|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Henshin!Headlines for 2005: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/17/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DVD Review ZERO WOMAN: RED HANDCUFFS Ass-Kicking, Eye-Gouging, Bone-Breaking Female Super Cop on R1 DVD! Author: August Ragone Source: Discotek Media
Those who are fans of '70s Japanese Cult Cinema, in the vein of Shigeo Osawa's THE STREET FIGHTER (Gekitotsu! Satsujin-Ken, 1974), Toshiya Fujita's LADY SNOWBLOOD (Shura Yukihime, 1973), and the television series SUKEBAN DEKA (1984-86), should not hesitate to pick up this violent, stylish and outlandish Toei action film directed by Yukio Noda. But, if you're one of those people who squirm at the violence in films like Quentin Tarratino's KILL BILL Volume 1 (2003) or Bo Arne Vibenius' THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE (1974), step away from the DVD display - but, if you've relished any of the above-mentioned titles, ZERO WOMAN: RED HANDCUFFS (Zeroka-no Onna Akai Wappa, 1974) is a must-see slice of exploitation carnage for you!
Discotek's audio and video presentation is about equal to similar Toei titles recently issued by Adness America/Ventura Distribution (although Ventura's titles seem to have less speckling and grain). The subtitles are fine for the most part (translating the Japanese "Sori" as "President", instead of "Prime Minister"), and all of the cast and credits are translated (although there are some incorrect translations for names - which is not uncommon). Some lines of subtitled dialogue ran to the very end of my monitor - which could have been a result of the anamorphic presentation, but is still a bit careless. Hopefully Discotek will remedy this problem on future releases. There are 25 chapter stops, which is generous for a movie that only runs 88 minutes. The trailers for the feature are incredibly grainy and appear closer to 1.85:1 aspect ratio, which is a bit squeezed. While the trailer for the live-action LUPIN III feature is in its original Tohoscope 2.35:1 aspect ratio and looks great, considering the age of the source materials. I feel that more effort could have been put into the menus, which are absolutely uninspired - something that Ventura does much better (I really like Ventura's "sock-it-to-me" screen transitions), considering using the non-animated menu style. Different music cues (and the theme song) play over these.
While not up to the (admittedly high) standards of Home Vision Entertainment releases, such as Kinji Fukasaku's STREET MOBSTER (Gendai Yakuza Hitokiri Yota, 1972) or GRAVEYARD OF HONOR (Jingi-no Hakaba, 1975), Discotek's release of ZERO WOMAN is a damned good freshman effort. Hopefully, they will improve on any minor blemishes one may nitpick with this release. Again, while ZERO WOMAN: RED HANDCUFFS is hardly a "family friendly" film, Discotek also is releasing such early Miyazaki classics as ANIMAL TREASURE ISLAND (Dobutsu Tarakajima, 1971), so there's something for everyone! Keep 'em coming, Discotek! |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/06/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MEDIA BLASTERS RELEASE SCHEDULE 2005-2006 Tons of Titles Coming to R1 DVD from the 'Tokyo Shock' Label Author: Keith Aiken & August Ragone Source: Media Blasters
November 15, 2005: KI REI: TERROR OF BEAUTY (Kirei?, 2004) KI REI (meaning "Beautiful") is the latest horror movie from writer/director Katsuya Matsumura, the man responsible for the infamous ALL NIGHT LONG video series (1992-2003). Dr. Yoko Noguchi (played by RETURNER's Yukiko Okamoto), a beautiful and successful plastic surgeon, is visited at her clinic by a young woman named Yoshie. Yoshie wants her face altered to look like Yoko's, and she pleads with the doctor to perform the surgery. Yoko finally concedes when she is offered an extremely high cash payment. The operation is a success, but the disturbed Yoshie continues to come back and demands more procedures. The young woman's obsessive search for beauty draws the doctor into a never-ending world of insecurity, horror, and pain. 85 minutes, in Japanese with English subtitles, SRP $29.95. November 29, 2005: ZATOICHI TV SERIES VOL. 1 (Zatoichi Monogatari) A threat is uttered, a blade is drawn, a flash of cold steel and then... A dozen attackers lay dead, dispatched by the lightning sword of one blind man: Zatoichi. A humble masseur and gambler, Zatoichi wanders from town to town plying his trade and rolling the dice. With a kind heart and lethal sword skills, he is a protector of the innocent and the ruin of wicked men.
Episode 1: A CHALLENGE OF CHANCE (Director: Kazuo Mori, Original Airdate: 10/03/1974) - Zatoichi joins forces with a new friend to protect a beautiful mining heiress; but a cruel yakuza boss has designs on her body as well as her business. Episode 2: THE FLOWER THAT BLOOMED WITH THE LULLABY (Director: Yoshiyuki Kuroda, Original Airdate: 10/10/1974) - Everyone thinks little Taro is an orphan; when it's learned his father is a wealthy silk merchant, Zatoichi must protect him from a scheming couple and a deadly yakuza gang. Episode 3: A MEMORIAL DAY AND THE BELL OF LIFE (Director: Shintaro Katsu, Original Airdate: 10/17/1974) - On the anniversary of his mother's death, Zatoichi vows not to use his sword. Can he keep his oath? Co-starring Kinya Kitaoji.
Episode 5: THE HEARTLESS MAN, TOUCHED BY COMPASSION (Original Airdate: 10/31/1974) - A masterless samurai works as a hired killer to help his blind sister. Will friend Zatoichi be next on his hit list? Co-starring Toshio Kurosawa. ZATOICHI TV SERIES, VOL. 1 is a two-disc set with a running time of 250 minutes, in Japanese with English subtitles. SRP $29.95. November 29, 2005: THE MAN BEHIND THE SCISSORS (Hasami Otoko, 2004) Directed by Toshiharu Ikeda (EVIL DEAD TRAP), THE MAN BEHIND THE SCISSORS is a quirky a perplexing police thriller centered on a pair of killers who ritualistically murder schoolgirls with scissors. The psychotic Yasunaga (played by Etsushi Toyokawa, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR and the upcoming SUBMERSION OF JAPAN) and his sidekick Chinatsu (Kumiko Aso from ZEBRAMAN, CASSHERN) find themselves being questioned as witnesses to a murder when their next planned victim is executed by a copycat killer. Also starring Hiroshi Abe (TRICK, GODZILLA 2000) and television actor Koji Higuchi. 124 minutes, in Japanese with English subtitles, English dub, SRP $29.95. Official Japanese site
Thousands of years ago, the continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean during a violent earthquake. Some of the inhabitants survived, and the Mu Empire developed into an aggressive undersea kingdom with strange and powerful weapons. Almost 20 years after the close of World War II, Mu attacks Japan as the first step in their plan to conquer the surface world. But, the only thing standing in their way is the rumored colossal flying super submarine, named Atragon (aka the Goten), built by missing Imperial Navy Captain Jinguji. Can the elusive Jinguji be found in time to aid mankind, and even so, can the might of the Atragon be able to defeat the Mu Empire, and their serpent god Manda? Released in Japan as UNDERSEA WARSHIP, Toho renamed the film - and the submarine - ATORAGON for international markets. American International Pictures picked up the film for the US and shortened the title to ATRAGON for their theatrical release in 1964/1965. The crew responsible for producing ATRAGON were made up of many of the people behind the Godzilla series: Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, Director Ishiro Honda, Visual Effects Director Eiji Tsuburaya, Scenarist Shinichi Sekizawa and Music Composer Akira Ifukube. The cast features such familiar faces as Jun Tazaki (GORATH, GODZILLA VS. THE THING, MONSTER ZERO, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS), Tadao Takashima (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, SON OF GODZILLA), Akihiko Hirata (GODZILLA, THE MYSTERIANS, SAYONARA JUPITER), Yu Fujiki (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, GODZILLA VS. THE THING), Hideyo Amamoto (WHAT'S UP TIGER LILY?, GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER, GMK) and Hiroshi Koizumi (GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, MOTHRA, MATANGO, GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS). The Asian dragon-styled kaiju, Manda, would next be seen in DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968) and GODZILLA FINAL WARS (2004) - and the Goten would return in both GODZILLA FINAL WARS and SUPER STAR FLEET SAZER X: FIGHT! WARRIORS OF THE STARS (2005).
ATRAGON UPDATE: The ATRAGON DVD has been postponed. Delays in receiving original English language materials have pushed back the disc, but the final audio mix is now being worked on by Gramercy Post. Media Blasters is sorry for the delay, but they're confident fans will be very pleased with the finished result. ATRAGON is now tentatively rescheduled for a mid-January release. December 27, 2005: KEKKO KAMEN SURPRISE!! (2004) No one has seen her face, but everyone has seen her body! The fourth installment in the newest live-action series based on the naked super heroine created by Go Nagai (DEVILMAN, MAZINGER Z) takes a strange turn... it's "Kekko Kamen the Musical". When the long-suffering Mayumi (Aki Hoshino) attends the Mangriffon Music Academy, she once again subjected to the usual classroom tortures. Its up to Kekko Kamen to save the day and dole out some rock n' roll justice. Directed by Takafumi Nagamine (KEKKO KAMEN, KEKKO KAMEN RETURNS) and starring Misaki Mori (FLOWER AND SNAKE) as Kaori Wakatsuki/Kekko Kamen. 90 minutes, in Japanese with English subtitles, SRP $29.95.
A 3 disc set of DVD previously released by Media Blasters, this collection features all the violent film adventures of high school student/white witch Misa Kuroi - based on the popular 1970s manga, "Eko Eko Azarak": WIZARD OF DARKNESS (Eko Eko Azaraku, 1995), the prequel BIRTH OF THE WIZARD (Eko Eko Azaraku II, 1996) and MISA THE DARK ANGEL (Eko Eko Azaraku III, 1998). Extras include "The Making of EKO EKO AZARAK", an art gallery, film premiere footage, interviews with director Shimako Sato and actress Kimika Yoshino, and original theatrical trailers. Full running time 270 minutes, in Japanese with English subtitles, English dub, SRP $19.95. December 27, 2005: ART OF THE DEVIL (Khon Len Khong, 2004) ART OF THE DEVIL is a Thai horror film focusing on the investigation into the sensational murder of a millionaire's family. After police fail to uncover the evidence needed to charge the millionaire's mistress, a young crime reporter discovers how the woman committed the murders... she used the dark art of witchcraft! 96 minutes, in Thai with English subtitles, SRP $19.95 January 17, 2006: SPACE AMOEBA (Gezora - Ganime - Kameba: Kessen! Nankai-no Daikaiju) Helio 7, an unmanned rocket probe aimed at Jupiter, is hijacked by a malevolent and non-corporeal intergalactic intelligence and is redirected back to Earth. News photographer Taro Kudo (Akira Kubo, THRONE OF BLOOD, MATANGO, SON OF GODZILLA) spots the probe as it lands near Selgio, a South Pacific island being developed into a tourist attraction. Kudo travels to Selgio with publicist Ayako Hoshino (Atsuko Takahashi, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS), scientist Kyoichi Miya (Yoshio Tsuchiya, RED BEARD, MONSTER ZERO, GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH), and industrial spy Makoto Obata (Kenji Sahara, RODAN and KING KONG VS. GODZILLA). Not long after their arrival, they are attacked by a gigantic cuttlefish, which the islanders worship as "Gezora". They soon discover that the disembodied invaders have infected the cells of tropical sea and land animals, transforming the beasts into massive killer kaiju. Kudo and the others must find a way to stop the aliens and survive attacks from the giant jungle turtle Kamoebas (aka Kameba) and a pair of crab monsters called Ganime.
The DVD of SPACE AMOEBA will include a 2.35.1 transfer of the uncut film, the original Japanese audio track in 5.1 and 2.0, the 2.0 original English-language track from AIP's US theatrical release, with removable English subtitles. Extras include a featurette entitled "Meet the Marine Animals Behind the Monsters!", a photo gallery, the Japanese theatrical trailer, and previews for all of Media Blasters' Toho titles: ATRAGON, DOGORA, MATANGO, THE MYSTERIANS and VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE. SRP $19.95 January 17, 2006: BAIAN THE ASSASSIN VOL. 1 (Hissatsu Shikakenin, 1973) This release is the first of four DVD volumes collecting the initial and phenomenally popular and long-running "Hissatsu" television and movie series. The original series being released features the exploits of Dr. Baian (Ken Ogata, THE PILLOW BOOK, MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS), an acupuncturist whose skills can both cure and kill. While he is the epitome of a good man and physician, he also accepts money to assassinate the gluttonous and cruel, in order to care for the poor and sick, which cannot afford medical treatment. Set in the streets, bars, and brothels of the Edo period (1603-1867), the show has been praised for its authentic depiction of that time. Also starring So Yamamura (TORA! TORA! TORA!, GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH) and Ken Watanabe (LAST SAMURAI, BATMAN BEGINS, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA). In Japanese with English subtitles, SRP $29.95.
January 31, 2006: GARUDA (Paksa Wayu, 2004) Written and directed by Monthon Arayangkoon, GARUDA is a Thai giant monster movie. During a subway tunnel excavation under Bangkok, a group of workers discover a rock so solid that even their most powerful and expensive drill cannot break through. Closer examination of the rock reveals strange animal fossils that are unlike any known dinosaur remains. The government calls in a young French/Thai archaeologist named Leena Pierre (Sara Legge) and her American assistant Tim (Dan Fraser) to investigate the site with a special forces team led by Colonel Tan Toschai (Sornram Theppitak). The group's intrusion awakens Garuda, a mythical beast from Thai folklore that resembles a 15 foot tall humanoid with the head and wings of an eagle. Garuda goes on a rampage through Bangkok, and Leena, Tim and Toschai must find a way to contain the mythical beast. 112 minutes, in Thai with English subtitles, SRP $19.95
GOYOKIN ("The Gold Shipment") is a highly regarded Chambara epic that was recently shown as part of Samurai film festivals in New York and San Francisco. A retainer named Magobei (Tatsuya Nakadai) returns to face the clan he abandoned when he learns that they intend to instigate another massacre. Protecting the sole survivor of that slaughter, a woman called "Taken by the Gods" Oriha, Magobei endures great physical punishment as he works towards a final confrontation with his brother-in-law, the clan's leader. The climatic nighttime battle, set on a snow-covered beach, is one of cinema's epic sword duels. Co-starring Tetsuro Tamba (KWAIDAN, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, SUBMERSION OF JAPAN). Directed by the celebrated Hideo Gosha (THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI, HUNTER IN THE DARK, TENCHU). February 14, 2006: SCORPION: BEAST STABLE (Joshu Sasori Kemono-Beya, 1973) The third film in Toei's FEMALE PRISONER: SCORPION series opens with Scorpion's escape from prison. Hiding out in a brothel with a friendly prostitute, Scorpion (Mieko Kaji, LADY SNOWBLOOD) tries to keep her true identity a secret, but the brothel's madam recognizes her as the ex-girlfriend of a vice officer who killed the madam's lover, a member of the yakuza. The madam calls in the yakuza, and Scorpion is soon tortured and framed for a crime she did not commit. SCORPION-BEAST STABLE features the theme song that was immortalized in Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL VOL. 1. Directed by Shunya Ito (PRIDE).
Based on the hit television series SUKEBAN DEKA II: LEGEND OF THE GIRL IN THE IRON MASK (which was adapted from Shinji Wada's popular manga of the same title), this Toei movie features a band of undercover "delinquent girl detectives" who use unconventional weapons, such as metal yo-yos, against subversive elements who wish to overthrow the Japanese government. This time, suspicion falls on an island Juvenile Detention Facility, whose enrollment is being secretly trained as a mindless army by its ruthless headmaster (played by Masato Ibu, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, GODZILLA FINAL WARS, LORELEI: THE WITCH OF THE PACIFIC). Directed by Hideo Tanaka. February 28, 2006: DIECOVERY (2003) Five years after a girl was murdered in Thailand, an unsuspecting newlywed couple honeymoons at her burial location. They soon discover an evil presence and must try to escape from a ghostly nightmare. March 14, 2006: THE NEIGHBOR NO. 13 (Rinjin 13-Go, 2004) Adapted from the best-selling manga by Santa Inoue, this film is a twisted revenge drama by first-time director Yasuo Inoue (no relation). A kind and gentle young man named Juso Murasaki (Shun Oguri) has been so traumatized by years of school bullying that he develops a second, violent personality called the Neighbor No. 13 (Shido Nakamura). 13 decides it's time for some payback on schoolyard bully Tohru Akai (Hirofumi Arai) and turns his attention towards the man's innocent wife (Yumi Yoshimura of the J-pop group Puffy Ami-Yumi) and son. Filmmaker Takashi Miike has a brief cameo. Also coming on March 14th is ZATOICHI TV SERIES VOL. 3, featuring episodes 10-13 of THE TALE OF ZATOICHI. On March 28th, Media Blasters will release BAIAN THE ASSASSIN VOL. 2 and Right Beyond's TAXI TONIGHT. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/17/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DVD PREVIEW: SONY'S GODZILLA: FINAL WARS The 50th Anniversary Godzilla Film is Released on Region 1 DVD and UMD Author: Keith Aiken Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Years of war and nuclear tests have awakened a number of giant monsters from hibernation. To combat this threat, mankind stops its infighting and forms the Earth-Defense Force, an international military organization using mutant super soldiers. Through a combination of skill and luck, the EDF is able to trap the most dangerous monster of all, Godzilla, deep in the ice of Antarctica. Decades later, the hard-fought peace is disrupted when aliens from Planet X unleash an army of monsters in attacks on cities around the world. The EDF leaps into action, but soon find themselves overwhelmed. Realizing that Xilians are unaware of Godzilla, a small band of survivors take the last remaining EDF battleship, the flying submarine Gotengo (also known as the Atragon), on a desperate journey to awaken the King of the Monsters and unleash him against the aliens' kaiju army. After half a century of Godzilla films (and a growing feeling in Japan that the formula had grown stale), Toho decided to celebrate the monster's anniversary with one final blowout and then give him an extended vacation. In the hopes of drawing a wider audience, the studio brass chose 35 year-old director Ryuhei Kitamura, known for kinetic action films like the cult hit VERSUS, to helm the picture. Working with executive producer Shogo Tomiyama and writers Wataru Mimura (GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II, GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS) and Isao Kiriyama (ALIVE, AZUMI), Kitamura crafted an "everything but the kitchen sink" tale combining elements of many of Toho's most popular classic monster movies, Hong Kong martial arts, and American blockbusters to create GODZILLA FINAL WARS.
Following an exclusive world premiere screening at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on November 29, GODZILLA FINAL WARS was released in Japan on December 4, 2004. The film failed to connect with Godzilla fans or the general public and was a box office disappointment. Earlier this year, Sony began negotiations for North American television and home video rights, while Toho held theatrical screenings of the film at a handful of festivals around the US and Canada. Reaction to GODZILLA FINAL WARS in America has been much more varied than its home country, with some fans decrying the film's many flaws while others praise the fast pace and over the top action.
The (admittedly slight) extra attention from Sony has had some Godzilla fans hoping for a truly great release, but the GODZILLA: FINAL WARS DVD is a mixed bag that will please some fans and strongly disappoint others.
The DVD features the original Japanese audio and an English dub track prepared by Toho, both in 5.1 Dolby Digital. The English version is the standard Toho international dub and features many of the familiar Hong Kong voice actors from previous Toho releases. Some of the voices fit well, while others (like those use for Mothra's priestesses, the Shobijin) are incredibly bad. All in all, the dub works well for a film as loopy as FINAL WARS. One nice touch is that all the English dialogue heard in the Japanese release has not been touched; Don Frye, Darren Schnase (the Gangster Pimp), Mick Preston (the NY Cop), and the other English-speaking actors all sound exactly as before. The only exceptions are a couple of lines spoken by the Japanese actors which were redone to match with their dubbed voices.
The film is broken down into 28 chapters. It appears that someone was having fun with the chapter titles, which include names like "Kaiju Apocalypse" and "The Baddest Man Alive" (for Gordon's fist fight with the Xilians). Sony also shows a great sense of humor and a surprising lack of ego by giving the chapter in which their American Godzilla gets trounced by the original the title "Pretender to the Throne". There's a strange inconsistency in the naming of some of the film's characters, by both Toho and Sony. The name of the alien invaders is spelled "Xilian" in the film and Japanese publicity materials, and "Xilien" is Sony's press sheets. The dubbing and subtitles use the name "Anguirus" while the English-speaking characters in the film use the monster's original name, "Angilas". The Son of Godzilla has no less than three names on the Sony disc; the Chapter Menu use the American name "Minya", the subtitles use "Minilla" (a direct translation of the Japanese name Minira, as in "Mini Gojira"), and Toho's English dub calls him Milla (pronounced "Mee-lah").
While the American GODZILLA: FINAL WARS DVD pales next to the bounty of extras on Toho's own Region 2 DVD boxed set, it does include English subtitles and dubs unavailable on the Japanese release, and the film itself is presented as beautifully as one could hope for. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will also release FINAL WARS and the studio's own version of GODZILLA (1998) on UMD for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) system. Both films have no extra features, though GODZILLA comes with English and French audio and English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai subtitles. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/08/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ENTER, KAMEN RIDER V3! JN Productions Unleashes More Classic Japanese Superhero to US DVD Source: JN Productions and Generation Kikaida.
The 6-disc collector's edition KAMEN RIDER V3 box set features all 52 English-subtitled episodes, with digitally remastered video and audio, and an array of special features sure to amaze fans and non-fans, alike. JNP and Shirokiya are selling the V3 box set at a special introductory price of $169 (the regular retail price will be $199), including free domestic shipping, plus special gifts. The KAMEN RIDER V3 set is being produced in limited quantities, so those interested should order their copies without delay. Each of the first five discs in the KAMEN RIDER V3 DVD box set contains nine episodes and behind-the-scenes episode factoids, meticulously researched by August Ragone, a San Francisco-based authority on Japanese Cult Cinema and Television. Ragone also contributed all of the textual materials for the set, including two in-depth background essays, and also supervised the English subtitle scripts. "For more than six months, all I did was eat, breath and sleep KAMEN RIDER V3 - but still, I can't wait to see the finished product!" exclaimed Ragone.
As was the case with KIKAIDA, JNP aimed to please both hardcore live-action superhero enthusiasts and a more mainstream audience. The opening billboard on each disc - each featuring a different Kikaida- or Kamen Rider V3-related character racing across the JNP logo - is a playful nod to dedicated Tokusatsu fans by Robby Gaskell, JNP senior DVD producer. Gaskell spent countless hours restoring the picture quality and color of the original program, and his menus and animated intros go the extra mile. "This is definitely our best work to date," said Gaskell. "I feel it's the perfect balance of artistic interpretation and homage to the original [V3] series." And if most KAMEN RIDER V3 fans aren't interested in the minutia of technical DVD authoring challenges, they'll appreciate the end result - the complete, fully-subtitled V3 series, a host of fun special features, and eye-catching, easy-to-use disc menu design. "On the surface [the DVD is] bonkers with lightning bolt graphics, karaoke music videos and character sound effects, but when you dig into it, there is an abundance of information to satisfy the 'super-otaku' ['geek'] in everyone," Gaskell said. The user interface on each disc is a delight with vibrant scenes from each episode. The Japanese-to-English translation - by veteran JNP translators Karen Corpuz, Ruby Nagao and Roy Mashima (and edited by Ragone) - is spot on and includes an "expletives-deleted" option for younger viewers.
KAMEN RIDER V3 tells the story of a young Japanese university student and motorcross phenom Kazami Shiro (Hiroshi Miyauchi), who vows to avenge the brutal murder of his family by taking on the sinister Destron organization. After suffering a near-fatal injury at the hands of the ruthless syndicate, Shiro is revived as the mighty cyborg, Kamen Rider V3. Drawing on the power of his Double Typhoon henshin ("transformation") belt, Kamen Rider V3 battles a myriad of mutant monsters dispatched by Destron. Although Toei produced both the KIKAIDA and KAMEN RIDER series the monsters in KAMEN RIDER V3 are more sinister and grotesque than the colorful, comical and clunky KIKAIDA adversaries. Similarly, V3's pyrotechnics are more explosive, and the stunts more exciting with series star Miyauchi performing all of his own stunts. Both heroes were the brainchild of the late, great Japanese manga artist, Ishimori Shotaro (CYBORG 009). Shirokiya and the official Generation Kikaida Online Store are now taking pre-orders for the KAMEN RIDER V3 box set - don't be left out of this special introductory offer! For more information, call 808-845-8567 or go to the official Generation Kikaida website. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/04/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DVD REVIEW: YOU KNOW THE NAME OF KING KONG Classic Media Brings the Rankin/Bass KING KONG Cartoon Show to DVD Author: Keith Aiken Source: Classic Media, Inc.
THE KING KONG SHOW was created by Rankin/Bass Productions, a company founded in 1960 by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. Originally named Videocraft International, Rankin/Bass is best known for some of the most popular holiday specials in television history, starting with RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (1964) and including FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (1969), SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN (1970), and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS (1974). In 1966, the company received permission from RKO General, Inc. to use the name and likeness of King Kong for an animated series and new live-action film. Working with writers Lew Lewis, Bernard Cowan, and Ron Levy, Rankin and Bass crafted the concept for THE KING KONG SHOW; renowned scientist Professor Bond brings his children Susan and Bobby along on an extended exploration of Mondo (sometimes referred to as Skull Island), a tropical island that is home to a variety of dinosaurs, prehistoric animals, and a mysterious beast called Kong. After King Kong saves Bobby from a Tyrannosaurus Rex the two become best friends, and the giant ape joins the Bond family and Captain Englehorn (based on the character from the 1933 KING KONG) for adventures on Mondo Island and all across the globe. In addition to the occasional dinosaur attack, the group must deal with natural disasters, monsters, the military, alien invaders, and recurring villain Dr. Who, a deranged genius whose creations include the robotic Kong doppelganger, Mechani-Kong. THE KING KONG SHOW premiered with an hour-long primetime pilot episode on the ABC network on Tuesday, September 6, 1966. The show moved into its regular Saturday morning timeslot on September 10 and was shown on ABC thru August 31, 1969; then syndicated to stations across America for more than a decade. Twenty four half-hour episodes were produced, each containing two King Kong tales (which run about 7 minutes) and one story of Tom of T.H.U.M.B. - a silly spoof of spy movies featuring a janitor and his assistant who are accidentally shrunken to 4 inches and join the top secret organization T.H.U.M.B. (Tiny Humans Underground Militaristic Bureau) to battle the nefarious agents of M.A.D. (Maladjusted, Antisocial, and Darn mean). The KONG pilot was later split into two shows (entitled "A Friend in Need" and "The Key to the City"), making for a complete series of 26 episodes.
THE KING KONG SHOW has the distinction of being the first animated show created in Japan for broadcast in the United States. While scripts, designs, and voice acting were all done in the US by Rankin/Bass, the episodes were drawn overseas by Toei Animation (then known as Toei Doga). Many of the Japanese staff who worked on KONG were also responsible for some of the most famous anime of the 1960s and 70s. The animators included Sakei Kitamasa, Osamu Kobayashi (THE TALE OF GENJI), Norio Fukumoto (DEVILMAN, GREAT MAZINGER VS. GETTER ROBO), Tsutomu Shibayama (GHOST QTARO, DORAEMON), Midori Kusube, Takao Kasai, Yasuo Maeda (NIGHT ON THE GALACTIC RAILROAD, WHITE WOLF), and Yasuji Mori (ALAKAZAM THE GREAT, LITTLE PRINCE AND THE EIGHT-HEADED DRAGON). Toei also put production money into THE KING KONG SHOW in exchange for Japanese distribution rights. In Japan, the King Kong and Tom of T.H.U.M.B. segments were split into two separate shows, KING OF THE WORLD: THE KING KONG SHOW (Sekai-no Osha Kingu Kongu Taikai) and 1/7th TOM THUMB (0001/7 Oyayubi Tomu). Compared to modern anime, or even other classic shows like SPEED RACER, the animation in THE KING KONG SHOW is rather crude... but the show definitely has a charm of its own. This is due in large part to appealing character designs from Rod Willis (RETURN TO OZ) and MAD magazine legend Jack Davis (MAD MONSTER PARTY?, 1967). The stories, while simplistic, are a clever mix of humor and adventure. The voice actors generally play things in a straightforward manner, but there are a few hammy characters (mostly villains) who often go over-the-top and imitate horror stars like Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre. THE KING KONG SHOW also includes some rather violent action. Kong's battle with the Tyrannosaur in the pilot episode is surprisingly brutal for a kids' show, and a nice reminder that the series was made long before the days of bland, safe children's programming. Topping off the show is some wonderful sounds effects (the jungle noises are a hoot) and great music by Maury Laws and Jules Bass, particularly "The King Kong Theme" that both explains the series' premise and is a very catchy tune. After watching an episode or two of THE KING KONG SHOW, there's a high probability the theme song will be stuck in the viewer's head for hours. While THE KING KONG SHOW was in production, Rankin/Bass approached Toho Studios (who had previously made the hit KING KONG VS. GODZILLA) about co-producing a live-action theatrical film based on the show. Toho executive producer Tomoyuki Tanaka assigned screenwriter Shinichi Sekizawa (MOTHRA, GODZILLA VS. THE THING, GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER) to the project. Sekizawa's script, "King Kong vs. Ebirah: Operation Robinson Crusoe", was rejected by Arthur Rankin because he felt it did not capture the feel of the animated show, so the story was quickly reworked and filmed as the seventh movie in the Godzilla series, GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (Gojira, Ebira, Mosura: Nankai-no Daiketto, 1966).
Following their work with Kong, Rankin/Bass would produce several popular films and shows. Some of the company's more famous releases include the movie MAD MONSTER PARTY?, the animated versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT (1977) and THE RETURN OF THE KING (1980), the television series THE JACKSON FIVE (1971), THUNDERCATS (1985), and SILVERHAWKS (1986), the feature film THE LAST UNICORN (1982), and three TV movies with Tsuburaya Productions-- THE LAST DINOSAUR (Kyokutei Tankensen Pora-Bora, 1977), THE BERMUDA DEPTHS (Bamyuda-no Nazo, 1978) and THE IVORY APE (1980). Production wound down in the mid-1980s, though Rankin and Bass still occasionally re-team for new projects (most recently the 2001 FOX special SANTA BABY!). In 1998, Classic Media acquired the rights to all Rankin/Bass television programming from 1960-1974 and began releasing the classic holiday specials on DVD. Now, on the eve of Warner Bros.' DVD release of the original KING KONG and Peter Jackson's much-anticipated theatrical remake, Classic Media is releasing the first ten episodes of THE KING KONG SHOW on DVD as KING KONG: THE ANIMATED SERIES. The discs are being distributed to retailers by Sony Wonder, a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment in New York. Both volumes of KING KONG: THE ANIMATED SERIES have an approximate running time of 108 minutes and a suggested retail price of $12.98 (early plans to release a 4-disc set of episodes has been dropped for now). While the DVDs are basically "bare bones" releases, this was to be expected as materials from THE KING KONG SHOW are extremely rare. The lack of materials has led to years of confusion over something as simple as how many episodes were produced; even excellent reference sources like the authorized book ENCHANTED WORLD OF RANKIN/BASS (published in 1997) do not include an episode guide for the series. The DVD covers apparently use new art done in the style of the show but, for some reason, Kong is brown here instead of the blue-grey coloring seen in the actual episodes. The main menus for each disc feature the cover art as well as audio of the entire theme song. There are 'Scene Access' menus (with stills from the series) that allows viewers to play all episodes or selected cartoon shorts. The pilot episode is included on the second 'Scene Access' menu; viewers are advised to start with these shows before moving on to the other episodes. Classic Media has done a wonderful job on the most important feature on these DVDs... the show itself. Barring a few scratches, THE KING KONG SHOW episodes look absolutely fantastic, with a sharp, clear image. The show always had a rather muted palette, but the episodes that use brighter colors (such as the pilot) really pop on the screen. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital and sounds great. With one or two exceptions, the episodes are presented complete and unaltered with full open and closing titles, commercial bumpers, and previews for the next show. If sales of these two discs are strong enough, Classic Media plans to release the remainder of the series (including episodes with the fan-favorite Mechani-Kong) in 2006. I truly hope that comes to pass because THE KING KONG SHOW will bring back fond nostalgic memories for older viewers and is also a fun, entertaining series that should definitely appeal to any fan of Kong and classic Toho fantasy films. Classic Media's DVDs are also well timed; Universal Home Video will release KING KONG ESCAPES on DVD on November 29, so fans will finally have an opportunity to see both the movie and the cartoon show that inspired it. KING KONG: THE ANIMATED SERIES Volume 1 and 2 are highly recommended.
EPISODE 1 King Kong: "Under the Volcano" - While exploring a long dormant volcano on a neighboring island, the Bond family is captured by the inhabitants of an underground kingdom. Kong races to the rescue, but the villains have prepared a trap for him as well. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "For the Last Time, Feller...I'm not Bait!" - When a boat containing plans for a top secret weapon sinks at sea, Tom and Swinging Jack use their mini-sub to recover the plans before they fall into the hands of M.A.D. King Kong: "The Treasure Trap" - Bobby discovers an ancient sunken ship. As he explores the wreck, an earthquake strikes Mondo Island and traps Bobby underwater. EPISODE 2 King Kong: "The Horror of Mondo Island" - When Phantasium is discovered, a greedy mining corporation arrives on Mondo Island to dig up the rare metal. Bobby uses a war-painted Kong to send the miners packing before they destroy the island's ecosystem. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Hey, that was a Close One World!" - Tom and Jack go underground to deactivate a M.A.D. doomsday weapon. King Kong: "Dr. Who" - The evil scientist kidnaps King Kong. This short features many elements that would later appear in KING KONG ESCAPES, including a main villain who knocks out Kong with gas bombs then carries him from Mondo Island with helicopters. EPISODE 3 King Kong: "Rocket Island" - Dr. Who disrupts the launch of the Gemini Capsule in order to blackmail the US for 10 million dollars. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "I was a 9 1/2 oz. Weakling Till One Day..." - M.A.D. agents capture Tom and Jack and put them in a miniaturized city so that the pair will think they've grown gigantic and go mad. King Kong: "The African Bees" - A giant swarm of aggressive bees descend on Mondo Island, and King Kong uses his brains to protect Professor Bond and a moronic Texas millionaire. EPISODE 4 King Kong: "The Hunter" - A safari hunter named Ulrich Von Kramer uses Bobby as bait to trap the biggest game of all, King Kong. This story features some hilarious monologues from the egotistical Von Kramer and a battle between Kong and a Triceratops. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "I was a Starling for the USA!" - Tom and Swinging Jack infiltrate a flock of birds to learn which ones have become agents of M.A.D. King Kong: "The Space Men" - A pair of weird aliens land on Mondo Island to get animal specimens (including Bobby and Captain Englehorn) before they conquer Earth. PILOT EPISODE, PART 1 "A Friend in Need" - Professor Bond brings his children Susan and Bobby with him on an exploration of Mondo Island. Bobby discovers a valley full of prehistoric beasts and is almost eaten by a Tyrannosaurus before being rescued by King Kong. The small boy and the giant ape become fast friends, and Professor Bond and Captain Englehorn decide to take Kong to the US for study. This episode sets up the series and features several dinosaurs, the aforementioned Kong/Rex fight, a tidal wave, and an ocean battle between Kong and a giant octopus called the Kraken.
EPISODE 5 King Kong: "The Jinx of the Sphinx" - Kong and the Bond family travel to Egypt to investigate reports of a monster sphinx destroying ships on the Suez Canal. The sphinx turns out to be the first robotic creation of Dr. Who. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Cool Nerves and... Steady Hands" - M.A.D. agents fill the municipal swimming pool with nitroglycerine, and only Tom and Jack can get close enough to use a can of "nitro neutralizer" before the city is blown to smithereens. King Kong: "The Greeneyed Monster" - Kong gets jealous when Bobby looks after Capt. Englehorn's pet dog. This episode includes a giant vulture-like bird wearing a hat (!?) that tries to eat the pup. EPISODE 6 King Kong: "The Top of the World" - Dr. Who establishes a base at the North Pole and begins to melt the arctic ice with his atomic invention, the Meltifier. As Alaska begins to flood, the Bond family arrives to save the world with the help of King Kong. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "All Guys from Outer Space are Creeps" - Tom and Jack are tied to a firecracker and launched into space to befriend a two-headed beatnik alien from Saturn before he can join forces with M.A.D. King Kong: "The Golden Temple" - Bobby and Professor Bond discover a sunken Etruscan temple off the coast of Mondo Island but, when the professor tries to explore further he is sucked into an underwater whirlpool. EPISODE 7 King Kong: "The Electric Circle" - An evil scientist decides to turn Mondo Island into a nuclear missile base for his country, so he kidnaps Bobby as bait to lure Kong into an electric trap. This episode features a very aggressive Triceratops (Professor Bond states that this dinosaur is the "most vicious animal in the world" and "He doesn't kill for food, he kills for pleasure") and a villain who sounds like Peter Lorre. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Mechanical Granma" - To learn why the bad guys are so "maladjusted, antisocial, and darn mean", Tom and Jack infiltrate M.A.D. with a robot "Trojan Horse" built in the shape of a kindly grandmother. King Kong: "Mirror of Destruction" - On a remote island near San Francisco (?!), a scientist has constructed a giant heat cannon (similar in appearance to Toho's Markalites). Dr. Who takes the inventor hostage, then lures the Bond family to the island in order to use the mirrored weapon to kill King Kong. EPISODE 8 King Kong: "Tiger Tiger" - Two perfectly preserved sabretooth tigers are found frozen at the North Pole. When Professor Bond thaws them out, the giant cats revive and attack an Eskimo village. Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "The Day We Almost had It" - Only Tom can disarm a M.A.D. time bomb before the city is blown to smithereens... but Tom has amnesia after repeated hits to the head. King Kong: "The Vise of Dr. Who" - Dr. Who lures the Bond family and Capt. Englehorn to a fake children's home and traps them in a metal room with freezing and burning walls that slide inward like a giant trash compactor. Can Kong save them? PILOT EPISODE, PART TWO "The Key to the City" - Picking up from Part One on the first DVD; a storm at sea washes King Kong to New York City. Kong climbs the Empire State Building, and the Bond family must stop an overzealous military from attacking the giant ape. HENSHIN! ONLINE EXTRA: THE KING KONG SHOW EPISODE LIST Classic Media has provided an episode list for the entire series so that H!O readers can see exactly how many shows were produced, and what will hopefully be coming to DVD in 2006:
King Kong: "King Kong's House" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Tom Makes History" King Kong: "MechaniKong" EPISODE 10 King Kong: "The Giant Sloths" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Tom Scores Again" King Kong: "The Legend of Loch Ness" EPISODE 11 King Kong: "Dr. Bone" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Blow, Jack, Blow!" King Kong: "No Man's Snowman" EPISODE 12 King Kong: "The Desert Pirates" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Tom and the TV Pirates" King Kong: "Command Performance" EPISODE 13 King Kong: "The Sea Surrounds Us" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "The Girl from M.A.D." King Kong: "Show Biz" EPISODE 14 King Kong: "The Wizard of Overlord" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Just One of those Nights" King Kong: "Perilous Porpoise" EPISODE 15 King Kong: "The Trojan Horse" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Runt of 1,000 Faces" King Kong: "The Man from K.O.N.G." EPISODE 16 King Kong: "Caribbean Cruise" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Hello, Dollies!" King Kong: "Diver's Dilemma" EPISODE 17 King Kong: "The Great Sun Spots" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Pardner" King Kong: "Kong is Missing" EPISODE 18 King Kong: "In the Land of the Giant Trees" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Beans is Beans" King Kong: "Captain Kong" EPISODE 19 King Kong: "Statue of Liberty Play" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "What Goes Up..." King Kong: "Pandora's Box" EPISODE 20 King Kong: "The Thousand Year Knockout" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Our Man, the Monster" King Kong: "Desert City" EPISODE 21 King Kong: "Eagle Squadron" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Never Trust a Clam" King Kong: "The Kong of Stone" EPISODE 22 King Kong: "Murderer's Maze" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Drop that Ocean, Feller" King Kong: "The Great Gold Strike" EPISODE 23 King Kong: "It Wasn't There Again Today" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "Plug that Leak" King Kong: "The Mad Whale" EPISODE 24 King Kong: "The King Kong Diamond" Tom of T.H.U.M.B.: "The Scooby" King Kong: "Anchors Away" |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Looking for older Henshin!Online Articles? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10/26/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
NEW FEATURE ADDED TO HENSHIN! ONLINE
We're kicking off the new HENSHIN! HAPPENINGS with news on August Ragone's SHOCK IT TO ME! REVENGE OF CREATURE FEATURES, which is coming to San Francisco this month. To learn more about this great event, please use the link at the top of the Henshin! Online homepage or simply click here. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 10/26/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TOHO PROMOTES NEW FILMS AT AFM 2005 Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
What in your past would you do differently if you could? We all have our regrets, but what if you found yourself back in the moment you most regret... A HEARTFUL OF LOVE portrays a group of characters that return to such moments and find the chance to alter the past. Hiroshi, a 30-year-old businessman, has traveled back in time 20 years. He encounters Kazumi, a young woman whose memory he has always cherished, though he knows she was gravely ill... A HEARTFUL OF LOVE will be shown 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 3rd at the AMC Santa Monica, 1310 3rd Street Promenade.
In the early 1900s aristocracy, a young duke Kiyoaki, and a noblewoman Satoko, have known each other as good friends since they were little children. As they grow up, Satoko gradually realizes that her adoration of the young duke has turned to love. But Kiyoaki does not understand his own mind and he always treats her coldly. However, when Satoko has accepted marriage to another man (for political reasons to save her family), he realizes he loves her, but it seems too late... Based on a novel by Yukio Mishima, Japan's representative novelist whose works are widely known throughout the world.
Tatsuya and Kazuya, twin brothers, have a mutual girl friend, Minami, who has been their playmate since they were babies. After they enter the same high school, Minami harbors a dream: For her school to participate in the national high school baseball championship tournament at Koshien Stadium. In order to make her dream come true, Kazuya joins his high school baseball team as an ace pitcher. But on the morning of the day of the final qualifying game, Kazuya is involved in a traffic accident and dies... Based on the classic manga, which was also a popular anime series in the 1980s.
Timid and withdrawn though he is, a young computer engineer, who is tastelessly clothed, saves a pretty young lady from a wild middle-aged molester on the train. It is love at first sight for him, and when he receives a thank you message from her, she also sends a set of Hermes teacups. Although he was shy about asking her for a date because he never had a girlfriend, he manages to build up the courage to call her. While on the phone with her, however, he asks his friends on the Internet for advice: "Where to take her for lunch?"
Based on the true story of a young boy named Tetsumu who set out against all odds to make the world a better place for elephants. The story begins with Tetsumu as an introverted, sensitive youth who must endure bullying at school and the souring relationship with his parents who operate an animal talent agency, until the arrival of a pair of elephants named "Mickey" and "Randy", who bring him the affection and spiritual bonding he has long sought in human beings. In fact, Tetsumu quickly realizes he is blessed with a natural ability to communicate with the elephants, which prompts him to depart for the jungles near Chiang Mai in Thailand to become Japan's first elephant trainer... |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 10/03/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| SADAMASA ARIKAWA 1926-2005 Toho and Tsuburaya Pro Special Visual Effects Director Passes Away Author: Richard Pusateri with Keith Aiken Special Thanks to Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle
While some fans may not associate Mr. Arikawa's name with the achievements of Toho's famed special effects unit, a revealing photograph on the set of DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (Kaiju Soshingeki, 1968) significantly places him next to Ishiro Honda, Eiji Tsuburaya and Tomoyuki Tanaka. That photograph reflects the stature that Mr. Arikawa had attained as the Director of Special Effects on that film. (He was sometimes billed as "Teisho Arikawa".) Born in Tokyo in June 1926, Mr. Arikawa graduated from Nippon University's Engineering Department with a degree in machinery. He then joined the Japanese Navy's air corps and flew several anti-submarine patrols over the Pacific Ocean. Following WWII, he was hired by Toho in August 1945 and worked in the studio's sound department. During this time, Mr. Arikawa became interested in special effects of motion pictures and in 1948, he introduced himself to Mr. Tsuburaya. That meeting eventually led to Mr. Arikawa leaving Toho to take a job at Tsuburaya Special Effects Laboratory. In 1950, Eiji Tsuburaya returned to Toho and brought along many of the staff members of his effects house, including Mr. Arikawa. Mr. Arikawa began working on the special effects unit as a camera operator on the Honda/Tsuburaya WWII drama EAGLE OF THE PACIFIC (Taiheiyo-no Washi, 1953), which was followed by the original GODZILLA (Gojira) in 1954. He continued as Mr. Tsuburaya's lead camera operator for most of the Godzilla movies and other classic sci-fi, war and disaster films of the 1960s, occasionally billed as the Director of Special Effects Photography.
In the late 1960s, Mr. Tsuburaya's health began to decline. Mr. Arikawa had been doing the "heavy lifting" of directing the special effects for some time and now he earned the credit on the screen. For SON OF GODZILLA (Kaijuto-no Kessen: Gojira-no Musuko, 1967) and DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, Mr. Arikawa was credited as the Director of Special Effects with Mr. Tsuburaya billed as Supervisor of Special Effects. Following Mr. Tsuburaya's death on January 25, 1970, Mr. Arikawa directed the effects for YOG: MONSTER FROM SPACE (Gezora-Ganime-Kameba: Kessen! Nankai-no Daikaiju, 1970), then left Toho when the studio shut down their special effects department. Mr. Arikawa went freelance, working for various companies, including Kokusai Hoei. But also worked on several of Toho's superhero television shows such as RAINBOWMAN: WARRIOR OF PIETY (Ai-no Senshi Reinboman, 1972-73) on which he served as Visual Effects Director. During the 1970s, he also worked on several overseas films, including the Hong Kong giant monster movie MIGHTY PEKING MAN (Xing-Xing Wang, 1977). Mr. Arikawa was Producer of the Toho Eizo/ Kokusai Hoei television series MONKEY MAGIC 2 (Saiyuki II, 1979) and co-directed the Taiwanese fantasy film THE PHOENIX (1979).
He was an exceptionally entertaining speaker who genuinely enjoyed speaking about his life's work and, during autograph sessions, he cheerfully took time to engage each fan personally. Probably everyone who met Mr. Arikawa that weekend in Hollywood cherishes the memory of an expert technician and skillful artisan who had a sincerely benevolent nature. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 09/27/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| THE LATEST FROM MEDIA BLASTERS The Popular DVD Label Releases Several New Japanese Genre Films Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters
September 13- ONE MISSED CALL (Chakushin Ari, 2004) A group of teenagers start receiving ‘missed call’ messages on their cell phones. When played back the teens hear terrifying voice messages of their own agonizing deaths, with onscreen text giving the exact date and time of their imminent murders. After the first murders occur, the media soon gets hold of the story, and a young woman (Kou Shibasaki) receives her own ‘missed call’. Takashi Miike’s supernatural thriller has already spawned a sequel, ONE MISSED CALL 2, released in January on February 5, 2005. Media Blasters’ 2-Disc set presents the film in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, with the original Japanese audio track in both 5.1 and 2.0 digital surround sound, a 2.0 English dub, and removable English subtitles. Extras on Disc 1 include the original theatrical trailer and previews for several Tokyo Shock titles. Disc 2 has "The Making of ONE MISSED CALL" documentary, an exclusive interview with Miike, interviews with the cast and crew, TV spots, and more.
Based on the manga by Minetaro Mochizuki (serialized in WEEKLY YOUNG MAGAZINE from September 1994 to December 1999), DRAGONHEAD is an apocalyptic mystery involving students returning home from a school trip aboard a bullet train. A massive earthquake hits while the train is passing thru a tunnel, causing a landslide that derails the train and kills most of the passengers. The only survivors are three classmates; Teru Aoki (Japanese Academy Award nominee Satoshi Tsumanuki, WATERBOYS), Ako Seto (Sayaka Matsuda), and Nobuo Takahashi. As they wait in vain to be rescued, the claustrophobic Nobuo begins to crack under the pressure. Teru and Ako finally manage to escape to the surface only to discover that Tokyo has been destroyed. The two students struggle to survive in the ruined landscape, meet a crazed deserter from the Tokyo Self Defense Forces, and try to uncover the mystery of "Dragonhead"... the source of total devastation. With an enormous budget (by Japanese standards) of approximately $13 million US, DRAGONHEAD features amazing visual effects and scenes filmed on location in the Middle Eastern country of Uzbekistan. Director Joji Iida (ANOTHER HEAVEN, the first RING sequel RASEN) had his crew construct enormous sets and use 80 tons of ash to simulate the remains of Tokyo. Toho released DRAGONHEAD to Japanese theaters in August of 2003. The new DVD features the 122 minute-long film, presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with the original Japanese audio track (both 5.1 and 2.0) and a 2.0 English dub. Extras include theatrical trailers and TV spots, the half hour documentary "The Making of DRAGONHEAD", a 5 minute "Shooting Diary in Uzbekistan" featurette, and previews for other Media Blasters titles.
Takashi Miike and acclaimed actor/director "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (FIREWORKS, BATTLE ROYALE) had initially planned to work together on the 2003 ZATOICHI remake, but circumstances eventually led to Kitano making the film on his own. The two filmmakers finally teamed for a new project; a period piece samurai movie with a twist. Okada Izo was a warrior from a lower-class family in Midwest Japan. His reputation as a talented swordsman spread across the land, and he was soon recruited as a soldier for a powerful samurai. Under the samurai's guidance, Izo killed so many people that he earned the nickname "Izo the Slaughterer". Eventually Izo was captured by his enemies and crucified. Denied entry to both Heaven and Hell, Izo’s restless soul now travels beyond time and space to unleash deception, despair, and murderous rage on all who cross his path. In addition to Kitano, the cast includes Cisato Amate, Ryuhei Matsuda (GOHATTO, BLUE SPRING, 9 SOULS), Kenichi Endo (VISITOR Q, DEAD OR ALIVE 2), Yoshio Harada (ONIBI, 9 SOULS) rocker Yuya Uchida (DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA), Kirin Kiki (PISTOL OPERA), Susumu Terajima (who has appeared in many Kitano and Miike projects), Mitsuhiro Oikawa (CITY OF LOST SOULS), plus two K-1 fighters, including American superstar Bob "The Beast" Sapp (DEVILMAN). The screenplay is by Shigenori Takechi, who has written for such Miike films as AGITATOR and DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA. Media Blasters’ IZO is a 2-Disc set. Disc 1 features the movie (running time: 128 minutes) in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, with the original Japanese audio, removable English subtitles, and an English dub track; plus IZO theatrical trailers, and trailers for Tokyo Shock’s SPACE AMOEBA, NIGHTMARE, SISTERS, and KEKKO KAMEN RETURNS. Disc 2 includes "The Making of IZO", "The Secrets of IZO", footage from the Japanese premiere, the FANGORIA international trailer, and a collection of trailers for Miike’s DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA, VISITOR Q, ICHI THE KILLER, ONE MISSED CALL, THE NEGOTIATOR, and FUDOH.
Just because the gates to the spirit world are usually kept shut does not mean that they cannot suddenly open, that the dead cannot reach out for your throat, that its denizens cannot prowl in abandoned office buildings, or haunt high school video projects. The dark realm is with you, and within you, its emotions calling to yours in shades of horror, of fear, of terror. Writers Kihara Hirokatsu and Nakayama Ichiro have collected these Tales of Terror from accounts told to them as true all over Japan. To date, the Tokyo Broadcasting Services has shown four television movies featuring supposedly "true stories of the unexplained". The films are made up a several short stories (each running approximately 5-10 minutes), with individual segments directed by Takashi Shimizu (JU-ON, THE GRUDGE), Norio Tsuruta (RING 0: BIRTHDAY, THE LOVER), Yoshihiro Nakamuru (writer of Shusuke Kaneko’s musical WHEN YOU SING OF LOVE), Masayuki Ochiai (PARASITE EVE, INFECTION), and Koji Shiraishi (THE UNCANNY). Media Blasters released the first 90 minute-long film, TALES OF TERROR FROM TOKYO: VOLUME ONE, on August 30 with TALES OF TERROR FROM TOKYO AND ALL OVER JAPAN: VOLUME TWO scheduled for October 11.
After a wave of hostage situations, the Japanese Police Headquarters established the "Negotiator System" to deal with the growing problem. Two negotiators, Shuhei Ishida and Maiko Tono, become successful partners until rumors of an affair break up the team and Maiko is demoted to a filing clerk position. When Ishida’s wife and child are taken hostage he fears his emotions will endanger his family, so he asks Maiko to work with him one last time. This TV movie (running time: 107 minutes) is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, with 5.1 and 2.0 Japanese audio and English subtitles. Extras include a commentary track by director Takashi Miike, "The Making of THE NEGOTIATOR", the original trailer, and Tokyo Shock trailers for ONE MISSED CALL, TALES OF TERROR FROM TOKYO: VOLUME ONE, TALES OF TERROR FROM TOKYO: VOLUME TWO, and KEKKO KAMEN RETURNS. December 13- ATRAGON (Kaitei Gunkan, 1963) Thousands of years ago, the continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean during a violent earthquake. Some of the inhabitants survived, and the Mu Empire developed into an aggressive undersea kingdom with unique and powerful weapons. In modern day, Mu attacks Japan as the first step in their plan to conquer the surface world. The only thing standing in their way is Atragon (aka the Gohten), a colossal flying supersub built by missing WWII Captain Jinguji. Will Jinguji be found in time to help mankind, and will the Atragon be able to defeat the Mu Empire and their serpent god Manda?
The upcoming DVD will be the first-ever home video release of ATRAGON in the US. While final specifications haven’t been locked down, Media Blasters has revealed their DVD will include most of the extras from Toho’s R2 disc, with the possible exception of the 75 minute-long edited version of the film created for the 1968 "Toho Champion Festival" theatrical re-release. Look for a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer of the uncut movie (running time: 96 minutes), both the Japanese audio track in 5.1 and 2.0, a 2.0 English dub, the original theatrical trailer, an audio commentary with Honda’s assistant director Koji Kajita, and trailers for other Media Blasters movies. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 09/21/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GODZILLA IN THE UK BFI Brings the Original, Uncut GODZILLA— and THE MYSTERIANS— to British Cinemas Author: Keith Aiken Source: British Film Institute
Following the successful US run of their big budget period film SAMURAI: THE LEGEND OF MUSASHI (Musashi Miyamaoto, 1954), Toho opened a small office in Los Angeles to promote and sell more of their films in America and abroad. GODZILLA was one of the first titles Toho publicized in the US, and an English subtitled print was shown in the Little Tokyo section of downtown LA in mid-1955. Shortly thereafter, US theatrical and television rights to the film were purchased by film distributor Edmund Goldman. Goldman quickly sold his rights to Harold Ross and Richard Kay of Jewell Enterprises, who in turn partnered with Joseph Levine of Embassy Pictures to form a new company called Trans World Releasing Corp that would 'Americanize' and distribute GODZILLA. B-movie director Terry Morse was hired to write and film new scenes with actor Raymond Burr (REAR WINDOW, PERRY MASON) playing an American reporter in Tokyo who witnesses Godzilla's rampage. Nearly 40 minutes of footage from the original GODZILLA was removed; what remained was dubbed into English by James Hong (BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA) and Sammee Tong (BACHELOR FATHER) and edited with Morse's footage. Released on April 4, 1956 as GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS, the Americanized version did amazing business for a low-budget, independently distributed movie, grossing more than $2,000,000 at the box office.
In England, moviegoers have had far fewer opportunities to see the Godzilla films as only a handful of titles have been released theatrically and on home video in the UK. One of the few bright spots was BBC Two's "Monster Night" in 1998, which featured Godzilla movies and a new documentary about the King of the Monsters. In 1999, British television's Film Four also ran several Godzilla films, including a broadcast of the Japanese version of GODZILLA on their program "Psychomondo". Unfortunately, the subtitles used contained some incredibly mangled and inaccurate credits that listed actors "Akira Murata" (actually Akira Takarada), "Momoko Kawaguchi" (Momoko Koichi), Takeo Murata (the film's screenwriter), and "Shiro Honda" (director Ishiro Honda), with producer Tomoyuki Tanaka credited as the film's director. Now, continuing the monster's 50th birthday celebration and coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the first atomic bomb, the original Japanese version of GODZILLA is finally receiving a UK theatrical release, courtesy of the British Film Institute. Established in 1933, BFI has long provided a wide range of services for film historians and fans, including the National Film Theatre, England's largest screen at the London IMAX Cinema, the National Library, the National Film and Television Archive, the London Film Festival, the London Gay and Lesbian Film festival, theatrical releases thru BFI Distribution, BFI DVD and Video, the popular film magazine SIGHT & SOUND, and award-winning film publications and research services.
- Curzon Soho Cinema - Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London - Screen on the Green Cinema in Islington - Clapham Picture House in London - Cineworld in Bexleyheath After the opening run, GODZILLA will play at the City Screen Greenwich in London, the Brixton Ritzy in South London, the Riverside Studios in West London, and the Watershed Cinema in Bristol, with more venues added in the coming months. BFI DVD and Video will also bring GODZILLA to DVD (region 2, PAL format) in January, 2006. Check back with Henshin! Online for details on BFI's DVD supplemental features. BFI Distribution will also be screening a new print of the 1957 Toho science fiction classic THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyu Boeigun) at the Institute of Contemporary Arts beginning October 21. Produced by the same creative team behind GODZILLA, THE MYSTERIANS features alien invaders and the giant robot Mogera (later seen in 1994's GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA). GODZILLA has been given a PG Rating by the British Board of Film Classification. BFI's release features new English subtitles by John Minchinton, a veteran translator with more than 50 years experience subtitling films for cinemas and television. The UK theatrical poster was designed and painted by illustrator and fashion designer Phil Ashcroft. Since graduating from St Martins College of Art and Design in 1994, Ashcroft has been a highly sought-after artist; his client list includes Amnesty International, the Royal Mail, EMPIRE magazine, Levi's, and the New York Times, and his work has been exhibited in London, Hong Kong, Brussels, Osaka, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.
For further information and updates on future screenings, please visit the British Film Institute's GODZILLA page. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 09/21/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GARO: THE FANGED WOLF New Series from the Director of MIKAZUKI Author: August Ragone Source: Newtype The Live, Bandai, Additional Information by Daisuke Ishizuka and Keith Aiken
For centuries, the Makai Knights have protected mankind from the Evil Beast Horror (Maju Horror). The latest member of the Makai bloodline is Koga Saejima, a mysterious young man who lives in an ancient castle and battles the evil with his holy sword, the Garo Blade. By tearing into the fabric of space, Saejima is able to become the ultimate incarnation of the Makai, the Golden Knight Garo (Ogon Kishi Garo). The transformation will only last for 99.9 seconds, and as the time limit draws near the Garo armor will begin to change.
23 year-old Hiroshi Konishi stars as Koga Saejima. The supporting cast includes Mika Hijii (one of the stars of director Azuma Morisaki's acclaimed 2004 film THE CHICKEN IS BAREFOOT [Niwatori-wa Hadashi-da]), Rei Fujii, and Amemiya regular Yukijiro Hotaru (the Zeiram films, MIKAZUKI, the Gamera trilogy, GMK). Actor and prop/toy collector Masaki Kyomoto (CUTIE HONEY) will also make a special guest appearance. Garo himself is reminiscent of a refined Toei Sentai Villain, like Loki from HUNDRED BEAST TASK FORCE: GAORANGER (2001-2002) - except plated in high-polished gold armor. The golden savior brandishes a sword called the Makai Blade that can transform into the powerful Garo Blade. Much as the original Kamen Rider appeared to television audiences in the early 1970s, Garo's design is the antithesis of what we think of in terms of a "superhero". In a genre where all of the parameters seem to be firmly set, and like Amemiya's MIKAZUKI, viewers can expect something new and unique with GARO. GARO: THE FANGED WOLF has been approved for 26 episodes and will premiere on Friday, October 7th at 1:30am on the TV Tokyo network. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/30/05: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW DVD LABEL TO RELEASE ASIAN GENRE CLASSICS TO AMERICA Discotek Media Presents an Eclectic Mix of Asian Science Fiction, Cult, and Anime Titles Author: Keith Aiken and August Ragone Source: Discotek Media Special Thanks to Ian Friedman
In 2004, a group of retailers in Orlando, FL who were selling Asian cinema and anime videos decided the time had come to start their own DVD label, Discotek Media. Over the past year, they have licensed several titles from Toho and Toei and made a distribution deal with Ryko Distribution, with the first release coming this October. The discs will initially be available through online retailers like Amazon.com, Deep Discount DVD, and DVD Planet; and plans are underway to have Discotek Media titles in all the major retail electronic store chains. The following list covers Discotek's planned release schedule for the next twelve months. Street dates for the first four titles are firm; all others are tentative and subject to change. ZERO WOMAN: RED HANDCUFFS (Zeroka-no Onna Akai Wappa, 1974) Directed by Yukio Noda (YAKUZA COP: THE ASSASSIN), this is the first - and most notorious - entry in the long-running Zero Woman series. Starring Miki Sugimoto, Tetsuro Tamba, Ichiro Araki, Eiji Go, and Hideo Murota, this Toei cult classic will be available in the US for the first time in any format, completely uncut and unedited. The violent police officer Agent Zero is stripped of her badge and sent to prison after she brutally kills a rapist. When a rich politician's daughter is kidnapped, Agent Zer |
