With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013
With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

Friday, May 29, 2020

New Superhero Franchise GUNDALA to debut on Digital, Blu-ray™ & DVD July 28, 2020

Well Go USA
Presents
Gundala
Written and Directed by Joko Anwar
Based on the comic by Harya Suraminata
Indonesia, 2019, 124 minutes

Indonesia's preeminent comic book superhero and his alter ego enter the cinematic universe to battle the wicked Pengkor and his diabolical squad of orphan assassins in the action-packed Gundala, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD July 28 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Based on a popular comic book first published in 1969, Gundala is the first film in a proposed eight film franchise launching a new superhero cinematic universe (in the vein of Marvel). In this origins story, Sancaka (Abimana Aryasatya) is a security guard who was struck by lightning, giving him superhuman powers and turning him into the superhero Gundala. Gundala had its international premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and this release features an all-new English dub, in addition to its original subtitled soundtrack.

Synopsis:
Gundala is a poignant portrayal of the notion that heroes—whether everyday or superhuman—can be found anywhere (though a superpower never hurts). Indonesian orphan Sancaka spent his life on the streets trying to attract as little attention as possible, but when greed and violence reach a fever pitch in Jakarta, it soon becomes clear that he is the people’s only hope for peace.

JAPAN CUTS 2020 Film Festival: First Online-Only Edition, July 17-30, 2020

Japan Sciety NY
Presents

Announcing JAPAN CUTS 2020 Film Festival: First Online-Only Edition

Japan Society NY has announced that, in light of the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19, they are taking North America's largest contemporary Japanese cinema festival out of its usual form and crafting a completely online version of JAPAN CUTS.

Re-imagining this format, they will maintain the festival’s high quality of film offerings and its intimate support of the film community while also finding new ways of engaging with now-nationwide audiences.

Set within both recurring sections and new initiatives, the online festival will offer a diverse slate of around 30 feature films and shorts programs. Live-streamed virtual Q&As, panels and greetings from guest filmmakers will serve as opportunities for in-depth interaction.

The full lineup of films and events will be revealed in late June, and AsianCineFest will be providing updates and additional information.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Section23 Films announces its June, 2020 slate of releases


Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its June, 2020 slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks heartwarming standout drama, After the Rain, available on Blu-ray June 30th.

Here are the product details, in order of release.

Title: TAMAKO MARKET LOVE STORY COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 385 min.
Street Date: 6/2/2020
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Growing up in a candy store is just a daydream for most kids, but for Tamako, it's her real life. And, yes, most of the time it's pretty sweet! Tamako gets to create new flavors, hang out with her friends and discover all kinds of ways to have fun. There are difficult parts, though, and one of them is figuring out her relationship with Mochizo, whose family runs a rival shop. Does she really like him or is she just experiencing a candy crush in TAMAKO MARKET? Then, get ready for a double scoop of Tamako goodness as Tamako and her friends prepare to finish high school. It's exciting, but sad too, as some of them will be moving away… including Mochizo. Sometimes life is sugary and other times it's bittersweet in TAMAKO LOVE STORY!


Title: NON NON BIYORI VACATION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 71 min.
Street Date: 6/9/2020
Format: BD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $29.98

SYNOPSIS: Even when you're fortunate enough to live in a place as beautiful as the country village of Asahigaoka, you should never turn down the chance to explore someplace else. So, when Suguru wins a free trip to Okinawa just as the summer vacation is coming to an end, the town's entire school… all 5 students and 1 teacher, plus the local candy shop owner… can hardly wait for their 3-day trip to begin! Between kayaking, swimming and meeting new people, there's always something fun happening, but the best part of all is that big city girl Hotaru and her new small-town friends all get to explore the wonders of Japan's famous vacation destination together. Prepare for the perfect trip as the whole gang boards the plane for NON NON BIYORI - VACATION!


Title: DOMESTIC GIRLFRIEND
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 6/16/2020
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Natsuo Fuji has a serious crush on one of his teachers, Hina Tachibana, but since he knows he has zero chance of ever being in a relationship with her, he lets his friends talk him into going to a party where he meets Rui. One thing leads to another and then, well, neither of them is a virgin anymore. Unfortunately, it wasn't what they expected, but that's fine. They're just ships passing in the night and they'll never have to see each other again, right? Except when Natsuo's father announces that he's getting married again, Natsuo discovers that he's getting two new step-sisters as well. Now there's a problem, because one is his teacher, Hina, and the other is Rui. Yep, the family dinners at Natsuo's house are about to get REALLY awkward in DOMESTIC GIRLFRIEND!


Title: MYSTERIA FRIENDS PREMIUM BOX SET
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 150 min.
Street Date: 6/16/2020
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $99.98

SYNOPSIS: Welcome to Mysteria Academy, where the secrets of magic are taught to an eager student body composed of humans, gods and demons. Of course, it takes an unusual degree of tolerance for these groups to mingle freely, but thanks to this unusually diverse and inclusive educational experience, the most unlikely friendships are bound to spring up. Which is how Anne, a human honor student who happens to be a Princess, finds herself growing increasingly close to Grea, a half-human/half-dragon who also happens to be a Princess. Sure, fairy tales would have you believe that relationships between Princesses and Dragons are bound to end up badly, but that doesn't take bonding while shopping and trips to the beach into account, let alone the fact that what they're feeling may be a little more than just friendship in MYSTERIA FRIENDS!


Title: RE:STAGE! DREAM DAYS
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 6/23/2020
Format: BD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: When Mana Shikimiya joins her new school's struggling Lyrical Tradition Dance club, she finds herself swept up in a dream shared by thousands of other middle school girls across Japan: To someday compete at the Prism Stage, where teams of young women battle in song and dance for the chance to become the next generation of top idol singers! First, though, she'll have to help save the club from being shut down, and then she and her new friends Sayu, Mizuhua, Kae, Kasumi and Minori will have to up their musical game in order to make it to the first level of competition. Because no matter how badly they want to win, there are hundreds of other girls who want it just as much… and those girls all have a head start in RE:STAGE! DREAM DAYS!


Title: REAL GIRL PREMIUM BOX SET
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 600 min.
Street Date: 6/23/2020
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $129.98

SYNOPSIS: Hikari Tsutsui has never been popular, his one real friend is an even worse otaku than he is, and the only girls he's known are the two-dimensional women from his manga and video games. Until, that is, he's sent to help clean the pool as punishment and is partnered with the school's resident "bad girl", the very real, very three-dimensional Iroha Igarashi. Brash, beautiful, and known for her promiscuous behavior, Iroha is loathed by other girls but loved by the guys. And yet, inexplicably, she not only seems to be interested in Hikari, but proposes that they enter into a relationship! Unable to resist, Hikari agrees, but there's one big catch - Iroha's moving away in six months, so no matter what happens between them, in half a year Hikari's guaranteed to lose his REAL GIRL!


Title: AFTER THE RAIN
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 6/30/2020
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Akira Tachibana's life has taken a wrong turn. Sidelined from her high school track team by an injury, she's found herself increasingly distanced from her friends and unsure of what to do next with her life. That's not her biggest worry though. The real problem is that she's found someone that she's interested in, someone who makes her feel like she's never felt before… even though she knows that, by society's standards, it's completely wrong. Because the person at the center of the emotional storm overwhelming her is nearly three times her age and the manager of the restaurant where she's just begun to work. So, what now? Does this runner take the next step and tell him how she feels? Or will she stumble, turn, and flee from the one thing she truly wants in AFTER THE RAIN?


Title: RUN WITH THE WIND PREMIUM BOX SET
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 575 min.
Street Date: 6/30/2020
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $129.98

SYNOPSIS: Kakeru Kurahara was a track star in high school, but after losing his money gambling, the only running he's doing is fleeing after shoplifting food. Then Kakeru's escape route crosses paths with Haiji Kiyose, and he gets a chance to change his life's direction. A fourth-year college student, Haiji has dreamed of entering the famous Hakone Ekidan relay marathon, but he's been one runner short of a potential team… until he sees Kakeru blow past him like the wind and knows he's found his critical tenth man. Of course, it won't be easy convincing Kakeru to join, and the rest of the team includes such questionable choices as a chronic smoker and an underweight otaku, but they've all got legs and Haiji will make sure they learn how to use them to RUN WITH THE WIND!

Thursday, May 14, 2020

THE MAN STANDING NEXT coming to Digital and Blu-ray & DVD on May 26th


The Man Standing Next
Directed by WOO Min-ho & LEE Ji-min
Written by WOO Min-ho
Starring LEE Byung-hun, LEE Sung-min, KWAK Do-won,
LEE Hee-jun, and KIM So-jin
South Korea, 2020, 113 minutes

MPI Media Group has announced the May 26, 2020 theatrical/digital release of The Man Standing Next.

Film Synopsis:
In the 1970's, Korea is under the absolute control of the President Park (Lee Sung-min) who controls the KCIA, the organization with an edge over any branch of government. The director of KCIA, Kim Gyu-pyeong (Lee Byung-hun), is the seemingly most prospective second-in-command. In the midst of reign of fear, a former KCIA director, Park Yong-gak (Kwak Do-won) who knows all about the government's obscure operations, exiles to the U.S where the investigation of 'Koreagate' is underway. As the tension escalates, the stifling political maneuvering by the all second-in-command's unfolds.

In my February 7, 2020 review I gave The Man Standing Next a 3.5 out of 4 star rating, highly recommended. Read that review here.

Watch the trailer here.

Martial Arts Movie Channel Hi-YAH! Goes Mobile

 Hi-YAH! Features Commercial-Free
Martial Arts and Asian Action Movies
Available on Mobile and Connected TV Devices

Hi-YAH! (hiyahtv.com), the premier platform for streaming martial arts and Asian action movies in the U.S., today announced its official launch on mobile devices and connected TVs. As part of the launch, new users will be eligible for a 30-day free trial, after which a monthly subscription fee of only $3.99 will apply. Hi-YAH!—available through app stores for devices including iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV—offers both exclusive and non-exclusive content that will be refreshed monthly.

Hi-YAH! currently provides subscribers with more than 500 hours of high-quality, commercial-free viewing of films featuring all-time favorite kung fu masters including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, along with hits from acclaimed directors Johnnie To, Yuen Woo-Ping, Wilson Yip, Tsui Hark and more. As of today, subscribers can take advantage of Hi-YAH!’s exclusive streaming release of Takashi Miike’s 2019 twisty, hyper-violent yakuza romp FIRST LOVE, added as part of the “Miike Madness” collection featuring many of the classic and fan-favorite films from the iconic director.

“With the launch of the app, Hi-YAH! now allows action and martial arts fans unparalleled access to stream our content on any device,” said Jason Pfardrescher, EVP, Digital Distribution at Well Go USA Entertainment. “The app offers an exceptional entertainment experience and makes our extensive library of movies, TV series and exclusive content much more accessible to consumers.”

Subscribers can watch classic martial arts hits such as RISE OF THE LEGEND, FLASH POINT, and THE ASSASSIN as well as Asian action favorites like TRAIN TO BUSAN, THE MAN FROM NOWHERE, and DRUG WAR—all while anticipating the forthcoming additions of Donnie Yen as the Grandmaster in the complete IP MAN franchise and THE VILLAINESS, which inspired the unforgettable motorcycle fight scene in John Wick: Chapter 3.