AsianCineFest

ACF 1330: Dance documentary THE SPACE IN BACK OF YOU coming to the Walter Reade Theater

2012-01-27T10:55:00.000-08:00

The Space in Back of You

Directed by Richard Rutkowski

Based on an original stage tribute by Robert Wilson

U.S.A., 2011, 65 minutes

When: Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 8:45 PM
(New York Premiere)

and Monday, January 30, 2012 at 3:30 PM

Where: The Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center

165 West 65 Street, 4th Floor NYC

This lovely and loving documentary is a tribute to Japanese dancer and choreographer Suzushi Hanayagi. Born Mitsuko Kiuchi in 1928, she began her training in the Hanayagi dance tradition at the age of four. She took the name Suzushi Hanayagi at age twenty.

She knew the music of John Cage in the 1950s while still in Japan. In the early '60s, she came to the United States and studied at the Martha Graham School. But she looked for something post-modern, beyond the formula of the Graham technique. She associated with the members of the Judson Dance Theater, an informal group of dancers who perfomed at the Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village. She became a friend and collaborator with Carla Blank and, later, Robert Wilson.

In 1969, pregnant with her son Ascenda Kiuchi, she returned to Japan. The ensuing years found her performing and choreographing not only in Japan and New York, but elsewhere around the world. Suzushi, as everyone in the films calls her, is now afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and currently lives in a nursing home in Osaka. One of the most touching segments of the film is Wilson visiting her, and later talking about that visit. (My eyes tear up again now as I recall this segment in order to write of it.)

Wilson and Carla Blank created "KOOL-Dancing In My Mind," a performance portrait inspired by Suzushiand. It includes reconstructions of some of her choreography and is intended to provide a reminder of her importance in post-modern dance. Portions of it are shown in the film.

Suzushi (seated, left) with David Byrne next to her and Robert Wilson, standing at right

As one of her associates in the film says, Suzhshi became "a creator of the space around her." For some time she was rather perplexed by the dichotomy of her traditional Japanese dance training and her involvement with Western avant-guarde dance movement. After studying Zen, she came to realize that this was her nature and that, for her, the two worlds were one.

The Space in Back of You provides video clips and still photographs of Suzushi's artistic life and, to a lesser degree, her personal life. There are interviews with Wilson, David Byrne (who provided the music for several Suzushi/Wilson collaborations, as well as "KOOL-Dancing In My Mind") and many others who knew and worked with her.

Suzushi being visited recently by Robert Wilson

The Space in Back of You (the title comes from her admonition to pay attention to it because it is more important than the space in front) should be seen by anyone with an interest in Japanese dance, in post-modern Western dance, or in learning about an incredibly talented woman who has left her mark not only in the world of dance, but also in the hearts of those lucky enough to have known her.

A Q&A with director Richard Rutkowski will follow both screenings.

Film and ticket information here. For the official website for The Space in Back of You, click here.

The two screenings will be preceded by La femme à la cafetière (1989). Inspired by a painting of the same title by Paul Cézanne, Robert Wilson wittily conveys the boredom of the figure within the frame, as she passes her time, nibbling sweets, unmoved by the changes around her until she must relinquish her place to a successor., The piece was performed by Suzushi Hanayagi and Consuelo de Haviland and co-produced by the Musèe d'Orsay, INA, and La September.

The Space in Back of You screenings are part of the 40th Dance on Camera Festival, which begins today, Friday, January 27th, and runs through Tuesday, January 31st.

ACF 1329: THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY film comics, art and picture books coming February 7th

2012-01-27T00:30:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS THE WONDROUS MINIATURE

ADVENTURES OFSTUDIO GHIBLI’S

THE SECRET WORLD OFARRIETTY

TO READERS IN A NEW SERIES OF BOOKS

Releases Based On The New The Film

By Hayao Miyazaki’s Famed Animation Studio

Include Film Comics, Art And PictureBooks

VIZ Media brings the miniaturizedadventure of famed Studio Ghibli’s newest animated creation – THE SECRET WORLDOF ARRIETTY – to readers everywhere with a collection of ARRIETTY film comics,art and picture books set to debut on February 7th, 2012. THE SECRETWORLD OF ARRIETTY is scheduled for North American theatrical release onFebruary 17th, 2012.

THESECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTYis based on the celebrated novel, The Borrowers, by Mary Norton and was producedby Studio Ghibli, the famed animation company founded by Hayao Miyazaki, whichalso created Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castleand Ponyo. The new film, withplanning/screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, willfeature the voice talents of Bridget Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett andWill Arnett for its English language release.

Arrietty isn’t your ordinaryfourteen-year-old girl – she is small enough to make her home under thefloorboards of a typical house, “borrowing” what she and her family need fromthe giants in whose shadows they live. A young boy named Shawn befriendsArrietty, but when adults discover the Borrowers, Arrietty and Shawn must worktogether to save her family.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY PICTURE BOOK · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN · Available February 7th, 2012

The colorful and easy-to-read THESECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY Picture Book is a full-color hardcover edition that will appeal toyounger readers especially. The book uses the vividly colored animation cel artfrom the feature film combined with simplified text to retell the story ofArrietty and her adventures.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY FILM COMICS · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $16.99 U.S. each / $19.99 CAN each · Available February 7th, 2012

Theofficial 2-volume film comic of THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY re-tells thefilm’s story with vivid full-color frames.

THE ART OF THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN · Available February 7th, 2012

Co-founded by the legendaryfilmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli films enthrall and enchant audiencesacross the world. The Art ofseries gives fans the opportunity to follow their favorite film from initialconcept to the silver screen, thanks to hundreds of sketches, concept drawings,and animation cels, plus in-depth interviews with the creators.

“Fans and readers of all ageswon’t want to miss these new additions to VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library oftitles,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Director, Editorial. “Studio Ghibli hasmastered the ability to tell poignant and engaging stories that captivate bothchildren and adults, and their latest film, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY,continues this tradition. Our forthcoming picture book and film comics are funways for young readers to visit the world of ARRIETTY while the gorgeous artbook will be a must-have for the ardent Studio Ghibli fan or those who want toknow more about the evolution of the film. Discover the adventures in-store forthis band of ‘borrowers’ in these new releases scheduled for February!”

More information on VIZ Media’s StudioGhibli titles is available at www.VIZ.com.

ACF 1328: THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS now available from Section23

2012-01-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Section23 Films has released the devilishly fun anime THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS on both DVD & Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks

Title: THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS

Running Time: 300 min.

Age Rating: TV 14 (D)

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Format: DVD

SRP: $59.98

Title: THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS BLU-RAY EDITION

Running Time: 300 min.

Age Rating: TV 14 (D)

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Format: BD

SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Keima Katsuragi can score with any girl he wants. Provided that she’s not real. A legendary master of Japanese “dating Sims,” often referred to by other players as the God of Conquests, Keima is a classic nerd in real life and isn’t even all that interested in girls with more than two dimensions in the first place! Unfortunately for Keima, his personal preferences cease to be of any importance when he accepts a challenge to what he THINKS is an internet game, only to discover the he’s actually made a deal with a demon!

And not just any demon, this is Elsie, a not particularly competent, young female demon who’s been charged with recapturing runaway spirits that prefer to hide in girls hearts, where they can only be driven out by the girls falling in love. Now Elsie’s got Keima by a collar and he’s got to get the girls or die trying! Romance and dating are the highway to Hell in The World God Only Knows.

ACF 1327: Utsuwa Floral Design Boutique opens at NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco's Japantown

2012-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

UTSUWA FLORAL DESIGN BOUTIQUE

OPENS AT NEW PEOPLE

Modern Japanese Bonsai Techniques

Artfully Blend With Colorful Aesthetics

At The New Retail Boutique Opening

AtBay Area Pop Culture Venue

NEW PEOPLE, the dynamic San Francisco entertainmentdestination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to NorthAmerican shores, welcomes a new retailer to its entertainment venue located inthe city’s Japantown. Utsuwa Floral Design produces a captivating mix of traditionalJapanese bonsai blended with fresh and playful design accents. The UtsuwaFloral Design at NEW PEOPLE is the company’s second retail location in SanFrancisco.

Feel the power of universe and vastnessof nature creatively depicted in a variety of organic and affordably designedbonsai pots and glass. Utsuwa Floral Design’s creations offer artful and naturalmeditation for people living in urban surroundings. Utsuwa Floral Design alsoaccepts orders online at: http://utsuwafd.comand ships their creations nationwide.

Valentine’s Day Sale: Surprise your favorite loved one with a uniquegift! Utsuwa Floral Design kicks off a special double-weekend sale offering 10%off on all designs between February 4th-5th and 11th-12th.Among the unique items available are Mini Bonsai plants in original pots,starting at only $20.00, artful Moss Ball Aquariums starting at only $10.00,and a wide variety of Air Plants, Succulents and Terrariums starting at $15.00.More information on Utsuwa Floral Design is available at: http://utsuwafd.com.

Hanging Shida (Fern) Workshop: Visitors are also invitedto participate in a fun, hands-on workshop on Friday, February 17that 7:30pm at NEW PEOPLE’s Cinema Café, located in the venue’s spacious lobby.Learn traditional and modern arrangement techniques and create customizedinspired designs in a unique event open to everyone. These workshops often sellout quickly! Tickets are $35.00; additional information is available at www.newpeopleworld.com.

Utsuwa Floral Design was founded by U.S.-bornHiro Hayama in 1998. Hayama hails from a family of bonsai masters and he openedhis first retail store in Suginami, Tokyo in 2000. As floral designer, Hiro andhis florist wife, Misuzu, introduced inventive bonsai and aquarium creationsinspired by Asian and Japanese antiques to a new generation of bonsaiaficionados in Tokyo. The couple opened their first retail store in the U.S. inSan Francisco in 2010 (located at 1339 Polk St., between Austin St. & PineSt.) to highlight these traditional and antique Japanese accents. Their latestlocation at NEW PEOPLE will showcase a whole new will showcase a whole newconcept that incorporates fresh, modern designs that reflect on an urbanenvironment.

NEW PEOPLE opened in 2009 and hasbecome a unique must-see attraction of San Francisco’s cultural landscape. The 20,000square foot contemporary venue featuresthe latest examples Japanese popular culture expressed though film, art,fashion, and a variety of specialty boutiques and ongoing monthly events. NEWPEOPLE is locatedat 1746 Post Street in the city’s Japantown.

ACF 1326: Review of NEW PEOPLE's DVD "Documentary AKB48 to be continued"

2012-01-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

DOCUMENTARY of AKB 48 to be continued came out on DVD in the U.S. the beginning of this past December from NEW PEOPLE Entertainment. Culled from over 1000 hours of recorded video throughout 2010, it provides an interesting look inside the all-female idol group that is one of if not the biggest phenomenons in J-Pop today.

Just how big a phenomenon is AKB48? Well, here are just a few of the items that have appeared recently at Tokyograph, a news and information website dedicated to Japanese pop culture that was founded in June 2006:

- AKB48 forms band for new single “Give Me Five!”

- AKB48 wins Japan Record Award

- AKB48 breaks multiple records as best selling artist of 2011

- AKB48 earns record for most million-selling singles by a female artist

AKB48 was formed by music producer Yasushi Akimoto in 2005. The "AKB" stands for A-Ki-Ha-Bara, the Tokyo district that is a center for electronics and anime´/ pop culture. As one of the title cards at the beginning of the documentary indicates, the group has a theater in Akihabara that is exclusive for their performances, which take place almost every day. The "48" stands for the number of official members in the group, which is divided into Teams A, K and B, with 16 members in each. In addition, there are "trainees," the number of which varies, who aspire to become members of one of the teams as vacancies occur.

The concept behind AKB48 is that they are "Idols you can always meet" and this comes across clearly in the documentary. The members, who seem to range in age from about 14 to their early 20s, are shown talking directly to the members of the audience. One of the phrases they most often employ, both onstage and in on-camera interviews, is "our dreams" and talking about striving to achieve their dreams creates a bridge of intimacy between them and their audience. Also, in recent years the group has started to hold elections to determine who will be involved in recording singles. in which fans vote for their favorites and the girl ranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.

The documentary provides interviews with several members and those shown impressed me with a degree of maturity and articulation beyond what I would have expected from those so young. There are also shots of the girls in rehearsal and performing. We also get to see some of them doing "real life" things such as eating out at restaurants, shopping, and so forth.

DOCUMENTARY of AKB 48 to be continued was produced by group founder Akimoto, so it's clearly an "in-house" type of production. If you come to it expecting a hard-hitting, Michael Moore kind of expose´, you'll be disappointed. This is no "warts and all" kind of film.

But it is an insightful opportunity to enter the world of these dedicated, hard-working and, yes, very talented young women. ACF Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; solidly recommended.

DOCUMENTARY of AKB 48 to be continued is available at NEW PEOPLE, Amazon and elsewhere.

ACF 1325: Over 20 films to be offered in LOVE WILL TEAR US APART film series coming to Japan Society

2012-01-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

Bad Guy © LJ Film / Prime Entertainment.

Globus Film Series

Love Will Tear Us Apart

When: March 2-18, 2012

Where: Japan Society

333 East 47th Street, NY, NY

Between 1st and 2nd Avenues

Japan Society very recently announced its next film series, and it going to be great! (No surprise there; Japan Society has consistently presented outstanding films.) The series contains nudity, violence and strong sexual content, which makes it 3 for 3 in my book. Here's the announcment:

Bad romance, blind love, amour fou! This spring, we screen a series of twisted, obsessive, heart-blazing love stories from Japan and Korea, because, after all, it takes two to tango and at least two to tumble...

The 20+ film lineup, mostly from the past decade, includes the U.S. premiere of Shinya Tsukamoto's latest film, KOTOKO, and the world premiere of Koji Wakamatsu’s Petrel Hotel Blue, as well as Hirokazu Kore'eda's Air Doll, Nagisa Oshima's arch-classic In the Realm of the Senses, Yukio Ninagawa's Snakes and Earrings, Lee Sang-il's Villain, Lee Chang-dong's Oasis, and Kim Ki-duk's Bad Guy, among other twisted tales of star-crossed lovers on the rocks and on the run.

Film and schedule information here.

Tickets go on sale February 1st.

ACF 1324: Simulcast of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN on Hulu Plus to start on January 19th, 2012

2012-01-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS NARUTOSHIPPUDEN ANIME
TO HULU PLUS SUBSCRIBERS
THE SAME DAY AFTER BROADCAST DEBUTIN JAPAN

Latest Action-PackedNinja Adventures Straight From
Japan To Stream For Fans Beginning With Episode 245

VIZ Media has announced the simulcast of the latest episodes of theanime series NARUTO SHIPPUDEN on the Hulu Plus subscription service (www.hulu.com/plus).Beginning January 19th, Hulu Plus subscribers will be able to simulcast the latestepisode of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN in high-definition just an hour after broadcastdebut in Japan. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Episode 245 (rated TV-14, subtitled) and new episodeswill be broadcast weekly.

Usersof the free, ad-supported Hulu service will also be able to catch the newNARUTO SHIPPUDEN segments one week after their initial run on Hulu Plus; theepisodes will also be available on the company’s own VIZAnime.com site.

In the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN adventure, Naruto begins his training to control the power ofa Tailed Beast with Killer Bee as his new master. In order to do so, one mustfight with the Tailed Beast’s head on and absorb its chakra, converting it intoone’s own power. Using the key entrusted to him by Jiraiya, Naruto unlocks theseal to release Nine Tails, and the battle between the two begins.

Createdby Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targetingtweens and teens. The manga and anime series (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for teens, and NARUTOSHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ for older teens), depicting the adventures ofninja-in-training Uzumaki Naruto, is one of VIZ Media’s most successfulproperties and has captivated millions offans across the Americas, and Europe The NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN animatedseries areco-productions of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc., and PierrotCo., Ltd.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumakiwants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knowshe must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercisesthat will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half yearslater, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninjaranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, andKakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of aninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from hissearch for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still anever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, herealizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding thathe’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

More information on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN isavailable at www.Naruto.com.

ACF 1323: New anime series LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!

2012-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks has announced the licensing of LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!, the wild new anime series that takes the classic sit-com premise of ‘a bachelor being forced to adopt three young children and discovering a whole new outlook on life’ and turns it completely on its head!

Based on the series of novels by Tomohiro Matsu and the subsequent manga series illustrated by Yuka Nakajima, the 12 episode series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (LICENSED BY ROYALTY, RENTAL MAGICA, ARC THE LAD).

Series composition is handled by veteran Naruhisa Arakawa (STEEL ANGEL KURUMI, DNANGEL, BLUE SEED) while key animator Takashi Mamezuka (INFINITE STRATOS, EDEN OF THE EAST,) takes up the task of adapting Nakajima’s original designs.

LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! will be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD scheduled for later this year.

Synopsis: Whoever said little girls grow up in the most delightful ways wasn’t Yuta Segawa! He wasn’t happy when his sister married a man who already had two children. But given that Yuri raised Yuta by herself after their own parents’ deaths, what kind of brother would Yuta be if he didn’t take in their THREE children when Yuri and her husband Shingo’s plane disappears?

Of course, the fact that Yuta’s only a nineteen year old college student, living in a tiny apartment, and the fact that he’s now living with three GIRLS, two of whom aren’t related by blood and one of whom is only five years younger than he is, is bound to cause some issues. Especially when the eldest girl, Sora, is harboring a secret crush on him and would be quite happy if Yuta’s social life revolved around the ‘family,’ while middle sister Miu is starting to make noises about ‘older men’ as well.

And did we mention that it’s a really, REALLY small apartment? Add the girl Yuta actually likes, Raika, as a smoldering fuse and the question isn’t IF Yuta’s home sweet home is a powderkeg, but rather one of when and how often! Some family ties bind, others may need restraining orders in LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!

ACF 1322: Science fiction & giant monsters in Hiroshi Yamamoto's MM9

2012-01-20T00:30:00.000-08:00

NATURAL DISASTERS OF HIGH “MONSTER MAGNITUDE”

THREATEN JAPAN IN MM9

Special Team Of Scientists MustSave Japan
In A Gripping New Novel
From The Author Of THE STORIES OF IBIS

VIZ Media’s Haikasoru imprint brings a fantastic new tale of science fiction and giant monsters to North American readers with the release of Hiroshi Yamamoto’s novel MM9, available now. The release will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. An eBook edition is also available on the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, the Barnes & Noble’s Nook Books Store, and the Sony Reader™ Store for $8.99.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

The Japan of MM9 is beset by natural disasters all the time: typhoons, earthquakes...and giant monster attacks. A special anti-monster unit called the Meteorological Agency Monsterological Measures Department (MMD) has been formed to deal with natural disasters of high “monster magnitude.” The work is challenging, the public is hostile, and the monsters are hungry, but the MMD crew has science, teamwork...and a legendary secret weapon on their side. Together, will try and save Japan, and the universe!

“Hiroshi Yamamoto takes on the perennial Japanese science fiction theme—the giant monsters known as kaiju,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru Editor. “The B-movie monsters we know and love are basically treated like meteorological disasters along the lines of hurricanes or earthquakes by the MMD, who measures the “monster magnitude” of the various threats and uses both science and folkloric knowledge to try to save Japan from constant repeated attack. Yamamoto knows his science as well as pop culture—MM9 is both a loving parody of Japanese icons like Ultraman and Godzilla, but gives an intriguing and wild answer to the question of how such enormous creatures could exist without the laws of physics kicking it. The book was very popular in Japan, and the cinematic nature of Yamamoto’s storytelling made it easy for Japanese television to adapt into an action-adventure- science fiction TV show.”

Hiroshi Yamamoto was born in 1956 in Kyoto, Japan. He began his career as a writer and game designer with the game development company Group SNE in 1987. He gained initial popularity with titles such as February at the Edge of Time and the Ghost Hunter series. His first hardcover science fiction release, God Never Keeps Silent, became a sensation among readers and was nominated for the Japan SF Award. Other novels include Day of Judgment and The Unseen Sorrow of Winter and THE STORIES OF IBIS (which is published in North America by VIZ Media’s Haikasoru). Aside from his work as a writer, Yamamoto is also active in various literary organizations as an editor of classic science fiction anthologies and as president of To-Gakkai, a group of tongue-in-cheek "experts" on the occult.

For more information on MM9 and the Haikasoru imprint, visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

ACF 1321: Free screening of ROUGH CUT next Tuesday evening In NYC

2012-01-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

Korean Cultural Service

presents

Korean Movie Night

Series 1: Jang Hun Plus One!

Rough Cut / Yeong-hwa-neun yeong-hwa-da

Directed by JANG Hun

South Korea, 2008, 112 minutes

When: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas

54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Admission: FREE!!!

All seating is first-come, first served

Kim Ki-Duk wrote this high concept knuckle-buster about a spoiled actor, famous for playing gangsters, who hires a real-life gangster to appear in his new flick. It sounds like nothing but a pile of cliches, but Jang Hun ignores the traditional approach and instead focuses on the volcanic, boiling testosterone that drives the conflict between a man used to getting his way because he’s famous, and a man used to getting his way because he’s violent.

The seduction of filmmaking, the appeal of acting and the temptation of a street brawl all exert their siren song on the two studs in suits at the heart of this film: superstar So Ji-Sub, surprisingly, playing the gangster and Kang Ji-Hwan as the actor.

ACF 1320: Sentai Filmworks acquires ghoulish anime series ANOTHER

2012-01-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks has acquired ANOTHER, the eagerly awaited new anime series that dares to ask the question: What do you do when your classmate’s school locker is a locker in the morgue? Based on the hit novel by Yukito Ayatsuji, the 12 episode series joins the manga, written by Ayatsuji and illustrated by MELANCHOLOY OF HARUHI SUZIMIYA’s Noizi Ito, and the forthcoming live action feature film (due Summer 2012) as part of the latest hit horror franchise to erupt from Japan.

Tsutomu Mizushima (BLOOD C, KOBATO, XXXHOLIC) directs from series composition by Ryo Higaki (MORIBITO-GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT) while Yuriko Ishii (Persona – Trinity Soul) adapts Ito’s original character designs for animation.

ANOTHER will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on DVD and Blu-Ray scheduled for later this year.

Synopsis: Mei Misaki was cute, athletic and one of the most popular girls in her school. Why should a little thing like death change that? Now, 23 years after Mei’s mysterious demise, a new transfer student discovers that not only is his school’s student body one corpse short of a full roster, but that some secrets never leave high school. And what’s more, all of this may somehow be tied into his own family past.

What is the secret and how does it all connect? And even if Kouichi does figure it out, will that knowledge help save him? As the school bells toll a deadly dirge and students begin to die, things that were never properly buried come back to haunt the high school of the damned in ANOTHER.

ACF 1319: VIZ Manga App Special Promotion Through January 30th

2012-01-19T00:30:00.000-08:00

VIZManga iPad Manga Spread Screenshot of DeathNote

VIZ MEDIA INVITES FANS TO EXPLORE
VIZ MANGA PLATFORM
WITHSPECIAL APP PROMOTION

For A Limited Time Only, NewUsers Can Download

VIZ Manga App And ReceiveFree Volume 1

VIZ Media gives manga (graphic novel) readers anadded reason to explore the digital manga experience with a special promotion fornew users of the VIZ Manga App for Apple iPad, iPhone andiPod touch devices. From now until January 30th,download the FREE VIZ Manga App toyour iOS device, register for a new account, and get a free volume 1 of yourchoice.

VIZMedia’s multiple digital manga platforms allow for universal access to read manga froman iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, on VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers aswell as Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. Withone account, registered users may access their purchases across even moredevices than ever.

Thefree VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga and features arapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes arecurrently available, including global hits like BLACK BIRD, BLEACH, CROSS GAME,KEKKAISHI, NARUTO and VAMPIRE KNIGHT, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

Formore information, visit www.VIZ.com/apps.

ACF 1318: Special screening of THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY

2012-01-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Secret World of Arrietty

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Japan, 2010, 94 minutes

When: Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 1:00pm

Where: Symphony Space
2537 Broadway New York, NY 10025
Between 94th and 95th Streets

Special Preview Screening - On Show Only!

In English - Recommended All Ages

The New York International Children's Film Festival is thrilled to present a special preview screening of The Secret World of Arrietty, based on Mary Norton's classic children's book "The Borrowers." Co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Miyazaki protégé Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is a gorgeous and entertaining treat - a beautiful story, sumptuously animated with all the loving detail, warmth, and humanity we have come to expect from Studio Ghibli's finest works.

"Arrietty is simply gorgeous, embracing the ravishing color of garden flowers, wildly sprouting vines, the perfection of a raindrop on a leaf. Children will enjoy the borrowers' thrilling forays into the house in search of sustenance; adults can wallow in the exquisite detail of the interior and leafy surroundings. Animation simply doesn't get any better than Ghibli's ravishing creation." - Daily Telegraph

Arrietty is a girl of 14, one of the "little people" living secretly with her parents under the floors of an English-style country house. They survive by borrowing food and finding ingenious uses for household objects dropped by its inhabitants - a single cube of sugar can last for weeks and a pin makes a great sword for fighting off hungry insects! But one day a new visitor moves into the empty room upstairs. Shawn is a delicate, handsome teenage boy who has come to the house to rest and build his strength before a heart operation. When he catches sight of Arreitty he is entranced, and the two begin to form a bond. But with their secret now exposed, the Borrower family worries that they may need to move away and find a new home. In English, with voice cast including Will Arnett, Carol Burnett, and Amy Poehler.

This event is expected to sell out. To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE or call TicketWeb directly at 866-468-7619.

ACF 1317: Happy Birthday, Takeshi Kitano! Happy Birthday To You!

2012-01-18T02:00:00.000-08:00

Kitano in Achilles and the Tortoise (2008) which he also wrote and directed

Takeshi Kitano was born on January 18, 1947 in Tokyo. He began his entertainment career as a comedian. As part of a duo know as Two Beat, or sometimes The Two Beats, he became known as "Beat Takeshi." He is a film director and actor, as well as a writer of both screenplays and books. As a director he is known in the U.S. for such films as Outrage (2010), The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003), and Sonatine (1993). He also acted in all of these.He also is well known for his roles in Battle Royale (2000) and Merry Christman Mr. Lawrence (1983), among others.

So "Happy Birthday, 'Beat Takeshi', and best wishes for many more.

ACF 1316: NARUTO: THE OFFICIAL CHARACTER DATA BOOK

2012-01-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA KICKS OFF 2012 NINJA STYLE WITH
NARUTO:THE OFFICIAL CHARACTER DATA BOOK

New GuideOffers Fans Essential NARUTO Character Info
As Well As Never-Before-RevealedData And Secrets

VIZ Media is opening the new year with thelatest addition to its extensive library of NARUTO titles. NARUTO: THE OFFICIALCHARACTER DATA BOOK is available now, offers essential information on key charactersfrom the smash-hit action series, and includes 8 full-color pages. NARUTO: THE OFFICIAL CHARACTER BOOK is rated ‘T’for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

A ninja knowsall! And now you can too! Here's all the intel you need on who's who in NARUTO!.THE OFFICIAL CHARACTER DATABOOK gives you all you need stay theexpert on all things NARUTO.Whether you're catching up, brushing up, or just getting started with thegoings-on in ninja world, this handy, huge guide covers the whole story all theway to Volume 43 of the best-selling manga (graphic novel) series!

“NARUTO: THE OFFICIALCHARACTER DATA BOOK is atreasure-trove of essential information that will be a must-read for bothcasual and die-hard NARUTO fans,”says Joel Enos, Editor. “Inside these pages, you'll find never-before revealeddata, secrets, and even a few scandals involving your favorite, as well asmost-hated, shinobi. And fans won’t want to miss a new manga tale from NARUTOcreator Masashi Kishimoto that you can't find inEnglish anywhere else!”

Createdby Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targetingtweens and teens. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animatedcounterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for teens, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ forolder teens), depicting the adventures of ninja-in-training Uzumaki Naruto, isone of VIZ Media’s most successful properties and has captivated millions of fans across NorthAmerica, Europe and South America. The NARUTO and NARUTOSHIPPUDEN animated series are co-productions of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc.,and Pierrot Co., Ltd.

More information onNARUTO is available at www.Naruto.com.

ACF 1315: MOTTO TO LOVE RU

2012-01-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks has acquired MOTTO TO LOVE RU, the sequel series to the company’s previous hit TO LOVE RU. As before, the series is based on the manga by Kintaro Yabuki (BLACK CAT) and Saki Hasemi (MOETAN). The new 12 episode series is helmed by Atsushi Otsuki (who directed the final episode of the original series as well as episodes of FULL METAL ALCHEMIST, the second season of WAGNERIA and LADIES VS. BUTLERS) working from series composition by SLAYERS and VENUS VS. VIRUS vet Yasutomo Yamada. Yuichi Ouka once again adapts Yabuki’s original character designs for animation.

Watch for MOTTO TO LOVE RU on subtitled DVD this spring!

Synopsis: The insanity that began when a very naked (and very female) alien teleported into Rito Yuki’s bathtub (while he was in it) continues, and even though Princess Lala has finally started to admit her true feelings about the young man she’s inexplicably engaged to marry (as a result of what happened in said bathtub and Develuke customs), her sometimes erratic technology and the snags and snarls of intergalatic politics and intrigue are still causing major problems.

That transporter, for example, still has the nasty habit of leaving the clothes behind. Those alien bounty hunters? Yep, even more of them and they’re even more devious. Add body switches, alien skunks, a bathroom that changes size and shape, the inevitable sleepover that you just know is going to go horribly, horribly wrong (spoiler: it does,) and worst of all, Valentine’s Day, and even in space you’ll be able to hear Rito scream! Love takes a quantum shift into the wrong gear and the star brakes are broken in the extra-special, extra-crazy extraterrestrial romance to end them all, MOTTO TO LOVE RU – The Complete Collection.

ACF 1314: VIZ announces launch of FLUFFY, FLUFFY CINNAMOROLL

2012-01-17T00:30:00.001-08:00

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES FUN, ADORABLE KIDS’MANGA

FLUFFY, FLUFFY CINNAMOROLL

Cute Flying Long-Eared Pup With APenchant For Cinnamon Rolls
Takes Off For Colorful Adventures In New VIZ KidsManga Release

VIZ Media delivers some sweet high-flyingfun with the debut of the VIZ Kids manga (graphic novel) property, FLUFFY, FLUFFY Cinnamoroll, available now. The colorful new adventure, withstory and art by Yumi Tsukirino, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will carry an MSRPof $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

Meet the puppy with a tail like a cinnamon roll!

Cinnamoroll is noordinary pup. He loves freshly baked cinnamon rolls and uses his long ears tofly high into the sky! With his friends Chiffon, Mocha, Espresso, Cappuccinoand little Milk, he’s always on the lookout for a new adventure. In theirfirst journey, Milk has disappeared through a mysterious door and only Cinnamorollcan save him! Will he find the courage to help his friend and still make itback to Café Cinnamon in time for tea?

“FLUFFY, FLUFFY Cinnamorollis a whimsical all-ages manga adventure based on an adorable Sanriocharacter created by Chisato Seki,”says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Childrens Publishing. “The cute floppy-earedpup is the latest character to join the VIZ Kids family, which also featuresMAMESHIBA, POKÉMON,and MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS. Cinnamorollis very popular in Japan, where he was the star of a 2007 anime feature filmcalled Cinnamon The Movie. We hopethis flying canine and his loveablefriends will soon find a way into the hearts of readers everywhere with thisfun manga story.”

Author and manga creator Yumi Tsukirino debuted in theJapanese magazine Ciao in1996 with “Crystal Change!!” Herother works include PiPiPi ☆ Adventure, Piyo Piyo ☆ Clinic, ChamoChamo ☆ Pretty♪, andseveral Pokémon manga, in addition tocreating numerous manga short stories.

FLUFFY, FLUFFY Cinnamoroll wasconceived by Chisato Seki whobegan her independent career after having worked for a publishing company. Sekiis the author of the Cinnamoroll picture book titled Cinnamoroll and the Lost Puppy, which was published in Japan byShogakukan.

For more information on FLUFFY, FLUFFY Cinnamoroll and other VIZ Kids titles, visit www.VIZKids.com.

ACF 1313: Maiden Japan licenses POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S

2012-01-17T00:30:00.000-08:00

Entertainment label Maiden Japan has announced the license of the action comedy series POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S. Although based on the same light novel series as a previous POLYPHONICA series created by Ichiro Sakaki (released in North America by Sentai Filmworks), CRIMSON S is a newer and completely different series, set at a much earlier timeframe in the franchise chronology.

Director Toshimasa Suzuki (HEROIC AGE) heads the all new creative team, while composition of the series is in the capable hands of Kenichi Kanemaki (PRETEAR, HELL GIRL).

POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S will soon be available through many digital outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD in spring 2012.

Synopsis: To bring law and order you need police, to make music you need musicians, and to make the former using the latter, you need a Dantist! Ever since he was visited by a mysterious spirit as a boy, Phoron’s wanted to become one of the elite battle bards who watch over the continent of Polyphonica. Yet even though he’s mastered the basic skills for singing the Commandia spells and operating a One-Man Orchestra, he’s been unable to summon the required spirit companion because of a promise he made to that first spirit: to sing only for her.

But that silence is shattered and Phoron’s musical meanderings are over when his supernatural partner suddenly returns, intent on finalizing the ’contract’ they made twelve years ago! Which would be great except for one thing: she’s not just any spirit, but the dreaded Corticarte, the Crimson Annihilator! But what the heck, sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and duet! Get ready for a musical partnership with more than its share of discord and a distinctly martial beat in POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S.

ACF 1312: Free launch event for WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA in L.A. on Saturday, January 28th

2012-01-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

BAKUMAN。© 2008 by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata/SHUEISHA Inc.
BLEACH © 2001 by Tite Kubo/SHUEISHA Inc.
NARUTO © 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.
NURARIHYON NO MAGO © 2008 by Hiroshi Shiibashi/SHUEISHA Inc.
ONE PIECE © 1997 by Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA Inc.
TORIKO © 2008 by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro/SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL LAUNCH EVENT FOR NEW

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA DIGITAL MANGA MAGAZINE

IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

Free Event In Los Angeles Gives Fans A Sneak Peek

Of Upcoming Debut Of North America’s

First Digital Weekly Manga Anthology

VIZ Media invites Southern California manga/animefans and pop culture enthusiasts to a very special launch event for the newWEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA) on Saturday, January 28that the West Hollywood Library in Los Angeles, CA.

The event is FREE toattend and takes place between 2:00pm-5:00pm in the library’s Community Room.The West Hollywood Library is located at 625N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069. Additional library details areavailable at:

http://www.colapublib.org/libs/whollywood/index.php.

Each new digital issueof WEEKLY SJ ALPHA will treat manga (comics) fans in North America to thelatest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only twoweeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine. The firstissue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA goes on sale January 30, 2012, and will be availablethrough VIZManga.comand the VIZ Manga apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.Debut series will include BAKUMAN｡,BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE, and TORIKO.

During the event, attendeeswill be able to preview the first issue of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA content onseveral iPads that will be available, meet VIZ Media staff, and take advantageof fun photo opportunities with the world’s most popular ninja, Naruto, andBLEACH’s Kon. Gift bags will be givenaway (while supplies last) and attendees can enter to win other fun prizes in aspecial raffle contest. Japanese snacks such as Pocky provided by Ezaki GlicoUSA and other refreshments will also be served while supplies last.

“This launch event for WEEKLYSHONEN JUMP ALPHA will give fans an exclusive advance look at our new mangamagazine while offering a fun afternoon to celebrate its debut,” says Alvin Lu,Senior Vice President & General Manager. “Our new digital anthology will setan important new benchmark by offering the latest editions of some of theworld’s most successful manga titles just a couple of weeks after theirJapanese debut. We invite fans to join us on Saturday January 28^thin West Hollywood for this exciting launch event!”

WEEKLY SJ ALPHA will bemade available through an annual membership that provides 52 weeks of access to48 weekly issues for just $25.99. Single issues of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA can be readfor four weeks for only $0.99. Each issue, once received on one device, can beread on all other enabled devices through the easy-to-use integrated VIZ Mangaplatform which includes the VIZ Manga Apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch aswell as VIZManga.com.

To prepare fans for thedebut of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA, VIZ Media is also offering the SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP, a limited collection of digital graphicnovel speed-ups that will bring North American readers up-to-date with Japanesereleases, in some cases jumping ahead of the print releases in North America.The SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP is ongoing on VIZ Manga with NARUTO Volume 55-57,BLEACH Volumes 49-52 and ONE PIECE Vols. 61-63 available now (print editionsforthcoming).

For more information onWEEKLY SJ ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, visit SJAlpha.comor VIZManga.com.

ACF 1311: Family Day New Year celebration at The Korea Society

2012-01-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

Celebrate Korean New Year (Sŏllal) with fun-filled family activities at The Korea Society on Saturday, January 21st. Enjoy storytelling and show respect for elders with the New Year’s bow (sebae). Play traditional games such as tuhonori (similar to horseshoes), join a dance and sing-a-long, create kites, masks, and other crafts, and sample tasty Korean treats! Unforgettable memories await your family at The Korea Society.

For more information or to register is online, click here. Or you can emai Luz Lanzot, Program Officer, Korean Studies, or call 212-759-7525 ext. 309.

Please be advised that photos will be taken during the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please see a TKS staff member.

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th FloorThe entrance to the building is on 57th Street, the south-west corner of the intersection.

This event is a part of CelebrASIA New Year Festivities for Families. Members of collaborating institutions (Japan Society, Asia Society, China Institute, and the Rubin Museum of Art) can purchase member-discounted tickets for this event by providing a promotional code. To purchase tickets using the promotional code, please contact Luz Lanzot 212-759-7525 ext. 309.

ACF 1310: GANTZ and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER reviewed

2012-01-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

Cover of the GANTZ DVD package

This past Saturday was a big day for GANTZ fans. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, which had previously released the original GANTZ film, released its sequel, GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack. Those in the San Francisco Bay Area were afforded the additional treat of screenings of both films at the S.F. Film Society / NEW PEOPLE Cinema.

The two films (or more accurately, the two parts of the GANTZ live-action cinematic saga) were shown at Japan Society this past summer as part of the Japan Cuts film festival, where they were co-sponsored by the New York Asian Film Festival. Those screenings represented the New York premiere of the original and the North American premiere of PERFECT ANSWER. Since I wasn't able make those screenings, I was eager to watch the DVDs NEW PEOPLE sent me, and just finished watching both of them, as well as the extras provided on both 2-disc editions. Here's my report:

Megumi Kishimoto (single-monikered actress Natsuna) is one of the few female fighters

When a drunk man falls onto the tracks as a train is approaching a Tokyo subway station, a young man named Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) jumps down to save him. Another youth, Kei (Kazunari Ninoniya), who knew Kato years before, winds up on the tracks with him after the man has been put safely onto the platform. The train bears down and hits the two of them. But instead of dying, the pair finds themselves in an apartment in a high rise with a view of the Tokyo Tower. Some others are there as well, most equally bewildered as Kato and Kei.

Kato (left) with the injured Megumi

The main room of the bare apartment is dominated by a large, smooth sphere. This is GANTZ, which announces that their old lives are over and that it will control their new lives. They are provided with special suits and weapons and then transported on night missions to kill aliens. Those who are still alive when the time allotted is over are returned to the room and permitted to resume their "normal" lives during the day. They are assigned points for their performance on these missions. Those who survive and reach 100 points can either be erased from GANTZ's memory and return completely to their previous lives or they can chose to resurrect a fallen comrade.

There are three missions in the first film, and one of the main characters dies near the end. But some most peculiar developments occur in the last few minutes, creating mystery and suspense, and setting the stage for the second film.

Cover of the GANZT II: PERFECT ANSWER DVD

GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER begins with an under three minute summation of the first film. The story continues with one Masamitsu Shigeta (Takayuki Yamada) investigating the strange disappearances and reappearances of individuals believed dead and the unexplained destruction that has been taking place around Tokyo at night. Also there is a group of young people who are seeking access to the room in which GANTZ resides, their purposes unclear. The action ramps up as a confrontation on a subway leads to the death and injury of numerous civilians, which had not occurred on any previous missions. Meanwhile, something strange is going on with GANTZ itself.

What does it all mean, and who -- if anyone -- will survive or be resurrected? These are the questions that seek the PERFECT ANSWER

Some of those seeking GANTZ for reasons unknown

The GANTZ films, each a bit over two hours long, are based on an epic science fiction manga (31 volumes and going) by Hiroya Oku, that is published in North America by Dark Horse Comics. Shinsuke Sato (The Princess Blade) directed both films and has done a remarkable job of combining live-action and CGI. The special effects and the action sequences are truly top-notch. The cast members, almost all of them young and very good looking (both male and female), acquit themselves admirably. Besides the two male leads, Yuriko Yoshitaka deserves to be singled out for her lovely, natural performance asTae Kojima, a college student and Kei's love interest.

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment has done a terrific job on the DVD packaging, and I'm confident that's at least as true for the Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack. Both DVD packages provide both original Japanese and English dubbed audio tracks, with optional English subtitles. The second discs include original Japanese trailers (no English subtitles for these) and interviews with the director discussing the respective films in Japanese with English subtitles.

The two GANTZ films offer a high-octane sci-fi thrill ride, smart, thoughtful, and packed with exciting action and special effects. I give them a 3.5 out of 4 star rating, very highly recommended. And while the two films constitute a self-contained and resolved tale, the possibility of other GANTZ films remains.

Both GANTZ and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, as well as other films from NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, can be ordered directly by clicking here.

ACF 1309: DRIVE ME TO THE SEA

2012-01-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

Drive Me to the Sea / Boku wa umi ga mitakunarimashita

Directed by Yoshihisa Fukuda

With Chihiro Otsuka, Yuki Ito, Taisaku Akino, Akemi Omor

Japan, 2009, 103 minutes

When: Friday, January 20, 2012, 7:00 pm

Where: Japan Society

333 East 47th Street, NY

In Japanese with English subtitles
Ticket information here

Based on personal experiences with autism by screenwriter, author and activist Kuniaki Yamashita, Drive Me to the Sea lands on New York shores for the first time after playing more than 200 venues worldwide since its 2009 debut. The January 20, one-night-only screening features an introduction and Q&A with Yamashita, who is joined by communication therapist Hisako Cunningham and HappyDoll founder Nozomi Terao. The screening will be followed by a reception.

A road movie like no other, Drive Me to the Sea is the story of a life-changing chance encounter between nursing student Asumi (Chihiro Otsuka) and Junichi (Yuki Ito). A twist of fate drives them together on a sentimental journey to the sea. Soon, she notices something odd about the way he walks and talks, eventually coming to the realization that the young man is autistic. Asumi’s trip changes her outlook on life in the most unexpected ways.

The film, based on a novel of the same title that Kuniaki Yamashita published in 2002, is inspired by his personal experiences with disabilities. After his eldest son Hiroki, born in 1991, was diagnosed with severe autism, Yamashita quit his job as a screenwriter and launched an afterschool facility for autistic children called Free Space Tsukushinbo -- an incorporated nonprofit organization for which he serves as President.

In 2006, immediately after Yamashita started to work on the production of the film, his son passed away after a train accident. Continuing work on the film, Yamashita completed it in 2009 after collecting donations from more than 1000 individuals. Drive Me to the Sea was released in August of the same year and has been shown at over 200 venues through independently-organized screenings. It was also screened for members of Japan’s Diet.

Samuel Jamier, Senior Film Program Officer at Japan Society says, “The film’s unique quality lies in its empathy and insight into the plight of people with disabilities in the context of a society that perceives itself as one consisting of a homogenous population. Even in today’s Japan, people’s attitudes toward disabled people can be fraught with prejudices and stigma: children with disabilities still tend to be bullied. They face a lack of nursing, schooling and service facilities. The film reminds us of the need to build a society free from discrimination against the disabled.”

Born in Tokyo in 1960, Kuniaki Yamashita began his career after graduating from Nihon University, College of Art as a scriptwriter for a wide range of entertainment programs and dramas for television, theatrically-released films, direct-to-video movies and comics. A Tezuka Productions contract led to work on Jungle Emperor Leo, Black Jack, The Three Eyed One and many Tezuka animations. After going back to freelance scriptwriting, he wrote children’s animations including Go! Anpanman! He is a co-author of A Father Who Could Say “My Kid has Disabilities”, written by fathers of children with disabilities. His essay “You Can Take a Walk” looks at the 15 years with his son Hiroki. Yamashita is a member of the Japan Writers Guild.

Hisako Cunningham, M.S., is a communication therapist with more than 40 years of experience in working with developmentally disabled children. She was the supervisor of Clinical Service Programs for the Aurally and Visually Handicapped at the Westchester Institute for Human Development for 23 years. To raise awareness about issues related to mental health, special education and communication therapy, Cunningham has been giving lectures both in the U.S. and Japan. She is a recipient of many awards, including the Foreign Minister’s Award of the Japanese Government for her contribution in promoting special education related understanding between Japan and the U.S. She is the author of Soshite Chosen no Hibi (My Challenging Days) and Kaigai Shijo Kyoiku (Japanese Children Overseas). She also translated the books on autism Emergence: Labeled Autistic and Thinking in Colors by bestselling author Dr. Temple Grandin.

Nozomi Terao is the Founder and Executive Director of HappyDoll, Inc., a nonprofit organization connecting children through the making and exchanging of unique and fun dolls. To date, over 500 children in New York, North Carolina, Haiti and Japan have collaborated through the project. She is also the Founder and Director of MSTERIO, enriching the lives of young Japanese and their communities through shared experiences. Since 2001, MSTERIO has hosted annual summer camps, spring teen events and a winter gatherings in Japan. In March 2011, Nozomi produced and directed “Stand with Japan” in New York City, raising over $36,000 to help the survivors of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. She is also a team member of Keio University Hospital’s “Kokoro no Care” project in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, which is responding to the mental health needs of survivors of the March 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. Nozomi was an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley, having worked there in various capacities for 18 years. She has also worked at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Fuji Television's morning show and Itochu International.

ACF 1308: NORWEGIAN WOOD now also screening in Brooklyn

2012-01-13T02:00:00.000-08:00

Naoko (Rinko KIKUCHI) and Watanabe (Kenichi MATSUYAMA)

NORWEGIAN WOOD starts screening today at IndieScreen Cinema at 285 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11211 (347.227.8030). This is the film's second screening location in the NY metropolitan area, since it is continuing its engagement at the IFC Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas, New York NY 10014 | (212.924-7771). Norwegian Wood is also still showing at the West End Cinema, 2301 M Street NW, Washington, DC (202.419.3456).

My review of the film here.

ACF 1307: FAMILIAR OF ZERO F

2012-01-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks waves its magic wand and announces the acquisition of yet another eagerly awaited new anime series: FAMILIAR OF ZERO F. Continuing the story introduced in the previous hit anime and manga series created by Noboru Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi himself handles the series composition. Director Yoshiaki Iwasaki (Best Student Council, Love Hina, Hayate the Combat Butler) takes charge of the new 13 episode series, while Eiji Usatsuka’s original character designs are adapted once again by Masahiro Fujii (DREAM EATER MERRY, HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER).

FAMILIAR OF ZERO F will soon be available digitally through many outlets. A home video release on subtitled DVD will be scheduled for later this year.

Synopsis: Get ready to join spell challenged Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière, whose luck with magic is so poor that she’s earned the nickname “Zero,” and Saito Chevalier de Hiraga, the unfortunate human Louise accidentally summoned while attempting to conjure up a familiar, in a set of mystifyingly mystical misadventures so mind-boggling mayhem prone that even the experienced staff of the Tristain Academy of Magic will end up wondering if they could possibly be real!

Will a girl as non-enchanting as Louise and a normal human male be up to the challenges ahead of them? Let’s just say that sometimes even a Zero can be a hero and hope that the F in the title doesn’t refer to Louise’s grade point average! Prepare to be mesmerized by spectacularly supernatural silliness and spellbinding adventure and romance as the girl who can’t do anything right invokes the FAMILIAR OF ZERO F.

ACF 1306: Raj Kapoor's MY NAME IS JOKER screening tonight and tomorrow at MoMA

2012-01-13T00:30:00.000-08:00

Imaga courtesy Indian International Film Academy

My Name Is Joker / Meera Nam Joker

Directed by Raj Kapoor

India, 1970, 224 minutes

When: Friday, January 13, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

and Saturday, January 14, 2012, 2:00 p.m.

Where: The Museum of Modern Art

Theater 3 (The Celeste Bartos Theater), mezzanine

The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building

4 West Fifty-fourth Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, NYC

In Hindi with English subtitles

Kapoor’s legendary film maudit was condemned throughout the Indian film world as an exercise in self-pity. A colossal failure, its reputation has been gradually revived by Western critics, who saw in it echoes of Chaplin’s Limelight and proclaimed it a self-reflexive masterwork.

Here Kapoor completely undermines the tramp persona he had so carefully evolved over two decades, removing from it all traces of heroism and social justice: this tramp is a saccharine, mopey, love-obsessed clown whose one goal in life is to follow in his father’s footsteps as a trapeze artist so he can “make Jesus laugh.”

Joker mirrors the three-story, three-ages structure of Kapoor’s first film, Fire, tracing the clown’s trio of pathetically failed relationships. As a sign of love, he sends each a sad clown doll and, later in life, gathers them all together at a circus performance for a kind of send-off monologue that begins and ends the film. This is a compulsively watchable, astonishing train wreck of a film.

These screenings of My Name Is Joker are part of MoMA's Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema film series, which runs through Sunday January 15th.

ACF 1305: GANTZ I and II screening in San Francisco on January 14th

2012-01-12T02:00:00.000-08:00

NEW PEOPLE CELEBRATES RELEASE OF

GANTZII: PERFECT ANSWER
WITH SPECIAL THEATRICAL SCREENINGS
AT S.F. JAPANESE POP CULTURE THEATRE

Exciting Concluding Chapter Of Kinetic Japanese Sci-Fi Film Epic
Based On Popular Manga Series Released On DVD/Blu-ray; NEW PEOPLE
In SanFrancisco To Screen GANTZ I and GANTZ II On January 14th

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment celebrates the recently announced release of GANTZ II: Perfect Answer on DVD/Blu-ray with a special series of screenings ofthe entire GANTZ film saga thisSaturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown.Tickets are $10. Additional ticket and film info isavailable at: www.newpeopleworld.com/films.

GANTZ (Dubbed) 1:00pm

GANTZ II: Perfect Answer (Dubbed)4:00pm

GANTZ II: Perfect Answer (Subtitled)7:00pm

All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: Perfect Answer will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle isalso available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster,and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.

How will we face the end? The GANTZsaga meets its ultimate conclusion in GANTZ II:Perfect Answer, which offers an intensely gripping story-line yetto be known to even readers of the original manga series. Determined toresurrect his friends who have died on previous missions, Kei and other memberstrapped in the world of GANTZ aim to score the 100 points needed to breakthrough and regain their freedom. But with the emergence of a mysterious man investigating the Gantzmembers, Gantz begins to act up and the next target shocks the members. Somefight for love, some for justice but what will each member sacrifice?

GANTZ and GANTZ II: Perfect Answer are based on apopular manga series created by Hiroya Oku. The ongoing 31-volume sci-fiaction epic has sold more than 16 million copies in Japan and is published inNorth America by Dark Horse Comics. The live-action films star leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters fromIwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DeathNote, Detroit Metal City).

KazunariNinomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima,is both an actor and a singer. He is also world-renowned as a member of theJapanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with thethree best-selling singles.

KenichiMatsuyama is currently one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film andhe has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor(2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is widely recognized for hispart as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008)and also for his portrayal of Johannes Krauser II in the outlandish rock androll comedy, Detroit Metal City(2009). He currently is seen in the U.S. as Toru Watanabe, the lead in TRAN Anh Hung's adaptation of Norwegian Wood, the popular, best-selling novel from Haruki Murakami.

For moreinformation on GANTZ and other NEWPEOPLE Entertainment films, visit: www.newpeopleent.com.

ACF 1304: INU X BOKU S.S.

2012-01-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks takes a supernaturally tinged twist as the company unveils its most recent acquisition, the supernaturally charged suspense drama INU X BOKU S.S. Based on the hit manga of the same name by Cocoa Fujiwara (DEAR), the 12 episode mystical drama marks episodic director and storyboard artist Naokatsu Tsuda’s (Level E, Squid Girl, Bento,) first turn as a series director, supported by series composition from Saizo Nemoto (Towa no Quon, Tokyo Majin 2) and character designs adapted from Fujiwara’s originals by Haruko Iizuka (Sisters Of Welber.)

INU X BOKU S.S. will debut on digital platforms and television starting in early 2012 to be followed by DVD and Blu-Ray later in the year.

Synopsis: Torn between the desire to live on her own and a crippling fear of being alone and unprotected, Shirakiin Ririchiyo’s dream of independence had long seemed impossible and she seemed doomed to the life of a secluded shut-in. Until, that is, she arrived at the mysterious mansion known as Ayakashi Kan, where every potential resident must pass a strict series of tests before being allowed into the Haven.

The drawback to this private Eden, however, is that every resident must also have a personal Secret Service agent accompanying them at all times, a restriction that Ririchiyo initially fights… until she begins to suspect that the agent assigned to her, Soushi Miketsukami, may be far more than he appears to be. Could the “guardian angel” looking over Ririchiyo’s shoulder be more than just foxy looking and actually a fox spirit?

As it turns out, that’s not the only mystery that needs to be solved! Get ready for supernatural sleuthing and spirited suspense as the most secretive secret service of all unleashes a whole series of stunning surprises in INU X BOKU S.S.

ACF 1303: New digital manga update for January 2012 from VIZ

2012-01-12T00:30:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA OPENS 2012 WITH A BRAND NEW
DIGITAL MANGA UPDATEFOR JANUARY

Updates Include WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA “Issue Zero” &;
“Issue Origins” Debut and Launch of Preorder Promotion;
SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP Continues For BLEACH And ONE PIECE

VIZ Media begins 2012 with a brand new update of manga (graphic novels)titles available on VIZManga.comand for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad, iPhoneand iPod touch.

The countdown to the January 30th debut of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMPALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA), NorthAmerica’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine, continues with thedebut of the free WEEKLY SJ ALPHA “Issue Zero” and “Issue Origins.” Get ataste of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA in “Issue Zero,” featuring the recently released-in-Japanchapters of BAKUMAN。, BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONEPIECE and TORIKO. In “Issue Origins,” read where each story began in full firstchapter previews, and see why millions of readers worldwide have fallen in lovewith these series.

Fans can now pre-order anannual subscription or gift a subscription to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA at SJ.viz.com/preorder.All preorders include entry to win a 16GB WiFi iPad 2. This special limitedtime promotion will end January 30th at 10AM Pacific.

Subscribers to WEEKLY SHONENJUMP ALPHA will receive a full year’s subscription (48 issues), an annualcollector’s yearbook, and access to exclusive content, including creator interviewsand videos. The first interview, featuring NARUTO creator Masashi Kishimoto,debuts the same day WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA launches on Monday, January 30th.

The SHONEN JUMP DIGITALWARP continues with the release of the latest BLEACH Vol. 52 and ONE PIECE Vol.63. The SHONEN JUMP DIGITALWARP is a ‘speed-up’ of selected titles to bring U.S. readers up-to-date withJapanese releases and prepare for the launch of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA.

Mangavolumes launching this week include:

BLACK BIRD Vol. 12

BLEACH Vol. 52

DENGEIKI DAISY Vol. 8

ONE PIECE Vol. 63

VIZ Media’s multiple digital manga platforms allow for universal accessto read manga from an iPhone, iPodtouch, iPad, and now, on VIZManga.com fordesktop/laptop computers as well as Android-powered devices with built-in webbrowsers. Withone account, registered users may access their purchases across even moredevices than ever.

The free VIZManga App continues to be the top app for reading manga and features a rapidlygrowing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes are currently available, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews addedweekly.

For more information, visit VIZManga.comor www.VIZ.com/apps.

ACF 1302: Raj Kapoor's SHREE 420 at MoMA tomorrow and Sunday

2012-01-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

Nargis(left) and Raj Kapoor (right). Image courtesy of University of California,Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive.

SHREE 420

Directed by Raj Kapoor

India, 1955, 169 minutes

When: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 4:00 p.m.

and Sunday, January 15, 2012, 2:00 p.m.

Where: The Museum of Modern Art

Theater 3 (The Celeste Bartos Theater), mezzanine

The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building

4 West Fifty-fourth Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, NYC

In Hindi with English subtitles

"The film’s first half is decidedly Chaplin-esque: Raju is a wise fool, a variation on Chaplin’s underdog tramp. Its second half emphasizes the plight of the jolly have-nots, contrasted with the misdeeds of the evil rich, and is clearly influenced by Frank Capra’s social comedies of the 1930s” (Elliott Stein). Referring to the Indian penal code statute for fraud, Shree 420 is perhaps Kapoor’s most famous incarnation of his tramp persona.

Arriving in the big city to make his fortune, country bumpkin Raju (Kapoor) is soon introduced to the urban underworld. Wooing the honest schoolteacher Vidya (Nargis) while secretly dipping into a life of gambling and petty fraud, Raju is inexorably drawn into more dangerous criminal territory, and Vidya rejects him. As he finally rouses the poor into action against the rich parasites who prey off them, he reveals to Vidya that “he wears the mask of an entertainer to conceal his nerve endings, his pain and disappointments.”

The post-Partition changes to the major Indian cities loom large over the film’s tragicomic situations, with the teeming city streets a vivid backdrop for the film’s legendary musical numbers.

These screenings of SHREE 420 are part of MoMA's Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema film series, which runs through Sunday January 15th.

ACF 1301: Simulcasts of LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE at VIZAnime.com, Hulu & Hulu Plus

2012-01-11T00:30:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA SIMULCASTS THE NEW SCI-FI ANIME SERIES
LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE ONVIZANIME.COM

KineticAction Comedy Series Created By Production I.G. Features

An Arsenal Of Robots DesignedBy Nissan; FirstEpisode Available To Stream Now!

VIZ Media has announced the onlinesimulcast premiere in the U.S. of the brand new series, LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE, on VIZAnime.com,the company’s own website for freeanime, as well as on the free, ad-supported Hulu service and in high-definitionon the Hulu Plus subscription service (www.Hulu.com).The first episode (subtitled) is available now with new installments scheduledto debut each Sunday!

In addition, Kazé SASwill be the official partner in the United Kingdom for the simulcast ofLAGRANGE - THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE. Episode 1 is now available on www.anime-on-demand.com, with newepisodes debuting every Sunday.

LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE just launched onJapanese television on January 8^th, and is produced by Studio XEBEC(Broken Blade, Martian SuccessorNadesico, Fafner), created by the famed animation studio, Production I.G. (Ghost in the Shell S.A.C Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings), anddirected by Tatsuo Sato (MartianSuccessor Nadesico, Ninja Scroll: The Series, Stellvia). The robots aredesigned in collaboration with Nissan Motor Co., LTD’s creative team, chosenfrom more than 60 designs from an internal Nissan design competition.

LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE (Rated TV-MA) depictsthe adventures of a 17 year-old girl whose mission becomes to defend her cityfrom invading space aliens. Madoka Kyono is an energetic girl who is full ofpassion. As the proud, and only, member of the Kamogawa Girls’ High School JerseyClub, she goes around helping people in need. But Madoka’s life is turnedupside down when she is suddenly asked by a mysterious girl named Lan to pilota robot. Motivated by her desire to protect the people and city of Kamogawa,Madoka agrees to pilot the resurrected Vox robot to fight againstextraterrestrials that have come to attack Earth.

“LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE is a hilarious, action-packedstory about a determined teenager that devotes herself to protecting Kamagawa City andits peaceful inhabitants against mysterious alien invaders,” says Brian Ige, Vice President, Animation. “Thestory features a stylish cast of lead characters, aswell as an arsenal of sleek, battle ready robots conceived by a team of top cardesigners from Nissan Motors. The series plays an important part of our 2012roster which will deliver near-simultaneous release of many top animeproperties throughout the year.”

VIZAnime.com is a free-to-use web destination thatis now the permanent home to some of the company’s best-loved animated series.Over 1,800 episodes are currently available, and new content is added on aweekly basis. Series currently simulcast on VIZAnime.com include TIGER &BUNNY, BLUE EXORCIST, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and BLEACH. Other fan-favorite seriesavailable include CROSS GAME, DEATH NOTE, FULL MOON, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT,KEKKAISHI, NAOKI URASAWA’S MONSTER, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE,VAMPIRE KNIGHT, and more!

Formore information on LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE andother VIZ Media anime titles, visit www.VIZAnime.com.

ACF 1300: WHERE THE GANGES FLOWS at MoMA

2012-01-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

Where the Ganges Flows / Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai

Directed by Radhu Karmakar

India, 1951, 167 minutes

When: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 4:00 p.m.

and Saturday, January 14, 2012, 6:45 p.m.

Where: The Museum of Modern Art

The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building

4 West Fifty-fourth Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, NYC

In Hindi with English subtitles

A controversial entry in the Kapoor canon, this film (nominally directed by Karmakar, the studio’s cinematographer-in-residence) marked Kapoor’s final direct incarnation of his tramp character, and the first time he was not paired with the actress Nargis. Raju, a pilgrim to the river Ganges, is lured from his religious observances by a tomboyish (yet scantily clad) female bandit. Ardently pursuing her, he bumbles into a bandit encampment, where he attempts to convert the brigands into latter-day Robin Hoods. Kapoor’s performance is a constant question mark: Is he indeed a fool or is it a put-on, an act to win the lady through charm? While expressed in borderline simplistic terms, Raju’s homilies reflect Gandhi’s teachings on bringing nonviolent change to the countryside. In any event, the film is hilarious, and it is Kapoor’s cleverest use of (often charmingly raunchy) double entendres.

ACF 1299: Reminder - THE FRONTLINE screens for free tonight

2012-01-10T00:30:00.001-08:00

Korean Cultural Service

presents

Korean Movie Night

The Frontline / Go-ji-jeon

Directed by JANG Hun

South Korea, 2011, 133 minutes

When: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas

54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Admission: FREE!!!

All seating is first-come, first served

East Coast Premiere!

One of the biggest hits of 2011, The Frontline is the simple story of a hill: Aerok Hill, a small rise on the Eastern Front of the Korean War that changed hands 30 times over 18 months of fighting. A military investigator is dispatched to see if allegations that the South Korean soldiers tasked with taking the hill are collaborating with their North Korean enemies to deliver letters to their families. It turns out that they are, and that’s the least of it. A movie about men (and some women) trying to hold onto their humanity in the midst of war, Frontline is Korea’s official submission to the Academy Awards.

ACF 1298: BOOT POLISH at MoMA

2012-01-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Bhola (left) and Belu

Boot Polish

Directed by Prakash Arora

India, 1953, 149 minutes

When: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 7:45 PM

Where: The Museum of Modern Art

The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building
4 West Fifty-fourth Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, NYC

Today's second film in MoMA's Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema film series is Boot Polish. (Note that their are separate admission for Boot Polish and Barsaat, which is being shown at 4:00.) Prakash Arora, who was the second unit or assistant director on three earlier Kapoor films, is the director of record, but the film is widely thought of as having been primarily directed by Kapoor himself. (It is the only film listed at IMDb as having been directed by Arora.)

Whatever the case, the film is a real tear-jerker. Bhola (Rattan Kumar) and Belu (Kumari Naaz, billed as Baby Naaz) are left in the care of a heartless aunt after their mother has died and their father gone to prison. Forced by her to beg, they are encouraged to instead work for money by shining shoes.

The film is frequently compared to Vittorio De Sica's Shoeshine (1946), because both films center on two youngsters (both boys in Shoeshine) living in poverty who earn their keep by shining shoes. But that's really about as far as it goes. De Sica's film comes to focus on a mistaken belief of betrayal, while Boot Polish is a melodrama that centers on Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru's campaign to help the poor find work, thereby not only improving their lot in life, but also their self-respect.

Raj Kapoor, whose R.K. Films studio produced the movie, has a brief cameo as himself in which he's asleep on a train that the children have boarded to ply their trade. Naaz, who was seven years old at the time of filming is a marvel to behold. Talented beyond her years, she is utterly guileless, a total delight to behold.

ACF 1297: BARSAAT at MoMA

2012-01-09T00:30:00.000-08:00

Raj Kapoor and Nargis

Barsaat / Monsoon (a.k.a. The Monsoons)

Directed by Raj Kapoor

India, 1949, 171 minutes

When: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 4:00 PM

Where: The Museum of Modern Art

The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building
4 West Fifty-fourth Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, NYC

The Raj Kapoor film series at MoMA continues today with the second -- and final -- screenings of two films. (All screenings will be of newly struck 35 mm prints.) The first to be shown is Barsaat, Kapoor's first really big hit. In it he stars as Pran, a composer, musician and romantic idealist. Prem Nath is Gopal, his best friend who regards women solely as means to his own sensual gratification.

Kapoor at the piano in one of the many backlit scenes

The two travel through Kashmir in a huge American convertible. (Ah, for the good old days when the U.S. auto industry was the envy of the world. A remake today would almost certainly use an upscale Japanese or German car.) They become involved with two young local women, Pran with Reshma (single monikered actress Nargis), Gopal with Neela, who is played by 17-year-old Nimmi (again, just a single-named actress) in her first film role.

Nargis (left) and Prem Nath

The movie is historically significant for introducing the "whisper" to Indian commercial cinema, "a type of intimacy and emotional depth unknown at the time." The cinematography is marvelous, with dramatic lighting, often high-contrast and/or backlit. Editing utilizes well-thought out dissolves and cross-cutting. And the music is quite eclectic, including a variety of non-Indian sources.

The second film of the day will be Boot Polish, which I'll review in my next post, ACF 1298.

ACF 1296: Sentai Filmworks acquires WAITING IN THE SUMMER

2012-01-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks has acquired the eagerly awaited new anime WAITING IN THE SUMMER (ANO NATSU DE MATTERU), which is already drawing considerable buzz due to its re-pairing of several already highly successful creative partnerships.

Legendary anime writer Yōsuke Kuroda (Excel Saga, High School of the Dead, Puni Puni Poemy) reteams with his PLEASE TEACHER!/PLEASE TWINS collaborator, original character designer Taraku Uon (READ OR DIE, TV and OVA,) while director Tatsuyuki Nagai (Toradora, Honey & Clover II) reunites with his TORADORA/ANO HI MITA HANA collaborator, character designer Masayoshi Tanaka (also HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD) to produce a unique 12 episode anime series that takes a rather different view of the classic teen romance genre.

Waiting in the Summer will debut on digital platforms starting this month with a subtitled DVD to follow later in the year.

Synopsis: Lights! Camera! Teen Angst! When a group of friends decide to make a movie over a long summer holiday, they end up learning a little about filmmaking and a lot more about each other and themselves. What begins as a simple way to avoid the summer doldrums quickly turns into something much more complex, intimate and revealing, as the maturing relationships between the members of the young cast take on new, and sometimes very unexpected, turns.

Get ready for a whole new take on summer romance as hidden emotions get captured and secrets meant to be kept hidden inside young hearts instead spill off of the screen for your viewing pleasure in WAITING IN THE SUMMER.

ACF 1295: Happy Birthday, Sammo!!!

2012-01-07T00:30:00.000-08:00

Sammo and me at NYAFF 2010

Sammo Hung (a.k.a. Samo Hung, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, etc.) was born in Hong Kong on January 7, 1952. Remarkably fast and flexible despite his ample girth, he has made his mark as an actor (over 149 movies at IMDb.com and counting), director (37 films), producer (26), and as a stunt and/or action director or coordinator. I was extremely fortunate to meet him in person at the 2010 New York Asian Film Festival. What an honor, what a thrill!

Sammo squares off against Bruce Lee at the beginningof Enter the Dragon (1973)

Some of my fondest memories are of his work as the title character of the Martial Law TV series (44 episodes, 1998-2000), which also featured Kelly Hu. The first episodes were fantastic, featuring sub-titles (on prime time American network television!) and outtakes during the end credits.

Sammo and his sifu enjoy a rare light momentin Close Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

My recollection is that, not satisfied with a surprise success, the suits at the network (CBS) and/or the producers decided to make it a smash hit by tinkering with the cast. Apparently thinking that what worked for Jackie Chan in Rush Hour would do the same for Sammo, they introduced a black man to be the star's sidekick. Unfortunately they picked Arsenio Hall (!?) and the show promptly started to go into the toilet.

Sammo and Donnie Yen square off in S.P.L., a.k.a. Kill Zone (2005)

The second season (1999-2000) found only Sammo, Kelly and Arsenio returning and the thrill was gone. If Sammo was as bitter as I recall reading that he was, he certainly had a right to be. Something wonderful was ruined 'cause some fools couldn't leave well enough alone.

Donnie and Sammo again, this time in Ip Man 2 (2010)

Still we have lots of Sammo on DVD to be thankful for and hopefully many more years of being amazed, entertained, and blown-away by him. Happy Birthday, big guy!!!!!

ACF 1294: BROKEN BLADE airing throughout January exclusively on Comcast Xfinity

2012-01-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network and Comcast Cable are starting 2012 off with a bang, coming together to bring fans Broken Blade, a tale of war, magic, and ancient mecha.

Throughout January and February, Anime Network is inviting Broken Blade viewers to enter to win ten limited edition DVD/Blu-ray and English cast autographed poster sets. For more information, visit www.theanimenetwork.com/brokenbladecontest.

Broken Blade, published by Sentai Filmworks and distributed by Section 23 Films is the story of Rygart Arrow who defends Cruzon by piloting an ancient and powerful Golem.

Synopsis: In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects—or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems. But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an “un-sorcerer,” Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon. But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives. Strap yourself in, power up, and prepare for the heavy metal mecha action of Broken Blade!

ACF 1293: Sentai Filmworks licenses SOMEDAY'S DREAMERS

2012-01-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

Sentai Filmworks has announced the recent acquisition of the anime classic SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS. Based on the hit manga by Kumichi Yoshizuki and Norie Yamada (originally released in North America by Tokyo Pop,) and with script supervision by co-creator Yamada, the twelve episode series was directed by Masami Shimoda (Boys Be, 11 Eyes, Polyphonica) with character design adaptations by Michinori Chiba and Nobue Yoshinaga.

SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS will soon be available digitally through many outlets, with a home video release this spring on DVD.

Synopsis: When can flunking a spelling test cause major problems? When you’re learning how to use magic, of course! And that’s exactly the situation fifteen-year-old Yume Kikuchi finds herself in when she travels to Tokyo to begin her apprenticeship as a licensed magic user. Unfortunately, Yume’s a country girl in the big city for the first time and there are a lot of new-fangled ideas to get used to. Like her new mentor, Oyamada, turning out to be a man instead of the expected woman!

Add to that the fact that Yume’s not really very confident about her abilities to achieve her goal of a magic license and she might just jinx herself into failing! It will take a lot of helping hands from her equally challenged fellow students and even more aid from her teachers if she’s going to succeed, but in the end, the most important lesson she’ll learn may not even be about spellcasting. The process of growing up and discovering what lies inside your own heart is the most wonderful magic of all in SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS – THE COMPLETE COLLECTION.

ACF 1292: NORWEGIAN WOOD opens Friday in NY and D.C.

2012-01-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

Norwegian Wood / Noruwei no mori

Directed by TRAN Anh Hung

Starring Kenichi MATSUYAMA, Rinko KIKUCHI & Kiko MIZUHARA

Japan, 2010, 133 minutes

Norwegian Wood is the latest film from director TRAN Anh Hung (The Scent of Green Papaya, 1993, and Cyclo, 1995). He also wrote the screenplay, which is based on the bestselling novel of the same name written by Haruki Murakami and originally published in two volumes in 1987. TRAN's film will open in the U.S. this Friday, December 6th, 2012, in New York and in Washington, D.C. It will open in other cities over the following weeks. (The release schedule and other information about the film is available at the Norwegian Wood official website.)

Toru Watanabe and Naoko celebrate her 20th birthday

Kenichi MATSYYAMA, who played L, the young super-sleuth with a sweet tooth in the three Death Note movies and Soichi Negishi/Johannes Krauser II in Detroit Metal City, here stars as Toru Watanabe, a youth trying to find his way through his personal turmoil in the late 1960s and early '70s. Rinko KIKUCHI (The Taste of Tea, Funky Forest: The First Contact, Babel) is Naoko, the troubled young woman who was the girlfriend of Watanabe's best friend and with whom Watanabe has a "complicated" relationship. Kiko MIZUHARA (who really makes her mark in this, her first, film) portrays Midori, a lively free spirit who has a boyfriend of her own but who also clearly has a "thing" for Watanabe.

I saw Norwegian Wood at a pre-release screening at Japan Society last month. (For my comments in ACF 1280, click here.) At that time the only book I had read by Haruki Murakami (I use his full name, so there is no confusing him with Ryo Murakami, another contemporary Japanese author) was Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, which incidentally is a terrific read. I was so taken with the film that I bought a copy of Norwegian Wood (which was on my "read sometime" list anyway) and proceeded to "devour" it.

Watanabe and Midori

The popularity of the book is clear from the facts that it has sold upwards of 10 million copies in Japan and 2.6 million copies overseas. It has been published in 36 countries and translated in 33 languages. The first English translation authorized by the author for publication outside Japan (the one I read) is by Jay Rubin and is published by Vintage Books, which also publishes several other of Haruki Murakami's books.

Director Tran pursued the project of making it into a film for several years. When he was on the verge of giving up on it, producer Shinji Ogawa contacted him and they began discussing the direction of a film adaptation. Subsequently they met the author and submitted a first draft of the screenplay to him. In an interview, TRAN has said that Murakami provided "many notes, including dialogue not included in his original book." After writing a second darft based on the author's input, TRAN was free to revise the screenplay as he saw fit.

Director TRAN Anh Hung

The result is a coming of age story that is engrossing, compelling, and emotionally powerful. The cast, which also includes Reika Kirishima (Versus) as Reiko, a music instructor in her late 30s, is universally superb. The photography of Mark LEE Ping Bin is remarkable, often far more lovely than what one expect in a movie shot on video, not film. And overseeing it all is the sure hand and sensitive heart of director TRAN.

Much of the subject matter of the film is quite serious, sometimes devastating, like a sharp jab to one's gut or a cold hand firmly squeezing your heart. Given this, the film's over two hour running time, and the demands of reading subtitles, Norwegian Wood is not an easy, casual watch. Approach it ready for an intense experience, and you'll be well-rewarded for your time and effort. I believe it will prove to be equally satisfying for both those who have previously read the book and those who have not.

In sum, Norwegian Wood is a beautifully shot, masterful cinematic rendition of one of the most internationally beloved contemporary Japanese novels. 4 out of 4 stars, highest recommendation.

ACF 1291: Sentai Filmworks licenses MOURETSU PIRATES

2012-01-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here's the first news of the New Year from Sentai Filmworks:

Prepare to be boarded by stellar entertainment on a galactic scale as Sentai Filmworks announces the impending escape of the rollicking, hit space opera MOURETSU PIRATES! What happens when Teen Chic meets Pirate Technique? Find out when Director Tatsuo Sato (Martian Successor Nadesico, Ninja Scroll TV, Stellvia) returns to the familiar waters of comedy and interplanetary adventure and deftly steers the bestselling Mini-Skirt Pirate novels by Yuichi Sasamoto (Venus Wars, Ariel) on a course to become an all new 26 episode anime masterpiece.

Noriyuki Matsumoto’s brilliant original characters designs are adapted for animation by the team of Akira Yasuda (Turn A Gundam) and Hiroshi Takeuchi (Big O, Xenoglossia.) There’s plenty of pillage and yo-ho-ho-ing ahead in the most plunder-full adventure epic of the year, mouretsu pirates!

mouretsu Pirates will simulcast premier on Crunchyroll starting January 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8). Additional digital outlets and TV broadcast will follow starting in February with DVD and Blu-Ray to follow.

Synopsis: Most families have a skeleton or two in the closet, but Marika is understandably shocked to learn that what her family has been hiding is a skull and crossbones! And while the revelation that her late father was a space pirate would have been earthshaking enough for most teenage girls, discovering that he was the captain of the notorious pirate ship Benten Maru will change Marika’s life forever. Because, you see, pirating is a family business, and she’s just inherited the position of captain. And her father’s former crew is quite intent on making sure Marika accepts the job!

So what’s a girl to do? Well, if you’re a high school student whose prior total naval experience has been working at the space yacht club, there’s really only one moral dilemma that has to be resolved: are pirates allowed to wear really short mini-skirts? Get ready for intergalactic buccaneering unlike any you’ve ever seen before as the spaceways get broad-sided by cutting lasses, curvy knaves and the sexiest pirate’s chest ever in mouretsu pirates.

ACF 1290: THE VAGABOND leads off Raj Kapoor film series at MoMA

2012-01-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

Raj Kapoor

The Vagabond / Awaara

Directed by Raj Kapoor

India, 1951, 193 minutes

In Hindi with English subtitles

Can't think of a better way to start off the New Year then to help put out the word about 2012's first Asian film series, at least in New York. That would be Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema, which will be taking place at the Museum of Modern Art from January 6th through the 16th.

Kapoor (1924–1988) was an actor, director and producer who was revered not only in India but throughout the former Soviet world, the Middle East, and beyond. However, aside from fans of South Asian descent, he is largely unknown in the United States. This series should make significant gains in correcting that situation, beginning this coming Friday evening with the first of two screenings of The Vagabond.

One of the greatest and most famous Indian films ever made, The Vagabond was a global (or at least Soviet and developing-world) sensation. Collaborating for the first time with star writer K.A. Abbas, Kapoor concocted a modern-day version of the tale of Rama’s banishment of Sita. A judge (Prithviraj Kapoor) rejects his pregnant wife after she is kidnapped and presumably raped by a criminal. Protesting her innocence, she raises her son Raju (Raj Kapoor) in poverty; after being expelled from school for not paying his fees, Raju is soon recruited into the same criminal’s gang.

When he is reunited with his childhood sweetheart Rita (Nargis), now a ward of the judge, he tries to extricate himself from the vicious circle of poverty and violence. The film’s extended dream sequence revolutionized Hindi cinema, and introduced the idea of externalizing characters’ inner conflicts though song-and-dance numbers. The film also marks the first appearance of the “tramp” persona that would make Kapoor famous.

The Vagabond will be shown twice:
- Friday, January 6, 2012, 6:30 p.m., Theater 1, T1
- Sunday, January 8, 2012, 5:00 p.m., Theater 3, mezzanine, Education and Research Building

ACF 1289: THE FRONTLINE to start off 2012 Korean Movie Night series

2011-12-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

Korean Cultural Service

presents

Korean Movie Night

The Frontline / Go-ji-jeon

Directed by JANG Hun

South Korea, 2011, 133 minutes

When: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas

54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Admission: FREE!!!

All seating is first-come, first served

East Coast Premiere!

ACF 1288: VIZ Media announces final 2011 digital update for manga titles

2011-12-23T07:51:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA WRAPS UP 2011 WITH A SECOND

DIGITAL MANGA UPDATEFOR DECEMBER

Highlights Include New NARUTOand ONE PIECE Digital First Editions,

Debut Of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Pre-Order & Gift Subscriptions,

And AnExtended Holiday Manga Sale Offering 20% Off All Titles

VIZ Media concludes the year with a second digital update for Decemberfor manga (graphic novels) titles available on VIZManga.com and for digital downloadon the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPodtouch.

Highlights for the newest update include the continuation of the SHONENJUMP DIGITAL WARP, with NARUTO Vol. 57and ONE PIECE Vol. 62 (both rated ‘T’ for Teens) debuting ahead of the printeditions. TheDIGITAL WARP is a ‘speed-up’ ofselected popular titles to bring U.S. readers up-to-date with Japanese releases,and prepare for the January 2012 launch on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App ofWEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, North America’s only near-simultaneous digital mangamagazine.

Fans can nowpre-order a subscription or give a gift subscription to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMPALPHA at SJ.viz.com/preorder.Subscribers to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA will receive a full year’s subscription(48 issues), an annual collector’s yearbook, and access to exclusive content,including creator interviews and videos. The first interview featuring NARUTOcreator Masashi Kishimoto debuts the day WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA launches, onJanuary 3oth.

Also, VIZ Media’s special holiday digital manga promotion continues through January 8th2012 and offers up to 20% off on ALLmanga titles on VIZManga.com and theVIZ MANGA App. Catch up on best-loved or band new series with more than 500volumes now available at a holiday discount. And look for plenty of new digitalmanga debuts coming soon in 2012!

Additionalmanga volumes launching during the second-half of December, all of which are available now, include:

ARATA:THE LEGEND Vol. 8

CROSSGAME Vol. 4

HOUSEOF FIVE LEAVES Vol. 5

NARUTOVol. 57 – debuting ahead of the printedition!

INUYASHA(VIZBIG) Vol. 7 – exclusive to the VIZManga App for iPad!

KEKKAISHIVol. 20

MAOH:JUVENILE REMIX Vol. 8

OISHINBOVol. 6

ONEPIECE Vol. 62 – debuting ahead of theprint edition!

VIZ Media’s multiple digital manga platforms allow for universal access toread manga from an iPhone, iPodtouch, iPad, and now, on VIZManga.com fordesktop/laptop computers as well as Android-powered devices with built-in webbrowsers. Withone account, registered users may access their purchases across even moredevices than ever.

The free VIZManga App continues to be the top app for reading manga and features a rapidlygrowing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes are currently available, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews addedweekly.

For more information,please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

For more information onWEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit SJAlpha.com.

ACF 1287: VCinema ticket giveaway contest for screenings of BATTLE ROYALE in Los Angeles

2011-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

Battle Royale (2000), renowned director Kinji Fukusaku's last completed film, will be shown in Los Angeles from December 24th, 2011 through January 2nd, 2012. (Fukusaku died during filming of the sequel, which was completed by his son Kenta and released in 2003.)

Based on the 500+ page novel by Koushun Takami, which was published in 1999 and later made into a manga series by Koushun Takami and Masayuki Taguchi, the film depicts a group of ninth graders who are transported by authorities to a remote island where they are tasked to kill one another until only one remains. Because of the subject matter, the film was very controversial in Japan and has had few screenings in the U.S., although it has been available as a Region 1 DVD for several years.

The film might be considered a cross between The Most Dangerous Game and Lord of the Flies. It most definitely is a pre-cursor to the The Hunger Games, at least from all I've read about the book and and seen about the upcoming film (or perhaps that should be "films").

"Beat" Takeshi Kitano explains the rules of the Battle Royale.

Battle Royale was first shown in North America as a co-presentation of Japan Society and the New York Asian Film Festival this past summer, one of the films included in Japan Cuts: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema. This was billed as a "celebratory" screening because the film could not properly be considered "contemporary," the other thirty+ films in the festival all being from 2010 or 2011.

Now some lucky Angenlinos will have the opportunity to see it this holiday season. And some will be very lucky indeed, since four lucky winners of a contest sponsored by VCinema will get free tickets!

Information about the film, the screening schedule and the contest is available at VCinema.

ACF 1286: Digital manga from VIZ now available on Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet and Nook Color

2011-12-22T00:30:00.000-08:00

BARNES & NOBLEAND VIZ MEDIA

BRING THE DIGITAL MANGA EXPERIENCE TO

NOOK TABLET™ AND NOOK COLOR™

Titles From Leading Manga Publisher Have Debuted

Exclusively On Barnes & Noble’s 7-Inch NOOK Devices

Presented In Original JapaneseRight-To-Left Reading Format

This past Tuesday, December 20, 2011, Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced that it had teamed up with VIZ Media to bring the digital manga (graphic novel) experience to NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color customers. Debuting in the NOOK Store, VIZ Media's collection includes 18 series, featuring 107 volumes, from its popular Shojo Beat, Shonen Sunday and VIZ Signature imprints. Volumes are available for purchase and fast download in the U.S. and Canada for $4.99 - $9.99 (U.S. / CAN) each. New digital manga volumes, including previews, will be available weekly.

Viewing manga on NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color is authentic thanks to Barnes & Noble's newly implemented technology that formats manga in its original right-to-left reading order. Read your favorite graphic novels on the award-winning NOOK 7-inch devices, which feature a full-color VividView touchscreen. NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color also give you access to the world's largest digital bookstore, popular movies, TV shows, music and more through the top entertainment services, as well as a collection of high-quality apps, fast Web browsing and email.

Over its 25 year history, VIZ Media has led the transformation of manga and anime from a niche category into a mass media phenomenon, telling stories that resonate with audiences and fans all over North America. The VIZ Media library includes global hits like BLACK BIRD, BLEACH, CROSS GAME, KEKKAISHI, NARUTO and VAMPIRE KNIGHT.

“NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color are ideal devices for our customers to enjoy manga in stunning high resolution color that virtually makes the action leap off the page,” said Theresa Horner, Vice President of Digital Content for Barnes & Noble. “We're excited to work with VIZ Media to offer NOOK customers access to some of the most popular manga titles available in North America.”

“The Barnes & Noble team and VIZ Media have put together a fantastic manga reading experience by giving NOOK customers full control of their reading experience with the ability to pinch and zoom to dive into the tiniest details” says Alvin Lu, Senior Vice President and General Manager of VIZ Media. “Barnes & Noble has been a major partner with VIZ Media for many years in growing the North American print manga market, and we're very excited to expand our relationship to make our vast digital library of manga titles available to NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color customers. Over 100 volumes will be available at launch and we look forward to quickly expanding these selections to more than 500 in the coming months.”

The following manga titles are currently available with many more coming:

ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND Vols. 1-6 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
ARATA: THE LEGEND Vols. 1-8 o Rated “T” for Teens
BACKSTAGE PRINCE Vols. 1 & 2 o Rated “T” for Teens
BEAST MASTER Vols. 1-2 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
BLACK BIRD Vols. 1-11 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
CHILDREN OF THE SEA Vols. 1-4 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
CROSS GAME Vols. 1-4 o Rated “T” for Teens
DENGEKI DAISY Vols. 1-7 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN Vols. 1-9 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES Vols. 1-5 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
HYDE & CLOSER Vols. 1-6 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
I'LL GIVE IT MY ALL...TOMORROW Vols. 1-4 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
KEKKAISHI Vols. 1-19 o Rated “T” for Teens
MAOH: JUVENILE REMIX Vols. 1-7 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
NOT SIMPLE o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
OISHINBO Vols. 1-5 o Rated “T” for Teens
SATURN APARTMENTS Vols. 1-4 o Rated “T” for Teens
SOLANIN o Rated “T+” for Older Teens
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! Vols. 1 & 2 o Rated “T+” for Older Teens

For more information on VIZ Media mangatitles, visit www.VIZ.com.

For moreinformation on NOOK, visit www.nook.com.

Topurchase VIZ Media manga titles for the NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color,visit the NOOK Book Store at www.barnesandnoble.com/u/NOOK-Comics-Graphic-Novels-Manga/379003302/

ACF 1285: New People releasing GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER

2011-12-21T00:30:00.000-08:00

Exciting ConcludingChapter Of Kinetic Japanese Action Film Epic

Based On Popular Manga SeriesDebuts In January; Theatrical Release

Event At NEW PEOPLE In SanFrancisco Also Announced

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment has announced the highly anticipated release of thelive-action film sequel to GANTZ. GANTZ II: Perfect Answer will debut onDVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack (SRP $29.99) on January17th, 2012. The film, which is unrated, features both English andJapanese dialogue options and includes a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview,cast profiles, and theatrical film trailers.

Tocelebrate the film’s North American release, NEW PEOPLE Entertainment will holdthree special theatrical screenings of GANTZ and GANTZ II: Perfect Answer on Saturday, January 14th atthe S.F. Film Society| NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in SanFrancisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. Additional ticket and film info isavailable at: www.newpeopleworld.com/films.

GANTZ(Dubbed) 1:00pm

GANTZII: Perfect Answer(Dubbed) 4:00pm

GANTZII: Perfect Answer(Subtitled) 7:00pm

Allthose attending the screenings of GANTZII: Perfect Answer will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25(DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster,and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.

GANTZ and GANTZ II: Perfect Answer are based on apopular manga series created by Hiroya Oku. The ongoing 31-volume sci-fiaction epic is a bestseller in Japan with sales exceeding 16 million copies andis published in North America by Dark Horse Comics. Both films star leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City).

“GANTZ is one of the most popular live-action film franchises basedon a manga series to come from Japan and we are very happy to announce the NorthAmerican release of the saga’s tense concluding chapter on DVD and Blu-Ray,”says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEWPEOPLE, Inc. “GANTZ II: Perfect Answerbrings the kinetic action to its riveting climax and fans won’t want to missthis exciting new release!”

In the first GANTZfilm (available on Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack from NEW PEOPLE Entertainment), KeiKurono and his childhood friend, Masaru Kato, attempted to save a man who hasfallen onto the train tracks but were run down by an oncoming train. However,rather than finding themselves dead, they were transported to a strangeapartment in which they found a mysterious black orb known as ‘GANTZ’. Alongwith others there, they were given weaponry sent on missions to battle alienbeings and gain “points.”

How will we facethe end? The GANTZ saga meets itsultimate conclusion in GANTZ II: Perfect Answer, which offers anintensely gripping story-line yet to be known to even readers of the originalmanga series. Determined to resurrect his friends who have died on previousmissions, Kei and other members trapped in the world of GANTZ aim to score the100 points needed to break through and regain their freedom. Butwith the emergence of a mysterious man investigating the Gantz members, Gantzbegins to act up and the next target shocks the members. Some fight for love,some for justice but what will each member sacrifice?

Kazunari Ninomiya, best known in Americafor his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is alsoworld-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which toppedJapan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles.

Kenichi Matsuyama is currently one ofthe most sought-after actors in Japanese film and he has won several awardsincluding Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor(2009). Matsuyama is widely recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008) and also for his portrayalof Johannes Krauser II in the outlandish rock and roll comedy, Detroit Metal City (2009).

For more information on GANTZ and other NEW PEOPLE Entertainmentfilms, please visit: www.newpeopleent.com.

ACF 1284: 2nd season of BLUE DRAGON: TRIALS OF THE SEVEN SHADOWS now available online

2011-12-20T12:16:00.000-08:00

AnimatedSeries Is Based On Popular Xbox 360 Videogame And

Features Character Designs By Manga Mastermind Akira Toriyama

VIZ Media has announced the launch of BLUE DRAGON: TRIALS OF THE SEVENSHADOWS, the second season of the hit fantasy adventure series BLUE DRAGON(both rated TV-14), available now on VIZAnime.com, the company’s ownwebsite for free anime, aswell as on the streaming content provider HULU (www.Hulu.com).Episodes 1-5 are available now, and 2 new episodes will debut each Friday.

The BLUE DRAGON series is based on the exclusive Xbox 360 videogame “BLUE DRAGON,”developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of “Final Fantasy,” and featurescharacter designs by Akira Toriyama, the creatorof the best-selling DRAGON BALLseries of manga (published in North America by VIZ Media).

BLUEDRAGON is a classic adventure story of magical Shadow powers, flying airfortresses, and unbounded heroism! Brought together by fate, Seven Soldiers ofLight must awaken the Shadow within themselves in time to overcome a despoticpower and bring peace to their land. Their ensuing journey through a richfantasy world is also an internal journey to awaken the great power within eachof them.

In the excitingSecond Season, Shu and his friends fought to defeat the evil lord Nene, the rulerof the Grankingdom. Nene was defeated, but it was revealed that the true evilwas none other than Zola, who was the avatar of the legendary Darkness. Shu andthe other Seven Soldiers of Light managed to once again seal off the force ofDarkness, but lost their Shadow Powers in the process. Two years has passedsince the battle with Darkness. As Shu and Bouquet continue their battleagainst General Logi and his Rosekstan army, a new threat arrives. Powerfuldragons calling themselves the “Legion of Elite Species” set out to test the worthinessof mankind, selecting Shu as the candidate.

Formore information on this and other animated titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZAnime.com.

ACF 1283: Section23 Films announces February releases

2011-12-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the February slate of releases coming from video distributor Section23 Films, including BROKEN BLADE. The heavy metal mecha action series will be released on both DVD & Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks.

Product details follow, in order of release.

Title: XAM'D: LOST MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Run Time: 650 min.

Street Date: 2/7/2012

Format: DVD

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP: $79.98

SYNOPSIS: Combining hard-hitting mecha action and fantastic supernatural elements, XAM'D is a thrilling new benchmark in anime. Set on a peaceful island during a violent terrorist attack, a young boy is suddenly transformed into a metal-cased mercenary. But with this great power comes even greater danger. Aiyuki must discover how to master this remarkable new power-or risk having this mysterious fusion of rock, metal and magic destroy him! Now available for the first time in a complete set, all of XAM'D's breakthrough action can be yours in one awesome collection.

Title: XAM'D: LOST MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Run Time: 650 min.

Street Date: 2/7/2012

Format: BD

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP: $89.98

SYNOPSIS: Combining hard-hitting mecha action and fantastic supernatural elements, XAM'D is a thrilling new benchmark in anime. Set on a peaceful island during a violent terrorist attack, a young boy is suddenly transformed into a metal-cased mercenary. But with this great power comes even greater danger. Aiyuki must discover how to master this remarkable new power-or risk having this mysterious fusion of rock, metal and magic destroy him! Now available for the first time in a complete set, all of XAM'D's breakthrough action can be yours in one awesome collection.

Title: HELL GIRL: THREE VESSELS COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Run Time: 650 min.

Street Date: 2/14/2012

Format: DVD

Language: Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:               $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Just when it seemed that Ai Enma was finally at peace, Yuzuki Mikage appears: the perfect host for Ai's damned spirit to possess! Now, as the darkest secrets of the Hell Girl threaten to consume her, Yuzuki's attempts to maintain her own humanity become ever more desperate as the world around her slowly shatters into a terrifying series of riddles. Why has she been drawn into the world of the Hell Correspondence? What is her relationship to Ai? And has her ultimate destiny already been predetermined?   As the powers of the Hell Girl continue to grow inside her, Yuzuki's very existence is now at stake. Who and what is she, really? The shocking secrets of her past will be unlocked, the tragedies of Ai's will be revealed, and the torch of the Hell Girl may be passed in the shocking conclusion of the Hell Girl saga - HELL GIRL - THREE VESSELS - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION.

Title:                 BROKEN BLADE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Run Time: 300 min.

Street Date: 2/21/2012

Format: DVD

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects-or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems. But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an "un-sorcerer", Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon. But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives. Strap yourself in, power up, and prepare for the heavy metal mecha action of BROKEN BLADE!

Title: BROKEN BLADE COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Run Time: 300 min.

Street Date: 2/21/2012

Format: BD

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects-or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems. But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an "un-sorcerer", Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon. But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives. Strap yourself in, power up, and prepare for the heavy metal mecha action of BROKEN BLADE!

Title: A-CHANNEL COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Run Time: 300 min.

Street Date: 2/28/2012

Format: DVD

Language: Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP: $49.98

SYNOPSIS Toru and Run have been best friends forever, so when Toru learns that she's managed to get into the same high school as Run, she runs to tell her… only to find Run in a compromising position with yet another girl, Yuko. Needless to say, that makes things a bit awkward at school, with Toru fending off those who might be interested in Run while Yuko and their other girlfriend, Nagi, has to deal with Run's own penchant for drama. But it's not all angst all the time, and as the school year progresses the four girls and their many classmates find time to laugh, play and figure out how to handle the unexpected problems life likes to throw at the them. Like bugs in the house, accidentally giving each other horrible haircuts, freezing up at karaoke or forgetting to put your underwear on in the morning. When it comes to learning about the real world, there's always something 'educational' to be found in A-CHANNEL: The Complete Collection.

ACF 1282: Reminder - KCS offering free screening of LEE Chang-dong's POETRY this Tuesday at 7:00 PM

2011-12-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

Korean Cultural Service

presents

Korean Movie Night

Poetry/ Shi

South Korea, 2010, 139 minutes

When: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 @ 7:00 PM

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas

54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Admission: FREE!!!

All seating is first-come, first served.

Winner - “Best Screenplay” - Cannes Film Festival

Winner - “Best Screenplay” - Asian Film Awards

“…quietly devastating…” - The New York Times

“…daring…haunting…a character study of remarkable subtlety…” - The Los Angeles Times

As someone who has the highest regard for Lee Chang-dong's films, I simply have to put up this reminder post about Tuesday's FREE screening of Poetry. Think of it as a marvelous, holiday season, end of year gift from the Korean Cultural Service. Think of it any way you want. But don't miss this film.

In it, Lee Chang-dong (Secret Sunshine, Oasis, Peppermint Candy) delivers yet another big screen triumph. The movie also marks the return to the silver screen of acting legend, Yoon Jeong-Hee, who had been retired since 1994. In Lee’s film, she plays a 67 year-old grandmother, taking care of her loutish grandson and barely scraping by with a series of odd jobs.

As the movie begins, she has been given a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and so she enrolls in a poetry class in an effort to sharpen her mental faculties and delay the advance of her dementia. Simultaneously, a young girl who lives in her neighborhood commits suicide and slowly, in Lee’s expert hands, the strands of this narrative — a brute of a grandson, a tired old woman, poetry, suicide, senility — all come together to deliver yet another of Lee’s enormous, epic, subtle, sprawling portraits of the wo rld.

It’s a movie that should be compared to a novel for all of its elegance and depth, but that is also, truly, cinema: a story that could not be told any other way but in enormous, illuminated images.

For my review of Poetry, which ran on September 26, 2010, click here. The film, which was then screening at the New York Film Festival, earned the highest possible ACF Rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I've watched it again since then, and that rating holds now as it no doubt will in the future.

ACF 1281: Holiday book suggestions - TENJO TENGE 2-in-1 volumes

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Maya Natsume and Soichiro Nagi grace the cover of the first 2-in-1 volume.

Here's a holiday book suggestion for manga lovers, specifically those who like their manga full of gorgeous young women and terrific fight scenes. VIZ Media has been re-issuing Tenjo Tenge in new "Full Contact Edition 2-in-1" volumes every two months since last June. The fourth volume comes out this Tuesday, December 20th.

Maya and Takayanagi

The prime characters are members of the Juken Club at Todo Academy, a high school The club is led by Maya Natsume, a third year student and master of the Natsume Goshinryu style. Most of the time she looks like a little girl, but this is just a form she uses to conserve her ki. When she transforms back to her true self, she's "a stacked chick dressed like a hooker," as one student describes her. She has lovely ash blonde hair.

Soichiro Nagi

The senior male member of the Juken Club is Takayanagi, who is way tougher than he looks. When he first sees her, Takayanagi immediately falls for Maya's younger sister Aya, a first year student with dark hair. She is said to possess The Dragon Eyes, which enable her "to perceive things for what they truly are and even to see far into the past of future."

Aya Natsume

Unfortunately for Takayanagi, Aya is drawn to Soichiro Nagi, a new first year transfer student. His friend is Bob Makihara, a black foreigner and also a new transfer student. Bob's girlfriend is Chiaki, who's not above attempting a girl-on-girl encounter, at least when it comes to the lovely Aya.

Chiaki puts the move on Aya

The Juken Club is opposed by The Executive Council, a sinister group of students who want to put the club out of existence and will go employ extreme violence to do so. One of the main threads of the story is how this hatred came about and how it will ultimately play out. Along the way there are plenty of beatings and bruises. That's probably why the volumes are divided into fights, not chapters.

The cover of the second 2-in-1 volume of Tenjo Tenge

The story and art of Tenjo Tenge are by Oh!great. He's terrific at creating distinctive individual characters, especially the females, and portraying the exciting fights. Each 2-in-1volume is divided into parts 1 and 2. At the end of each part are a few pages of Oh!great bonus manga in which the author talks directly to the reader. At the end of Volume 1 Part 1, he describes his obsession with Tekken 3. It was a pre-release demo of Tekken 2 that got me to buy the first PlayStation game system, and I've remained a staunch fan of the series since. So, while I was won over by Tenj Tenge before I'd read all that many pages, reading this bonus section produced an even stronger affinity with the author.

The first and second Full Contact Edition 2-in1 volumes (the ones I've seen so far) carry an M.S.R.P. of $17.99 and include16 pages of glorious full-color artwork. I assume that this holds true for the volumes that follow.

Because of it's explicit content, Tenjo Tenge is rated for "Mature" readers. I've fallen in love with the series and highly recommend it if hot babes and cool fight scenes appeal to you at all.

ACF 1280: Pre-release look at NORWEGIAN WOOD

2011-12-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

Last night I was fortunate to attend a pre-release screening of Norwegian Wood at Japan Society. The film is directed by French-Vietnamese film-maker TRAN Anh Hung (Cyclo and The Scent of Green Papaya). He also wrote the screenplay, which is based on one of the best known novels by Japanese author Haruki Murakami. The movie will open on Friday, January 6, 2012 at the IFC Center in New York and the West End Cinema in Washington DC. It will subsequently roll-out westward across the U.S. over the ensuing weeks: Chicago on January 20th, Seattle & Los Angeles on the 27th.

I'm not going to offer a full review at this time, although I certainly plan to before the film opens here. Partially this is because I don't currently have the time to give this compelling work the consideration it deserves, but more so because I find that I'm still thinking about it, rolling it around in my head and thinking it over. For me this is the sure sign of a great film: one that provokes further thought.

Norwegian Wood is primarily the story of a youth named Watanabe, played by Kenichi Matsuyama ("L" in the three Death Note films, Soichi Negishi/Johannes Krauser II in Detroit Metal City). Soon to enter college in 1967, when the film begins, he is forced to confront the consequences of the tragic fate that befalls his best friend Kazuki (Kengo Kora). Primary among these is a complicated and changing relationship with Naoko (the never-better Rinko Kikuchi), Kazuki's former girlfriend.

Samuel Jamier, of Japan Society, director Tran, and Ms. Kikuchi at the Q&A

Director Tran and Ms. Kikuchi were present at the screening, introducing the film and then fielding questions in the Q&A that followed. I'll surely have a post about their responses and comments in the near future.

In the meanwhile, to prepare yourself for experiencing this superb film in the New Year, please make due with the film's trailer:

ACF 1279: VIZ Media extends 20% off holiday manga promotion

2011-12-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA EXTENDS 20% OFF HOLIDAY PROMOTION

TO COVER ALL DIGITALMANGA TITLES ON VIZMANGA.COM

AND THE VIZ MANGA APP THRU JANUARY 8th

Fans Are Invited To Explore NewSeries Or Catch Up

On Popular Ongoing Titles With A Special Discount That

Applies To More Than 500 Digital Manga Volumes

VIZ Media has extended its recently announced holiday digital manga promotion.Now through Midnight (PST), January 8th, 2012, all VIZ Media mangatitles on VIZManga.comand the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPodtouch will be up to 20% off (regular prices range from $4.99 to $9.99).

The promotiongives readers an opportunity to explore the new SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP‘speed-ups’ of selected titles such as ONE PIECE and BLEACH, that will quickly bringU.S. readers up-to-date with Japanese releases, catch up with other ongoing VIZMedia manga series, or discover brand new ones!

VIZ Media’s multiple digital manga platforms enable universal access to enjoy manga from an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, on VIZManga.comfor desktop/laptop computers as wellas Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account,registered users may access their purchases across even more devices than ever.

The free VIZManga App continues to be the top application for reading manga and features arapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes are currently available, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews addedweekly.

For more information, visit VIZManga.comor www.VIZ.com/apps.

ACF 1278: STUDIO GHIBLI ANIMATION FESTIVAL begins tomorrow at IFC Center

2011-12-15T09:38:00.000-08:00

Spirited Away

STUDIO GHIBLI FESTIVAL

Week 1 Kicks Off Friday with 5 Miyazaki Masterpieces!

Multiple Daily Screenings Start Tomorrow

IFC Center, 323 6th Ave, NYC

NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (1984)
Recommended ages 8 to adult

The debut film from Hayao Miyazaki, Nausicaä is considered by many to be his masterwork - and there are few films, animated or otherwise, of such sweeping scope and grandeur. Set in a devastated future world decimated by atmospheric poisons and swarming with gigantic insects, Nausicaä is the story of a young princess, both brave and innocent, whose love for all living things and passionate determination to understand the processes of nature lead her into terrible danger, sacrifice, and eventual triumph.

For show times and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE, then scroll down to specific film.

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988)
Recommended all ages

One of the most endearing and internationally renowned films of all time, a film that Roger Ebert called "one of the five best movies" ever made for children, My Neighbor Totoro is a deceptively simple tale of two girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move with their father to a new house in the countryside. They soon discover that the surrounding forests are home to a family of Totoros, gentle but powerful creatures who live in a huge and ancient camphor tree and are seen only by children. Based on Miyazaki's own childhood imaginings, Totoros look like oversized pandas with bunny ears and they take the girls on spinning-top rides through the treetops and introduce them to a furry, multi-pawed Catbus--a nod to Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat.

For show times and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE, then scroll down to specific film.

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (1989)
Recommended all ages

From the legendary Hayao Miyazaki comes the beloved story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. It is tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and set out into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her life journey with her chatty black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where a bakery owner hires her to make deliveries. Rarely has the animator's art been so brilliantly rendered as in this delightfully imaginative film - a beautiful and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world.

For show times and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE, then scroll down to specific film.

PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997)

Recommended ages 11 to adult

Princess Mononoke is a landmark of animation and a film of unsurpassed power and beauty. An epic story of conflict between humans, gods, and nature, the film has been universally acclaimed by critics and broke the box office record on its original release in Japan. While defending his village from a demonic boar-god, the young warrior Ashitaka becomes afflicted with a curse that grants him super-human power in battle but will eventually take his life. Traveling west to find a cure or meet his destiny, he journeys deep into sacred depths of the Great Forest where he meets San (Princess Mononoke), a girl raised by wolf-gods.

For show times and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE, then scroll down to specific film.

SPIRITED AWAY (2002)
Recommended ages 9 to adult

Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award®-winning masterpiece Spirited Away was the biggest box office hit of all time in Japan and a film that helped redefine the possibilities of animation for American audiences and a generation of new filmmakers. Combining Japanese mythology with Through the Looking Glass-type whimsy, Spirited Away cemented Miyazaki's reputation as an icon of inspired animation and wondrous, lyrical storytelling.

For show times and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE, then scroll down to specific film.

ACF 1277: Full info about RAJ KAPOOR retrospective now available

2011-12-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

Aag(Fire). 1948. India. Directed by Raj Kapoor. Pictured: KaminiKaushal (left) and Raj Kapoor (right). Image courtesy of IndianInternational Film Academy.

As I indicated in Monday's post, MoMA will be hosting an eight film retrospective of the works of Indian actor, director, and mogul Raj Kapoor (1924–1988) from January 6 - 16, 2012. I was just notified that there is information available about the series at MoMA's website. For the schedule of the films to be shown, descriptions of each, and links to purchase tickets online, click here.

Largely unknown in North America—except, of course, to millions of fans of South Asian descent— Kapoor is revered not only in India but throughout the former Soviet world, the Middle East, and beyond for the films he made during the Golden Age of Indian cinema. This exhibition of eight legendary Kapoor films, presented in newly struck 35mm prints, offers an introduction to one of the most ravishing and influential periods of world cinema. Kapoor founded RK Films in 1948, and it became the most important Hindi studio of the post-Independence era—and the one most commonly associated with that nebulous and often misunderstood expression, “Bollywood.”

Fire (1948), Kapoor’s first film as producer and director, reflects German Expressionist influences, and established the modern-day, hyper-romantic style that would become his trademark—combining contemporary Hollywood melodrama with the moral lessons and metaphors of the “mythologicals”: special-effects-laden versions of tales from the Indian epics the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Kapoor took the latent romanticism of prewar Indian commercial cinema and made it frank, intense, and personal, creating a new idiom for the expression of emotion that had little place in traditional Indian literature and drama.

As Elliot Stein writes in Raj Kapoor: The Showman Auteur of Indian Cinema, “Kapoor’s singular and gargantuan talent subsumes a variety of influences and affinities—[Charles] Chaplin, Frank Capra, Orson Welles—with even a touch of Russ Meyer apparent in the later work. At times, his oeuvre recalls the work of a 19th-century European literary giant whose sympathy for the underdog, protean activity, inexhaustible energy and penchant for excess earned him fame and a national reputation as early in life as Kapoor. Yes, Raj Kapoor is—to a degree—the Victor Hugo of Indian cinema.”

ACF 1276: Holiday Book Suggestions - STRAY DOGS & LONE WOLVES

2011-12-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves: The Samurai Film Handbook
Written by Patrick Galloway
Published by Stone Bridge Press, 2005
Paperback version M.S.R.P. $19.95 U.S.
238 pages, numerous b&w illustrations

With the holiday season fast approaching, I've decided to run some reviews of books that should be of interest to lovers of Asian films. So whether you're looking for a gift for an Asian film aficionado, a suggestion for a gift for someone to give you, or something to just treat yourself to, I hope these reviews will be helpful. First up is Patrick Galloway's Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves:

If you only buy one book about samurai films, this probably should be it. If you have several books about samurai films, this definitely should be one of them. Galloway provides the reader with the kind of information that everyone who loves, or has at least a passing interest in samurai films, should be familiar with.

The first part consists of four chapters of Background:

- The World of the Samurai - provides the historical context of samurai films
- The Samurai Film Genre - includes descriptions of "The Big Five" Japanese movie studios that produced the overwhelming bulk of samurai films
- The Artists - discusses several important directors, screenwriters, and actors
- Seeing the Films - is primarily devoted to explaining the system by which Galloway characterizes the availability of each film reviewed, ranging from "easy" to "tricky" to "tough." Be advised that availability fluctuates over time. Most, perhaps all, of the "easy" titles are still available, though some films do go "out-of-print." In other cases, some films have become "easier" to buy or rent than they were when the book was published.

Part II: The Films, the bulk of the book, uses a chronological approach to discuss the films, starting in the '50s with Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon (1950) and ending with Yoji Yamada's Twilight Samurai (2003). These make wonderful "bookends" as Yamada''s film - the first in his "Samurai Trilogy" - is in many ways the anti-thesis of Kurosawa's style in his saumurai films.

All -- and I do mean all -- the "biggies" are here: Kurosawa's films in the genre, as well as picks from such well-known series as Zatoichi, Sleepy Eyes of Death, Lone Wolf and Club, The Razor, and Lady Snowblood. I've seen all of these, many years ago, but it was still fascinating to read Galloway's descriptions of and thoughts about them. There were also several films discussed that I wasn't familiar with and that I'm grateful for learning about.

The final section is a brief appendix. The major portion of it is a very helpful Glossary and Cross-Index. A nice touch here is having phrases, such as baka ("fool") in black typeface in a grey rectangle, while names of individuals and of movies are in white typeface set in black rectangles. The two page bibliography is divided into print and Internet sources.

Stray Dogs... is both interesting and informative. It's essential reading and a must-have book for anyone with a serious interest in the samurai film genre.

ACF Rating; 4 out of 4 stars, highest recommendation.

(The above review in slightly different form appeared as ACF 640, July 27, 2010.)

ACF 1275: RAJ KAPOOR and the GOLDEN AGE of INDIAN CINEMA coming to MoMA in January 2012

2011-12-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

Shree420. 1955. India. Directed by Raj Kapoor. Pictured: Nargis (left)and Raj Kapoor (right). Image courtesy of University of California, BerkeleyArt Museum & Pacific Film Archive.

The Museum of Modern Art will be presenting Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema. This film series, which will run from from January 6 through 16, 2012, reveals through eight legendary films the work of actor, director, and mogul Raj Kapoor (1924-1988). Largely unknown in North America—except to filmgoers of South Asian descent—Kapoor is revered not only in India but also throughout the former Soviet world, the Middle East, and beyond for the films he made during the Golden Age of Indian cinema.

Presented in newly struck 35mm prints, Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema offers an introduction to one of the most ravishing and influential periods of world cinema. Kapoor founded RK Films in 1948, and it became the most important Hindi studio of the post-Independence era—and the one most commonly associated with the nebulous and often misunderstood expression "Bollywood."

The exhibition is curated by Noah Cowan, Artistic Director, TIFF Bell Lightbox, and organized by TIFF, IIFA, and RK Films, with the support of the Government of Ontario. It is organized for MoMA by Joshua Siegel, Associate Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art.

ACF will provide further information, including film descriptions, the complete schedule, and purchasing tickets, as soon as it's available in the near future.

ACF 1274: ROZEN MAIDEN

2011-12-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

ROZEN MAIDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION

ROZEN MAIDEN: OUVERTÜRE

NOW ON SALE

Section23 Films has released ROSEN MAIDEN, a package that includes the original 12 episode series, the 12 episode sequel series TRÄUMEND and the two made for video episodes known as ROZEN MAIDEN: OUVERTÜRE.

ROZEN MAIDEN: OUVERTÜRE, which has never been released in North America, is also available separately.

Title: ROSEN MAIDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION

Running Time: 650 min.

Age Rating: TV 14

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Street Date: 12/6/2011

Format: DVD

SRP: $49.98

SYNOPSIS: Remember those nightmares you had as a child, where your toys came to life? That's the reality that Jun Sakurada suddenly finds himself living in when Shinku arrives in a box. She's the first of several magical Rozen Maidens to invade the secluded life he has made for himself since refusing to attend school anymore and living the life of a hermit. Worse, he finds himself magically bound to Shinku, his life force powering hers, and she's not too crazy about the way he's been living his life. Unfortunately, fixing everything that's wrong with Jun is going to have to take a back seat to making sure that Shinku survives the Alice Game, a competition that pits Rozen Maiden against Rozen Maiden for the prize of becoming a real girl, while the losers' life essence is drained and they become lifeless toys again. Now, in order to win this deadly game, Jun and Shinku will have to find a way to work together. But to do that they'll have to start trusting each other first! Get ready for a whole new kind of 'guys and dolls' as 'action figure' takes on a new meaning in ROZEN MAIDEN - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION.

Title: ROZEN MAIDEN: OUVERTÜRE

Running Time: 50 min.

Age Rating: TV 14

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Street Date: 12/6/2011

Format: DVD

SRP: $29.98

SYNOPSIS: Shinku may be the foremost of Rozen's creations, but was she the first? Prepare to hear the OTHER side of the story for the first time in an all new set of Rozen Maiden chronicles! Journey back to 19th century London and the birth of the Rozen Maidens to witness the cruel and tragic origin of Rozen's first doll, and how, even when left abandoned and unfinished , she still fought her own way to the Rosa Mystica and the Alice Game! But leave what you think you know behind, for this is Souseiseki's story, and what she has to say may surprise you! Prepare for an all new tale of Rozen Genesis in ROZEN MAIDEN: OUVERTÜRE.

ACF 1273: DAWN OF THE ARCANA

2011-12-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF

NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES DAWN OF THE ARCANA

A PrincessUses Her Power to Make a Difference in New Fantasy Romance Series

In DAWN OF THE ARCANA, PrincessNakaba of Senan is forced to marry Prince Caesar of the enemy country Belquat,tantamount to becoming a hostage. While Caesar is pleasing to the eye, he is alsoselfish and possessive, telling Nakaba outright: “You are my property.” Withonly her attendant Loki at her side, Nakaba must find a way to cope with herhostile surroundings, her fake marriage...and a mysterious power!

“DAWN OF THE ARCANA creator ReiToma has crafted a fascinating tale about a strong princess who discovers thatshe has an ancient power. She unearths secrets about her past, crosses swordswith her husband, and has the gumption to fight for a better future for herselfand those around her,” says AmyYu, Editor. “Readerswill get swept up in the emotional and dramatic tension that permeates this newfantasy romance story from our Shojo Beat line.”

Rei Toma has been drawing sincechildhood, but she attracted a publisher's attention with her manga shortstory, Help Me, Dentist. Herart style became a hit with readers, and following her debut as a manga artist,she also became widely known as an illustrator for novels and video gamecharacters. Her current manga series, DAWN OF THE ARCANA,is her first long-running manga series, and has been a hit in Japan, sellingover a million copies.

For moreinformation on DAWN OF THE ARCANA, or other shojo manga titles from VIZ Media,please visit ShojoBeat.com.

ACF 1272: Yoo & Dancers to perform "160 MILES" December 16th & 17th

2011-12-10T00:30:00.000-08:00

160 Miles

Yoo & Dancers

When: December 16 & 17, 2011 @ 8:00 PM

Where: Dance New Amsterdam Theater

280 Broadway (enter on Chambers Street), Manhattan, NY

On December 16th and 17that 8:00 PM, Yoo and Dancers will take the stage at Dance New Amsterdam for afull evening performance that is described as “A solemnand haunting representation of domination that is modern andprovocative,” (Karen Clements, Reporter - Jamaica Examiner). Yoo & Dancers is an excitingand vibrant dance company that uses the diversity, and culturaldifferences of its dancers to create experiences, well-developed andfine movements.

In 160 Miles, Choreographer HeeRa Yoo, depicts how a single individual ruling through fear severelyaffect the lives of millions. As the world prepares for the thirddictator to take power over North Korea since the Korean War, thedancers will take you on a breath taking journey on how the NorthKorean quality of life diminishes as dictatorial control grows.

Tickets for theperformance are $17general, $14 students/seniors, $12 DNA/ The Korea Society members and advance price.

To purchase tickets, please212.227.9856 or visit www.yooanddancers.com

ACF 1271: NEW PEOPLE presenting three special film screenings

2011-12-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

Japanese Pop Culture VenueWelcomes The Holiday Season And

Presents Eatrip, DOCUMENTARY Of AKB48 to becontinued, And

GANTZ II: Perfect AnswerAt The Bay Area’s Hottest Movie Theatre

NEW PEOPLE, the nation’s only entertainmentcomplex dedicated to Japanese popular culture, has announced a trio of Japaneselive-action films to screen on Saturday, December 17th at thevenue’s SF Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema. The screenings willinclude the culinary documentary Eatrip,which plays at 1:00pm, the newly released music biopic, DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued, which plays at 3:00pm and againat 8:30pm, and finally the action-packed conclusion of the celebrated GANTZsci-fi saga with a showing of GANTZ II:Perfect Answer at 5:00pm. Tickets are $10.00 each per film. Information andadvance tickets are available at: www.newpeopleworld.com.

Filmgoersthat bring their movie ticket to NEWPEOPLE, The Store, located in the building’s lobby, before or after eachshow will receive $10.00 off any NEW PEOPLE Entertainment DVD or Blu-ray releasethat day.

Eatrip Screensat 1:00pm

The film takes audiences on an intriguingjourney throughout Japan and features interviews with interesting personalitiesfrom a variety of walks of life to look at how life can be led richly throughthe daily ritual of eating. To eat is more than a necessity – it’s a universal experience all humanbeings share. In the film, Yuri Nomuraembarks on an insightful journey throughout Japan to examine the daily ritualsof eating among people from different walks of life. Actor Tadanobu Asano, singer UA, and fashion designerJurgen Lehl are among those featured. From the Tsukiji fish market to a farm inOkinawa, Eatrip offers poignantinterviews with intriguing personalities including the head monk of a famousBuddhist temple; a distributor of Japanese soup stock (Bonito broth); anOkinawan woman leading a self-sustainable lifestyle devoid of modernconveniences; a tea ceremony master, and a musician and writer who recitespoems about food. Eatrip is availablenow on DVD from NEW PEOPLE Entertainment.

DOCUMENTARYof AKB48 to be continued Screens at 3:00pm & 8:30pm

Thenew music biopic follows the unstoppable all-femaleJapanese pop idol group, AKB48, on their incredible rise to fame. AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by YasushiAkimoto, one of Japan’s most respected music producers. Beginning as a smallall-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’sbustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to60 members and topped Japan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling popsingles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10. The filmwas just released by NEW PEOPLE Entertainment on DVD on December 1st.

GANTZ II:Perfect Answer Screens at5:00pm

The GANTZsaga meets its ultimate conclusion in GANTZ II:Perfect Answer, which offers an intensely gripping story-line yetto be known to even readers of the original manga series. Determined toresurrect his friends who have died on previous missions, Kei and other memberstrapped in the world of GANTZ aim to score the 100 points needed to breakthrough and regain their freedom. Butwith the emergence of a mysterious man investigating the Gantz members, Gantzbegins to act up and the next target shocks the members. Some fight for love,some for justice but what will each member have to sacrifice? GANTZ is based on a popular manga seriescreated by Hiroya Oku and star leadingJapanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters fromIwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DeathNote, Detroit Metal City). GANTZ II:Perfect Answer will be released by NEW PEOPLE Entertainment on DVD andBlu-ray on January 17th, 2012.

The SF Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema is a 143-seat subterranean theatre located at 1746 Post Street in San Francisco’s Japantown and features plushseating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certifiedsound system.