Rin (Mika Hijii, foreground right) is one of the many ninja who must stop a killer alien in Sushi Typhoon’s ALIEN VS NINJA.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon & “Alien vs. Ninja” Production Committee

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: funimation.com/avn, Sushi Typhoon (US), Sushi Typhoon (Japan)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee

On February 21st, FUNimation Entertainment will reissue ALIEN VS NINJA (AVN, 2010), this time in a 2 disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.

Centuries ago, the fiercest ninjas of the Iga clan face their toughest enemies — and they aren’t from this planet! A fiery mass crashes in the forest and soon horrifyingly savage creatures reduce the warriors to tasty snacks. But these extraterrestrials have bitten off more than they can chew. Swords and throwing stars may fail against unearthly goons, but ninja skills don’t stop at sharp stuff. If you’re into ARMY OF DARKNESS, you’ll be taking bets over who’ll win this over-the-top battle for survival!
Continued…

Australian DVD and Blu-ray cover art for GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Second Installment of the Popular GANTZ Franchise Streets February 15th
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

The Australian label Madman Entertainment will release the box office hit GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in February 2012. The discs will feature a never-before seen extended version of the film with new scenes added.

Several months after the events of GANTZ 1, Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) faces an impending alien invasion under the order of Gantz. As he closes in on the magical “100″ score to resurrect his friends, young pop star Eriko Ayukawa (Ayumi Ito) is being secretly ordered by Gantz to carry out assassinations, and cop Masamitsu Shigeta (Takayuki Yamada) inches closer towards finding out the truth about the invading aliens. As the missions get increasingly dangerous, Kurono discovers that the endgame for Gantz is quickly approaching with a massive bloody showdown with the aliens.
Continued…

LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD © 2009 Takeshobo Inc. END CALL © 2008 The MonteCristo Fund LLC/ T.O Entertainment.

Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc.

The home video label Asian Crush, a division of Asian Media Rights, has announced the Region 1 DVD release of the Japanese horror films END CALL (エンドコール, Endokoru, 2008) and LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD (妖美伝奇 新説 牡丹灯籠 壱 この世の果て, Bi Denki Shinsetsu Botandourou Ichi Kono Yono Hate, 2009). Asian Crush titles are distributed by Media Blasters.
Continued…

Cover art for the upcoming UK DVD and Blu-ray editions of GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of The Associates.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in the UK by Manga Entertainment on February 6th, 2012.

The sequel begins several months after the events of the first film. Kei Kurono (Ninomiya) is still fighting aliens under the order of Gantz and he is close to reaching the score he needs to resurrect his friend Masaru Kato (Matsuyama). As the missions begin to get increasingly dangerous for both the alien fighters and the general public, Kurono discovers that the endgame for Gantz is quickly approaching.
Continued…

Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network)
Official Site: Always 3
Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura and Tzeling Huang

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie.

Theatrical poster for ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- 3.
© 2012 Always Sunset on Third Street ’64 Film Partners

Released in Japan in November 2005, ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET (ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日, Always San-Chome no Yuhi) enjoyed a long theatrical run, won countless awards (including numerous Japan Academy Awards), and became one of the most successful films in recent memory. Two years later, the sequel, ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- 2 (ALWAYS 続・三丁目の夕日, Always Zoku San-Chome no Yuhi, 2007), surpassed the box office success of the original, capturing the hearts of audiences across the nation.

Five years later, the beloved characters of this popular franchise return to the big screen in ALWAYS- SUNSET ON 3RD STREET- 3 ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日’64, Always San-Chome no Yuhi ’64) — this time in 3D.

SciFi Japan is pleased to present an early look at the latest chapter in the smash hit ALWAYS movie series with photos and production notes provided by NTV. Toho will release the film to theaters across Japan on January 21, 2012.
Continued…

Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) and Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) in publicity art for GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Author: Elliot Gay
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)
Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network)
Photos: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, The Associates, Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura and Shio Toyoda

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

GANTZ and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER director Shinsuke
Sato. Photo courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Entertainment.

Both GANTZ (前編, Gantsu, 2011) and its sequel, GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011), were directed by filmmaker and video game developer Shinsuke Sato. A graduate of Musashino University of The Arts, Sato first drew attention for writing and directing successful student films, before making his professional directorial debut with LOVE SONG (2001).

His second film, THE PRINCESS BLADE (修羅雪姫, Shura Yukihime, 2001), was released internationally, and he has directed such well-received movies as ALL ABOUT MY DOG (いぬのえいが, Inu no Eiga, 2005), SAND CLOCK (砂時計, Sunadokei, 2008) and the Japan Academy Prize-nominated animated feature OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR (ホッタラケの島 〜遥と魔法の鏡〜, Hottarake no Shima – Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009). Sato has also developed characters and storylines for video games, most notably TEKKEN 4 (2002).

SciFi Japan writer Elliot Gay recently spoke with Shinsuke Sato about his work on the two GANTZ films.
Continued…

The mysterious men in black are looking for a fight in GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, playing January 14th at NEW PEOPLE Cinema.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco to Screen GANTZ and GANTZ II on January 14th
Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, MediaLab press release
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment celebrates the recently announced release of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER on DVD/Blu-ray with a special series of screenings of the entire GANTZ film saga on Saturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. Additional ticket and film info is available at newpeopleworld.com/#gantz2.

GANTZ (Dubbed) 1:00pm
GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (Dubbed) 4:00pm
GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (Subtitled) 7:00pm

All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster, and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.
Continued…

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…

Rookie homicide detective Cha Eun-young (Lee Na-young) joins veteran Cho Sang-gil (Song Kang-ho) to solve a string of killings that may have been caused by an animal.
Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment. © 2011 CJ Entertainment

New Trailer and Photos for Film Based on Best-Selling Japanese Crime Novel
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: CJ Entertainment
Official Howling Facebook pages: Sang-gil Version and Eun-young Version

Song Kang-ho, the prolific Korean actor who starred in MEMORIES OF MURDER (살인의 추억, Salinui chueok, 2003), THE HOST (괴물, Gwoemul, 2006), SECRET SUNSHINE (밀양, Milyang, 2007) and THIRST (박쥐, Bakjwi, 2009), among others, leads a new thriller called HOWLING (하울링), which opens in February in Korea.

Song plays Cho Sang-gil, a veteran homicide detective who is under pressure for his low arrest record. Because of this, he desperately seeks clues to a series of murders, presumably committed by a wolfdog. Joining Sang-gil on the investigation is rookie detective Cha Eun-young (Lee Na-young), who suspects there is something elusive behind the case.
Continued…

Toei’s Super Sentai and Kamen Rider Christmas displays at Akihabara. Photos by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2011 Toei Co., Ltd.

Authors: the SciFi Japan team
Photos: Daisuke Ishizuka

The staff of SciFi Japan to thank all of our readers, contributors, news sources and sponsors for their help and support this past year. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a wonderful holiday season as we head into 2012.
Continued…

Cover art for the upcoming North American DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Set of the Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER.
Photos courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, Warner Home Video
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced the highly anticipated release of the live-action film sequel to GANTZ. GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will debut on Region 1 DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack (SRP $29.99) on January 17th, 2012. The film, which is unrated, features both English and Japanese dialogue options and includes a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview, cast profiles, and theatrical film trailers. NEW PEOPLE DVD/Blu-ray titles are distributed in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video.

To celebrate the film’s North American release, NEW PEOPLE Entertainment will hold three special theatrical screenings of GANTZ and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER on Saturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster, and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.
Continued…

Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of Sushi Typhoon’s YAKUZA WEAPON. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.
© 2010 Ken Ishikawa/ Dynamic Planning, Yakuza Weapon Film Partners

The Team Behind VERSUS Return with Another Blood-Soaked Gore Fest from Sushi Typhoon
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications
Official Site: sushi-typhoon.com/films/yakuza-weapon
Special Thanks to Leif Hellend and Marc Walkow

From the director of MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD (Tak Sakaguchi), and MEATBALL MACHINE (Yûdai Yamaguchi) comes the “bloody awesome” YAKUZA WEAPON (極道兵器, Gokudo Heiki, 2011), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD February 7th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Another warped film from the prolific Japanese production company Sushi Typhoon, YAKUZA WEAPON is based on the cult manga by Ken Ishikawa and stars stuntman-turned-director Tak Sakaguchi as a one-man, butt-kicking army out to avenge the death of his father with built-in firepower.
Continued…

Ring in the new year with some Hong Kong mutant mayhem! Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010

Hong Kong Sci-Fi Action Flick Arrives December 27th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/city-under-siege (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Combo Pack art for CITY UNDER SIEGE. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010

On December 27th, the Hong Kong science fiction action movie CITY UNDER SIEGE (全城戒备, Chun Sing Gai Bei, 2010) will be released in a 2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack by FUNimation Entertainment. The film follows a group of circus performers who go on a rampage after accidental exposure to chemical gas left by the Japanese army in WWII grants them superhuman abilities.

Innocent citizens flee mutant marauders in this electrifying tale from famed director – and frequent Jackie Chan collaborator – Benny Chan (NEW POLICE STORY, FIST OF FURY, HEROIC DUO) Featuring a star-studded cast including Aaron Kwok (seven-time Hong Kong Film Awards nominee), Shu Qi (Hong Kong Film Award winner), Collin Chou (THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, THE MATRIX RELOADED, and JET LI’S FEARLESS) and Qi Shu (THE TRANSPORTER). This thrilling flick packs a serious punch thanks to action sequences concocted by legendary choreographer Chung Chi Li (RUSH HOUR, NEW POLICE STORY).
Continued…

Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) battles aliens in GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, playing December 17th at NEW PEOPLE Cinema.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

EATRIP, DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER in the The Bay Area on Dec 17th
Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

NEW PEOPLE, the nation’s only entertainment complex dedicated to Japanese popular culture, has announced a trio of Japanese live-action films to screen on Saturday, December 17th at the venue’s SF Film Society|NEW PEOPLE Cinema. The screenings will include the culinary documentary EATRIP, which plays at 1:00pm, the newly released music biopic, DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 – TO BE CONTINUED, which plays at 3:00pm and again at 8:30pm, and finally the action-packed conclusion of the celebrated GANTZ sci-fi saga with a showing of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER 5:00pm. Tickets are $10.00 each per film. Information and advance tickets are available at newpeopleworld.com.

The SF Film Society|NEW PEOPLE Cinema is a 143-seat subterranean theatre located at 1746 Post Street in San Francisco’s Japantown and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system.

Filmgoers that bring their movie ticket to NEW PEOPLE, The Store, located in the building’s lobby, before or after each show will receive $10.00 off any NEW PEOPLE Entertainment DVD or Blu-ray release that day.
Continued…

The J-idol band Momoiro Clover get trapped in a haunted house in the mockumentary SHIROME. Photo courtesy of Zipangu Fest. © 2010 Shirome Project Partners

Festival of Nuclear Reactions, Retro, Anime and Horror Kicks Off November 18th in London
Source: Zipangu Fest, Third Window Film press releases
Official Site: zipangufest.com

The second Zipangu Fest— celebrating the best of cutting edge and avant garde Japanese cinema— will be held at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and Café Oto from November 18th to 24th, before moving to venues around the UK. The festival will showcase a selection of Japan’s finest features, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films… most of which have never been seen before in the UK and this festival will probably be the only chance to see them in the near future.
Continued…

The Zebra Queen (Riisa Naka) will rule the world unless Zebraman (Show Aikawa) can stop her. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment.
© 2010 Zebraman- Attack on Zebra City Partners.

Superhero Sequel Arrives November 29th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: zeb2.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Combo Pack art for Takashi Miike’s ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON
ZEBRA CITY. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment.
© 2010 Zebraman- Attack on Zebra City Partners.

Fan favorite director Takashi Miike (AUDITION, ICHI THE KILLER) reunites with actor Show Aikawa (TOKYO ZOMBIE, GOZU) for ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY (ゼブラーマン -ゼブラシティの逆襲-, Zeburaaman -Zeburaa Shiti no Gyakushuu, 2010), the sequel to their cult favorite superhero movie, ZEBRAMAN (ゼブラーマン, 2004). FUNimation Entertainment will release the film in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on November 29th.

The year is 2025. Tokyo has fallen and the world cries out for a hero. It cries for Zebraman. This striped crime fighter is the only hope for those who live in fear of the Zebra Queen, a hooved seductress out to conquer the world with the aide of her Miniskirt Zebra Police.

The Queen has stolen Zebraman’s powers and instituted Zebra Time: ten horrifying minutes each day when murder is legal! Without his super strength, Zebraman is just a guy with a mane – a broken-down hero unable to stop the onslaught of evil. Before he can take a bite out of the bad guys, Zebraman must find the young girl who holds the secret to regaining his ass-kicking powers and prove, once and for all, that a hero never changes his stripes!
Continued…

DVD and Blu-ray cover art for SEX & ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2011 One Dollar Production, Ltd.

Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: 3dsexzen.com

On November 30th, the Hong Kong production SEX & ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY (3D肉蒲团之极乐宝鉴, 2011) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia by distributor Madman Entertainment. A new chapter in the legendary 1990s SEX & ZEN series, EXTREME ECSTASY hit $1 million (USD) at the box office in Aussie cinemas and broke the box office record in Hong Kong, beating the previous record holder, AVATAR. Madman’s DVD and Blu-ray will feature the uncut version of the film, not seen in cinemas, with 15 minutes of extra footage.
Continued…

Flesh-eating zombies have overrun Northern Japan in HELLDRIVER. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon/ Nikkatsu

Japanese Splatter King Yoshihiro Nishimura Delivers a Blood-Soaked Gore Fest on November 22
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker, Doris Pfardrescher and Leif Hellend

Cover art for the HELLDRIVER Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack. Photo
courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon/ Nikkatsu

From director Yoshihiro Nishimura (TOKYO GORE POLICE, VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL) comes the epic, apocalyptic Zombie-fighting road movie HELLDRIVER (日本分断 HELL DRIVER, Nihon Bundan: Heru Doraibaa, 2010), featuring non-stop, over-the-top splatter action debuting November 22 from Well Go USA. HELLDRIVER will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP.

The latest cult film from the prolific Japanese production company Sushi Typhoon, HELLDRIVER takes place in a Japan where half the population has become not-so-sexy flesh eaters and the economy has gently withered away… until Kika (Yumiko Hara) arrives. A stunning high school girl armed with an artificial heart-powered chainsaw sword, she leads a motley crew of desperados on a secret mission into the zombie-infected wilds to exterminate zombie queen Rikka (Eihi Shiina, TOKYO GORE POLICE) and put an end to the plague of the living dead.

The extensive bonus features include three exclusive short films set within the HELLDRIVER universe: HELLDRIVER DAKOTA (directed by HELLDRIVER First Assistant Director Jun Shiozaki), CATCH ME IF YOU CAN! (directed by Lighting Director Hiroshi Ota), and BAILOUT! (directed by poster designer Yoshiki Takahashi).
Continued…

Come Perform Onstage as Your Favorite Japanese Superhero
Source: Anime Jungle
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota and Yoichi Kakuma

Photo courtesy of Anime Jungle.

On Saturday, November 5th, the collector’s shop Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA will host their first HENSHIN CONTEST for costumers/cosplayers to perform a short onstage skit with a Kamen/Masked Rider, Super Sentai/Power Rangers, or other Costumed Heroes theme. The contest will take place at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) during the opening reception for the KAMEN RIDER VS SUPER SENTAI Anniversaries Tribute Exhibition (co-sponsored with with Q-POP) in downtown LA’s Little Tokyo.

Cosplayers who wish to participate in the Henshin Contest can register at either of Anime Jungle’s Los Angeles locations or online. Complete contest details can be found at animejungle.net/henshin. The top three performances will have their choice of three prizes, all related to Kamen Rider or Super Sentai. Anime Jungle invites everyone to come see a great show by fans, for fans.
Continued…

DVD and Blu-ray cover art for TREASURE HUNTER. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Chang Hong Channel Film & Video Co..

Taiwanese Action/Comedy Starring THE GREEN HORNET’s Jay Chou
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Fans of The MUMMY need hunt no further for edge-of-your-seat thrills! Hong Kong Film Award winners, Jay Chou (THE GREEN HORNET) and Eric Tsang (INFERNAL AFFAIRS), star in THE TREASURE HUNTER (刺陵, Ci Ling 2009), a blazing adventure packed with action and stunning special effects. In November, the movie will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray in North America by FUNimation Entertainment.
Continued…

The Yamato races against time to save the Earth in the hit film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, coming to DVD and Blu-ray from the Australian label Madman.
Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

Region 4 Home Video Release in December
Source: Madman Entertainment

On December 14th, the live action feature film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (宇宙戦艦ヤマト, Supeesu Batorushippu Yamato, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia by Madman Entertainment. The movie is not currently scheduled for release in North America or the United Kingdom.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki (RETURNER, the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET films), the film is based on the hugely popular SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO anime franchise (originally shown in America as STAR BLAZERS). It topped the box office upon its release in Japan, earning $12 million (US) in just five days.
Continued…

Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, Warner Home Video
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

Announcement for the GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER Blu-ray and DVD.
Photo courtesy of Warner Home Video. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha
© 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Warner Home Video has announced that the sci-fi thriller GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will be released by NEW PEOPLE Entertainment in January, 2012. The film concludes the story begun in director Shinsuke Sato’s GANTZ (前編, Gantsu, 2011), and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY).

Determined to resurrect friends who have died in battle, Kei Kurono (Ninomiya), Masaru Kato (Matsuyama) and other members trapped in the “in-between” world of GANTZ are aiming to score the 100 points needed to break through. An emergence of a mysterious investigator, however, complicates the situation further. The battle continues on as the two dimensions start to merge together. Some fight for love, and others fight for justice. At the end, who will sacrifice the most?

GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will be available as both a 2-Disc DVD and a 3-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.
Continued…

Fifty-four high school girls commit a terrifying act in director Shion Sano’s SUICIDE CLUB, now available for the first time on DVD in the UK.
Photo courtesy of Cine du Monde. © 2001 Omega Project /Biggubito /For Peace Co., Ltd. /Fyuzu /Kadokawa Pictures

New Label Presents Controversial Horror Favorite from Director Shion Sano
Source: Cine du Monde
Official Site: cinedumonde.co.uk/suicideclub (UK)
Special Thanks to Andrew Kirkham

Cover art for the UK DVD release of SUICIDE CLUB.
Photo courtesy of Cine du Monde. © 2001 Omega Project
/Biggubito /For Peace Co., Ltd. /Fyuzu /Kadokawa
Pictures

Cine du Monde is a great new DVD/Blu-ray label launched in the United Kingdom. The company will focus on “Left-of-Centre Cinema”, giving well-deserved attention to films that do not generally receive mainstream recognition.

One of Cine du Monde’s first DVD releases is the uncut version of the controversial Japanese shocker SUICIDE CLUB (自殺サークル, Jisatsu Saakuru, 2002). Written and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Shion Sano (LOVE EXPOSURE, COLD FISH), SUICIDE CLUB quickly became a favorite on the international film festivals, winning the Jury Prize for “Most Ground Breaking Film” at the 2003 Fantasia Film Festival. Despite the film’s cult status and critical attention, SUICIDE CLUB was not officially available in the UK until now.

54 high school girls throw themselves in front of a subway train. This appears to be only the beginning of a string of suicides around the country. Does the new all-girl group Desert have anything to do with it? Detective Kuroda tries to find the answer, which isn’t as simple as one could hope.
Continued…

Korean Horror Film Arrives October 10th
Source: Third Windows Films
Official Site: terracottadistribution.com/death-bell (UK)

Cover art for the UK DVD release of the Korean horror
movie DEATH BELL. © 2008 Core Contents Media

Terror Cotta, the new sub-label from Terracotta Distribution presents their first release, the Korean slasher-horror DEATH BELL (고死: 피의 중간고사, Gosa: Piui Junggangosa, 2008).

Students at an elite high school, preparing for mid-term exams, are held captive and forced into a series of sadistic games. The students find themselves plunged into a deadly test where they are picked off one by one and held in impenetrable traps where they must rely on the amazing intellects of their classmates to be released, every time a question is answered incorrectly, a classmate meets their torturous, grizzly death.

When it emerges that the students are being picked off according to a pattern, pupil Kang Yi-na understands exactly how much time she has to stay alive and figure out the mysteries of who is imprisoning them and what is the ghostly presence that stalks the school and seems to bind them all together, before the Death Bell rings for her.
Continued…

Korean student Cha Se-hui (Park Ji-Yeon) is trapped in school with a murderer in DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP. © 2010 Core Contents Media

Korean Horror Film Arrives in October
Source: Media Blasters, Inc.
Special Thanks to Carl Morano

DVD cover art for DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP. Photo
courtesy of Media Blasters. © 2010 Core Contents Media

On October 11th, Media Blasters will release the Korean horror film DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP (고사 두 번째 이야기: 교생실습, Gosa Du Beonjjae Yiyagi: Gyosaengsilseop, 2010) on DVD through their Tokyo Shock label.

DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP had its world premiere on July 23, 2010 as the closing film of the 14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. The Korean theatrical run began July 28, 2010, with more than 50,000 people seeing the film on its first day of release.

After the school swim star, Jeong Tae-yeon (Yoon Seung Ah), is found murdered, new teacher Park Eun-su (Hwang Jung Eum), student Cha Se-hui (Park Ji-Yeon) and their elite summer session class find themselves locked in the school with an ultimatum: find the murderer among you, or everyone dies. Their only clue is a message scrawled on the blackboard: “When an innocent mother is killed, what son would not avenge her death?”
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Dinosaurs rule the prehistoric Korean peninsula in TARBOSAURUS. The 3D Korean film has been picked up for a North American release.
© 2011 CJ E&M Pictures

Well Go USA Acquires North American Rights
Source: Well Go USA Entertainment, CJ E&M Pictures

The Korean movie production and distribution company CJ E&M has licensed the North American rights for the WWII tale MY WAY (마이 웨이, Mai Wei) and the 3D dinosaur film TARBOSAURUS (타르보사우루스) to distributor Well Go USA Entertainment.

Promotional art for MY WAY. © 2011 CJ E&M Pictures

Based on a true story, MY WAY is directed by Kang Je-kyu (TAEGUKGI: THE BROTHERHOOD OF WAR) and stars Jang Dong-Kun (TAEGUKGI, THE WARRIOR’S WAY), Joe Odagiri (SHINOBI, MUSHI-SHI), and Bingbing Fan (BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS, SHAOLIN). The film begins in Japan-colonized Korea during the 1930s, where Jun-shik (Jang) and Tatsuo (Odagiri) are rivals hoping to compete as marathon runners in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. But when war breaks out with the U.S.S.R. Jun-shik is forced to enlist in the army.

MY WAY will open in theaters in Korea in December. Well Go USA has picked up DVD/Blu-ray, digital, Video on Demand, and television rights and is planning the North American release for early 2012.

The family adventure TARBOSAURUS was directed by Han Sang-ho. The film combines computer animation and live action photography to tell the story of dinosaurs who inhabited the Korean Peninsula 70 million years ago. At that time, the area now known as Jeonnam Yeosu was the forest habitat of a species of theropod dinosaur called Tarbosaurus.

Well Go USA has acquired North American theatrical, DVD/Blu-ray, digital, VoD, and television rights for TARBOSAURUS. No release date has been set.
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Apes rule a futuristic Japan in TIME OF THE APES, one of four fun movies from the upcoming DVD collection MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXII.
© 1974 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

Featuring TIME OF THE APES, MIGHTY JACK, THE VIOLENT YEARS, and THE BRUTE MAN
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen

Box art for MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXII. Photo
courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Best Brains, Inc.

Our long cultural nightmare is over. On December 6, Shout! Factory, in association with Best Brains, Inc., will release MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXII, a 4-DVD set that includes TIME OF THE APES, MIGHTY JACK, THE VIOLENT YEARS, THE BRUTE MAN and a cornucopia of extras worthy of the holiday season. All four episodes are previously unreleased on DVD, and TIME OF THE APES and MIGHTY JACK are two of the most beloved and most requested episodes of the comedy phenomenon!

The MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 series was created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Jim Mallon. The premise of the series features a hapless man who is trapped by mad scientists on a satellite in space and forced to watch old B-movies of questionable worth. To keep sane, he’s built two robot sidekicks, and together they do a running commentary on the films, affectionately mocking their flaws with inspired wisecracks and acting as a demented movie theater peanut gallery. During its 11-year run and 198 episodes (including one feature film), MST3K attained a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The series won a Peabody Award in 1993, and was nominated for writing Emmys in 1994 and 1995.

Passionate fans and collectors can pre-order this 4-DVD set now on ShoutFactoryStore.com, Amazon.com and other online retailers.
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A colony of vampires causes havoc on an uncharted Japanese island in HIGANJIMA: ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Suzuki Koji/ Kodansha, “Higanjima” Film Partners.

Japanese/Korean Horror Adventure Coming October 4th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: Higanjima (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Cover art for the HIGANJIMA Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010
Suzuki Koji/ Kodansha, “Higanjima” Film Partners.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack of HIGANJIMA: ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND (彼岸島, Higanjima, 2010) on October 4th. Based on Koji Matsumoto’s manga, HIGANJIMA is a Japanese/Korean horror adventure from VOLCANO HIGH director Kim Tae-gyun and DEATH NOTE movie screenwriter Tetsuya Oishi.

Akira Miyamoto (Hideo Ishiguro, GOKUSEN THE MOVIE) and his ragtag group of teenage friends enter a world of danger and action when they land on the shores of Higanjima, an uncharted island that’s overrun by vampires. They’ll face entire villages of sword-wielding vampires while racing to stay a step ahead of winged she-beasts and giant gargoyles.
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The 3D version of the Korean box office smash THE HOST will make its world premiere next month at the Busan International Film Festival.
© 2006 Chungeorahm Film

Primary Korean Film Festival Puts Two Monster Movies on This Year’s List
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: Busan International Film Festival

The 3D version of Bong Joon-ho’s THE HOST (괴물 / Gwoemul, 2006) and Kim Ki-duk’s classic YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP (대괴수 용가리 / Daegoesu Yonggary, 1967) will be shown at this year’s Busan* International Film Festival (BIFF, October 6~14). The event is known to be one of the most prosperous Asian film festivals in the world, first launched in 1996.

THE HOST 3D will makes its world premiere as an entry in the Gala Presentation category of BIFF. YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP was chosen as one of nine movies for the festival’s Korean Cinema Retrospective category.
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Cover art for the upcoming UK DVD and Blu-ray editions of the Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ. Photos courtesy of The Associates.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

Already adapted as a hugely successful anime series, Hiroya Oku’s manga Gantz gets a stunning special effects-laden, live action makeover courtesy of director Shinsuke Sato (SAND CLOCK; ALL ABOUT MY DOG) and DEATH NOTE trilogy producer Takahiro Sato.

GANTZ (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in the UK by Manga Entertainment on 3rd October 2011. Special Features include: The Making Of GANTZ; interviews; teasers and trailers; TV spots; Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 PCM audio options; optional English subtitles.
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