS NINJA; ZATOICHI). A cerebral ninja movie full of twists and intrigue, NINJA BATTLE also capably delivers the martial arts and swordplay action promised by its title as once again Seiji Chiba proves himself to be one of the genre’s leading cult directors. NINJA BATTLE (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) in the United Kingdom by MVM on February 6th. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/25/ninja-battle-on-uk-dvd/feed/ 0 TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME on Region 1 DVD http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/24/time-traveller-the-girl-who-leapt-through-time-on-region-1-dvd/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/24/time-traveller-the-girl-who-leapt-through-time-on-region-1-dvd/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:52:15 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28247 Modern girl Akari Yoshiyama (Riisa Naka) travels back in time to 1974 in TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, the live-action adaptation of the classic novel. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc. Official Movie Site: tokikake.jp (Japan)
DVD cover art. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners
The live-action feature film TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (時をかける少女, Toki o Kakeru Shojo, 2010) is coming to DVD in North America on January 24th. It is the newest adaptation of the original 1967 novel The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui, previously the basis for a classic 1983 live-action movie and an award winning 2006 animated film. TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is the first movie from director Masaaki Taniguchi (SNOW FLAKE). The film stars Riisa Naka (ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY), who provided the voice of the lead character, Makoto Konono, in the anime adaptation. Riisa was named “Rookie of the Year” at the 2011 Japanese Academy Awards and “Best New Artist” at the 2010 Nikkan Sports Film Awards. TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME will be released by the home video label Asian Crush, a division of Asian Media Rights. Asian Crush titles are distributed by Media Blasters. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/24/time-traveller-the-girl-who-leapt-through-time-on-region-1-dvd/feed/ 0 CINEMA ASIA http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/23/cinema-asia/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/23/cinema-asia/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:23:47 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=27944 Madman Entertainment press release
Cover art for the CINEMA ASIA DVD. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 SCANNÁIN INBHEAR
CINEMA ASIA is a five-part documentary series that takes the viewer into the most dynamic film scene on the planet. Asia houses some of the world’s biggest film industries: India boasts that it is the Number One film producing country in the world, while China, at Number Three is nipping closely at Hollywood’s heels. Taiwan, Korea and Iran have film industries that are smaller, but no less vibrant. Punching far above their weight these national cinemas have taken their place on the international stage. Long trapped within their own national boundaries, these national cinemas have in recent years burst onto international screens. They have even taken the charts Number One slot in the home of cinema itself - Hollywood. CINEMA ASIA offers the viewer a rich mix of clips from some of the most important films produced in recent years. Interviews with their makers provide a unique window not only on the world of film-making, but on the cultures that have made them. In an age of incessant and irresistible globalization these programmes show how national cinemas fight against the Hollywoodization of global cinema. CINEMA ASIA will air on Australia's public broadcasting network SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) in January and February, 2012. Madman Entertainment will release the complete series on DVD on March 21st. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/23/cinema-asia/feed/ 0 New Videos and Images for HOWLING http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/21/new-videos-and-images-for-howling/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/21/new-videos-and-images-for-howling/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:34:15 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28549 Veteran homicide detective Cho Sang-gil (Song Kang-ho) and eager rookie detective Cha Eun-young (Lee Na-young) investigate a series of bizarre murders. Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment and Opus Pictures. © 2011 CJ Entertainment, Opus Pictures Additional Promotional Materials for the Upcoming Korean Thriller Author: Kim Song-ho Source: CJ Entertainment, Opus Pictures Official Website: howling2012.co.kr
Korean theatrical poster for HOWLING. Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment and Opus Pictures. © 2011 CJ Entertainment, Opus Pictures
CJ Entertainment and Opus Pictures recently released a new trailer, behind-the-scenes clip and several new stills for HOWLING (하울링), a new thriller that opens February 9 in Korea. HOWLING is about a series of murders, presumably committed by a wolfdog, and two detectives who pursue the real culprit. Song Kang-ho, of MEMORIES OF MURDER (살인의 추억, Salinui chueok, 2003), THE HOST (괴물, Gwoemul, 2006), SECRET SUNSHINE (밀양, Milyang, 2007) and THIRST (박쥐, Bakjwi, 2009) fame, stars as Cho Sang-gil, a veteran detective and Lee Na-young, who is well known for her starring roles in WHO ARE YOU? (후아유, 2002), SOMEONE SPECIAL (아는 여자, Aneun yeoja, 2004) and MAUNDY THURSDAY (우리들의 행복한 시간, Urideul-ui haengbok-han shigan, 2006), plays Cha Eun-young, a rookie detective. HOWLING is based on the Japanese novel The Hunter (凍える牙, Kogoeru Kiba, 1996) by Asa Nonami, which won Naoki Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards of Japan. It is the new film by poet-turned-director Yoo Ha, whose filmography includes ONCE UPON A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL (말죽거리 잔혹사, Maljukgeori janhoksa, 2004), A DIRTY CARNIVAL (비열한 거리, Biyeolhan geori, 2006) and A FROZEN FLOWER (쌍화점, Ssang-hwa-jeom, 2008). Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/21/new-videos-and-images-for-howling/feed/ 0 BATTLE ROYALE Finally Receives American Release http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/16/battle-royale-finally-receives-american-release/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/16/battle-royale-finally-receives-american-release/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:59:04 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28289 The international cult classic BATTLE ROYALE will finally be released on Blu-ray and DVD in North America. Photos courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment. © 2000 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee Available for the First Time in North America on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download Source: Anchor Bay Entertainment, Sue Procko Public Relations press release Special Thanks to Ed Peters and Eric Becker BATTLE ROYALE. A title that has shocked, thrilled and unnerved audiences. A film whose fiendishly simple premise has inspired many imitations, including the upcoming THE HUNGER GAMES motion picture. Based on the 1999 global best-seller by Koushun Takami, the futuristic tale first came to the screen in 2000, directed by the legendary Kinju Fukasaku. Authors, filmmakers and film fans the world over consider the film and its 2003 sequel BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM sacred cinematic classics. And now, fans can own them on high-definition Blu-ray and DVD! On March 20th, Anchor Bay Entertainment proudly brings the BATTLE ROYALE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION to Blu-ray and DVD for the first time in North America. Featuring state-of-the-art HD transfers, hi-res audio and a wealth of bonus features that delve deep into this truly international phenomenon - the three disc Blu-ray plus bonus DVD set has an SRP of $49.99 and an SRP $44.98 for the four disc DVD. BATTLE ROYALE will also be released separately on Blu-ray for an SRP of $29.99 and DVD for an SRP of $24.98. Pre-Book on both is February 22. BATTLE ROYALE will be available digitally via select outlets including iTunes and Xbox LIVE. 42 students, Three days, One survivor – No Escape. Welcome to the world of BATTLE ROYALE! Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/16/battle-royale-finally-receives-american-release/feed/ 0 Meet SPECKLES THE TARBOSAURUS in 3D http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/03/meet-speckles-the-tarbosaurus-in-3d/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/03/meet-speckles-the-tarbosaurus-in-3d/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:10:44 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=27841 One-eye the Tyrannosaur corners two young Tarbosaurs. Photo courtesy and © 2012 Dream Search C&C, Inc., EBS and Olive Studio, Inc. New Korean 3D Dinosaur Feature Debuts this Month, International Release to Follow Author: Kim Song-ho Source: Dream Search C&C Inc., EBS, Olive Studio Inc. Official Website: blog.naver.com/jumbagi2012

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Theatrical poster art, courtesy and © 2012 Dream Search C&C, Inc., EBS and Olive Studio, Inc.
The production companies Dream Search C&C, Inc., EBS and Olive Studio, Inc. have jointly announced the release of SPECKLES THE TARBOSAURUS1 (점박이: 한반도의 공룡 3D, Jumbagi: Hanbandoui gongryong 3D, literal translation "Speckles: Dinosaurs in the Korean Peninsula 3D"), which opens January 26, 2012 in Korea. SPECKLES THE TARBOSAURUS is a 3D, computer-animated feature based on KOREANOSAURUS (한반도의 공룡, Hanbandoui gongryong, Dinosaurs in the Korean Peninsula), a 2008 nature documentary that aired on the Korean TV channel EBS (Educational Broadcasting System). Both the documentary and the new film follow the life of Speckles (Jumbagi in Korean), a fictional Tarbosaurus that lived in Korea during the Cretaceous period (about 70 million years ago). Speckles must protect his family, not only from One-eye (Aekunun in Korean), a violent, vengeful Tyrannosaurus, but also an impending disaster that could change the face of the planet. The film will be distributed in Korea by CJ Entertainment. The North American theatrical, DVD/Blu-ray, digital, Video on Demand, and television rights for SPECKLES THE TARBOSAURUS have been acquired by distributor Well Go USA Entertainment. Continued...
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