The 2000s saw the action genre in a state of flux. The Matrix revolutionized everything at the end of the previous decade, The Bourne Supremacy would make shaky cameras standard practice in 2004, and the MCU would take flight with Iron Man in 2008. At the same time, Michael Bay reached his ultimate form with Bad Boys II, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Kill Bill made kung fu classy, and Oldboy changed the way we look at hallways.
Within those changes came a host of greats that didn’t get the same attention. Some of these movies represent the first steps in the development of those who would define the genre, such as Scott Adkins and Gareth Evans. Some find stars at the height of the powers, such as Donny Yen and Michael Jai White. And some are just cool, because that’s really all an action movie needs.
If you’ve...
Within those changes came a host of greats that didn’t get the same attention. Some of these movies represent the first steps in the development of those who would define the genre, such as Scott Adkins and Gareth Evans. Some find stars at the height of the powers, such as Donny Yen and Michael Jai White. And some are just cool, because that’s really all an action movie needs.
If you’ve...
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Few American filmmakers of the last 40 years await a major rediscovery like Hal Hartley, whose traces in modern movies are either too-minor or entirely unknown. Thus it’s cause for celebration that the Criterion Channel are soon launching a major retrospective: 13 features (which constitutes all but My America) and 17 shorts, a sui generis style and persistent vision running across 30 years. Expect your Halloween party to be aswim in Henry Fool costumes.
Speaking of: there’s a one-month headstart on seasonal programming with the 13-film “High School Horror”––most notable perhaps being a streaming premiere for the uncut version of Suspiria, plus the rare opportunity to see a Robert Rodriguez movie on the Criterion Channel––and a retrospective of Hong Kong vampire movies. A retrospective of ’70s car movies offer chills and thrills of a different sort
Six films by Allan Dwan and 12 “gaslight noirs” round out the main September series; The Eight Mountains,...
Speaking of: there’s a one-month headstart on seasonal programming with the 13-film “High School Horror”––most notable perhaps being a streaming premiere for the uncut version of Suspiria, plus the rare opportunity to see a Robert Rodriguez movie on the Criterion Channel––and a retrospective of Hong Kong vampire movies. A retrospective of ’70s car movies offer chills and thrills of a different sort
Six films by Allan Dwan and 12 “gaslight noirs” round out the main September series; The Eight Mountains,...
- 8/21/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Is there anything scarier than being a teenager? Bd has learned that the Criterion Channel will be launching their 13-film High School Horror collection on September 1!
The streaming service previews, “Relive your high school nightmares with these tales of terror unleashed in classrooms, gyms, locker-lined halls, and cafeterias, where psychotic slashers and supernatural monsters pursue jocks, nerds, and prom queens alike.
“The everyday fears of adolescence—social anxiety! changing bodies!—have inspired some of horror cinema’s most giddily bloodthirsty visions, from VHS-era exploitation shockers like Massacre at Central High and Slumber Party Massacre to ’90s teen-movie touchstones like I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Faculty and cult favorites like Donnie Darko and Battle Royale.”
Of particular note, Dario Argento’s Suspiria will be included in the collection, marking the worldwide streaming premiere of the restored uncut version from Synapse Films!
The full “High School Horror” lineup includes…...
The streaming service previews, “Relive your high school nightmares with these tales of terror unleashed in classrooms, gyms, locker-lined halls, and cafeterias, where psychotic slashers and supernatural monsters pursue jocks, nerds, and prom queens alike.
“The everyday fears of adolescence—social anxiety! changing bodies!—have inspired some of horror cinema’s most giddily bloodthirsty visions, from VHS-era exploitation shockers like Massacre at Central High and Slumber Party Massacre to ’90s teen-movie touchstones like I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Faculty and cult favorites like Donnie Darko and Battle Royale.”
Of particular note, Dario Argento’s Suspiria will be included in the collection, marking the worldwide streaming premiere of the restored uncut version from Synapse Films!
The full “High School Horror” lineup includes…...
- 8/11/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Film
When Battle Royale came out in 2000, I was 19 and just really getting into foreign language films. Like many of my generation of cinephiles, it was an early part of my DVD collection. While I enjoyed it though, I have to confess that I’ve not been back to it for over 15 years, and I never used it as a jumping off point to discover more of its director Kinji Fukasaku’s work. On this evidence, that was an error.
After a failed rebellion in which 37,000 Christians are massacred, their leader Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) returns from the dead, pledges his soul to the Devil and becomes a demon who can resurrect others to join him in his quest for vengeance. This is an interesting jumping off point for the film, because for much of the opening half hour, as Shiro gathers his band of demons (including swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi...
When Battle Royale came out in 2000, I was 19 and just really getting into foreign language films. Like many of my generation of cinephiles, it was an early part of my DVD collection. While I enjoyed it though, I have to confess that I’ve not been back to it for over 15 years, and I never used it as a jumping off point to discover more of its director Kinji Fukasaku’s work. On this evidence, that was an error.
After a failed rebellion in which 37,000 Christians are massacred, their leader Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) returns from the dead, pledges his soul to the Devil and becomes a demon who can resurrect others to join him in his quest for vengeance. This is an interesting jumping off point for the film, because for much of the opening half hour, as Shiro gathers his band of demons (including swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi...
- 6/21/2023
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Samurai Reincarnation [Makai TENSHŌ] (Masters of Cinema) Special Edition Blu-ray is available to Pre-order now from the Eureka Store http://bit.ly/42x5ua2
In the aftermath of a failed rebellion, Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) is crucified, but returns as a vengeance-filled demon with the power to resurrect the dead. Shiro uses his power to assemble a team of undead warriors—including legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (Ken Ogata)—and the only one who can stop them is the wandering samurai, Yagyu Jubei (Sonny Chiba).
A spectacular chanbara fantasy epic from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Samurai Reincarnation makes its UK debut from a stunning 2K restoration as part of the Masters of Cinema series.
Special Edition Blu-ray Features:*
Limited Edition Slipcase (First print run of 2000 copies) featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato | 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements | Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio | Alternate English dubbed audio...
In the aftermath of a failed rebellion, Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) is crucified, but returns as a vengeance-filled demon with the power to resurrect the dead. Shiro uses his power to assemble a team of undead warriors—including legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (Ken Ogata)—and the only one who can stop them is the wandering samurai, Yagyu Jubei (Sonny Chiba).
A spectacular chanbara fantasy epic from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Samurai Reincarnation makes its UK debut from a stunning 2K restoration as part of the Masters of Cinema series.
Special Edition Blu-ray Features:*
Limited Edition Slipcase (First print run of 2000 copies) featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato | 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements | Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio | Alternate English dubbed audio...
- 3/31/2023
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Salor Suit and Machine Gun
A perky high-schooler takes on the mob in “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun”, a one-of-a-kind genre-bender that riffs on the yakuza film, coming-of-age drama and ‘idol movie’, inventively adapted from Jiro Akagawa’s popular novel by director Shinji Somai, a massively influential figure in Japanese cinema whose work has been little seen outside his homeland.
Hoshi Izumi is a young innocent forced to grow up quickly when her father dies and she finds herself next in line as the boss of a moribund yakuza clan. Wrenched from the security of her classroom and thrust into the heart of the criminal underworld, she must come to terms with the fact that her actions hold the key to the life or death of the men under her command as they come under fire from rival gangs.
Presented in both its Original Theatrical and longer Complete versions, and...
A perky high-schooler takes on the mob in “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun”, a one-of-a-kind genre-bender that riffs on the yakuza film, coming-of-age drama and ‘idol movie’, inventively adapted from Jiro Akagawa’s popular novel by director Shinji Somai, a massively influential figure in Japanese cinema whose work has been little seen outside his homeland.
Hoshi Izumi is a young innocent forced to grow up quickly when her father dies and she finds herself next in line as the boss of a moribund yakuza clan. Wrenched from the security of her classroom and thrust into the heart of the criminal underworld, she must come to terms with the fact that her actions hold the key to the life or death of the men under her command as they come under fire from rival gangs.
Presented in both its Original Theatrical and longer Complete versions, and...
- 8/29/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Bloody havoc reigns! Kinji Fukasaku's no-holds-barred vision of ugly violence and uglier politics on the streets of Hiroshima is a five-film Yakuza epic that spans generations. The film amounts to an alternate history of postwar Japan, that puts an end to the glorification of the Yakuza code. The enormous cast includes Bunta Sugawara, Tetsuro Tanba, Sonny Chiba and Jo Shishido. Battles without Honor and Humanity Blu-ray + DVD Arrow Video 1973-74 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 760 min. / Limited Edition Boxed Set Street Date December 8, 2015 / 149.95 Starring Bunta Sugawara, Hiroki Matsukata, Tetsuro Tanba, Kunie Tanaka, Eiko Nakamura, Sonny Chiba, Meiko Kaji, Akira Kobayashi, Tsunehiko Watase, Reiko Ike, Jo Shishido Cinematography Sadaji Yoshida Production Designer Takatoshi Suzuki Original Music Toshiaki Tsushima Written by Koichi Iiboshi, Kazuo Kasahara Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In the 1990s the American Cinematheque was headquartered in various places, but settled for a few years in a large...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In the 1990s the American Cinematheque was headquartered in various places, but settled for a few years in a large...
- 12/22/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Arrow Video has been a leader of UK Blu-Ray and DVD distribution when it comes to genre titles. Today, they have made my day by announcing that they are releasing the Complete Collection of Kinji Fukasaku’s Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. All five films, also known as The Yakuza Papers, will see a limited Blu-Ray release in the UK (Region B) and Us (Region A). The announcement came straight from their Facebook page.
New UK/Us Title Announcement: Battles Without Honor And Humanity Dual Format Bd & DVD [Limited Edition]
Battles Without Honor & Humanity – this seminal series of epic gangsterism told with gritty realism plays like a head-spinning fusion of Martin Scorsese and Paul Greengrass! This Limited Edition collections features Kinji Fukasaku’s (Battle Royale) original five films in the series with brand new extras, the never-before-seen in the west ‘Complete Saga’ and a 150-page hardback book! Limited to just 2000 copies...
New UK/Us Title Announcement: Battles Without Honor And Humanity Dual Format Bd & DVD [Limited Edition]
Battles Without Honor & Humanity – this seminal series of epic gangsterism told with gritty realism plays like a head-spinning fusion of Martin Scorsese and Paul Greengrass! This Limited Edition collections features Kinji Fukasaku’s (Battle Royale) original five films in the series with brand new extras, the never-before-seen in the west ‘Complete Saga’ and a 150-page hardback book! Limited to just 2000 copies...
- 8/13/2015
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Many film websites published “decade’s best horror films” lists in late 2009/early 2010. While these lists collectively provided a rough snapshot of the genre’s ups and downs during that time, with more time to reflect, it becomes increasingly clear what an important period the 2000’s were for the horror genre on a global scale.
Not only did this decade easily and obviously eclipse the comparatively arid 1990’s in both volume of production and overall quality, the 2000’s can also be looked at as a crucial one for horror cinema despite the justified outrage about the American film industry’s widespread strip-mining of classics and foreign films for remakes/re-boots and its saturation of the market with teen-friendly PG-13 rated horror films.
While by no means as groundbreaking as the 1970’s or as sentimentally regarded as the 1980’s, the 2000’s will be recalled as the decade that, despite well-founded criticisms...
Not only did this decade easily and obviously eclipse the comparatively arid 1990’s in both volume of production and overall quality, the 2000’s can also be looked at as a crucial one for horror cinema despite the justified outrage about the American film industry’s widespread strip-mining of classics and foreign films for remakes/re-boots and its saturation of the market with teen-friendly PG-13 rated horror films.
While by no means as groundbreaking as the 1970’s or as sentimentally regarded as the 1980’s, the 2000’s will be recalled as the decade that, despite well-founded criticisms...
- 11/4/2012
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
DVD Playhouse—April 2012
By Allen Gardner
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Warner Bros.) An eleven year-old boy (newcomer Thomas Horn, in an incredible debut) discovers a mysterious key amongst the possessions of his late father (Tom Hanks) who perished in 9/11. Determined to find the lock it matches, the boy embarks on a Picaresque odyssey across New York City. Director Stephen Daldry and screenwriter Eric Roth have fashioned a film both grand and intimate, beautifully-adapted from Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, thought by most who read it to be unfilmable. Fine support from Jeffrey Wright, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Viola Davis and the great Max von Sydow. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Battle Royale: The Complete Collection (Anchor Bay) Adapted from Koushun Takami’s polarizing novel (compared by champions and detractors alike as a 21st century version of A Clockwork Orange) and set in a futuristic Japan,...
By Allen Gardner
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Warner Bros.) An eleven year-old boy (newcomer Thomas Horn, in an incredible debut) discovers a mysterious key amongst the possessions of his late father (Tom Hanks) who perished in 9/11. Determined to find the lock it matches, the boy embarks on a Picaresque odyssey across New York City. Director Stephen Daldry and screenwriter Eric Roth have fashioned a film both grand and intimate, beautifully-adapted from Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, thought by most who read it to be unfilmable. Fine support from Jeffrey Wright, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Viola Davis and the great Max von Sydow. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Battle Royale: The Complete Collection (Anchor Bay) Adapted from Koushun Takami’s polarizing novel (compared by champions and detractors alike as a 21st century version of A Clockwork Orange) and set in a futuristic Japan,...
- 4/13/2012
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Battle Royale
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Screenplay by Kinji Fukasaku
2000, Japan
A pre-title scroll, set to a classical thundering score, quickly establishes what seems to be a dystopian alternate-universe-Japan. The nation collapsed leaving 15 percent unemployed and 800,000 students boycotting school. The government passed something called the Millennium Educational Reform Act, which apparently provides for a class of ninth-graders to be chosen each year and pitted against one another on a remote island for three days. Each student is given a bag with a randomly selected weapon and a few rations of food and water and sent off to kill each other in a no-holds-barred game to the death. With 48 contestants, only one will go home alive. Yes, this has been often noted as the “original Hunger Games”; whether or not the author of that series (Suzanne Collins) borrowed heavily from Kinji Fukasaku’s near masterpiece or the novel by Koushun Takami...
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Screenplay by Kinji Fukasaku
2000, Japan
A pre-title scroll, set to a classical thundering score, quickly establishes what seems to be a dystopian alternate-universe-Japan. The nation collapsed leaving 15 percent unemployed and 800,000 students boycotting school. The government passed something called the Millennium Educational Reform Act, which apparently provides for a class of ninth-graders to be chosen each year and pitted against one another on a remote island for three days. Each student is given a bag with a randomly selected weapon and a few rations of food and water and sent off to kill each other in a no-holds-barred game to the death. With 48 contestants, only one will go home alive. Yes, this has been often noted as the “original Hunger Games”; whether or not the author of that series (Suzanne Collins) borrowed heavily from Kinji Fukasaku’s near masterpiece or the novel by Koushun Takami...
- 3/21/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Director: Mitsuyuki Masuhara.
Writer: Warren Ellis.
Producers: Taro Morishima, Fuminori Hara, and Cort Lane.
Art Director: Katsushi Aoki.
Aficionados of the anime scene now have a tough choice for the meanest vampire hunter. Before, there was only “D.” These days, the choices are broader. Saya from the anime "Blood and Hellsing" top the charts. But with Marvel Comics’ inclusion, Eric Brooks (better known as Blade), needs to do more before he can chop up the competition.
Originally shown on Animax Network, this anime was shown to limited audiences. Now on G4, it will play Fridays, 11pm Est/Pst, for a broader spectrum.
The English voice actor for Blade is Harold Perrineau ("Lost"). Now set in the backdrop of Asia, this superhero is doing more than just seeking revenge. He’s tracked Deacon Frost, “the four-fanged vampire,” to Japan.
The first episode provides a very limited introduction. The second episode brings Detective Sakumizu into the fold,...
Writer: Warren Ellis.
Producers: Taro Morishima, Fuminori Hara, and Cort Lane.
Art Director: Katsushi Aoki.
Aficionados of the anime scene now have a tough choice for the meanest vampire hunter. Before, there was only “D.” These days, the choices are broader. Saya from the anime "Blood and Hellsing" top the charts. But with Marvel Comics’ inclusion, Eric Brooks (better known as Blade), needs to do more before he can chop up the competition.
Originally shown on Animax Network, this anime was shown to limited audiences. Now on G4, it will play Fridays, 11pm Est/Pst, for a broader spectrum.
The English voice actor for Blade is Harold Perrineau ("Lost"). Now set in the backdrop of Asia, this superhero is doing more than just seeking revenge. He’s tracked Deacon Frost, “the four-fanged vampire,” to Japan.
The first episode provides a very limited introduction. The second episode brings Detective Sakumizu into the fold,...
- 2/9/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
This past Friday the 13th the Blade anime series made its debut on G4 and was met with a rather warm reception. If the series has you excited, strap in because we've got a clip for you from Episode 2.
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Look for the Blade anime series every Friday at 11:00 pm on G4TV.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Fight the...
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Look for the Blade anime series every Friday at 11:00 pm on G4TV.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Fight the...
- 1/17/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
We're just days away from the Friday, January 13th, premiere of the Blade anime series at 11:00 pm on G4TV, and to entice you further into the animated world of the Daywalker, we have the first clip hot and fresh for you right here. Dig it!
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Synopsis
Blade's mother was bitten by a vampire while pregnant, imbuing her unborn son with vampire strength and a thirst for blood,...
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Synopsis
Blade's mother was bitten by a vampire while pregnant, imbuing her unborn son with vampire strength and a thirst for blood,...
- 1/10/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Essentially “The Hunger Games” before there was a “Hunger Games” book series, Kinji Fukasaku’s 2000 film “Battle Royale” is one of those titles you would have heard about and sought out already if you were even the least bit interested in Asian cinema the last 10 years or so. The premise is certainly crazy enough that it’s become a massive cult hit, and for those who have never seen it, the film is making its DVD and Blu-ray debut in the States for the first time on March 20th, 2012 courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment. Besides the 2000 original, Anchor Bay will also be releasing a “Battle Royale: The Complete Collection” 3-disc/4-disc set that will also include 2003′s “Battle Royale II”, directed by Kenta Fukasaku, the son of Kinji Fukasaku. The sequel, er, is not nearly as must-see as the original, and let’s leave it at that. In the near future,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
To get you geared up for the Friday, January 13th, premiere of the Blade anime series at 11:00 pm, G4TV has posted the first ever TV spot for the long awaited toon. As per usual we have it for you right here.
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Synopsis
Blade's mother was bitten by a vampire while pregnant, imbuing her unborn son with vampire strength and a thirst for blood,...
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Synopsis
Blade's mother was bitten by a vampire while pregnant, imbuing her unborn son with vampire strength and a thirst for blood,...
- 12/31/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Marvel reports that the new anime series "Blade", based on Marvel Comics' half-vampire character, will air on G4, with the premiere episode debuting January 13th, 2012 in 12 half-hour weekly episodes, as part of a four-series collaboration between Japanese Madhouse animation and Marvel.
The "Blade" character, created by writer Marv Wolfman and illustrator Gene Colan, originally debuted in Marvel Comics "The Tomb of Dracula" #10 (July 1973).
The "Blade" anime is directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara ("Kobato") and written by Kenta Fukasaku ("Battle Royale") with music by Tetsuya Takahashi ("Resident Evil: Degeneration") . The main character is voiced by Harold Perrineau ("Lost") :
"...the mother of 'Blade' was bitten by a vampire while she was pregnant, imbuing her unborn son with vampire strength and a thirst for blood, but without the vulnerability to sunlight. A master of weaponry with a desire to avenge the death of his mother, Blade finds himself in Japan, the Philippines,...
The "Blade" character, created by writer Marv Wolfman and illustrator Gene Colan, originally debuted in Marvel Comics "The Tomb of Dracula" #10 (July 1973).
The "Blade" anime is directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara ("Kobato") and written by Kenta Fukasaku ("Battle Royale") with music by Tetsuya Takahashi ("Resident Evil: Degeneration") . The main character is voiced by Harold Perrineau ("Lost") :
"...the mother of 'Blade' was bitten by a vampire while she was pregnant, imbuing her unborn son with vampire strength and a thirst for blood, but without the vulnerability to sunlight. A master of weaponry with a desire to avenge the death of his mother, Blade finds himself in Japan, the Philippines,...
- 12/22/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
We've been talking about the anime series based on the Marvel Comics character Blade for a long time now, and finally we have a firm date on just when you can expect to see the Daywalker doing what he does best ... slaying vamps!
According to Marvel, Blade will premiere on Friday, January 13th, at 11 p.m. Et/Pt on G4TV.
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Synopsis
Blade's mother was...
According to Marvel, Blade will premiere on Friday, January 13th, at 11 p.m. Et/Pt on G4TV.
Blade was directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (Chi's Sweet Home, Kobato) and written by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Tetsuya Takahashi (Appleseed, Resident Evil: Degeneration, previous Marvel anime series) handles the music.
"Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains, and bloodthirsty monsters than you've ever seen before. Following in the steps of other hit Marvel anime series, Blade offers viewers 12 half-hour weekly episodes destined to leave you wanting more, exclusively on G4."
Synopsis
Blade's mother was...
- 12/21/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
We’ve been telling you about the new anime series Blade that has been set to join the anime set on G4. We’re now happy to update you with the latest info including the premiere date: January 13, less than a month away! Here’s the press release:
G4 To Premiere Marvel Original Anime Series “Blade” On Friday January 13 At 11Pm Et/Pt
Acclaimed Actor Harold Perrineau to voice fan favorite Super Hero, Blade, in the Marvel original anime series on G4
Los Angeles, Calif. – December 15, 2011 – A new Marvel original anime series sinks its teeth into the G4 network with the premiere of Blade on Friday, January 13th at 11pm Et/Pt. Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains and bloodthirsty monsters than you’ve ever seen before. Following the steps of other hit Marvel anime series,...
G4 To Premiere Marvel Original Anime Series “Blade” On Friday January 13 At 11Pm Et/Pt
Acclaimed Actor Harold Perrineau to voice fan favorite Super Hero, Blade, in the Marvel original anime series on G4
Los Angeles, Calif. – December 15, 2011 – A new Marvel original anime series sinks its teeth into the G4 network with the premiere of Blade on Friday, January 13th at 11pm Et/Pt. Harold Perrineau voices Eric Brooks, the supernatural Daywalker known as Blade, making his animated series debut with more action, terrifying villains and bloodthirsty monsters than you’ve ever seen before. Following the steps of other hit Marvel anime series,...
- 12/16/2011
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
This edition of “Encapsulated Cinema” finds yours truly trekking through the wonky world of Asian horror. Again. Below you’ll find a smattering of reviews for a handful of flicks, each one representing a different subgenre. Are you ready for fun? I know you are. Here they are, in no particular order. ———- Black Rat Although the killer’s outfit is kind of cool, “Battle Royale 2″ director Kenta Fukasaku’s 2010 high school slasher flick “Black Rat” really isn’t anything special. It’s another average, run-of-the-mill “watch teenagers murder their friends” flick based around the shocking suicide of a young girl who just wanted to be accepted by her friends. In true horror movie fashion, these so-called BFFs are summoned to their school in the middle of the night, which is always a bad sign when your acquaintance just kicked the proverbial bucket. Despite a handful of interesting kills and...
- 8/24/2011
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Coming soon from director Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale II) and Tokyo Shock/Media Blasters, is Black Rat and they’ve released a trailer.
Six high schoolers receive a cell phone email from a classmate named Asuka telling them to come back to their class in the middle of the night. The only problem is Asuka recently committed suicide. They decide they better do as they’re told, but when the clock strikes midnight, a person wielding a bat and wearing a blood-stained costume mouse head appears and says “Asuka’s revenge”. The “six rats” all flee in different directions, but are tracked down one by one.
No official date set yet. We’ll keep you posted.
Source: Nippon Cinema...
Six high schoolers receive a cell phone email from a classmate named Asuka telling them to come back to their class in the middle of the night. The only problem is Asuka recently committed suicide. They decide they better do as they’re told, but when the clock strikes midnight, a person wielding a bat and wearing a blood-stained costume mouse head appears and says “Asuka’s revenge”. The “six rats” all flee in different directions, but are tracked down one by one.
No official date set yet. We’ll keep you posted.
Source: Nippon Cinema...
- 3/10/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Media Blasters has uploaded an English-subtitled trailer for Kenta Fukasaku’s Black Rat to their YouTube channel, so it’s safe to assume a North American release by their Asian horror-focused sub-label Tokyo Shock isn’t far off.
The film was released last year as part of “Avex Newstar Cinema Collection Vol. 2” along with Tetsuo Shinohara’s Ramune, Noritomo Nagashima’s Otona ni Natta Natsu, and Rin Tadashi’s Custard Pudding. Basically, Avex Management produces and distributes movies for the specific purpose of showcasing their young talent.
In “Black Rat”, six high schoolers receive a cell phone email from a classmate named Asuka telling them to come back to their class in the middle of the night. The only problem is Asuka recently committed suicide. They decide they better do as they’re told, but when the clock strikes midnight, a person wielding a bat and wearing a blood-stained costume...
The film was released last year as part of “Avex Newstar Cinema Collection Vol. 2” along with Tetsuo Shinohara’s Ramune, Noritomo Nagashima’s Otona ni Natta Natsu, and Rin Tadashi’s Custard Pudding. Basically, Avex Management produces and distributes movies for the specific purpose of showcasing their young talent.
In “Black Rat”, six high schoolers receive a cell phone email from a classmate named Asuka telling them to come back to their class in the middle of the night. The only problem is Asuka recently committed suicide. They decide they better do as they’re told, but when the clock strikes midnight, a person wielding a bat and wearing a blood-stained costume...
- 3/5/2011
- Nippon Cinema
After a decade long wait, late director Kinji Fukasaku’s iconic cult hit Battle Royale is finally coming to North America courtesy of the fine folks at Anchor Bay. According to Nippon Cinema, the distributor has acquired Us distribution rights to the popular franchise just in time for the ten year anniversary.
Battle Royale was never picked up for North American distribution because American distributors were too scared to release it too soon after the Columbine massacre. There has been plenty off bootlegs and poorly-subtitled Region 0 releases, but now fans will be able to pick up a nice, packaged and quality release that they deserve.
Fukasaku died very early on in the filming of the 2003 sequel Battle Royale II, leaving his son Kenta to take over. Sadly Battle Royale 2 did not live up to its predecessor.
No word has surfaced as to when the films will hit retail shelves, or...
Battle Royale was never picked up for North American distribution because American distributors were too scared to release it too soon after the Columbine massacre. There has been plenty off bootlegs and poorly-subtitled Region 0 releases, but now fans will be able to pick up a nice, packaged and quality release that they deserve.
Fukasaku died very early on in the filming of the 2003 sequel Battle Royale II, leaving his son Kenta to take over. Sadly Battle Royale 2 did not live up to its predecessor.
No word has surfaced as to when the films will hit retail shelves, or...
- 11/16/2010
- by Staff
- SoundOnSight
Okay, so no one is really crying out to see the classic film Battle Royale converted to 3D, but things happen ... especially things that we don't necessarily want to.
Either way Nippon Cinema is reporting that Anchor Bay has acquired the rights to the 3D conversion of one of Japan's biggest films, Kinji Fukasaku's cult action thriller Battle Royale.
In case you have blocked it from your memory since we first told you about this, Japanese studio Toei has prepared a 3D version of Battle Royale.
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through his production company Fukasaku-Gumi. The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20th.
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Convert this story into 3D in the comments section below.
Either way Nippon Cinema is reporting that Anchor Bay has acquired the rights to the 3D conversion of one of Japan's biggest films, Kinji Fukasaku's cult action thriller Battle Royale.
In case you have blocked it from your memory since we first told you about this, Japanese studio Toei has prepared a 3D version of Battle Royale.
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through his production company Fukasaku-Gumi. The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20th.
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Convert this story into 3D in the comments section below.
- 11/12/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
For all the hand-wringing amongst J-film fans over the recent 3D conversion of Kinji Fukasaku’s smash hit 2000 film Battle Royale for its 10th anniversary, there was always one silver lining from a business angle—it gave distributor Toei a perfectly valid excuse to showcase one of their most successful films ever for international buyers.
Unsurprisingly, the revamped film got plenty of bites at this year’s American Film Market, drawing the attention of over 50 distributors from 13 countries. Most notably, a Us distributor bought up the American rights to the film. Editor’s note (11/14): At Toei’s request, I’ve removed the name of the mentioned distributor from this article. It’s not officially announced yet and several Japanese news outlets got the name from a third party that may not be accurate.
This is a long time coming; Battle Royale was never picked up for North American distribution...
Unsurprisingly, the revamped film got plenty of bites at this year’s American Film Market, drawing the attention of over 50 distributors from 13 countries. Most notably, a Us distributor bought up the American rights to the film. Editor’s note (11/14): At Toei’s request, I’ve removed the name of the mentioned distributor from this article. It’s not officially announced yet and several Japanese news outlets got the name from a third party that may not be accurate.
This is a long time coming; Battle Royale was never picked up for North American distribution...
- 11/11/2010
- Nippon Cinema
For all the hand-wringing amongst J-film fans over the recent 3D conversion of Kinji Fukasaku’s smash hit 2000 film Battle Royale for its 10th anniversary, there was always one silver lining from a business angle—it gave distributor Toei a perfectly valid excuse to showcase one of their most successful films ever for international buyers.
Unsurprisingly, the revamped film got plenty of bites at this year’s American Film Market, drawing the attention of over 50 distributors from 13 countries. Most notably, Us distributor Anchor Bay Entertainment bought up the American rights to the film. This is a long time coming; Battle Royale was never picked up for North American distribution when it was first up for grabs nearly a decade ago. Although interest in Japanese films was surging upward at the time due to the cult success of the J-horror wave, there was simply no appetite for a movie about high...
Unsurprisingly, the revamped film got plenty of bites at this year’s American Film Market, drawing the attention of over 50 distributors from 13 countries. Most notably, Us distributor Anchor Bay Entertainment bought up the American rights to the film. This is a long time coming; Battle Royale was never picked up for North American distribution when it was first up for grabs nearly a decade ago. Although interest in Japanese films was surging upward at the time due to the cult success of the J-horror wave, there was simply no appetite for a movie about high...
- 11/11/2010
- Nippon Cinema
With Afm finally winding down a bit after a vicious horror filled start that saw nearly thirty stories per day last week, we're just about out of the woods. But that doesn't mean we're not going to bring you every last bit of news from the show that we can find. Hence your first look at the sales art for Battle Royale 3D.
In case you had blocked it from your memory when we first told you about this, Japanese studio Toei has prepared a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s cult action thriller Battle Royale.
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through his production company Fukasaku-Gumi. The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20th.
Dig on the art below.
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
In case you had blocked it from your memory when we first told you about this, Japanese studio Toei has prepared a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s cult action thriller Battle Royale.
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through his production company Fukasaku-Gumi. The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20th.
Dig on the art below.
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
- 11/8/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
28-year-old actor Osamu Mukai will get his first lead film role in Kenta Fukasaku’s Bokutachi wa Sekai wo Kaeru Koto ga Dekinai.
The film is based on a self-published novel by 26-year-old Kota Hada in which he relayed his experiences helping to fund and build a school in Cambodia with some classmates from Nippon Medical School. The students learned that 1,500,000 yen could pay for a 5-classroom school in rural Cambodia, so they traveled there and began volunteering in an area still scarred by civil war.
Mukai will play Hada; his castmates include Tori Matsuzaka (22), Eri Murakawa (23), Tasuku Emoto (22), and Masataka Kubota (22).
Filming began in Tokyo early this week and the production will move on to Cambodia in mid-November. A theatrical release is slated for fall 2011.
Sources: Tokyograph, Sankei Sports...
The film is based on a self-published novel by 26-year-old Kota Hada in which he relayed his experiences helping to fund and build a school in Cambodia with some classmates from Nippon Medical School. The students learned that 1,500,000 yen could pay for a 5-classroom school in rural Cambodia, so they traveled there and began volunteering in an area still scarred by civil war.
Mukai will play Hada; his castmates include Tori Matsuzaka (22), Eri Murakawa (23), Tasuku Emoto (22), and Masataka Kubota (22).
Filming began in Tokyo early this week and the production will move on to Cambodia in mid-November. A theatrical release is slated for fall 2011.
Sources: Tokyograph, Sankei Sports...
- 10/22/2010
- Nippon Cinema
Even stranger than the first clip, we’ve just had a second trailer for “Battle Royale 2” director Kenta Fukasaku’s latest oddball (with a high school theme) horror Black Rat turn up at our door, with an added surprise bonus, its English subtitled! A word of warning, this latest version is chock full of spoilers. One by one we’re introduced to Black Rats victims, and let’s just say most of those intros give away more than a hint as to how each of them is going to bite the big one. Catch it at the link.
- 5/19/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
Few films have captured the hearts and minds of more new Japanese cinema fans in the past decade than Kinji Fukasaku‘s Battle Royale. Grossing $26 million at the Japanese box office and eventually being sold to 35 territories, it’s considered one of the most successful Japanese films ever made. Now comes word that Toei is planning to repeat that success and capitalize on a successful trend by re-releasing the 2000 film in 3D.
Based on a best-selling 1999 novel by Koushun Takami, the film is set in an alternate timeline in which Japan is on the verge of collapse with a 15% unemployment rate and a generation of delinquent youth threatening to make the problem worse in the near future. In order to combat this, adults pass the Millennium Educational Reform Act, also known as the “Br act”. One class of unruly 9th-grade students learn of this new law the hard way when...
Based on a best-selling 1999 novel by Koushun Takami, the film is set in an alternate timeline in which Japan is on the verge of collapse with a 15% unemployment rate and a generation of delinquent youth threatening to make the problem worse in the near future. In order to combat this, adults pass the Millennium Educational Reform Act, also known as the “Br act”. One class of unruly 9th-grade students learn of this new law the hard way when...
- 5/17/2010
- Nippon Cinema
For those of you who think 3D is a gimmick and will disappear as quickly as it did in the 1950s, you’re right about the gimmick part. But the technology seems to be here to stay. Hollywood has been headed in that direction for past couple of years, but with the incomprehensible success of James Cameron’s 3D extravaganza, “Avatar” everybody and their sister has been tacking on 3D to anything and everything all for the extra couple of bucks the audience is required to pay for the “experience.”
The latest victim of the shameless 3D craze is sure to upset a great number of cult film junkies. Screen Daily is reporting that Japanese studio Toei is planning to release a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s gory action thriller “Battle Royale,” one of the most widely screened Japanese films in history.
Despite attempts by Japanese politicians to ban...
The latest victim of the shameless 3D craze is sure to upset a great number of cult film junkies. Screen Daily is reporting that Japanese studio Toei is planning to release a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s gory action thriller “Battle Royale,” one of the most widely screened Japanese films in history.
Despite attempts by Japanese politicians to ban...
- 5/17/2010
- by Eric M. Armstrong
- The Moving Arts Journal
The son of the director of Battle Royale is overseeing a 3D conversion of his father's controversial thriller that will be released later this year in Japan. Kenta Fukasaku (who directed Battle Royale 2) is supervising the process through his company Fukasaku-Gumi and the added dimension to Battle Royale is planned to be out in theaters on November 20.
When Kinji Fukasaku's original Battle Royale came out in theaters back in 2000 it polarized Japanese audiences. The movie is like a post-modern version of Lord of the Flies meets Survivor involving a classroom of Japanese students that are sent to a deserted island where they have to kill each other to win the Battle Royale contest. One one student can leave the island.
The volatile plot sparked the imagination of Japanese audiences and Battle Royale was a hit at the box office. It also drew criticism from politicians and film critics that...
When Kinji Fukasaku's original Battle Royale came out in theaters back in 2000 it polarized Japanese audiences. The movie is like a post-modern version of Lord of the Flies meets Survivor involving a classroom of Japanese students that are sent to a deserted island where they have to kill each other to win the Battle Royale contest. One one student can leave the island.
The volatile plot sparked the imagination of Japanese audiences and Battle Royale was a hit at the box office. It also drew criticism from politicians and film critics that...
- 5/17/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Capitalizing on the 3D craze, Toei in Japan is preparing to convert Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale into 3D. According to Screen Daily, screenings will begin hitting the market this fall. Kinji's son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the process. You'll recall that Kenta picked up the reins on Battle Royale 2: Requiem when his father passed away in 2003. Battle Royale 3D . Worth getting into a fuss over? Nah. My 2D version is sitting here right on the shelf ready to grab whenever I need it. Thanks anyway, Toei.
- 5/17/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Nothing is sacred anymore. Nothing. This 3D craze is just going too far. It's one thing to take a modern film during this latest jump-off-the-screen phase and convert it into, well, let's face it, subpar 3D; but now that people are going back to films that were made years ago to give them the pop-up-book treatment, our stomachs are really starting to hurt.
According to Screen Daily Japanese studio Toei is preparing a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s cult action thriller Battle Royale.
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through his production company Fukasaku-Gumi. The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20th.
Why? Why must you torture us like this? What did we ever do to you but support your films? It hurts. It ... just ... hurts. Just as annoyed?...
According to Screen Daily Japanese studio Toei is preparing a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s cult action thriller Battle Royale.
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through his production company Fukasaku-Gumi. The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20th.
Why? Why must you torture us like this? What did we ever do to you but support your films? It hurts. It ... just ... hurts. Just as annoyed?...
- 5/17/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
You know, because every film is better in 3D…
Japanese studio Toei is preparing a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s cult action thriller Battle Royale, which is one of the widest selling movies ever from Japan.
[...]
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through this production company Fukasaku-Gumi. Kinji Fukasaku passed away in 2003, so Kenta took over directing duties on a sequel, Battle Royale 2: Requiem, which was released later the same year.
The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20. Like the original, the 3D version will have an R-15 rating in Japan.
[via Screen Daily]...
Japanese studio Toei is preparing a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s cult action thriller Battle Royale, which is one of the widest selling movies ever from Japan.
[...]
Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through this production company Fukasaku-Gumi. Kinji Fukasaku passed away in 2003, so Kenta took over directing duties on a sequel, Battle Royale 2: Requiem, which was released later the same year.
The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20. Like the original, the 3D version will have an R-15 rating in Japan.
[via Screen Daily]...
- 5/17/2010
- by Ulrik
- Affenheimtheater
Seriously, who can I punch? Looking around my room I'm trying to figure out where exactly I can place a punching bag - because right now I need something to pound, and my pillow just isn't going to do. Right out of this year's despicable and disheartening Cannes it was revealed that Japanese studio Toei is preparing a 3D conversion of Kinji Fukasaku's cult action thriller Battle Royale, which is one of the widest selling movies ever from Japan. Fukasaku's son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the 2D to 3D conversion in Tokyo through this production company Fukasaku-Gumi. Kinji Fukasaku passed away in 2003 and is sure to be rolling over and over again in his grave. In case you want to see it: the 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20.
- 5/17/2010
- bloody-disgusting.com
He last entertained us with oddball action in “Yo-Yo Girl Cop" and the flawed but highly enjoyable fright fest ‘X-Cross,’ now Japanese director Kenta Fukasaku is back with another nut-job weird horror creation Black Rat, featuring high school students in a battle for survival against a Rat masked maniac killer. Don’t let the saccharin sweet home page of the official site fool you, there’s a bloody trailer featuring teens being bumped off in all sorts of suitably gruesome ways, to be seen (centre button) within. Black Rat opens in Japan at the end on the month, and here’s hoping we get to see it English subbed very soon!
- 5/14/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
He last entertained us with oddball action in “Yo-Yo Girl Cop" and the flawed but highly enjoyable fright fest ‘X-Cross,’ now Japanese director Kenta Fukasaku is back with another nut-job weird horror creation Black Rat, featuring high school students in a battle for survival against a Rat masked maniac killer. Don’t let the saccharin sweet home page of the official site fool you, there’s a bloody trailer featuring teens being bumped off in all sorts of suitably gruesome ways, to be seen (centre button) within. Black Rat opens in Japan at the end on the month, and here’s hoping we get to see it English subbed very soon!
- 5/14/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
You know, this makes a certain perverse kind of sense.
Here in North America the first productions to jump on board the current 3D wave were horror films and family friendly animation.
In Japan? 3D film number one was The Shock Labyrinth, a horror picture from Takashi Shimizu. Number two, by the looks of things? Maid For You, a sex picture from Kenta Fukasaku.
Now, sex pictures don't have nearly the stigma in Japan that they do in Hollywood - it's common practice for new directors to prove themselves in the pink industry before moving into mainstream film - but I'm still a little bit surprised that this is how Fukasaku is spending his time. I'm no fan of his early films - they're horrible, frankly, his Battle Royale sequel a blight both on the first picture and the legacy of Fukasaku's brilliant father - but X-Cross made a big...
Here in North America the first productions to jump on board the current 3D wave were horror films and family friendly animation.
In Japan? 3D film number one was The Shock Labyrinth, a horror picture from Takashi Shimizu. Number two, by the looks of things? Maid For You, a sex picture from Kenta Fukasaku.
Now, sex pictures don't have nearly the stigma in Japan that they do in Hollywood - it's common practice for new directors to prove themselves in the pink industry before moving into mainstream film - but I'm still a little bit surprised that this is how Fukasaku is spending his time. I'm no fan of his early films - they're horrible, frankly, his Battle Royale sequel a blight both on the first picture and the legacy of Fukasaku's brilliant father - but X-Cross made a big...
- 3/22/2010
- Screen Anarchy
More low budget Japanese mayhem arrives in the form of “Hard Revenge Milly” and “Hard Revenge Milly: Bloody Battle”, originally released a couple of years back and now slicing their way onto region 2 DVD as a double bill via Cine Asia. The two were written and directed by Takanori Tsujimoto, who also worked on “Ghost in the Shell” legend Mamoru Oshii’s sword fighting omnibus “Kill”, along with Kenta Fukasaku (“Battle Royale 2”, “X-Cross”) and Minoru Tahara. Both feature Miki Mizuno (“Carved”) in the titular lead role, and revolve around the usual tales of revenge and spurting geysers of blood. The films should also be of particular interest to aficionados since the special effects were provided by Yoshihiro Nishimura, quickly becoming one of the best known figures in the Japanese gore business, having worked on key genre hits “The Machine Girl”, “Tokyo Gore Police”, and more recently “Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein...
- 3/3/2010
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
No, the director of Ghost In The Shell has not taken the director's chair of the upcoming Imagi Animation animated feature version of classic anime Tetsujin 28, though that would be very cool. However, after mounting a live stage play based on Mitsuteru Yokoyama's source manga in 2008, the director announced at a recent press conference for his Assault Girls that his next feature would be a live action version of Tetsujin. This will make the second live action version of Tetsujin 28 in recent years with Shin Togashi helming a very underwhelming version in 2005. Hopefully Oshii does better. But before he gets to this, whatever became of his collaboration with Kenta Fukasaku on Elle Is Burning?...
- 12/28/2009
- Screen Anarchy
Better late than never, Kenta Fukasaku's (YoYo Girl Cop, Battle Royale 2) bubble gum horror ’Xx’ is finally coming soon to R1 DVD. Based on the Manga series of the same name, Xx is schlock (though additional bonus points were added due to the films inclusion of a Lolita dressed, eye patch wearing, psycho nurse with giant surgical sheers) horror of the highest order, but enjoyable cheesy nonsense none the less. Xx is released on September 22nd. Synopsis: Recovering from a failed affair Shiyori heads to the country, in the company of best friend and bad girl Aiko. Having taken a long soak in the hot spring they retire to their respective cabins. Soon though, they discover that the tranquil village is the home of a cult with a fetish for cutting off female legs. Trying to escape their assailants they are split up and keep in touch via their mobile phones.
- 8/2/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
I don’t often post bits of news as fragmented as this but when it comes to a project I love as much as I do Jin-Roh - for my money one of the greatest animated features ever made and the best thing Mamoru Oshii has ever been involved with - I can’t pass it up. According to AnimeNation Production I.G Vice-President Maki Terashima-Furuta has confirmed that someone has purchased the live action rights to Jin-Roh and a live action adaptation is in the works. No details at all have been given as far as who is behind it or where this is happening, just that it is in the works.
Now, Mamoru Oshii, the creator of the entire Jin-Roh concept - it’s an alternate history in which Germany won WWII, for those unfamiliar - has actually shot two live action films set in this world already...
Now, Mamoru Oshii, the creator of the entire Jin-Roh concept - it’s an alternate history in which Germany won WWII, for those unfamiliar - has actually shot two live action films set in this world already...
- 7/8/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
Geneon Japan will release the Kiru ~ Kill omnibus of sword-fighting climaxes featuring episodes from Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii, Takanori Tsujimoto, Kenta Fukasaku and Makoto Tahara on July 24, 2009.
As expected from Geneon, the 82 minutes long anthology will be released as a Standard DVD and Special Collector’s Edition DVD set. The latter comes with two bonus DVDs full of interviews, trailers, extra footage, making-of documentaries, a replica of a theatrical pamphlet and a “deluxe” guide booklet. The only thing missing are, just as expected, English subtitles…
For those of you who have already forgotten about the project, here’s the latest (and first) trailer for Kiru ~ Kill:
[See post to watch Flash video] [via @wildgrounds]
Share...
As expected from Geneon, the 82 minutes long anthology will be released as a Standard DVD and Special Collector’s Edition DVD set. The latter comes with two bonus DVDs full of interviews, trailers, extra footage, making-of documentaries, a replica of a theatrical pamphlet and a “deluxe” guide booklet. The only thing missing are, just as expected, English subtitles…
For those of you who have already forgotten about the project, here’s the latest (and first) trailer for Kiru ~ Kill:
[See post to watch Flash video] [via @wildgrounds]
Share...
- 5/20/2009
- by Ulrik
- Affenheimtheater
A big 24fps welcome to new member of the team Adam. He's waisted no time and has kicked off proceedings with a review of Kenta Fukasaku’s wacked out J-horror, X-Cross. Director: Kenta Fukasaku. Review: Adam Wing. Human sacrifice, severed limbs, crazy locals and mummification, I guess it’s that time of the month again. Welcome to the wonderful world of Japanese cinema. Kenta Fukasaku (Yo-Yo Cop Girl, Battle Royale 2) is back behind the camera for his fourth feature, working from a script by Tetsuya Oishi (the Death Note movies) and based upon a novel by Nobuyuki Joko. It’s a familiar tale of love and loss, or at least that’s how it might read in the script, what soon becomes apparent however is that the loss we are witnessing has less to do with love and more to do with legs. Shiyori (Nao Matsushita) has just split up with her boyfriend,...
- 2/7/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
Battle Royale 2 helmer Kenta Fukasaku has conjured up a bizarre horror-comedy entitled X-Cross (or, "criss-cross" but not in the "wearing your jeans backwards sorta way") that has landed on our radar. Based on the hit novel by Nobuyuki Joko and scripted by Tetsuya Oishi ( Death Note: The Last Name , Death Note ), the film is described as a mix of elements from The Wicker Man , Friday the 13th and The Burning with Rashomon -style flashbacks. An official plot synopsis follows. There are no U.S. release plans yet for the film, but it arrives on Region 2 DVD on January 19th. Photos and a trailer can be found below... Having recently split up with her first boyfriend and in need of some sympathy, Shiyori (Nao Matsushita) is invited for a...
- 11/26/2008
- shocktillyoudrop.com
We've just manage to turn up a first poster for Japanese director Mamoru Oshii's (Ghost in the Shell) latest project, the omnibus action movie Kill. It seems Oshii has decided to do away with a movie that requires you to sit through any of that boring plot and character development and instead go straight for the action. Fine by us! As well as himself, three other directors (Kenta Fukasaku, Takanori Tsujimoto, Minoru Taharato) have added their contributions, to create an omnibus of blistering blade action stories.
- 11/10/2008
- 24framespersecond.net
We've just manage to turn up a first poster for Japanese director Mamoru Oshii's (Ghost in the Shell) latest project, the omnibus action movie Kill. It seems Oshii has decided to do away with a movie that requires you to sit through any of that boring plot and character development and instead go straight for the action. Fine by us! As well as himself, three other directors (Kenta Fukasaku, Takanori Tsujimoto, Minoru Taharato) have added their contributions, to create an omnibus of blistering blade action stories.
- 11/10/2008
- 24framespersecond.net
We first caught wind of upcoming action anthology project Kiru ~ Kill back at the end of August, intrigued both by the concept - four directors shooting the climax sequences of non-existent action films - and by the involvement of both Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii and X Cross director Kenta Fukasaku. Though Oshii is best known for his work in animation he has done some very memorable live action work in the past - his feature length Avalon is brilliant - and while I’ve been harsh on Fukasaku in the past he finally came into his own - in gloriously trashy fashion - with the hugely entertaining X Cross. As an added little aside I take the involvement of both directors in this project as a sign that their collaborative film Elle Is Burning is coming along well, or else they’d not likely want to work together on this ...
Anyway,...
Anyway,...
- 9/15/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
Have you ever wished you could just skip to the end of an action film? You know, ignore all that plot and story and character development stuff and just get to the big fight at the end? Well, Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii obviously has. He is supervising a four part, live action anthology film titled Kiru ~ Kill which asks four directors - and, yes, Oshii is one of them - to shoot a major action sequence as though it’s the end of some other, fictional film. So it’s climax times four, with none of that pesky foreplay.
Oshii’s own segment is titled Assault Girl 2 and will star Babel and Brothers Bloom star Rinko Kikuchi and Yoko Fujita as a pair of women battling silently on an open field. Kenta Fukasaku, with whom Oshii is also working on upcoming action feature Elle Is Burning, will also direct a segment.
Oshii’s own segment is titled Assault Girl 2 and will star Babel and Brothers Bloom star Rinko Kikuchi and Yoko Fujita as a pair of women battling silently on an open field. Kenta Fukasaku, with whom Oshii is also working on upcoming action feature Elle Is Burning, will also direct a segment.
- 8/25/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
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