THE EASTERN FRONT ARCHIVES Japantasy Media News Bytes Compiled by the staff of Henshin! Online Click here to get back to the main Eastern Front page News for the week of 03/23/2004 ULTRAMAN NOA VIDEO ONLINE The Tsuburaya Channel Broadband site has added a Windows Media promotional video for their new "Neo Standard Hero", Ultraman Noa. For further details on the latest Ultraman and Tsuburaya Production's new Ultra N Project campaign, please see the 02/25/04 report on Henshin! Online. THE GRUDGE REBORN -- OR CONTINUED? While several Japanese horror films are being remade for the US, producers Sam Raimi (EVIL DEAD, SPIDER-MAN) and Rob Tapert (EVIL DEAD, XENA) of Ghost House Pictures are handling things a bit differently. The duo's upcoming movie THE GRUDGE will apparently be both a remake and a sequel to the Japanese hit JU-ON. Writer/director Takashi Shimizu introduced the series in 2000 with a pair of straight-to-video releases entitled JU-ON and JU-ON 2. Two theatrical features (also called JU-ON and JU-ON 2) followed in 2003. Both Shimizu and original producer Takashi Ichise have returned to helm the US version, which is currently shooting at Toho Studios in Tokyo. The cast includes Sarah Michelle Gellar (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, SCOOBY DOO), Jason Behr (ROSWELL), William Mapother (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II), Kadee Strickland (ANACONDAS), Clea Duvall (GIRL INTERRUPTED, IDENTITY), Bill Pullman (MALICE, ID4), Grace Zabriskie (TWIN PEAKS) and Ted Raimi (XENA, SPIDER-MAN). Of particular interest is the return of actors Takako Fuji and Yuya Ozeki who will reprise their roles as the ghostly Kayako and Toshio from the Japanese films. Sony subsidiary Columbia Pictures will handle theatrical distribution. THE GRUDGE is scheduled to be released in October 2004. Visit CHUD.com for a great "on- the-set" report from Japan. RING REDUX REDUX- WITH NAKATA? Actors Naomi Watts, David Dorfman and Daveigh Chase will reprise their roles in THE RING 2, DreamWorks' sequel to their 2002 hit THE RING. That film was an American remake of the Japanese horror film RING (Ringu), which was directed by Hideo Nakata (DARK WATER, CHAOS) and based on the novels by author Koji Suzuki. RING was a huge success in Japan, spawning 3 sequels (THE SPIRAL, RING 2, and RING 0: BIRTHDAY), television series, and remakes in both Korea (THE RING VIRUS) and the US. Chase (LILO & STITCH, SPIRITED AWAY) played the evil Samara Morgan, the Americanized version of Sadako, the original series' ghostly antagonist. In a recent interview, the 13 year-old actress revealed that both she and Samara will return. "I will [go back to work] soon," she told Sci-Fi Wire. "They're going to start filming in March. Unfortunately, I can't say anything about it, [but] it will definitely be horrifying." Returning screenwriter Ehren Kruger's script is not adapted from any of the Japanese RING sequels, but is a new tale inspired by Suzuki's novels. THE RING 2 was to be the feature film debut of longtime commercial director Noam Muro, but Variety recently announced that Muro has left the project. Both Variety and Fangoria reported that DreamWorks are now in discussions with Hideo Nakata, director of the original Japanese versions of RING, RING 2 and DARK WATER, to take over the directing chores. A decision will have to be made fast if THE RING 2 is going to be finished in time for its scheduled theatrical release date of November 10, 2004. Chances are good that Nakata will sign on since plans to direct the mystery TRUE BELIEVERS for MGM recently fell through. That film would have been Nakata's first English-language movie, to which was a co-production between Bruce Willis and his business partner Arnold Rifkin for their Cheyenne Enterprises label. TRUE BELIEVERS was based on the novel of the same name by author/screenwriter Doug Richardson (BAD BOYS, DIE HARD 2, WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT), who had considerably reworked the story for its transition to the big screen. Variety reported that actor Mark Wahlberg (BOOGIE NIGHTS, PLANET OF THE APES) had been offered the lead role. TRUE BELIEVERS was expected to premiere in early 2005.Whether it will be made with a different director is unknown at this time Source: FilmForce, SciFi.com, Fangoria.com CASTING IN DARK WATERS Renowned British actor Tim Roth has joined the cast of DARK WATER, the second US remake of a Japanese movie originally directed by Hideo Nakata and written by Koji Suzuki. The American version stars Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly (HULK, A BEAUTIFUL MIND) as a single mother who begins experiencing supernatural phenomena after moving into a leaky, rundown apartment building with her young daughter. Roth, best known to American audiences for his roles in Quentin Tarantino's RESERVOIR DOGS and PULP FICTION and Tim Burton's "re-imagining" of PLANET OF THE APES, will play a lawyer representing Connelly's character in a custody dispute with her ex-husband. Rounding out the cast are popular character actors Pete Postlethwaite (THE USUAL SUSPECTS, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK) and John C. Reilly (BOOGIE NIGHTS, CHICAGO, MAGNOLIA), plus Shelley Duvall (Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING), Dougray Scott (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II) and newcomer Ariel Gade. The new DARK WATER will be the first English-language movie from renowned filmmaker Walter Salles (CENTRAL STATION, THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES). The Brazilian director is working from a screenplay adapted from Suzuki's novel by writer Rafael Yglesias (FROM HELL). Tony Kenny (X-MEN, BULLETPROOF MONK) is supervising the special effects, while Angelo Bandalamenti (composer for TWIN PEAKS and MULHOLLAND DRIVE) will provide the film's score. In an attempt to beat DreamWorks' THE RING 2 to theaters, Disney has DARK WATER scheduled for early November 2004. Source: Horror.com FOX CANCELS LIVE-ACTION DRAGONBALL MOVIE Voice actor Kyle Herbert (DRAGONBALL, DRAGONBALL Z) has stated that Twentieth Century Fox has cancelled plans for a live-action DRAGONBALL theatrical film. On his official website Herbert posted the following message from his contact at the studio: "The DRAGONBALL Z movie? We don't have that. I've got a lot of calls about that so I called around [the studio]. We won't be making that [movie]." The film has been rumored to be in production for some time, with many reports claiming director Roland Emmerich (ID4, GODZILLA) was attached. Source: Anime News Network, KyleHerbert.com t.A.T.U YOU Directors Norio Kashima (DIRTY PAIR, CRUSHER JOE) and Susumu Kudo (SAKURA WARS, SILENT MOBIUS) are currently working on t.A.T.u. PARAGATE, a 100 minute-long anime movie starring the Russian muscial group t.A.T.u. The opening title sequence will be directed by COWBOY BEBOP creator Shinichiro Watanabe. In 1999, TV commercial producer Ivan Shapovalov auditioned hundreds of young girls at Moscow's Mostfilm Studios before choosing 14 year- old Julia Volkova and 15 year-old redhead Lena Katina to form t.A.T.u. The Euro-dance duo signed with Universal Music Russia in 2001 and quickly became an international hit. They are enormously popular in Japan; album sales in that country neared 2 million copies in 2003, making t.A.T.u. the number one musical act of the year. According to the group's press materials, the Russian name t.A.T.u. translates to "she loves her" and the group has garnered both attention and controversy by repeatedly hinting that Julia and Lena are lovers. Their first single, "I've Lost My Mind" (Ya Soshlas Uma) told the story of a lesbian affair between two young girls and several subsequent songs have continued in that vein. Based on a plot by Shapovalov, t.A.T.u. PARAGATE will find the two girls encountering the Paragate, a "door hinged on the shadowy hooks of the human heart". The movie is a joint Japan-Russia production and is scheduled to be released in Japan in November 2004 by the distributor IMOVE. t.A.T.u. recently broke from their manager/creator; no word on what effect, if any, this will have on the production. ASTRO-BOY PACKS HIS BAGS Less than a month after its January 17th premiere, the new ASTRO-BOY animated television series was yanked from the Kids' WB! Saturday morning lineup. Thankfully, this wasn't a permanent cancellation -- beginning Monday, March 8th, ASTRO-BOY can be seen five days a week at 5:00 pm on Cartoon Network. The series is a co-production between Tezuka Productions, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Television (US). For additional details, including a description of the show, an episode guide, downloads, character biographies, a game, and a video preview of the upcoming episodes, visit the official site. YU-GI-OH COMING TO AMERICAN THEATERS According to a press release from 4Kids Entertainment, Warner Bros Pictures will release the animated feature YU-GI-OH! : THE MOVIE to US theaters on August 13. Despite 4Kids' claim that this is the "first theatrical motion picture based on the hit YU-GI-OH! animated television series," the film is actually the second film in the series. The story picks up after the Battle City Tournament, as an ancient evil awakens beneath the sands of Egypt. Centuries before, Pharaoh (Yugi's mysterious alter ego) defeated the evil Anubis; now the villain is determined to destroy Yugi and take over the world. The press release also announced several merchandising tie-ins, including Burger King premiums and a Konami collector's card that will be distributed to ticket buyers. Source: Jagged Team A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME... GUSHER NO BINDS ME (Gusha No Binzume) is a science fiction/action picture opening this month in Japan. The Japanese name literally translates to "A Bottled Foolish Man" so who knows what to expect from such an odd title? The film is from the producer of Ryuhei Kitamura's hit VERSUS and director Hiroki Yamaguchi, a graduate of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. Additional info is available on the Grumble 16 Pictures website and the official movie site, the latter also includes a bizarre theatrical trailer. GUNDAMMIT! IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS ALREADY... 25 years after its premiere in Japan, and five years after coming to America, the legendary Gundam property is celebrating it's silver annivesary with the introduction of the GUNDAM SEED toyline. Based on the brand new Japanese series of the same name, GUNDAM SEED is different from many past Gundam incarnations due to its stand-alone storyline, making it ideal for new fans to discover the franchise. Currently the Number One product line for Bandai Japan, GUNDAM SEED will be coming to the US in early 2004. Beginning a year after the outbreak of war, the new series follows the Earth Alliance's desperate attempt to develop state-of-the-art mobile suits to defend against the rebel space colonists known as Zaft. "Gundam's remarkable success is due in large part to the faithful enhancement of our toylines to bring the intricate, ever-changing storyline to life," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Bandai America. "In this landmark year, we hope to bring even more fans on board with our toyline inspired by this brand new chapter in the Gundam saga." The new assortment features an expanded line of the popular Battle-Scarred action figures with battlefield environments, the debut of a Mega Size Gundam, and the action figure model kits that have anchored the brand since its inception. Popular characters from past Gundam series will also be released throughout the year in an array of sizes, ensuring there is something for every fan's taste. Bandai America also plans to release a collectible card game based on the property later in the year. GUNDAM SEED will air Saturday evenings on Cartoon Network beginning in April 2004. In addition, Bandai Entertainment will soon unveil plans to distribute the Gundam Seed series on DVD home video, starting in the fall of 2004. For additional information on Gundam Seed, please visit the official Gundam website. In related news, the classic anime movie MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM F-91 will receive a limited US theatrical release beginning on May 3, 2004. NEW HORROR DOUBLE FEATURE Japan's wave of horror films continues with SHIBUYA STRANGE STORIES (Shibuya Kaidan) 1 & 2. Both films opened on February 7, 2004. Director Ken Horie is a well-known genre actor who appeared in GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (Gamera 3: Iris Kakusei, 1999) and 100 BEAST TASK FORCE GAORANGER (Hyakuju Sentai Gaorenjaa, 2001). Visit the official website for additional info on the two films, including a creepy theatrical trailer. NEW GIGANTOR ANIME WEBSITE LAUNCHED The classic anime character TETSUJIN 28-GO (Ironman No.28, aka Gigantor) is enjoying a new wave of popularity in Japan. A new animated series is scheduled to premiere on TV Tokyo on April 7. The director for This fourth Tetsujin series is Yasuhiro Imagawa, who handled similar duties on the lauded 1990 OVA series GIANT ROBO. For character designs and production news see the newly-opened official Japanese website. The robot hero is also featured in the manga IRON MAN NO. 28: THE EMPEROR'S CREST (Tetsujin 28-Go: Koutei-no Monshou), which is currently being serialized in Kodansha Publishing's MAGAZINE Z. Yuuichi Hasegawa is creating the series, based on an original story by Misuteru Yokoyama. There is also a live-action TETSUJIN-28 film coming from Toho later this year. Additional informationfor the movie is available on the official site and in an October 5th report on Henshin! Online. Source: Moon Phase AND THE WINNER IS... The results are in for the 27th Annual Japan Academy Awards, which took place in Tokyo on February 21st. Shochiku's feudal actioner WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN was the big winner, taking three major awards despite director Yojiro Takita losing out to LIKE ASURA's Yoshimitsu Morita. Morita's win, as well as one for supporting actress Eri Fukatsu should help Toho's attempts to interest international buyers at this year's American Film Market. Takeshi Kitano's ZATOICHI won for editing and lighting direction, and AZUMI star Aya Ueto took home the Topical Award (similar to the People's Choice Awards in the US) for "Best Actor". On the other end of the spectrum was Fuji Network Television's BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN 2. Despite being nominated in 11 categories, the record-breaking hit ($155 million worldwide to date) ended up with only a single Topical Award for "Most Popular Picture". BEST PICTURE: WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN (Mibugishiden) BEST DIRECTOR: Yoshimitsu Morita; LIKE ASURA (Asura-no Gotoku) BEST ACTOR: Kiichi Nakai; WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN BEST ACTRESS: Shinobu Terajima; AKAME 48 WATERFALLS (Akame Shijuhachiryu Shinju Misui) BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Koichi Sato; WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Eri Fukatsu; LIKE ASURA BEST NEWCOMERS: Naoto Fujiki; G@ME, Hayato Ichihara; THE WORST BOY, INCIDENTALLY (Guzennimo Saiakuna Shonen), Satomi Ishihara; MY GRANDPA (Watashi-no Guranpa), Masami Nagasawa; ROBOCON, Jo Odagiri; AZUMI, Aya Ueto; AZUMI GODZILLA DIRECTOR TRYING TO SAVE TOKYO ART MUSEUM The ArtNewspaper reports that filmmaker Kazuki Omori is leading a campaign to save the Ashiya City Museum of Art and History. Since opening in 1991, the museum has become renowned for its collection of works from the Concrete Art Association (Gutai Bijutsu Kyokai), a conceptual and performance art group established in Osaka in 1954. The Tokyo city council has announced the museum will be closed or sold if private funding cannot be found by March 2006. Omori is best known outside of Japan for his work on the Heisei Godzilla series, which included writing and directing GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (Gojira tai Beorante, 1989) and GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (Gojira tai Kingughidora, 1991) as well as writing GODZILLA AND MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH (Gojira tai Mosura, 1992) and GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (Gojira tai Desutoria, 1995). In December 2003, he delivered a petition to the local assembly requesting further debate before a final decision was made in regards to the Ashiya Museum. He has also set up a group that will work with Tokyo officials to decide the museum's future. Chief curator Koichi Kawasaki says that the museum's survival is important, "The public at large should be aware of the history and art of this area." For the full article, please visit ArtNewspaper.com COMING ATTRACTIONS Check out the following sites for some great new theatrical trailers: CASSHERN DEVILMAN ZEBRAMAN EVENTS AND SCREENINGS GODZILLA CONQUERS THE GLOBE: JAPANESE MOVIE MONSTERS IN INTERNATIONAL FILM ART- In recognition of Godzilla's 50th Anniversary, Columbia University's Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture is hosting a free exhibition of Japanese monster movie posters and materials from around the world. The event is located in the CV Starr East Asian Library, Kent Hall, on the campus of Columbia University at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 116th Street, New York City. Considering how little respect the King of the Monsters generally receives in America, it is refreshing to see an esteemed academic institution handle the subject in such a thoughtful, intelligent manner. For further details please visit the center's official website. Special thanks to Monster Zero board member Matolen. KIKAIDA -- 2004 marks the 30th Anniversary of the series' premiere in Hawaii, and JN Productions is celebrating with the official release of the seventh volume of the KIKAIDA DVD series on Tuesday, March 23rd (see DVD NEWS- R1 for details) followed by appearance/autograph sessions at Shirokiya on March 26, 3:30 to 5 pm, Blockbuster Pearl City on March 27, 12:30-1:30 pm and Blockbuster Kaneohe on April 3, 12:30-1:30 pm. The stores will distribute free balloons and Kikaida coloring books while supplies last. "So many 30 - 40-something year-olds have thanked me for bringing back their favorite super hero of the mid-seventies," said Joanne Ninomiya, JN Productions owner and president. "We're planning a big 30th anniversary celebration at the end of 2004 to bring back nostalgia and re-live those childhood memories. Kikaida and other Japanese super heroes from the seventies influenced a whole generation of children growing up in Hawaii at the time." The KIKAIDA series first aired in Japan from 1972 to 1973 and then debuted in Hawaii in February 1974 on the original KIKU-TV. The show became a hit with kids, transforming Kikaida into a pop icon and retail hit for Hawaii merchants. The series proved its enduring appeal with a revival that began when Ninomiya brought it back to Hawaii television in November 2001. Source: GenerationKikaida PACIFIC MEDIA EXPO- PMX is a trade show focusing on Asian entertainment such as anime, live-action film and TV, manga, and music. The guest list includes Yasugiro Nightow (creator of TRIGUN), Takahiro Yoshimatsu (SLAYERS, JUBEI-CHAN), Daisuke Moriyama (CHRNO CRUSADE), and musicians TM Revolution, Nami Tamaki (GUNDAM SEED), and Miyavi. The event will take place May 29-31, 2004 at the Anaheim Convention Center, 777 West Convention Way, Anaheim CA 92802. Visit the official website for further details. SAN FRANCISCO HORRORFEST- The SF IndieFest presents ANOTHER HOLE IN THE HEAD: 7 NIGHTS OF UNRELENTING TERROR! The festival takes place at the AMC Kabuki 8, 1881 Post at Fillmore Streets in San Francisco from Friday March 19 to Thursday March 25. Tickets are $9, Weekend noon shows $7. In addition to an assortment of movies featuring vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, and mutants, there are a few gems that should appeal to Japanese fantasy film fans: A LIVING HELL (Iki-Jigoku) Director: Fujii Shugo 2000, 104 minutes Japanese language with English subtitles US Premiere 2/19 11pm, 3/22 2pm The Opening Night late show unleashes demented hard-core horror with mad scientists and twisted family values. Yasu is confined to a wheelchair, but a strange old woman and her mute granddaughter subject him to unbelievable mental and physical abuse. When things are looking really bleak, it takes a turn for the worse. Oppressive, claustrophobic, paranoid, nightmarish, wildly imaginative, stylishly directed, well-acted and deeply sick and twisted, A LIVING HELL takes you to the edge and throws you over. Some regard this movie as a blacker-than-pitch comedy - but you might not, so consider yourself warned. BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL Director: Yudai Yamaguchi 2003, 87 minutes Japanese language with English subtitles 3/21 11pm, 3/24 2pm This film is so mind-bendingly alien and totally unpredictable that you will be completely entranced by the utterly baffling onscreen weirdness. BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL is the world's first high-school kung fu baseball action musical adventure comedy with zombie baseball players, severed limbs, deadly pitching, an evil coach and a strange dog. Adapted from the popular manga, this is the directorial debut of thescreenwriter and Assistant Director of Ryuhei Kitamura's VERSUS and ALIVE. It was a blockbuster box office hit in Japan, but don't wait for an American remake because it1s never going to happen. GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK Director: Shusuke Kaneko 2001, 105 minutes English dubbed 3/20 12pm Godzilla fans rejoice! Everyone's favorite home-wrecker is back on the big screen. By special arrangement with the archive at Sony Pictures, we present the only existing English language 35mm print of GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK! Disregarding every Godzilla film made after the original (with the exception of a clever reference to the American crapfest with the iguana), Kaneko delivers a stand-alone, very serious giant monster epic. This is one of the best in the 50 year-old series, so grab an extra-large popcorn and savor the spectacle of giant monsters stomping Tokyo. Visit the festival website for complete schedule and program notes. SINCE GODZILLA 2- In 2002, Taro Okamoto Museum in Kawasaki, Japan hosted a Godzilla exhibit featuring original monster suits, props, scripts, panels, and film screenings -- juxaposed with a parallel display of post-war Japanese history. Entitled "Since Godzilla" (Gojira-no Jidai), the event was both a critical and commercial success (see H!O's 5/07/02 report) so that curator Hiroshi Ohsugi is holding another "Since Godzilla" exhibition, starting this month. Thanks to the efforts of H!O's own Oki Miyano, the event will exhibit the artwork of production designer Yasuyuki Inoue, who started at Toho on the original GODZILLA and went on to create such many famous Toho creatures and props, including Hedorah (GODZILLA VS THE SMOG MONSTER) and the Alpha from LATITUDE ZERO. Great work, Oki! QUALITY TV PROGRAMMING The following movies are playing in March and April: GODZILLA VS GIGAN - a widescreen print will be shown 4/24 at 3am on SciFi. GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH - multiple airings on WAM!, Movieplex and Encore GODZILLA AND MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH - multiple airings on Action and Movieplex GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA - multiple airings on Encore and Movieplex GODZILLA 2000 - 3/12 at 11pm on TNT. GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK - 4/24 at 9am on SciFi. MESSAGE FROM SPACE - multiple airings on FLIX and WAM!. ONIBABA - several broadcasts throughout March on the Independent Film Channel. YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP – multiple airings on Starz Family STUFF TO READ FANGORIA # 231- In the current issue (HELLBOY cover, Norman England provides an extensive look at the two JU-ON: THE GRUDGE theatrical films, including an exclusive "on the set" report and interviews. CREATURESCAPE #2 - This new CD ROM publication is designed for figure kit modelers with an interest in monsters, dinosaurs, daikaiju and creatures of all types. The new issue's theme is "Destroy All Monsters" with a focus on Godzilla and Toho monster kits and collectibles. Individual issues (each with more than 400 MB of content) are available for $10.00 each and a one-year (3 issue) subscription is $24.00. For a preview and ordering information visit the official site. VIDEO WATCHDOG #105 - The latest issue includes reviews the R2 DVDs of Japan's JU-ON film series. $7.95 DVD NEWS- REGION 1 US anime distributor AnimEigo has announced that the company will abandon the VHS format on May 1. From that point on, all AnimEigo releases will be in DVD only. The company's remaining stock of video tapes (including some titles that may never be released on DVD) are now on sale at discount prices. Source: Jagged Team According to the website DVD Talk, Sony has discontinued production of their widescreen GODZILLA (1998) DVD. The Dean Devlin/Roland Emmerich movie will be reissued as a discount fullscreen disc later this year. Bandai Entertainment has discontinued their DVD of the 2000 live- action feature from Buildup, DARK SOLDIER D. KIKAIDA VOL 7 - The latest JN Productions DVD includes Episodes 31 - 35 of the original 43 episode series. In addition to boasting digitally remastered picture and sound, the KIKAIDA DVDs feature bilingual English and Japanese menus, five episodes fully subtitled in English, and even boast a family-friendly, "expletives-deleted" subtitle selection option. The total running time of the five episodes is two hours and five minutes. Extras include an all-new interview with lead actor Ban Daisuke, behind-the-scenes KIKAIDA Factoids by Henshin! Online's August Ragone, cast and crew profiles, and DARK Destructoid monster profiles with sound effects. DVD is distributed exclusively by The Mountain Apple Company and is available wherever DVDs are sold and through the official Generation Kikaida website. RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS/ THE MAGIC SERPENT - Public domain label Retromedia is releasing this double-feature DVD on June 8th. Both films were original distributed by American International Pictures Television in the late 1960s; RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS was the AIP-TV version of Daiei's third Gamera movie, GIANT MONSTER DOG-FIGHT: GAMERA VS GYAOS (Daikiaiju Kuchusen: Gamera tai Gaosu, 1967) while THE MAGIC SERPENT was the 1966 Toei film BATTLE OF THE DRAGONS (Kairyu Daikessen). Retromedia's announcement is surprising since the US rights to RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS are currently held by MGM. ULTRAMAN TIGA - Production delays have forced 4Kids and FUNimation to reschedule VOL 2: FUGITIVE FROM BEYOND (Episodes 14-26) for March 23rd. New release dates have also been announced for the remaining TIGA DVDs; VOL 3: GUTS HEADQUARTERS UNDER ATTACK (Episodes 27-39) is now planned for June 1st and VOL 4: INHERITANCE OF DARKNESS (Episodes 40-52) will go on sale August 10th. As with the previously released VOL. 1, each collection will present the 1996 Tsuburaya Productions series in its original Japanese language with English subtitles for a SRP of $29.95 per volume. REGION 2 - ENGLAND BATTLE HEATER - Artsmagic released this bizarre 1990 film by writer/director Joji Iida (THE SPIRAL, ANOTHER HEAVEN) on February 21st. A down-on-his-luck man named Furuchi finds an old heater in a garbage pile and decides to take it home and repair it. But the device is possessed by a demon and begins to devour Furuchi's neighbors! The cast includes Pappara Kawai, Akira Emoto (GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA, ZATOICHI), Kaoru Okunuki (RING 0: BIRTHDAY, GMK), and the band Bakufu-Slump (who performed "Mythology", the theme song to GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE). The PAL disc presents the movie in widescreen and in Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include an interview with the director and cast and crew filmographies. FULL METAL YAKUZA - Takashi Miike's (AUDITION, ZEBRAMAN) 1997 film tells the story of a bumbling gangster who is murdered then brought back to life as a cyborg yakuza. Starring Tsuyoshi Ujiki, Yasushi Kitamura, Shoko Nakahara and Ren Osugi, FULL METAL YAKUZA is presented in a digitally enhanced 16:9 anamorphic widescreen with Japanese audioand English subtitles. Special features include interviews with Miike and editor Yasushi Shimamura, a commentry track by Tom Mes of the excellent Midnight Eye website, biographies, filmographies, and an artwork show reel. Artsmagic released the PAL DVD on February 21st. REGION 2 - JAPAN ANDRO-MELOS (Andoromerosu) - A two-disc collection of Tsuburaya Productions' 1983 vidseries is coming from Bandai Visual on April 24th. Spun off from the "Ultra Legend" pictorials in Shogakukan's TV- Kun magazine (produced by Shinichi Wakasa's Monsters Inc.), the shot- on-video series -- similar in feel and budget to DR. WHO -- features an armored team of three Ultramen and one Ultrawoman, battling the forces of the evil Gua Army in deep space! The series ran for 45 10-minute episodes. SRP is 12600 Yen. GODZILLA - Toho Video will release its first Champion Matsuri film, GODZILLA'S REVENGE (Oru Kaiju Daishingeki), on March 26th, followed GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (Gojira tai Hedora) on April 28th. GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (Chikyu Kogeki Meirei: Gojira tai Gaigan) at the end of May, and GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Gojira tai Megaro), completing Toho's Godzilla DVD releases, in June. No extras were announced at press time. JU-ON 2 - The second JU-ON theatrical feature was released in a two-disc set on February 25th. SRP is 4700 yen. A double feature of both JU-ON films has also been at a price of 7980 yen. ULTRAMAN BOY'S ULTRA COLISEUM: BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ULTRA HERO (Urutoraman Boi-no Urukoro: Urutora Hero Nyumon) - Premiering September 29, 2003, ULTRAMAN BOY'S ULTRA COLISEUM functioned as a way to introduce younger children to Tsuburaya Productions' pantheon of heroes and monsters. Hosted by a new character named Ultraman Boy, each 5 minute-long episode provides information on the different Ultra Heroes, monsters, and mecha -- plus, feature "new" battles by combining footage from the various series. Two DVD compilations of the series will go on sale on April 23rd, followed by an additional two volumes on June 25th. Each DVD comes packaged with a small Ultraman action figure and retails for 1800 yen. REGION 3- HONG KONG BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (Batoru Rowaiairu 2) - Writer/director Kenta Fukusaku picked up where his late father Kinji left off in this 2003 release. Following the events of the controversial 2000 hit, Battle Royale survivors Shuya Nananhara (Tatsuya Fujiwara) and Noriko Nakagawa (Aki Maeda) have become members of Wild Seven, an anti-government terrorist group. In retaliation, the government sends the latest batch of BR recruits (exploding collars and all) in an all-out assault against them. The cast includes Ai Maeda (GAMERA 3), Shugo Oshinari, Ayana Sakai, "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (ZATOICHI), Riki Takeuchi, and Sonny Chiba. Universe Laser has released BATTLE ROYALE II as a two-disc special edition in 16:9 enhanced widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Japanese audio with removable English and Chinese subtitles. Extras include theatrical trailers, behind- the-scenes and "making of" featurettes, photo galleries, cast and crew biographies -- all subtitled in English. Looking for older Eastern Front news items? Click here! News for the week of 01/31/2004 TOHO PUSHES UP STEAMBOY RELEASE Due to production delays with Hayao Miyazaki's HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (Hauru no Ugoku Shiro), Toho has moved up the Japanese theatrical release of STEAMBOY, the new anime feature by Katsuhiro Otomo (AKIRA). HOWL'S was originally intended to be released this summer, but the storyboarding of the film was only recently completed so the movie has been rescheduled for November. If the movie is released this year it will complete a 2004 powerhouse anime quartet for Toho; the studio is also distributing Production IG's highly-anticipated INNOCENCE: GHOST IN THE SHELL (Innocence: Kokaku Kidotai) on March 6th and the CG update of APPLESEED on April 17th. STEAMBOY has been in production for nine years and has itself been pushed back on the schedule more than once (as an earlier theatrical poster shows). It was most recently scheduled to premiere on October 8th 2004 but, with production wrapping in March, it can easily be slotted into HOWL'S planned July release date. See the official site for more info on the film and two gorgeous theatrical trailers. Source: Nikkan Sports, AnimeNation US ZATOICHI TRAILER NOW ONLINE The American theatrical trailer for "Beat" Takeshi Kitano's ZATOICHI is available at apple.com The award-winning film has been picked up by Miramax and is scheduled to be released on June 4th, 2004. SECOND SITE FOR NEW ASTRO BOY OPENS The Kids' WB! Website includes a Quicktime preview for the new ASTRO BOY animated television series and a link to the show's official site. The series is a co- production between Tezuka Productions, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, and Sony Pictures Television. ASTRO BOY premiered in Japan on April 7, 2003 and had it's US debut on the WB! Network on Saturday, January 17th, 2004. The ASTRO BOY website features a description of the show, am episode guide, downloads, character biographies, a game, and a video preview of the next week's episode. The same materials can also be accessed on Sony's own official ASTRO BOY site. Source: Jagged Team BILL GETS TO LIVE A LITTLE LONGER Variety has reported that Miramax has pushed back the theatrical release date of director Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL VOL 2 from February 20th to April 16th. The latter date was already set aside for the US release of the Oscar-nominated HK hit HERO (directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh). HERO has been sitting on Miramax's shelf for more than a year and will now most likely be delayed once again. KILL BILL VOL 1 will be released on DVD on April 13. Source: Fangoria ARE YOU FEELING PARANOID? Director Satoshi Kon has received international attention for his animated films MILLENNIUM ACTRESS and TOKYO GODFATHERS. His latest project is PARANOIA AGENT (Mousou Darinin), a new anime television series scheduled to premiere February 2nd, 2004 on Japan's WOWOW cable channel. An American release of the 13 episode series seems likely since Geneon Entertainment USA invested in the show's production. Check out the official site for character designs and some interesting video promos. KIKAIDA STAR RETURNS TO TV Ban Daisuke, star of the legendary Toei series KIKIAIDA, returns to television in BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI: THE SERIES a martial arts action show produced in Hawaii. Daisuke plays the mentor to two young warriors, Trent (Brian Yamasake) and Rob (Michael Ng), who wield magical samurai swords. The series also stars Miss Hawaii USA Alicia Michioka as Yuki, a mysterious (is the any other kind?) female ninja. The six-episode series is a follow up to director Aaron Yamasato's low-budget feature BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI (2001). While produced by Yamasato's Hellcat Productions for only $2,000, the movie won the 2001 Hawaii International Film Festival Aloha Airlines Film and Video Maker Award, a 2002 Telly Award, and has developed a cult fan following. At a budget of $100,000 to $150,000 per episode, the series has much better production values then its predecessor. The series premiered in Hawaii on Sunday, January 25th, 2004 on Oceanic Time Warner Cable OC 16. For a special holiday greeting from Ban Daisuke, click here. WITCH HUNTER ROBIN GOES LIVE ON SCIFI On January 16th, the SciFi Channel signed a deal with the Japanese anime house Sunrise Studios (BIG O, COWBOY BEBOP) to create a live-action television series adaptation of WITCH HUNTER ROBIN. Writer/producer Joe Menosky (STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, DEEP SPACE NINE, VOYAGER, and THE DEAD ZONE) recently told the website AnimeNation that he will write and executive produce the series with Roy Lee (the Dreamworks remake of THE RING) and Doug Davison. "There may or may not be an announcement in the Hollywood tradepapers -- which tend to wait until a pilot script is completed, greenlit for production, with director and actors attached before they consider a television series worthy of mention." The original WITCH HUNTER ROBIN anime series, which premiered in Japan in 2002, was the story Sena Robin, a 16 year-old girl who joins of a mysterious government organization called STNJ. Over the course of 26 episodes, Sena must come to terms wither job, which is to help hunt down and eliminate anyone with a genetic predisposition for magical talents. Source: AnimeNation MIRAMAX ALTERS AVALON FOR US RELEASE The Appeal to Miramax website has announced that Miramax's DVD release of the 2001 scifi film AVALON features inaccurate subtitles. Director Mamoru Oshii (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILLERS) shot AVALON in Poland with a Polish-speaking cast. For the US release, the studio brought in Neil Gaiman (PRINCESS MONONOKE, the DC comic book series SANDMAN) to write "additional dialogue" for a new English audio track. While the US DVD does include the original Polish language audio, the subtitles are actually "dubtitles" based on the heavily re-written English dub. Dubtitles are generally tolerated by fans as long as the dubbing sticks fairly close to the original language version. For AVALON, the English dub changes the dialogue and even adds new lines, including a BLADE RUNNER-style narration that explains matters intentionally left vague by Oshii, that were not present in the original release. As a result, subtitles appear onscreen in the Polish version even when there is no dialogue being spoken. Anyone interested in seeing AVALON with accurate subtitles should look for the R2 Japanese DVD of the film. Source: AnimeNation, Jagged Team LIVE-ACTION EVANGELION DESIGNS RELEASED Ain't It Cool News has posted 27 production designs for the live-action NEON GENESIS EVANGELION movie. EVANGELION is a collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax Network Systems, one of the original production studios responsible for the series, and Weta Workshop, Ltd., the New Zealand-based special fx studio that worked on Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. The designs on AICN came from ADV Films' DVD of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION DIRECTOR'S CUT: RESURRECTION, which was released on January 13th. The disc contains a 25-minute interview with Weta's Richard Taylor and Ben Wooten in which the two discussed their ideas for the upcoming film. COMPUTER GENERATED APPLESEED Director Shinji Aramaki (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS) and creative director Fumihiko Sori (PING PONG) are bringing Masamune Shirow's (GHOST IN THE SHELL) popular manga and anime to the screen again, this time as a completely three-dimensional, computer animated feature film. The film takes place in the year 2135. The world has been brought to the brink of destruction by war, and a city called Olympus has been built to act as a blueprint for mankind's future. But when a woman named Deunan comes to this "utopia" she learns that all is not as it seems. APPLESEED will be released to Japanese theaters on April 17th, 2004. Additional info and a theatrical trailer are now available on the official site. POWER RANGERS KEEP ON GO-GOING The ever-popular Power Rangers are back for their twelfth season with POWER RANGERS DINO THUNDER . The new series is Disney's Americanized version of Toei's 27th Super Sentai Series, RAGING DINOSAUR TASK FORCE: ABARANGER (Bakuryu Sentai Abarenja), which started in Japan on February 16, 2003. American fan favorite actor Jason David Frank returns as his MIGHTY MORPHIN' POWER RANGERS character Tommy Oliver, who is now a high school teacher. When the evil paleontologist Dr. Anton Mercer unleashes his Dino Zords, Tommy recruits three students (a rebellious basketball star, a beautiful loner musician, and a laid-back champion gamer) to become the new Power Rangers and save the world. POWER RANGERS DINO THUNDER will premiere on Disney's ABC Family cable channel on Saturday, February 14th 2004 at 8:30 am. The first episode will also be repeated February 21st on ABC as part of their ABC Kids Saturday morning programming block. For additional details on the series, visit Bandai's website. Video promos for DINO THUNDER and several other Power Rangers shows are available on the fan site The Power Rangers Information Archive. BIG MONSTERS ON THE SMALL SCREEN The Starz Super Pak of cable channels are playing GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH, GODZILLA AND MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH, and GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH throughout January and February. The complete schedule is available on the Starz website. YONGARY: MONSTER FROM THE DEEP is also playing this month on Starz, while THE X FROM OUTER SPACE is on Showtime Beyond. The SciFi Channel will be showing Toho's 1993 release GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II at 3:00 am on February 21, 2004. GHOST IN THE SHELL 2 TRAILER ONLINE The theatrical trailer for INNOCENCE is now available on the official site. GHOST IN THE SHELL director Mamoru Oshii has returned to both write and direct the highly-anticipated sequel, which is based on a story by GHOST creator Masamune Shirow. Source: AnimeNation EVENTS AND SCREENINGS The Japan Information Center (JIC) and the Japan America Society of Chicago are hosting a free lecture by acclaimed anime director Rintaro (METROPOLIS) at the JIC auditorium, located on the 10th floor of the Olympia Center building at 737 N. Michigan Ave, at 6pm on Wednesday, February 4th. The lecture will be followed by a reception. The lecture will focus on anime's emergence in Japan and its export to the West. Considered one of the founding fathers of anime, Rintaro made his debut in 1963 on ASTRO BOY, the first animated television series created in Japan. In the following four decades he has been involved with such international hits as CAPTAIN HARLOCK, GALAXY EXPRESS 999, DAGGER OF KAMUI, and METROPOLIS. For further details visit the JIC website, call 312-280-0430 or email jicchicago@webkddi.com. GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL (Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro)- A 35mm print of director Hajime Sato's 1968 Shochiku scifi/horror classic will be shown in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, February 7th at 7:00 pm. GreenCine is hosting the screening, which will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts located at 701 Mission Street in SF. Admission is $7.00 RETURNER (Ritaana)- Landmark's Magnolia Theatre in Dallas, TX will being playing the hit 2002 release as part of the Anime Pop Festival, February 6-8, 2004. Please visit the Asian Film Festival of Dallas website for details. Source: MG Keller Several Japanese genre pictures will be shown at the 6th San Francisco Independent Film Festival, which is running in several Bay Area theaters from February 5-15, 2004. The list of titles include: 9 SOULS (2003) - Director Toshiaki Toyoda's (PORNOSTAR, BLUE SPRING)fourth film combines the prison break and and the comedic road trip genres. The cast includes features Ryuhei Matsuda (TABOO), Genta Dairaku (GOJOE), and Kee (ICHI THE KILLER). GOZU (2003) - What is Gozu? The answer lies in Takashi Miike's bizarre yakuza horror comedy. In 2003, directors Ryuhei Kitamura (VERSUS, AZUMI) and Yukihiko Tsutsumi (BLACK JACK) entered into a friendly competition to see who could make the best movie based on the idea of "two characters fighting to the death in a single location". The resulting films in the `DUEL PROJECT' are Kitamura's ARAGAMI and Tsutumi's 2LDK, both of which will be show throughout the festival (including a back-to-back screening on Sunday, February 8th). Toshiaki Toyoda, Ryuhei Kitamura, and Yukihiko Tsutsumi are all scheduled to attend the festival. For full details, theaters, and showtimes see the IndieFest schedule. GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO READ In an article on ICv2 News, ADV Films announced that the company has acquired the rights to more than 1000 volumes of Japanese manga and Korean manwha. ADV intends to release both anime and manga versions of the same titles simultaneously in the US. Source: AnimeNation Del Rey, a division of Random House, will be launching a new line of English-translated manga titles in May. The first wave of titles will be Ken Nakamatsu's NEGIMA, the popular GUNDAM SEED, and two Clamp series; xxxHOLIC and TSUBASA. Each volume will be 208 pages long and retail for $10.95. Future volumes of each series will be released in 2004. For more details visit Del Rey's manga website. Source: Anime News Network GIANT ROBOT #31 includes a brief interview with Shinsuke Sato in which the director discusses his films THE PRINCESS BLADE and COSMIC RESCUE. The issue sells for $4.95. THE RING VOLUME 2 - A trade paperback of writer Hiroshi Takashi and artist Meimu's manga is coming from Dark Horse Comics on May 12, 2004. Adapted from Hideo Nakata's 1999 horror film RING 2, the manga follows Mai Takano's quest to put and end to Sadako's curse. The black and white, 192 page collection will sell for $13.95. For more details go to Dark Horse's product page. STARLOG #320- The February issue features an extensive RETURNER article by Norman England and an interview with KILL BILL star Uma Thurman. The full-color issue sells for $7.99. ULTRAMAN TIGA- Dark Horse Comics continues their English adaptation of the 10-part Tony Wong/Khoo Fuk Lung series from Hong Kong. Tiga and GUTS battle the classic Ultraman villains the Baltans in issue #6, available on January 28. Issue #7 follows on February 25, #8 on March 31, and the villainous Kilieroid (aka Kilalien) returns in issue #9 on April 28. Each issue contains 40 full color pages for $3.99 VIDEO WATCHDOG #103 features a lengthy article on the late director Nobuo Nakagawa. Nakagawa created some of Japan's most famous ghost films such as BLACK CAT MANSION (Borei Kaibyo Yashiki, 1958), GHOST OF YATSUYA (Tokaido Yatsuya Kaidan, 1959), and HELL (Jigoku, 1960). The issue also includes a review of the amazing KILL BILL VOL 1 soundtrack. The full color issue sells for $7.95 VIDEO WATCHDOG #104- The next issue will include reviews of Daiei's YOKAI MONSTERS trilogy; 100 MONSTERS, SPOOK WARFARE, and ALONG WITH GHOSTS, which were released on R1 DVD last year by ADV Films. Look for it on newsstands on February 2nd. DVD NEWS- REGION 1 Many years ago, MGM acquired the old American International Pictures film library. AIP's collection included a number of Japanese fantasy movies such as Toho's ATRAGON and THE LOST WORLD OF SINBAD, Gamera's third adventure RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS, Shochiku's THE X FROM OUTER SPACE, and even the Korean flick YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP. Now the website DVD Drive-In has posted a helpful suggestion on how to let MGM know you want to see these movies released on DVD: "Click here and select "MGM DVD" from the drop down box, from there type in your email address and type in your requests for future Midnite Movies on DVD." so get to work, people! ATTACK FROM SPACE- In the mid-1960s, Walter Manley Enterprises syndicated four movies culled from the 1957-1959 Shintoho series SUPERGIANT (Supajiantsu) to US television under the name `Starman'. On March 23rd, 2004, the budget "public domain" label Alpha Video will release the third Starman film ATTACK FROM SPACE on DVD with a SRP of $6.98. All four Starman movies are already available on two volumes from Something Weird Video that come with a nice selection of extras, including an extensive `history of Starman' text piece by H!O's own August Ragone. Given the generally poor quality of Alpha's source materials, anyone interested in seeing these films should considering purchasing the SWV DVDs instead. GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira X Mekagojira)- Sony has issued a promotional flier providing further details on the upcoming DVD release of Toho's 2002 entry. As was the case with Sony's GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK, the movie will be presented uncut, in widescreen with both an English dub and the original Japanese version with English subtitles. Initial reports also claim that the DVD will include trailers for multiple Godzilla movies. GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA will be released on March 23rd, 2004 at a SRP of $24.95. For more information see the report on H!O. Special thanks to Monster Zero IRIA: ZEIRAM THE ANIMATION COLLECTOR'S TIN - Coming from Media Blasters on March 30th, 2004 is this digitally remastered three-disc collection of the 1994 anime series. Acting as a prequel to Keita Amemiya's 1991 live-action film ZEIRAM, the anime details the alien bio-weapon's first encounter with the young bounty hunter Iria and her brother Gren. All six episodes are presented in both English and 5.1 Japanese (with English subtitles), while extras include character sketches, concept art, and interviews with Amemiya and character designer Masakazu Katsura -- all of which is packaged in a tin collector's case. The SRP for the 168 minute-long collection is $39.95. Visit Media Blasters' websitefor further details. ONIBABA - Criterion will release Kaneto Shindo's 1964 classic on March 9th, 2004 at a SRP of $29.95. Set during Japan's feudal period, ONIBABA (The Ogre Hag, also known in the US as "The Hole") tells the story of an old woman and her daughter-in-law who lure samurai to their deaths in a pit laden with wooden spikes, then steal anything of value from the corpses. But the women get more than they bargained for when one of them recovers a demonic mask from a fallen samurai. Criterion's DVD will feature a brand-new high definition, anamorphic transfer of the widescreen, black-and-white film. The original Japanese audio is presented in Dolby Digital 1.0 mono with improved English subtitles. Extras include the theatrical trailer, a new interview with writer/director Kaneto Shindo, rare behind-the-scenes footage from actor Kei Sato, production sketches, promotional art, and a translation of the Buddhist fable that was the inspiration for ONIBABA. YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP (Taekoesu Yongkari)- Alpha Video continues their recent wave of Asian scifi DVDs with the 1967 Korean monster movie from Kuk Dong Film Company, Ltd. YONGARY was initially syndicated to television in the US by American International Pictures. When AIP-TV went out of business, their film library was sold to Orion Pictures who, in turn, were bought by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Alpha's announced plans to release YONGARY on March 23, 2003 is curious, given that MGM has stated that they still own the US rights to the film. MGM's remastered version of YONGARY is playing this month on the Starz cable channel. Alpha's DVD has a SRP of $6.98. ZATOICHI - Through the efforts of Home Vision Entertainment, AnimEigo and Media Blasters all but one of the 26 Shintaro Katsu ZATOICHI films will be issued on DVD by the end of 2004! This is good news for Japanese film fans since the previous releases were spotty at best, with worn and tired prints that were not fully letterboxed. The upcoming releases include Media Blasters' release of the elusive 26th movie. AnimEigo steps up its own DVD releases of the remaining five of the Toho-owned/produced ZATOICHI titles, with the first already stated as "in release," while HVE will wrap up its duties on the original Daiei-produced versions with six more titles. The remaining titles from Home Vision Entertainment are: #12: ZATOICHI AND THE CHESS EXPERT (1965), #13: ZATOICHI'S VENGENCE (1966) and #15: ZATOICHI'S CANE SWORD (1967), all to be issued on May 18th, while #17: ZATOICHI CHALLENGED (1967), #18: ZATOICHI AND THE FUGITIVES (1968) and #19: ZATOICHI THE SAMARITAN (1968) will be released in the Fall of 2004. The rights to #14: ZATOICHI'S PILGRIMAGE (1966) are unknown, although the film has been issued on DVD in Japan. All of HVE's ZATOICHI titles SRP at $19.95 each. Katsu's final appearance as the amazing blind swordsman was in his self-directed ZATOICHI, produced for Shochiku Studios in 1989. The movie will finally see the light of laser in this country as SHINTARO KATSU'S ZATOICHI on 2/24/04. The Media Blasters DVD will be 16:9 widescreen, in the original Japanese language with English subtitles. Extras include an art gallery and liner notes by INSIDE KUNG FU columnist Ric Meyers. The SRP is $19.95 A trailer for the movie is available at TotalClips.com Source: Digital Bits, various REGION 2- ENGLAND GAMERA: ATTACK OF LEGION (Gamera 2: Region Shurai) - ADV Films UK will release the second film in the acclaimed trilogy on January 19th, 2004. The DVD will be in widescreen and packed with extra features (presumably the same as those on the 2003 US release). ADV UK has also announced that the final Gamera movie, GAMERA: REVENGE OF IRIS, will be available in the near future. See the ADV Films UK website for more info. Special thanks to James Ballard. GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL - The 1968 Shochiku scifi/horror classic was initially awarded an `X' certificate and had to be edited for its 1969 theatrical release in Britain. Now the uncut film is available on DVD from Artsmagic, Ltd, presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen and in Japanese with English subtitles. Extra features include cast/crew bios and filmographies, trailers, and an artwork show reel. GOKE was released on December 27th, 2003. See Artsmagic's website for additional details. ST JOHN'S WORT (Otogiriso)- Another Artsmagic release is this widescreen DVD of the 2001 Japanese horror film. Directed by Shimoyama Matsuo, the movie tells the story of a video game artist who has recurring dreams of an old mansion. When she inherits an abandoned house that resembles her dreams, the artist begins to experience visions that may be from her own, forgotten childhood. The DVD is in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, in the original Japanese with English subtitles, and comes with cast and crew bios, filmographies, and an artwork show reel. More details are available on the Artsmagic website. ST JOHN'S WORT will go on sale in Britain on January 31st, 2004. REGION 2- JAPAN BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL (also known as "Battlefield Stadiuml")- Yudai Yamaguchi (assistant director and co-writer of VERSUS and ALIVE) directed this hybrid of the baseball, horror, action, and comedy genres think SHAOLIN SOCCER crossed with BATTLE ROYALE. Based on Man-Gatarou's manga "Hell Baseball Stadium" (Jigoku Koushien), the movie tells the story of a high school baseball team that must play in a tournament against a team that is so brutal none of their opponents have survived to the 9th inning. A trailer for the film is on the official site. BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL will be available in two versions. The Regular Edition presents the film in 16:9 widescreen, in Japanese with English subtitles for 3800 Yen. The "Super Tornado Box" Special Edition is a 2-disc set packaged in a box with Man-Gatarou artwork for 7800 Yen. Extras includes an audio commentary with the director and cast, an isolated music track, a featurette, trailers and TV spots, a "making of" documentary, a new short film, deleted scenes, outtakes, footage from the Yubari Film Festival. In addition, one of two possible collectibles (including a Kubrick figure) will be randomly included. Both versions will be released on February 26, 2004. COSMIC RESCUE: THE MOONLIGHT GENERATIONS (2003)- This outer space adventure from director Shinsuke Sato (THE PRINCESS BLADE) stars Go Morita, Ken Miyake, and Junichi Okada. The three are the "Coming Century "members of the popular J-Pop group V6. COSMIC RESCUE is being released in both standard and limited edition DVDs by J Storm on March 24, 2004. While both versions will include English subtitles, the limited edition also comes with a "making of" documentary, trailers and TV spots, the "Coming Century Interview", a keychain, a sticker, and a deluxe booklet. DRAGON HEAD (Doragon Heddo)- This 2003 big-budget film was based on the post-apocalyptic manga by Minetaro Mochizuki. Special features include trailers and TV spots, cast and crew bios, and a diary of the filming in Uzbekistan. DRAGONHEAD goes on sale February 27, 2004 at a SRP of 5800 Yen. The trailer can be seen on the official site. ONMYOJI II- The sequel to the 2001 hit will be released in a 2-disc set on April 28, 2004. The movie is presented in 16:9 widescreen, in Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include a "making of" featurette, interviews, footage for the theatrical premiere, trailers and TV spots, production sketches by Yoshitaka Amano, a textless end sequence, and a deleted scene. SRP is 6000 Yen. The trailer is available at the Official Website. News for the week of 01/02/2004 GMMG UPDATE Yahoo Movies has posted a new trailer for GODZILLA X MOTHRA X MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO SOS. It is the same as the Mothra-themed trailer currently available on Toho's website with one key exception; there is an additional shot that gives away a major plot point to the film. Anyone trying to avoid spoilers should not watch this trailer. In related news, GMMG premiered at 3rd place in the Japanese box office behind two US films; the Disney/Pixar hit FINDING NEMO and Tom Cruise's THE LAST SAMURAI. GMMG took in $1,686,009 from 298 theaters for an average of $5,658 per screen. Source: Box Office Mojo GODZILLA 54 TRAILER HITS US THEATERS Rialto Pictures has begun showing a 50th Anniversary theatrical preview for GODZILLA (1954), English subtitled prints of the original, uncut Japanese version will be playing at Landmark Theaters in early 2004. The trailer is showing with Rialto's release of the French horror film EYES WITHOUT A FACE. See the Rialto website for a list of cities where EYES is now showing. "DUEL PROJECT" LICENSED FOR AMERICAN RELEASE TLA Video, the American distributor of Sion Sono's disturbing film SUICIDE CIRCLE (see the EF Report for 11/05/03), has confirmed its acquisition of American distribution rights to Yukihiko Tsusumi's recent film 2LDK (the title "2LDK" is the Japanese abbreviation for an apartment with two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, and kitchen.). 2LDK is a violent satire about an argument between two female roommates that progressively escalates into a bloody battle with samurai swords and chainsaws. The film was made as part of the "Duel Project", a friendly competition between directors Yukihiko Tsusumi and Ryuhei Kitamura to make a short film about a duel between two characters set in a single location. TLA Video also confirmed that Ryuhei Kitamura's half of the Duel Films Project, the supernatural samurai swordplay action film ARAGAMI, has already been licensed for American release by a so far undisclosed distributor. Source: Fangoria Magazine SONY AND GELLAR HAVE A GRUDGE Sony subsidiary Columbia Pictures will handle theatrical theatrical distribution of THE GRUDGE, the US remake of the Japanese horror hit JU-ON. Original JU-ON writer/director Takashi Shimizu and producer Takashi Ichise will be returning to make the US version from a script adapted by Stephen Susco. Sam Raimi (EVIL DEAD, SPIDER-MAN) and Rob Tappert (EVIL DEAD, XENA) will be producing the film for Raimi's production company Ghost House Pictures, with Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane of Senator International acting as executive producers. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER actress Sara Michelle Gellar has signed on to star in the film, which deals with a supernatural curse born of resentment that spreads like a disease. Shooting will start in January at Toho Studios in Japan. For more information on the remake see the EF Report for 4/24/03. Source: Cinescape, Hollywood Reporter THE LIFE AND DEATH OF NICK ADAMS Crime Magazine has published an interesting biography of the late actor Nick Adams, the American star of Toho's classic FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERED THE WORLD and MONSTER ZERO. The article covers Adam's film career and mysterious death, and includes quotes from writers Steve Ryfle and Stuart Galbraith and popular actress Kumi Mizuno. Special thanks to Steve Ryfle. STUFF TO READ FANGORIA #223 - The current issue has two in-depth articles from Norman England; DARK WATER and an `on the set' report on BATTLE ROYALE II. ULTRAMAN TIGA - Dark Horse Comics is publishing a trade paperback collection containing issues 1-4 of the new series. ULTRAMAN TIGA VOL 1 will run 128 pages for $15.95 and goes on sale in March 2004. VIDEO WATCHDOG #102 - This issue contains a detailed review of the Region 3 GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA DVD from the Hong Kong label Universe Laser. DVD NEWS REGION 1 Let the rumors cease! Contrary to recent reports on some kaiju fan sites, the upcoming Sony DVDs of GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK do include the original Japanese audio tracks with English subtitles. The first reviews are now online at Amazon.com and DVD review. In response to email queries, Classic Media Home Video producer Steve Vincent has confirmed that the company is considering releasing more Toho DVDs in 2004. Classic Media took over the US rights to several Toho films when they acquired the UPA library a few years ago. The list of titles includes MONSTER ZERO (aka GODZILLA VS MONSTER ZERO), FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, EVIL OF DRACULA, LAKE OF DRACULA, ESPY, LAST DAYS OF PLANET EARTH (aka CATASTROPHE: 1999), and HIGH-SEAS HIJACK (aka TOKYO CONFLAGRATION). While UPA released most of these films in the pan and scan format on television, Vincent stated "We hope to create new high-definition masters in the original widescreen format, however, it will depend on what is available in our UPA library vs. what Toho has/or will give...." Special Thanks to Joseph Goodman and `Baradagi' on the Monster Zero Message Boards. RETURNER - Sony's Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release the scifi action movie on DVD February 10, 2004. The film will be presented in 1:85 widescreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 Japanese (with English subtitles) and English audio tracks. Bonus features include several featurettes on Action Coordination, Art Direction, Production Diary, and Visual Effects. REGION 2 MASKED RIDER 555 (Kamen Raida Faizu)- Vol 4, containing episodes 13 -16 goes on sale January 21st, 2004 and vol 5 (episodes 17-20) follows one month later The first pressings come with 3 trading cards. Each volume sells for 5800 Yen. Toei Video. MASKED RIDER 555: PARADISE LOST - The 2003 theatrical feature will be available on January 21st, 2004. Extras include theatrical trailers and TV spots. The first pressing comes with 3 trading cards. The 16:9 anamorphic widescreen film runs 81 minutes. SRP is 5200 Yen. Toei Video. MASKED RIDER STRONGER- Vol 4 of the 1975 series contains episodes 34- 39, an art gallery, TV commercials, and an eight page booklet. The first pressing comes with a box to house the complete series. The SRP is 6000 Yen. Toei Video. RESCUE TASK FORCE: GO GO FIVE (Kyukyusentai Go Go Fuaibu)- The DVD release of the 1999-2000 Sentai Super Series concludes on January 21st, 2004. Vols 7 (episodes 33-38), 8 (episodes 39-44), and 9 (episodes 45-50) each retail for 5800 Yen and comes packaged with a four-page booklet. Toei Video. WECKER D-02 REVOLUTIONS EA 65-minute special on the television series about a band of female timecops, featuring an unused ending, outtakes, stickers, and more. SRP is 3800 Yen. For more details on the show, see the 7/02/02 article here on H!O and the official WECKER website. Looking for older Eastern Front news items? Click here! News for the week of 12/09/2003 NEW GMMG TRAILERS AND VIDEOS ONLINE The latest trailers for GODZILLA X MOTHRA X MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO SOS are now available at the official Toho website. Each new preview focuses on one of the monsters, specifically Godzilla and the adult Mothra. A music video featuring the Shobijin performing a pop version of the "Mothra Theme" can be found here. MORE GMK ON THE BIG SCREEN After multiple screenings in the west, fans in other parts of the US will finally have an opportunity to see Shusuke Kaneko's acclaimed GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK in theaters. The subtitled print will be playing at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA from December 25th to 30th and on January 1st, while the dubbed version will be shown at the Times Cinema in Milwaukee, WI from December 26th to January 1st. For information on how to see GMK (and other Japanese fantasy films) in your area, see the September 8th report on Henshin!Online. TAKE A PEEK AT CUTIE HONEY The official website cutiehoney.com for the upcoming live-action CUTIE HONEY movie has been updated with a photo gallery of the film's major characters (including a bizarre rogues' gallery) and the first theatrical trailer in a variety of sizes and formats. Source: Jagged Team BLACK & WHITE IN LIVING COLOR ZEBRAMAN (Zeburaman), the 100th (!) motion picture from director Takashi Miike, stars Shinichi Ichikawa as a troubled elementary school teacher. Things are going badly at work, his wife is having an affair, his kids keep getting in trouble, and he is obsessed with "Zebraman", the hero of his favorite childhood TV show. When aliens invade earth, Ichikawa decides To fight back in his homemade Zebraman costume. Tentative plans call for a professional wrestler named Zebraman to debut close to the film's February 14, 2004 release date. ZEBRAMAN sports the tagline "[I'll make] Black and White [clear]". For more information, visit the official website. SPEED FOR SPEED RACER The classic 1967 anime series SPEED RACER (Maha Go Go Go) has returned to American television. The Speed Channel, a cable station devoted to cars and racing, began broadcasting the show on November 18th. SPEED RACER currently runs seven days a week, with a 2-hour block of episodes every Friday night. Source: Anime Axess MONKEY PUNCH INTERVIEW ONLINE Anime News Network has published an exclusive interview with Monkey Punch (aka Kazuhiko Kato), creator of the popular manga series LUPIN III. Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo MIRAMAX BASHED BY ASIAN FILM FANS AsianWeek has published an article criticizing Miramax's poor handling of Asian films in the US. In recent years, the Disney subsidiary has bought hit Asian films (including SHAOLIN SOCCER and Zhang Yimou's Oscar-nominated HERO) and then repeatedly over-edited or delayed their release in this country. With the recent acquisition of "Beat" Takeshi's ZATOICHI, fans hope that articles and petitions will convince Miramax to handle these films with the respect they deserve. Source: Kung Fu Cinema NEW GHOST IN THE SHELL IMAGES ONLINE Animation studio Production IG has released five pages of screenshots from the upcoming film INNOCENCE: GHOST IN THE SHELL (Innocence: Kokaku Kidotai). GHOST IN THE SHELL director Mamoru Oshii has returned to write and direct the follow up to the 1995 hit. Toho will theatrically distribute INNOCENCE in Spring 2004. Source: Jagged Team GIGANTOR RETURNS TO TV AND COMICS Nikkan Sports News has reported that a new TETSUJIN 28-GO (Ironman No.28, aka Gigantor) anime series will debut on TV Tokyo in early 2004. The rumored director for This fourth Tetsujin series is Yasuhiro Imagawa, who handled similar duties on the lauded 1990 OVA series GIANT ROBO. In addition, the manga IRON MAN NO. 28: THE EMPEROR'S CREST (Tetsujin 28-Go: Koutei-no Monshou) will be serialized in Kodansha Publishing's MAGAZINE Z beginning with the February 2004 issue (on sale December 26, 2003). Yuuichi Hasegawa is creating the series, based on an original story by Misuteru Yokoyama. Both series will hopefully get audiences looking forward to the Toho- distributed live-action TETSUJIN-28 film, scheduled for release in 2004. Additional information is available on the official site and in an October 5th report on Henshin! Online. Source: Sponichi Annex, Moon Phase ELECTRIC DRAGON STRIKES AMERICA Unearthed Films recently announced it has acquired the North American translation and distribution rights to the 2001 "high voltage, rock and roll" art film ELECTRIC DRAGON 80,000 VOLTS. Written and directed by Sogo Ishii (GOJOE, CRAZY THUNDER ROAD), the movie reunites GOJOE stars Tadanobu Asano (ICHI THE KILLER, ZATOICHI) and Masatoshi Nagase (PISTOL OPERA, SUICIDE CLUB). Source: Kung-Fu Cult Cinema MASKED RIDER RETURNS TO HAWAIIAN TV According to an announcement on JN Productions' KIKAIDA BROTHERS: LIVE! 2003 video, the classic series MASKED RIDER V3 (Kamen Raida V3) will air on KIKU-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii starting in the Fall of 2004. Masked Rider's return was inspired by the great success of the recent rebroadcasts of the 1970s Toei series KIKAIDA (1972) and KIKAIDA-01 (1973). INTERSTELLA 5555 GOES WORLDWIDE INTERSTELLA 5555: THE 5TORY OF THE 5ECRET 5TAR 5YSTEM, the music video collaboration between French electronic dance musicians Daft Punk and Leiji Matsumoto (SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, CAPTAIN HARLOCK) was released in several international markets in the past few weeks. The French release went on sale November 28th, followed by the British disc on December 1st. The video became available in Japan and North America on December 2nd. For more information on INTERSTELLA 5555, see the EF Report for September 17, 2003. Source: Anime News Network, AICN DEAD LEAVES TRAILER ONLINE The official website for DEAD LEAVES includes a trailer for the new animated feature coming in January 2004 from Production IG. It can be accessed by clicking on "Enter the site"; a window with nine options will pop up, select the center box on the bottom row for the trailer. DEAD LEAVES has been licensed by Manga Entertainment for distribution in the US. Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo GODZILLA AND FRIENDS ON SCIFI IN 2004 The SciFi Channel kicks off Godzilla's 50th anniversary year with the broadcast of twelve kaiju movies in January. Up first is REBIRTH OF MOTHRA at 1:00 AM and REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2 at 3:00 AM on January 3rd. On the 10th a letterboxed print of GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE will be shown at 3:00 AM, while the 11th sees REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 3 at 9:00 AM, followed by 1974's GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA (LBX) at 11:00 AM and the SciFi premiere of 1993's GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II at 1:00 PM. A Godzilla movie marathon is scheduled for January 19th that includes GODZILLA VS HEDORAH (LBX) at 8:00 AM, GODZILLA VS GIGAN (LBX) at 10:00 AM, GODZILLA VS MEGALON (LBX) at 12:00 PM, and the two newest US releases, GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS at 2:00 PM and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK at 4:00 PM. And last but not least, Toho's classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS will be shown at 3:00 AM on the 24th. EVENTS The Japan Society NYC in east midtown Manhattan (333 East 47th Street, 212-752-3015) is screening several Japanese horror films from December, 2003 to February, 2004. The event began on December 1st with Kenji Mizoguchi's 1953 classic UGETSU (Ugetsu Monogatari). Upcoming screenings will be: Monday, December 15th at 6:30 pm: YOTSUYA GHOST STORY Parts I and II (Shinshaku Yotsuya Kaidan; 1949, 85 & 73 min. b/w, 16mm. Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. Written by Eijiro Hisaita, based on the kabuki play by Namboku Tsuruya. Cinematography by Hiroyuki Kusuda. With Kinuyo Tanaka, Ken Uehara, Haruko Sugimura, Osamu Takizawa, Choko Iida. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Janus Films/Cowboy Pictures. Keisuke Kinoshita's new interpretation of a classic ghost story takes an analytical look at what drives a ronin (masterless samurai) to murder his loving wife for a chance at marrying a wealthy woman, considering socio-economic elements as well as the weakness of human nature, Shochiku Studio's top stars Kinuyo Tanaka and Ken Uehara are joined by theater veterans Haruko Sugimura and Osamu Takizawa in this acting tour de force. Friday, December 19th at 6:30 pm: KWAIDAN (Kaidan; 1964, 167 min., color, 35mm. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi. Written by Yoko Mizuki, based on stories by Yakumo Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn). Cinematography by Yoshio Miyajima. Music by Toru Takemitsu. "Black Hair" (Kurokami) with Michiyo Aratama, Misako Watanabe and Rentaro Mikuni; "The Woman of the Snow" (Yuki-onna) with Tatsuya Nakadai and Keiko Kishi; "Hoichi, the Earless" (Miminashi Hoichi-no Hanashi) with Katsuo Nakamura, Tetsuro Tamba and Takashi Shimura; and "In a Cup of Tea" (Chawan-no-naka) with Kan'emon Nakamura, Haruko Sugimura, Ganjiro Nakamura. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Janus Films, Cowboy Pictures and Toho. A compilation of four episodes from Yakumo Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn)'s ghost stories, directed by Masaki Kobayashi. In "Black Hair", a poor samurai divorces his loving wife to marry for position. He realizes his foolishness and returns to her, only to discover that he has slept with her corpse. In "The Woman of the Snow", a lowly woodcutter is sworn to secrecy after seeing a friend killed by a strange woman's cold breath. Years later he breaks his promise and loses his wife. "Hoichi, the Earless" is the tale of a blind biwa player who discovers he has been singing to the spirits. Buddhist priests paint his body with holy texts to protect him from ghosts, but neglect to paint his ears. In "In a Cup of Tea", a samurai sees another man's face in his tea cup, then drinks the tea. The next night he meets the man's spirit. Thursday, January 15th at 6:30 pm THE DEVIL'S BALL (Akuma-no Temariuta; 1977, 144 min., color, 35mm). Directed by Kon Ichikawa. Written by Christei (pen name of Kon Ichikawa and Natto Wada, taken from Agatha Christy), based on the story by Masashi Yokomizo. Cinematography by Kiyoshi Hasegawa. Music by Kunihiko Murai. With Koji Ishizaka, Keiko Kishi, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Takeshi Kato, Akiko Nishina, Eiko Nagashima, Misako Watanabe. Print from Toho. Director Kon Ichikawa drew from Masashi Yokomizo's popular books featuring humorous private eye Kosuke Kindaichi to create a series endowed with his elaborate visual style and an all-star cast. In THE DEVIL'S BALL, the second in the cycle, Kindaichi faces a series of brutal murders taking place in a mysterious mountain village that has been forgotten by civilization. There, as the rule of mysteries says, there are always beautiful women behind the scene. Tuesday, January 20th at 6:30 pm JIGOKU (Sinners of Hell; 1960, 100 min., color, 35mm). Directed by Nobuo Nakagawa. Written by Nobuo Nakagawa and Ichiro Miyagawa. Cinematography by Mamoru Morita. Music by Chumei Watanabe. With Shigeru Amachi, Yoichi Numata, Torahiko Nakamura, Utako Mitsuya. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Kokusai Hoei. U.S. premiere. A man is manipulated by his devilish friend to accidentally kill three people. The parents of a victim take their revenge and all of them end up in hell. Nobuo Nakagawa depicts hell according to the Japanese traditional narrative and visual arts, and dramatizes the destinies of the sinful souls and their salvation in an eye-poppingly kitschy style. Friday, January 23rd 6:30 pm: Keiko I. McDonald, Professor of Cinema and Literature, the University of Pittsburgh, discusses how noh masks and theatrical aspects are exploited in ONIBABA. 7:30 pm: ONIBABA (1964, 103 min., b/w, 35mm). Directed and written by Kaneto Shindo. Cinematography by Kiyomi Kuroda. Music by Hikari Hayashi. With Nobuko Otowa, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Kei Sato, Taiji Tonoyama and Jukichi Uno. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Janus Films, Cowboy Pictures and Toho. In Kaneto Shinodo's intense psychological thriller set in Japan's civil war era, a mother and her daughter-in-law survive by killing soldiers and selling their armor. When a friend of the younger woman's husband turns up and begins an affair with her, this drives the older woman mad with jealousy. She puts on a demon's mask to scare them, but finds she cannot take the mask off of her face, since she has been taken by evil spirits. Friday, January 30th at 6:30 pm: THE VAMPIRE DOLL (Yurei Yashiki-no Kyofu: Chi-o Suu Ningyo; 1970, 93 min., color, 35mm). Directed by Michio Yamamoto. Written by Ei Ogawa and Hiroshi Nagano. Cinematography by Kazutami Hara. Music by Riichiro Manabe. With Kayo Matsuo, Akira Nakao, Atsuo Nakamura, Yoko Minamikaze. Print from Toho. New York premiere. Described as the Japanese Terrence Fisher, Michio Yamamoto is a cult director admired for his B-picture horror movies. In this first installment of the "Blood Thirsty" series, a young woman's spirit survives a car accident when her body dies, and she becomes a female vampire Looking for blood. Monday, February 9th at 6:30 pm: CREST OF BETRAYAL (Chushingura Gaiden Yotsuya Kaidan; 1994, 105 min., color, 35mm). Directed by Kinji Fukasaku. Written by Motomu Furuta and Kinji Fukasaku. With Koichi Sato, Saki Takaoka, Keiko Oginome, Renji Ishibashi, Eriko Watanabe, Keizo Kanie, Tsunehiko Watase, Masahiko Tsugawa. Print from Shochiku and with permission from Nihon Shot. New York premiere. Kinji Fukasaku's dynamic and entertaining period film combines the popular "Yotsuya Ghost Story" and "Chushingura" (47 Ronin), as was done in Namboku Tsuruya's original kabuki piece. Iemon, a ronin, finally gets a job with the Asano clans, however, his lord is soon victimized by castle politics and intrigues. Then, Iemon is forced to choose between his career and love. Friday, February 20th at 6:30 pm: LIVING KOHEIJI (Kaiidan: Ikiteiru Koheiji; 1982, 78 min., color, 16mm). Directed by Nobuo Nakagawa. Written by Nobuo Nakagawa, based on the story by Senzaburo Suzuki. Cinematography by Ikio Higuchi. With Fumihiko Fujima, Junko Miyashita and Shoji Ishibashi. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Toho. U.S. premiere. Japanese horror Film king Nobuo Nakagawa's last film concentrates on three characters and experiments with visual style. A young man falls in love with a married woman. Her angry husband kills the man but the victim haunts the couple until all three of them go to hell. Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30 & 8:45 pm (two separate screenings): GHOSTS AT SCHOOL (Gakko-no Kaidan; original TV episodes! Total running time approximately 102 minutes, color, video). Video courtesy of Kansai TV and Altamira Pictures. World premiere. This special four- part program is a compilation of the best works by Hideo Nakata, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Shinobu Yaguchi and Norio Tsuruta, from the TV's drama series GHOSTS AT SCHOOL (1994 - ), showcasing their remarkable talent in the horror genre. Kansai TV producer Takehiko Tanaka introduces the program. "Something is Haunting Me" (Nanika-ni Tsukarete-iru; 2001). Directed by Norio Tsuruta. Written by Ryuta Miyake. With Chizuru Ikewaki, Saori Nara, Aya Hirayama, Yoshiko Miyazaki. Two best friends at a junior high school take different paths, and the one who felt ignored by the other begins to attract evil spirits. "The Devil's Choices" (Akuma-no Sentaku; 1999). Directed and written by Shinobu Yaguchi. With Naoto Takenaka and Kirina Mano. A misfit school teacher experiences incredible bad luck and wishes to commit suicide, but is rescued by the devil's messenger. "The Strange Story of an Abandoned School" (Haiko Kidan; 1997). Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Written by Tomoyasu Okubo and Kiyoshi Kurosawa. With Takehito Osawa, Soko Kuruma, Taro Suwa, Bengal. A high school building is to be demolished and its students absorbed by a nearby school. During their last days at the old school, a series of mysterious Occurrences prey on both students and teachers. "Video of Spirits" (Rei Bideo; 1997). Directed by Hideo Nakata. Written by Chiaki Konaka. With Yuko Masuda, Reiko Matsuo, Erika Mabuchi, Rie Kihara. High school photography club members visit an abandoned house, shoot a video and see a fiendish spirit rising from the videotape. DVD NEWS REGION 1 ULTRAMAN TIGA- VOL 2: FUGITIVE FROM BEYOND (Episodes 14-26) goes on sale February 17, 2004, followed by VOL 3:GUTS HEADQUARTERS UNDER ATTACK (Episodes 27-39) on April 20th and VOL 4:INHERITANCE OF DARKNESS (Episodes 40-52) on June 29th. Each of these collections from 4Kids Entertainment and FUNimation presents the 1996 Tsuburaya series in its original Japanese language with English subtitles at a SRP of $29.95 per volume. ULTRAMAN TIGA VOL 1: PROPHECY OF EVIL is now available as both a single volume ($29.95) and as a Starter Set that comes with a collector's box and a large Ultraman T-shirt ($34.95). See the Henshin!Online homepage for furthur detials Sony Pictures Entertainment has changed the release dates for the upcoming DVDs of GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK. Both films will now go on sale on January 27, 2004. During the November 1-2 Anime Reactor Convention, representatives from Media Blasters announced that the company was considering licensing sentai series for distribution in the US, but were unsure if there was enough support for such a release. Fans interested in seeing Media Blasters import live- action shows along the lines of MASKED RIDER, SUPER STAR GOD GRANSEIZAR, and IRON ARMOR MIKAZUKI should show their support by signing the petition at PetitionOnline.com. AVALON - Buena Vista Entertainment has provided updated details for US DVD release of director Mamoru Oshii's (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILLERS) award winning live-action sci-fi film. There will be no English dub; the DVD will only use the original Polish language audio with optional English and French subtitles. Extras include a documentary on the film's visual effects and a subtitled interview with Oshii. AVALON goes on sale December 16th with a SRP of $29.99. The US release trailer can be accessed at the BE website. CURE (Kyua) - Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 1997 horror film will be released on DVD by Home Vision Entertainment on January 16, 2004. CURE will be presented in anamorphic widescreen and in Japanese with English subtitles. The DVD includes the theatrical trailer, a 20- minute interview with Kurosawa, and a filmography for the director. SRP is $29.95. KIKAIDA Volume 6 - The latest DVD offers Episodes 26-30 of the 1972- 73 superhero television series. Extras include the third part of an interview with lead actor Ban Daisuke, cast and crew profiles, DARK Destructoid Monster profiles with sound, and KIKU-TV promos. The disc can be bought at retail locations in Hawaii or ordered directly from the "Generation Kikaida" site. For a limited time, the website is offering a free Kikaida coloring book with the purchase of any DVD. SRP is $24.95. REGION 2 Kung Fu Cult Cinema has published the first English language review of the new AZUMI Region 2 DVD, released on Novemeber 21st. Director Ryuhei Kitamura's (VERSUS) live- action adaptation of the manga by Yu Koyama co-stars pop star Aya Ueto and former MASKED RIDER KUUGA lead Jo Odagiri. BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM - After the death of filmmaker Kinji Fukusaku, son Kenta picked up the directorial reins for the sequel to the controversial 2000 hit. Following the events of the previous film, Battle Royale survivors Shuya Nananhara (Tatsuya Fujiwara) and Noriko Nakagawa (Aki Maeda) have become members of Wild Seven, an anti-government terrorist group. In retaliation, the government sends the latest batch of BR recruits (exploding collars and all) in an all- out assault against them. The cast includes Ai Maeda (GAMERA 3), Shugo Oshinari, Ayana, Sakai and "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (ZATOICHI). BRII will be released on December 21st and retail for 4700 Yen from Toei Video. GATCHAMAN BEST COLLECTION 1-3 - Each volume contains three episodes specially selected from the 1972 anime series (released in the US as BATTLE OF THE PLANETS and G-FORCE). Extras include postcards and fliers. The first three collections go on sale December 17th and sell for 2800 Yen From Columbia Home Video. MASKED RIDER ZO (Kamen Raida ZO) - The 1993 theatrical feature from director Keita Amemiya (ZEIRAM, MIKAZUKI) will be available on December 21st. Extras include a "Making Of" documentary and KAMEN RIDER WORLD, a featurette starring Masked Riders J and ZO, and more. The first pressing comes in a collector's box illustrated by Amemiya. The 16:9 anamorphic widescreen film runs 47 minutes. SRP is 4800 Yen. Toei Video. MASKED RIDER J (Kamen Raida J) - Amemiya's 1994 film comes with a "Making Of" documentary, the background music soundtrack, teasers, trailers, and TV spots, production stills, and more. The 48-minute main feature is presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen. MASKED RIDER J goes on sale December 21st for 4800 Yen. Toei Video. OPERATION: MYSTERY! (Kaiki Daisakusen) - Coming from Panasonic/Beam Entertainment's "Digital Ultra Series" label is the DVD release of the 26 episode Tsuburaya Productions series from 1968. Both Volumes 1 (Episodes 1-5) and 2 (Episodes 6-9) go on sale on December 19th. Volume 3 follows On January 9, 2004, with remaining volumes being released one per month through April. Unfortunately, Episode 24 is still banned in Japan and will not be included in this DVD release. For additional details visit the official Tsuburaya homepage. POWER RANGERS: THE MOVIE - The 1995 US production is being released on Japanese DVD on December 19th. The 16:9 widescreen film will be dubbed in Japanese with English and Japanese subtitles. SRP is 1700 Yen. Toei Video. ULTRAMAN COSMOS VS ULTRAMAN JUSTICE: THE FINAL BATTLE - The third COSMOS theatrical film will be available on DVD in Japan on December 21st. The movie is in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen. Extras include the teaser and theatrical trailers, TV spots, cast interviews, and a booklet. SRP is 3800 Yen. Bandai/Emotion. ULTRAMAN THE MOVIE ULTIMATE DVD COLLECTION 3- The older Ultraman theatrical features have been released on DVD in a series of 2-disc boxed sets. This final volume includes 1984's THE ULTRAMAN STORY (Urutoraman Monogatari), THE RETURN OF ULTRAMAN Theatrical Featurette (Kaettekita Urutoraman), the newly-produced Akio Jissoji feature DREAM FACTORY: THE SECRETS OF ULTRAMAN (Yume no Kayoji Urutoraman-no Nazo), theatrical trailers, a 16-page booklet, and a figure of the monster Grand King. The set goes on sale December 10th for 9800 Yen. Columbia Home Video. CRADLE OF ULTRA (Urutora-no Yurikago) - A new DVD documentary on the making of ULTRA Q and ULTRAMAN will be released on December 19th. The disc features interviews with crew members from the two classic television series (including director Toshihiro Iijima, optical effects animator Minoru Nakano, art director Noriyoshi Ikeya, and Yozo Inagaki), re-creations, production material, promotional footage, featurettes, and details on how the special effects were created. The documentary comes packaged with a full color 96-page booklet in a deluxe hard case. SRP is 5700 Yen. ZATOICHI- Takeshi Kitano's award-winning update of the classic action film series goes on sale March 11th, 2004. The DVD features the movie in Japanese with English subtitles. SRP is $35.00 US. News for the week of 11/05/2003 GODZILLA INTRODUCES 2003 TOKYO FILM FESTIVAL A press conference for the 16th annual Tokyo International Film Festival was held on September 17. TIFF is the largest film festival in Asia and includes a feature film competition, special premiere screenings of upcoming releases, a spotlight on the best Asian filmmakers, and screenings of internationally renowned Japanese classics. The press conference ended with a "live appearance" by Godzilla. For the past several years, each new Godzilla film has had its first public screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the monster has become an unofficial mascot for the event. The most recent Godzilla movie, GODZILLA X MOTHRA X MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO SOS, premiered at the festival's Orchard Hall at noon on November 3rd. Festival producer Rekihiko Kadowkawa and several executives were on hand at the conference to announce details of this year's event, which started on November 1st and will continue through 9th . Opening ceremonies were held at Bunkamura in Shibuya and televised via broadband to the Roppongi Hills area. 14 films are in competition for the Tokyo Grand Prix, including Isao Yukisada's A DAY ON THE PLANET, Hiroshi Suguwara's FIREFLIES: RIVERS OF LIGHT, and Ryuichi Hiroki's VIBRATOR. Yumiko Shaku's supernatural fantasy film SKYHIGH played out of competition on November 2nd, and Nov 8th will be a special "Studio Ghibli Day" devoted to the acclaimed animation company. For further details on TIFF, visit the official site. In related news, Nikkansports.com has a page devoted to the movies playing at TIFF that includes a great new trailer for GMMG. PORCO ROSSO PREMIERES IN TEXAS, NAUSICAA UP NEXT Disney's new English-dubbed version of the 1992 Studio Ghibli film PORCO ROSSO (Kurenai-no Buta) was screened for the first time on October 14th at the Austin Film Festival in Austin TX. Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the movie tells the story of a former WWI Italian air force pilot who (literally) became a pig and now makes a living defending ships in the Adriatic Sea from air pirates. The US release was executive produced by Miyazaki's long-time friend John Lassetter (TOY STORY, SPIRITED AWAY) and directed by Tony Bancroft (MULAN). The English language screenplay was written by the husband-and-wife team of Cindy Davis Hewitt and Donald H. Hewitt, who had previously performed the same duty on SPIRITED AWAY. The English voice cast includes Michael Keaton (BATMAN, BEETLEJUICE) as Porco Rosso, Cary Elwes (THE PRINCESS BRIDE, THE CRUSH) as Donald Curtis, Kimberly Williams-Paisley (FATHER OF THE BRIDE) as Fio, and Susan Egan (Disney's HERCULES, SPIRITED AWAY) as Gina. The Disney DVD will be released in April 2004. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the Hewitts. The screenwriters told the audience that they are currently working on the English language version of NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, which will star Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, and (possibly) Natalie Portman. Portman is apparently pushing for a US theatrical release for NAUSICAA. Source: Nausicca.net DEATH BOOK BECOMES A MOVIE THE SUICIDE MANUAL (Jisatsu Manyuaru), the new film from Benten Entertainment, is based on the controversial bestseller by Wataru Tsuruma. Published in 1993, the book details 10 ways a person can die by their own hand. In 1998, it was linked to 74 suicides in a wooded area near Mt Fuji, which led to discussions that the Japanese government should have the book banned. Osamu Fukutani directed the film adaptation, which premiered on October 4th at the Cine La Sept Theater in Shibuya, Tokyo. This is the first commercial effort from the filmmaker whose previous movie, entitled RAISE LINE, was awarded the Grand-Prix at the 2002 Michinoku International Mystery Film Festival and the Semi Grand-Prix at the fifth Indie's Movie Festival. Fukutani uses his unique style of directing to describe a mysterious wave of group suicides in Japan. The cast includes the popular race queen and gravure model Chisato Morishita and the noted television and movie actor Kenji Mizubashi. For more information and the theatrical trailer visit the official movie site. Source: fjmovie.com I WILL HUG HIM AND SQUEEZE HIM AND CALL HIM 'GODZILLA' The US company Toy Vault has begun releasing a line of GODZILLA ORIGINS plush dolls, starting with Mothra (based on the monster's design in GMK). The figure stands over a foot tall and retails for $19.99. "Mothra is kind of molting on peoples' shelves," Toy Vault rep Jon Huston told figures.com "They're like, 'You've only got Mothra? Don't you have the other ones?' Godzilla should have come out first. Mothra simply got approved long before Godzilla did." A 12 inch plush Godzilla ($24.99) is scheduled for release this month, with a 6 inch version ($12.99) coming in January 2004. "It really will be an awesome Godzilla plush. It's so good. Toho, the company that licensed it to us, said it's the best plush Godzilla they've seen in the 49-year history of the character. It's gorgeous and really realistic." King Ghidorah ($29.99) will also go on sale in January, followed by Rodan in the near future. Huston added "Rodan's real neat, too, because he's got wires in the wings. You can flatten them in and pull them back out. He's very realistic-looking. He's all brown. Rodan doesn't have any variations of color... But in person, he looks really good. We're also working on plush dolls of Anguirus, Megalon, Minilla -- which is the son of Godzilla, and Hedorah the Smog Monster. We don't know which ones will come out first, it depends on what gets approved. The designers who are doing Hedorah complained it's not coming out right. That one's really iffy right now. If they're having trouble doing him but can make another one easily, we'll do the other ones first and release Hedorah last. I definitely want to do the caterpillar Mothra, but probably won't do it until we get to our third year. There are about 27 different characters we can do. There's Mechagodzilla, Mecha-King Ghidorah, Space Godzilla, and then tons of other ones like Destoroyah, Biollante... People need to know we aren't doing anything that remotely resembles the American Godzilla movie. We want nothing to do with it." The company is also releasing miniature bobbing head figures of Godzilla, Rodan, King Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla in January at a retail price of $12.99 each. "We were going to do a regular Godzilla bobbler, and then we did a smaller ones that were super-deformed. We stopped doing the big one because it wasn't exciting, but the mini bobblers were. You kind of know when you're halfway through a toy if it isn't working. The big Godzilla just wasn't working for me. The mini bobblers are great. They're wonderful. They're funny and when we show them to people, they really like them. The print run is going to be pretty small on these, at least the first run. We're doing 2,500 of each. They'll just be available in North America." Source: Figures.com AUDIENCE SCREAMS & LAUGHS AT 'JU-ON 2' SCREENING A special screening of JU-ON 2 (The Grudge 2) was held on September 13th at Theatre Shinjuku in Tokyo. Following the movie director Takashi Shimizu and actors Yuya Ozeki (Toshio), and Takako Fuji (Kanako) went onstage to take questions from the audience. Though both Fuji and Ozeki had terrified the viewers with their frightening characters in the film, the impression they gave in person was totally different. "He is so cute!" one attendee screamed about Ozeki, the first-grader who plays the blue-skinned ghost. The young actor said it was fun having his face and body painted for the role. Ms Fuji said she enjoyed Shimizu's style of directing, and that it was especially funny when he directed her from very close range. The three also imitated "the voice" (one of the most famous elements of the JU-ON series), much to the amusement of the audience. The latest chapter of the hit horror series also stars Chiharu Niiyama, Shingo Katsurayama (both from GMK), and Kei Horie (GAMERA 3), with special effects by Hajime Matsumoto. Additional details and the theatrical trailer are available on the official site. Shimuzu and producer Taka Ichise will soon begin working on a US version for Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures. Source: fjmovie.com TAKESHI & TAKASHI JOIN FORCES Takashi Miike (AUDITION, DEAD OR ALIVE, THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS) and Takeshi Kitano (FIREWORKS, BATTLE ROYALE) had initially planned to work together on the recent ZATOICHI remake, but circumstances eventually led to Kitano making the film on his own. Now the two filmmakers are finally teaming up for a new project; Miike will direct, and Kitano will star in IZO: KAOSU MATAHA FUJORI-NO KIJIN, a period piece samurai movie scheduled for 2004. 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. The screenplay is by Shigenori Takechi, who has written for such Miike films as AGITATOR and DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA. Source: Midnight Eye NEWS BITES According to Variety, Miramax will release Takeshi Kitano's ZATOICHI in North America on June 4th, 2004. Given Miramax's repeated announcements and delays for other Asian hits like Stephen Chow's SHAOLIN SOCCER (now scheduled for March 26th) and Zhang Yimou's HERO (planned for April 16th), lets hope ZATOICHI actually sees a US theatrical release. Source: Kung Fu Cinema In celebration of Leiji Matsumoto's (SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO) 50th anniversary as an animator, the Real Japan website is hosting a selection of video clips from Matsumoto. By clicking on the image of Captain Harlock, fans can view animation and interviews from THE STORY OF GALACTIC RAILWAY, GUN FRONTIER, CAPTAIN HARLOCK, SUBMARINE SUPER 99, and GALAXY EXPRESS 999. Gorezone.net has reported that prolific director Takaashi Miike has started production on ZEBRAMAN (Zeburaman), his 100th motion picture. Sho Aikawa (DEAD OR ALIVE) will apparently star as an Ultraman-style superhero. The idea of a Japanese superhero movie being created by Miike just boggles the mind... Midnight Eye has posted an interview with director Kitaro Kosaka. As an animator, Kosaka worked on such classics as AKIRA, METROPOLIS, LAPUTA, and SPIRITED AWAY. He recently completed his directorial debut, NASU: SUMMER IN ANDALUSIA, which became the first anime ever selected for the Cannes Film Festival. "The Origin of O-Ren Ishii", the animated segment in the new Quentin Tarantino movie KILL BILL: VOL. 1, was created by the anime studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE). The studio website has now added a page providing details on the project. Allcinema Online has provided additional crew information for the upcoming live-action CUTIE HONEY movie. Katsuya Terada (BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE), Shinichi Sugimura (the manga ALL UNDER THE MOON), Moyoko Anno (wife of the film's director, Hideaki Anno), and Yutaka Izubuchi (RAHXEPHON) are contributing character designs. Source: Natsume Maya's Anime and Manga Webpage Director Satoshi Kon talks about his award-winning animated feature MILLENNIUM ACTRESS in an interview on the Akadot website. CABLING INTO YOUR NIGHTMARES The Asian Horror bandwagon grows heavier as HBO jumps on with "Japanese Connection", a collection of the Japanese horror movies that have garnered attention outside of their homeland. The Connection will start on November 5 at 9 pm with the airing of Hideo Nakata's "RING" (Ringu). The movie inspired an English-language Dreamworks remake THE RING. On November 12 at 9 pm, HBO will air "RING 0: BIRTHDAY", the prequel to the original which tells how Sadako became a vengeful spirit. On November 19th at pm, Takashi Shimizu's "JU-ON: THE GRUDGE" will be shown. The movie tells the story, in vignettes, of a house in which a violent death occurred, inflicting horror on the building and those who enter it. The Japanese Connection ends on November 26 at 9 pm with Hideo Nakata's bone-chilling "DARK WATER", which tells the story of a newly single mother coping with her new apartment and the youthful ghost which haunts it. Full channel info can be found at HBO.com. Source: Horror.com PRINTED GOODS The GODZILLA X MOTHRA X MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO SOS 2004 Calendar went on sale October 10th. It has eight 32 x 32 cm pages of photos from the upcoming film for 1200 yen. Ultraman fans have more options as two new calendars were released on September 22nd. ALL THAT'S ULTRAMAN 2004 features all of the heroes from the Tsuburaya Productions series on seven pages for 1000 yen, while the ULTRAMAN COSMOS 2004 Calendar (7 pages, 1300 yen) focuses on the three Ultramen from this past summer's theatrical movie. NEWTYPE USA celebrates its first anniversary next month. Vol 2 Issue 11 includes an ANGELIC LAYER cover story, an interview with LUPIN III creator Monkey Punch, and an article detailing the history of THE BIG O. Extras include two free DVD inserts; one from ADV containing the first episodes of PRETEAR and SAINT SEIYA, and a Media Blasters series sampler. The issue goes on sale November 1. DVD REGION 1 As previosuly reported, both GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS and GODZILLA, MOTHRA AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK have been not only picked up by Sony Pictures, but will have official DVD releases in January of 2004. But now the cover art for both DVDs is viewable, first showing up on Fangoria's website and followed by a number of websites. While the quality of the artwork is debated by fans, all should be quite excited to get quality releases here in the US. GMK will be presented in remastered hi-def 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, with both Japanese and English 5.1 Dolby Digital audio and English and French subtitles; no information is yet available on MEGAGUIRUS, but it can be assumed the same specs will apply. As of now, no extras have been announced for these discs. ADV Films has announced that the DVD of THE PRINCESS BLADE (Shurayukehime) will go on sale November 18th. The futuristic martial arts film was directed by Shinsuke Sato, with special effects by Shinji Higuchi (the 90s Gamera trilogy, SAKUYA: SLAYER OF DEMONS) and fight choreography by Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen (IRON MONKEY, BLADE II, SHANGHAI KNIGHTS). Yumiko Shaku (GxMG, SKYHIGH) stars as Princess Yuki, a former elite Mikado guard who now operates as an assassin. As a member of the House of Takemikazuki, Yuki is hired by the authoritarian government to kill members of a rebel group. But when events force her to switch sides, Yuki and a young man named Takashi (Hideaki Ito; PYROKINESIS, ONMYOJI) must battle against her fellow Takemikazuki assassins. The PRINCESS BLADE DVD will present the movie in the widescreen format in both English dubbed 5.1 and the original Japanese 2.0 language versions with English subtitles. The SRP is $19.98. MAKE MINE MIIKE According to Kung Fu Cult Cinema, on November 25th Kino Video will release a three-disc DVD boxed set of Takeshi Miike's wild crime movies (with heavy fantasy/science fiction overtones) DEAD OR ALIVE, DEAD OR ALIVE 2: THE BIRDS, and DEAD OR ALIVE 3: FINAL. Miike's the latter two critically-acclaimed post-modern gangster films have never been officially released in North America, until now. GOREY CRAZY LIPS Fangoria Magazine reported that Ventura Distribution will be releasing North American DVD versions of Hirohisa Sasaki's genre films CRAZY LIPS (a supernatural detective film) and GORE FROM OUTER SPACE. CRAZY LIPS will be released next June, with GORE FROM OUTER SPACE to follow in July. BOUNCE KO GALS will be released on October 28 by Media Blasters' Tokyo Shock label. "Bounce KO Gals" is the term for teenage Japanese girls who sell their dirty panties, bodily fluids, and sometimes their bodies to older men so that they can to afford keep up with all the latest trends. The 1997 movie from director Masato Harada (GUNHED) follows a trio of these girls in a psuedo-documentary style similar to the controversial US movie KIDS. The DVD will be in widescreen will include the original Japanese language audio with English subtitles, and the theatrical trailer. SRP is $29.95. Source: Media Blasters The 2002 Kadokawa-Daiei movie SUICIDE CLUB (Jisatsu Sakuru) is coming to US DVD from TLA Releasing on November 18th. Writer/director Shion Sono begins his film with 54 smiling high-school girls leaping in front of an oncoming subway train. While investigating the gruesome (and graphic) deaths, detective Kuroda (Ryo Ishibashi; AUDITION) discovers a website that described a wave of suicides.before they happened. The SUICIDE CLUB DVD will be in widescreen and in Japanese with English subtitles. The SRP is $20.99. Source: TLA Releasing site Geneon Entertainment (formerly Pioneer Animation) will release CAPTAIN HERLOCK, SPACE PIRATE VOLUME 1: THE LEGEND RETURNS on January 27, 2004. The OAV series marked the first collaboration between Leiji Matsumoto and Rintaro since the original SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK television series 24 years ago. THE LEGEND RETURNS features scripts by Sadayuki Murai (COWBOY BEBOP, MILLENNIUM ACTRESS), character designs by Nobuteru Yuuki (ESCAFLOWNE), music by Takayuki Hattori (GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA, GODZILLA 2000). The disc runs 100 minutes with a SRP of $29.98. REGION 2 Toho has announced that MATANGO (aka "Attack of the Mushroom People") will go on sale December 25th, followed by KING KONG ESCAPES on January 30th, and GORATH on February 27th. Last week, Toho releases the classic kaiju-eiga ATRAGON (Kaitei Gunkan) on DVD. Along with the orignal mono audio track, the disc features both a remixed Dolby 5.1 audio track and an audio commentary track. The Ultraman theatrical features are being released in a series of 2- DVD boxed sets entitled ULTRAMAN THE MOVIE: ULTIMATE DVD COLLECTION (see EF Update from 7/24/03 for details). Volume 2 went on sale on October 22nd and includes ULTRAMAN: GREAT MONSTER BATTLE (Urutoraman Kaiju Daikessen, 1979) and ULTRAMAN ZOFFY: ULTRA WARRIORS VS. THE GREAT MONSTER ARMY (Urutoraman Zoffy: Ultra-no Senshi tai Daikaju Gundan, 1984). Both films are combinations of new footage and scenes from episodes of the tv series. The set retails for 9800 yen. MASKED RIDER: THE MOVIE BOX is a 4-disc set containing all 13 "Kamen Raida" theatrical films; GO GO MASKED RIDER (1971), MASKED RIDER VS SHOCKER (1972), MASKED