Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: TBA (Japan)
Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with promotional art and information for SUPER SENTAI MOVIE RANGER 2021 (スーパー戦隊MOVIEレンジャー2021, Sūpā Sentai Mūbī Renjā 2021), the next entry in their “Super Sentai Movie Party” series. The film will be released in Japanese theaters in February 2021.
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Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Group
Special Thanks to James Flower and Clint Weiler
In March 2021, Arrow Video will release a Blu-ray double feature of THE INVISIBLE MAN APPEARS (透明人間現わる, Tōmei Ningen Arawaru, 1949) and THE INVISIBLE MAN VS. THE HUMAN FLY (透明人間と蝿男, Tōmei Ningen to Hae Otoko, 1957). Finally released outside Japan for the very first time, these unique riffs on H.G. Wells’ classic character (though undoubtedly also indebted to Universal’s iconic film series) are two of the earliest examples of tokusatsu (special effects) cinema from Daiei Studios, later the home of Gamera.
In THE INVISIBLE MAN APPEARS, written and directed by Nobuo Adachi in 1949, a scientist successfully creates an invisibility serum, only to be kidnapped by a gang of thugs who wish to use the formula to rob a priceless jewel. In addition to being the earliest surviving Japanese science fiction film ever made, the film’s entertaining special effects were an early credit for the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya (ULTRAMAN), five years before he first brought Godzilla to life.
Eight years later, Mitsuo Murayama’s exciting THE INVISIBLE MAN VS. THE HUMAN FLY tells the story of a series of mysterious murders where the only clue is strange buzzing noise at the scene of the crime.
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Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: kamenrider-winter.com (Japan)
Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with thirty-one large, high-res photos from their upcoming Kamen Rider theatrical double feature winter event of KAMEN RIDER SABER THE MOVIE: PHOENIX SAMURAI AND THE BOOK OF RUIN (劇場短編 仮面ライダーセイバー 不死鳥の剣士と破滅の本, Gekijō-tanpen Kamen Raidā Seibā Fushichō no Kenshi to Hametsu no Hon) and KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE THE MOVIE: REAL × TIME (劇場版 仮面ライダーゼロワン REAL×TIME, Gekijō-ban Kamen Raidā Zero Wan REAL×TIME). The movies are scheduled for release in Japanese cinemas this December 18th.
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to James Flower and Clint Weiler
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of Ryûhei Kitamura’s VERSUS (-ヴァーサス-, Vāsasu, 2000). A relentless one-of-a-kind sensory assault chock-full of hyper-kinetic fight scenes, gangster shootouts, sword-slashing violence and gory zombie horror, VERSUS was a key title amongst the barrage of innovative horror and action movies that appeared as if from nowhere from Japan at the turn of the millennium, leading to a new wave of appreciation for Asian extreme cinema.
The VERSUS Blu-ray will be released December 8 by Arrow Video US. The set features new High Definition (1080p) presentations of both versions of the film: the original 2000 cut and 2004’s ULTIMATE VERSUS, featuring over 10 minutes of new and revised footage.
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Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: kamenrider-winter.com (Japan)
Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with large, high-res images of the new promotional artwork for their upcoming Kamen Rider theatrical double feature winter event of KAMEN RIDER SABER THE MOVIE: PHOENIX SAMURAI AND THE BOOK OF RUIN and KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE THE MOVIE: REAL × TIME.
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Source: Well Go USA, ddPR
Official Site: traintobusanpeninsula.com
Special Thanks to Leif Helland
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA (반도, Bando, 2020), the next nail-biting chapter in director Yeon Sang-ho’s acclaimed TRAIN TO BUSAN Korean zombie saga.
Jung-seok, a soldier who previously escaped the diseased wasteland, relives the horror when assigned to a covert operation with two simple objectives: retrieve and survive. When his team unexpectedly stumbles upon survivors, their lives will depend on whether the best– or worst — of human nature prevails in the direst of circumstances.
TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA debuts on 4K Ultra Combo Pack (SLP: $34.98), Blu-ray Combo Pack (SLP: $29.98) and DVD (SLP: $24.98) November 24 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film comes with the original Korean audio track with English subtitles, and an all-new English dub. Bonus content includes a making-of featurette and interviews with the cast & crew.
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Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) press release
Official Site: tamashiination2020.tamashiinations.com
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto
Bandai Spirits issued a press release last night announcing its TAMASHI NATIONS 2020 virtual festival. With the theme “Figure Museum,” TAMASHII NATIONS 2020 will take place November 6-8, 2020 (JST).and feature close to 1,000 figures and robots from top franchises including Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Dragon Ball, Gundam and Demon Slayer.
The event website offers a VR Exhibition Hall, which provides a 360 degree view of all the figure and robot exhibitions, a hi-resolution photo gallery and an assortment of exclusive content planned throughout the festival, including a special introduction “Jujutsu Kaisen” and new product from series with guest voice actor Tyunya Enoki, who plays the main character Yuji Itadori.
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to James Flower and Clint Weiler
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of Sogo Ishii’s BURST CITY (爆裂都市 BURST CITY, Bakuretsu Toshi Bāsuto Shiti, 1982). The movie is an explosive Molotov cocktail of dystopian sci-fi, Mad Max-style biker wars against yakuza gangsters and the police, and riotous performances from members of the real-life Japanese punk bands The Stalin, The Roosters, The Rockers and INU. In a derelict industrial wasteland somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo, two rival punk bands and their unruly mobs of fans gather for a Battle of the Bands-style protest against the construction of a nuclear power plant, bringing them head to head with the yakuza industrialists behind the development of their turf.
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Source: TOKU press release
Special Thanks to Jesús Piñango
TOKU, the 24/7 live and on-demand television network dedicated to eye-catching anime, popular live-action titles, cult classics, fan-favorite Asian movies and series subtitled and dubbed into English, premieres on November 3rd at 7:30 pm KAMEN RIDER AGITO (仮面ライダーアギト, Kamen Raidā Agito), which is considered to be the 30th anniversary creation of the Kamen Rider series.
The 51 episodes (30 mins each) TV series was a co-production deal between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and aired on TV Asahi in 2001 as the eleventh season of the popular Kamen Rider franchise. However, according to a comment made by producer Schinichiro Shiracura from TV-Asahi on Agito production website: “It is not a sequel to KUUGA, so take to the show with that in mind.”
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to Clint Weiler
A relentless one-of-a-kind sensory assault chock-full of hyper-kinetic fight scenes, gangster shootouts, sword-slashing violence and gory zombie horror, VERSUS (-ヴァーサス-, Vāsasu, 2000) was a key title amongst the barrage of innovative horror and action movies that appeared as if from nowhere from Japan at the turn of the millennium, leading to a new wave of appreciation for Asian extreme cinema.
A mysterious face-off in a wooded clearing between two escaped convicts and a carload of sharply dressed yakuza holding a beautiful woman captive ends in hails of bullets and showers of blood. The location for this violent encounter is the mythic Forest of Resurrection, the site of the 444th portal of the 666 hidden gates that link this earthly domain to the netherworld – and it didn’t get this name for nothing. As one of the surviving prisoners escapes with the girl into the darkness of the forest, disgruntled gangsters soon become the least of their worries as an earlier battle between a lone warrior against hordes of zombie samurai is carried over from a millennium ago into the present day.
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Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: kamenrider-winter.com (Japan)
Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with large, high-res images of the promotional artwork for their upcoming Kamen Rider theatrical double feature. KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE THE MOVIE (劇場版 仮面ライダーゼロワン, Gekijō-ban Kamen Raidā Zero Wan) was originally scheduled for July 23rd, paired with MAJIN SENTAI KIRAMAGER THE MOVIE (魔進戦隊キラメイジャー THE MOVIE, Mashin Sentai Kirameijā THE MOVIE), but the release was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. ZERO-ONE will now be partnered with KAMEN RIDER SABER THE MOVIE (劇場版 仮面ライダーセイバー, Gekijō-ban Kamen Raidā Seibā), the film version of the latest Kamen Rider television series, for a winter movie event.
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Bonus Features Include a Making-Of Featurette, Interviews with Cast & Crew and an All-New English Dub!
Source: Well Go USA, ddPR
Official Site: traintobusanpeninsula.com
Special Thanks to Leif Helland
Four years after South Korea’s total decimation in TRAIN TO BUSAN (부산행, Busanhaeng, 2016), the zombie thriller that captivated audiences worldwide, acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho brings fans TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA (반도, Bando, 2020), the next nail-biting chapter in his post-apocalyptic world, available early on Digital October 27 in time for Halloween or on 4K Ultra Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD November 24 from Well Go USA Entertainment.
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to James Flower and Clint Weiler
BURST CITY (爆裂都市 BURST CITY, Bakuretsu Toshi Bāsuto Shiti, 1982) is an explosive Molotov cocktail of dystopian sci-fi, Mad Max-style biker wars against yakuza gangsters and the police, and riotous performances from members of the real-life Japanese punk bands The Stalin, The Roosters, The Rockers and INU. In a derelict industrial wasteland somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo, two rival punk bands and their unruly mobs of fans gather for a Battle of the Bands-style protest against the construction of a nuclear power plant, bringing them head to head with the yakuza industrialists behind the development of their turf.
This extraordinary celebration of Japan’s punk music scene of the early 1980s thrust Sōgo Ishii (now known by the name of Gakuryū Ishii) to the next level and is regularly cited as an early landmark in Japanese cyberpunk cinema.
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Source: MVD Entertainment Group
Special Thanks to Clint Weiler
SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new DVD edition of the independent kaiju comedy ATTACK OF THE GIANT TEACHER (アタック・オブ・ザ・ジャイアントティーチャー, Atakku Obu Za Jaianto Tīchā, 2019) from director Yoshikazu Ishii (ULTRAMAN GINGA).
Kenzo Miyazawa is an earnest teacher who works at a night high school. His class is filled with unique and slightly odd students. Suddenly, the night school witnesses a drop in student numbers and has no choice but to shut down by the end of the year. Mr. Miyazawa’s class decides to create a musical for the school’s last festival. Then, an alien beast invades Earth and begins destroying the town. Mr. Miyazawa challenges the alien beast to a fight.
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Source: Third Window Films press release
Special Thanks to Adam Torel
UK distributor Third Window Films is pleased to announce Europe’s first Blu-ray and the UK’s first release of Shinya Tsukamoto’s GEMINI (双生児, Sōseiji, 1999). Adapting the Edogawa Rampo short story The Twins, Shinya Tsukamoto’s (TETSUO, TOKYO FIST) modernist Meiji horror represents the director’s first foray into period films and fleshes out Rampo’s original tale of savage sibling rivalry considerably.
Yukio (Masahiro Motoki) is living a charmed life: he is a respected young doctor with a successful practice and a beautiful wife. His only problem is that his wife is suffering from amnesia, and her past is unknown. Things begin to fall apart, however, when both his parents die suddenly, killed by a mysterious stranger with Yukio’s face. Only when Yukio confronts this stranger will the mystery of his identity, and his wife’s past, be revealed.
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group
Special Thanks to Clint Weiler
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of Koji Shima’s WARNING FROM SPACE (宇宙人東京に現わる, Uchūjin Tokyo ni Arawaru, 1956), the first Japanese science fiction film to be made in color. The movie features eye-popping special effects from the same team at Daiei Studios that would bring Gamera to life a decade later.
As Japan is rocked by mysterious sightings of UFOs over Tokyo and large one-eyed aliens attempting contact, scientists collaborate to investigate the unexpected rise in extraterrestrial activity. Unbeknownst to them, one of the aliens has already assumed human form and is about to deliver a very important message… that could be humanity’s last hope for survival.
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Source: Third Window Films press release
Special Thanks to Adam Torel
UK distributor Third Window Films is pleased to announce the world’s first Blu-ray release of THE TASTE OF TEA (茶の味, Cha no Aji, 2004). Filmmaker Katsuhito Ishii takes a break from the post-Tarantino excess of such highly-stylized outings as SHARK SKIN MAN AND PEACH HIP GIRL for this low-key look at an eccentric family residing in a quiet countryside town just north of Tokyo.
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Source: KAIJU MASTERCLASS press release
Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle
Announcing KAIJU MASTERCLASS, a three-day online convention with guest lineup featuring composer Bear McCreary (THE WALKING DEAD, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS), director Shinji Higuchi (SHIN GODZILLA, ATTACK ON TITAN), composer David Arnold (the JAMES BOND franchise, GODZILLA 1998), director Shusuke Kaneko (GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH, DEATH NOTE), composer Michiru Oshima (GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS), and long list of genre creators and scholars.
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Source: Avery Guerra
Official Site: riversidedrivein.com/special-events
This September, the Riverside Drive In Theatre in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania will host the “Drive-In Super Monster-Rama” featuring cult classics like KING KONG VS GODZILLA, KING KONG ESCAPES, MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND and THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK.
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Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release
Official Site: traintobusanpeninsula.com
Special Thanks to Karen Tran Wood and Katie Jo Ash
The Korean zombie film TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA (반도, Bando, 2020) will open in US theaters August 21st from distributor Well Go USA.
Four years after South Korea’s total decimation in TRAIN TO BUSAN (부산행, Busanhaeng, 2016), the zombie thriller that captivated audiences worldwide, acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho brings us PENINSULA, the next nail-biting chapter in his post-apocalyptic world. Jung-seok, a soldier who previously escaped the diseased wasteland, relives the horror when assigned to a covert operation with two simple objectives: retrieve and survive. When his team unexpectedly stumbles upon survivors, their lives will depend on whether the best—or worst—of human nature prevails in the direst of circumstances.
Continued…
Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to Clint Weiler
The first Japanese science fiction film to be made in color, Koji Shima’s WARNING FROM SPACE (宇宙人東京に現わる, Uchūjin Tokyo ni Arawaru, 1956) features eye-popping special effects from the same team at Daiei Studios that would bring Gamera to life a decade later.
As Japan is rocked by mysterious sightings of UFOs over Tokyo and large one-eyed aliens attempting contact, scientists collaborate to investigate the unexpected rise in extraterrestrial activity. Unbeknownst to them, one of the aliens has already assumed human form and is about to deliver a very important message… that could be humanity’s last hope for survival.
With a witty script by Hideo Oguni (screenwriter of several Akira Kurosawa classics including SEVEN SAMURAI) and iconic starfish-like aliens designed by avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto, the original Japanese version of WARNING FROM SPACE finally makes its official English-language video debut.
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Source: Benjamin Chaffins press release
SciFi Japan contributor Benjamin Chaffins’ first book, Discovering Tokusatsu: Interviews With The Makers of Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, And Other Kaiju Eiga is now available for preorder at amazon.com.
The book contains interviews with Yoko Higuchi on SHIN GODZILLA; Xavier Frazier, Alan Maxson, TJ Storm, Jason Liles and Richard Dorton on GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019); Norman England on GAMERA 3: THE REVENGE OF IRIS and the Millennium Godzilla series; Shinpei Hayashiya on the fan film GAMERA 4: TRUTH; Peter Hayes Brothers on his books; Daisuke Sato on HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG, Hiroto Yokokawa on NEZURA 1964; Akira Ohashi on GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION and GAMERA 3; John LeMay on his books; Yuichi Kikuchi on ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT and ULTRAMAN NEXUS (an exclusive to the book); Shizuo Nakajima on THE LEGENDARY WOLFMAN VS. GODZILLA; Minoru Kawasaki on THREE GIANT MONSTERS GOURMET: MONSTER SEAFOOD WARS; and Yoshikazu Ishii on ATTACK OF THE GIANT TEACHER, ULTRAMAN MAX, ULTRAMAN SAGA, ULTRAMAN MEBIUS, ULTRAMAN GINGA/GINGA S, ULTRA ZERO FIGHT and more. 128 pages total, Ben’s book covers details about each film and television show and explains how these interviews came to be.
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Source: Benjamin Chaffins
SciFi Japan contributor Benjamin Chaffins is preparing to release his first book, Discovering Tokusatsu: Interviews With The Makers of Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, And Other Kaiju Eiga. The PDF will be submitted to Amazon self-publishing (KDP) on July 27th for an August 2020 release.
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Source: Avery Guerra
Official Site: mahoningdit.com
The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA is sure to delight monster and sci-fi movies fans with great events this July and August.
First up is SCHLOCK-O-RAMA IV, a 10 film event the kicks off Friday, July 24 and features such greats as KING KONG VS GODZILLA, VALLEY OF GWANGI, FORBIDDEN PLANET, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS.
Then on Tuesday, August 4, the Toho classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS will be screened in 35mm.
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Source: Japan Society press release
Official Site: japancuts.japansociety.org
Special Thanks to Allison Rodman
North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema presents a robust slate of 42 films streaming online throughout the U.S., introduces inaugural Next Generation competitive festival section with Obayashi Prize, and offers dual CUT ABOVE Awards to actors Koichi Sato and Ken Watanabe.
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Source: Bandai Namco Collectibles, Nerdist press releases (authored by Kyle Anderson and Amy Ratcliffe)
Official Site: bluefinbrands.com/heisei-week
Special Thanks to David Clarke (Team Kamen Rider)
This is a great time for Tokusatsu fans in America! Bandai Namco Collectibles’ Team Kamen Rider and Shout! Factory TV have teamed up with Nerdist for a Kamen Rider-themed streaming event called Heisei Week that leads up to the first ever Kamen Rider movie screening in the US!
The movie KAMEN RIDER HEISEI GENERATIONS FOREVER (平成仮面ライダー20作品記念 仮面ライダー平成ジェネレーションズ FOREVER, Heisei Kamen Raidā 20 Sakuhin Kinen Kamen Raidā Heisei Jenerēshonzu FOREVER, 2018) features a team up of all 20 Heisei Era (1989-2019) Riders.
Nerdist will also welcome Team Kamen Rider and Shout Factory TV to Nerdist House 2020, their virtual series of panels and discussions broadcast live over the internet. Saturday, July 11 is the big day, as Nerdist will host the panel at 4pm PST and follow with the movie screening at 5pm PST. Another first for the event will be a message from a mystery Kamen Rider actor, an exclusive prize, and sales for Kamen Rider shirts and other collectibles!
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Source: Oscilloscope Laboratories press release
Official Site: littlezombies.jp (Japan), littlezombies.oscilloscope.net (US)
Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan
The incredible Sundance darling WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES (ウィーアーリトルゾンビーズ, Uīā Ritoru Zonbīzu, 2019) hits VOD and live cinemas — yeah, real movie theaters! — this Friday, July 10th from Oscilloscope Laboratories!
Director Makoto Nagahisa won the Grand Jury Prize (for short film) at the 33rd Sundance Film Festival, the first Japanese recipient of the award. The film, AND SO WE PUT GOLDFISH IN THE POOL (そうして私たちはプールに金魚を, Sōshite Watashitachiha Pūru ni Kingyo o), garnered attention both in Japan and around the world for its compelling cinematography, clever storytelling, and entrancing music, promising the birth of a new talent in the wake of Quentin Tarantino (KILL BILL), Damien Chazelle (LA LA LAND), Shunji Iwai (A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE), and Tetsuya Nakajima (THE WORLD OF KANAKO). Now in 2020, director Nagahisa has made his long-awaited full-length debut. For his first feature film, Makoto Nagahisa chose a story about the adventures of 13-year-old children whose parents have passed away. They suddenly lose their parents and “should be sad but tears won’t fall.”
Will they be able to retrieve their ability to feel through music?
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New Titles Include ZOMBIE FOR SALE, The 12-Film GAMERA COLLECTION, CREEPSHOW 2, BLOODSTONE, BLACK RAINBOW & MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE
Source: Arrow Video Channel press release
Special Thanks to Justin Cook
Arrow Video is excited to announce the July slate of titles on their subscription-based Arrow Video Channel, including acclaimed undead comedy ZOMBIE FOR SALE and GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, all twelve films starring mankind’s greatest defender: a fire-breathing mutant turtle.
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Season Premieres United States on July 3, 2020
Source: Netflix
Official Site: JU-ON: Origins | Netflix
The legendary horror franchise JU-ON (aka THE GRUDGE) is set to once again shake the world as Netflix Japan presents its first-ever horror original series, JU-ON: ORIGINS (呪怨: 呪いの家, Ju-On: Noroi no Ie). The 6 episode season will premiere in the United States on July 3, 2020.
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Source: Japan Society press release
Special Thanks to Allison Rodman
In light of the ongoing international situation with COVID-19, the organizers behind JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film have decided to take this popular annual event at Japan Society out of its usual form and craft a completely online version of the festival. Partnering with Festival Scope and Shift72 as the streaming platform and technology service, the festival team is hand-crafting 14 days of unique screening opportunities for Japanese cinema lovers, serving the Society’s dedicated audiences in New York City but also, for the first time, making the festival available to viewers throughout the United States.
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