With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

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

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

CALL OF HEROES to debut on Blu-ray and DVD on December 6th

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
Call of Heroes
Directed by Benny Chan
Hong Kong, 2016, 120 minutes

Award-winning Director Benny Chan (Shaolin, New Police Story) assembles a star-studded powerhouse lineup of action stars for the martial arts-packed drama Call of Heroes, which will debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD next Tuesday, December 6 from Well Go USA Entertainment. (It's been available on Digital since November 8th.)

A “Chinese wuxia epic with obvious echoes to classic spaghetti Western films and Akira Kurosawa’s samurai dramas,” (Edmund Lee, South China Morning Post), Call of Heroes stars Sean Lau (Mad Detective), Louis Koo (Drug War), Eddie Peng (Cold War 2) and Wu Jing (Shaolin), with the legendary Sammo Hung on board as the action director. Set in 1914 following the collapse of the Qing dynasty, the epic film tells the story of a group of brave villagers standing up to a cruel young warlord. Bonus materials include a making-of featurette.

Synopsis:
Louis Koo stars as Cao, the spoiled son of a powerful General who has grown into a vicious and depraved warlord. Although Cao is accused of triple murder, his father will destroy the town if his son is convicted and sentenced to death. But injustice cannot go unanswered, and the villagers prepare for the repercussions of punishing a guilty man.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Kinji Fukasaku's VIRUS next film in Japan Society's Kadokawa film series

Japan Society NY
Presents
Virus © 1980 Kadokawa Corp.
Virus / Fukkatsu no Hi
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
With Masao Kusakari, Isao Natsuyagi, Sonny Chiba
Japan, 1980, 156 min.
DCP color
In  English, French, German and Japanese with English subtitles

When: Tuesday, November 22, 7 PM
Where: Japan Society
333 East 47th Street, NYC
Map

By far the most expensive film ever made in Japan at the time, the apocalyptic blockbuster Virus was Kadokawa's most widely distributed film outside of Japan. Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale, Battles Without Honor and Humanity) directs this spectacular story of the struggle for survival of a team of international scientists in the Antarctic after a virus has wiped out the rest of humanity and set off a nuclear countdown. The apex of the Kadokawa blockbuster strategy, Virus was rolled out with a massive advertising campaign. Both gripping and campy, the film signaled the end of Haruki Kadokawa's quest for ever bigger films and his re-orientation towards pop experimentalism and idol stars.

New 4k restoration!

Part of Pop! Goes Cinema: Kadokawa Film & 1980s Japan.

Friday, November 11, 2016

THE BEAST TO DIE at Japan Society NY next Tuesday, November 15th

Japan Society NY
Presents
The Beast to Die © 1980 Kadokawa Corp.
The Beast to Die / Yaju Shisubeshi
Directed by Toru Murakawa
With Yusaku Matsuda, Takeshi Kaga, Hideo Murota
Japan, 1980, 119 minutes
DCP, color
In Japanese with live English subtitles.

When: Tuesday, November 15, 7 PM
Where: Japan Society
333 East 47th Street, NYC

Action star Yusaku Matsuda started his journey towards melding arthouse film and pop in this mesmerizingly stylized and Nietzschean heist film about a war reporter planning to rob a bank. Scriptwriter Shoichi Maruyama became an overnight sensation for his unique mix of the surreal and hard-boiled realism. Haruki Kadokawa used the film to embark on a new kind of small-scale blockbuster that emphasized artistic freedom. Though based on a bestseller by Haruhiko Oyabu, Kadokawa told Maruyama: "All I want is the novel's title and your modern sensibility." Foreshadowing the self-reflexive play of Japan's bubble era, the film tackles the insecurities of an increasingly international Japan. New 4k restoration!

18+. This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age and older.

Part of Pop! Goes Cinema: Kadokawa Film & 1980s Japan.

Friday, November 04, 2016

SAILOR SUIT AND MACHINE GUN to kick off new film series at Japan Society NY next Tuesday, November 8

Japan Society NY
Presents
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun © 1981 Kadokawa Corp.
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun / Serafuku to Kikanju
Directed by Shinji Somai
With Hiroko Yakushimaru, Tsunehiko Watase, Akira Emoto
Japan, 1981, 112 minutes
DCP, color
In Japanese with live English subtitles.

When: Tuesday, November 8, 7 PM
Where: Japan Society
333 East 47th Street, NYC

One of the defining films of 1980s Japanese cinema, Sailor Suit and Machine Gun shows pop idol/actress Hiroko Yakushimaru and director Shinji Somai at the peak of their powers through the story of a schoolgirl who becomes the head of a yakuza group and takes on a sinister drug cartel. Somai uses the pulpy premise to design fascinatingly orchestrated and downright wacky long takes that explore the meaning of postmodern Japan's image culture. For Kadokawa Film it was one of the defining successes of their idol strategy, creating cypher-like media personas that were like nothing that came before.

New 4k restoration!

Part of Pop! Goes Cinema: Kadokawa Film & 1980s Japan.

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

National theatrical release schedule announced for GIRLS UND PANZER DER FILM

SENTAI FILMWORKS ANNOUNCES
NATIONAL THEATRICAL RELEASE FOR
GIRLS UND PANZER DER FILM

Girls und Panzer der Film Rolls Into More
Than 30 Major Markets Nationwide

Sentai Filmworks, a leading independent distributor of Japanese anime and pop culture programming, announced today its U.S. release schedule for the English-dubbed, critically acclaimed, and record-breaking Japanese anime film, Girls und Panzer der Film. Girls und Panzer der Film will screen in more than 30 markets, including: New York, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Boston, Seattle, Orlando, San Diego, Sacramento, and more.

“The demand for a U.S. theatrical release of Girls und Panzer der Film was loud and clear,” said John Ledford, President and CEO of Sentai Filmworks. “We are thrilled to bring this intensely epic franchise to big screen audiences, where they can experience its unique blend of humor, heroism, and girls rocking heavy artillery.”

Girls und Panzer der Film picks up where the successful television series, Girls und Panzer, left off: in a society where humanity exists in cities built atop gigantic carrier ships. Now the girls of the Ooarai High School tankery team must pull together to defeat their foes and save their beloved school.

The movie, released in 2015 in Japan, was ranked the highest-grossing movie of its opening weekend and earned more than $24 million (USD) total at the Japanese box office. The film won the prestigious Seiun Award Best Dramatic Presentation and the Sanctuary Award from the 25th Japan Movie Critics Award. The English-dubbed movie is directed by Kyle Colby Jones, whose credits include No Game No Life, Parasyte –the maxim-, Akame ga Kill!, and Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun. Additionally, Margaret McDonald (Miho), Rebekah Stevens (Yukari), Jessica Calvello (Saori), Caitlynn French (Hana), and Molly Searcy (Mako) reprise their roles from the TV series.

Sentai Filmworks tapped Los Angeles-based distributor, ELEVEN ARTS, for their U.S. roll-out.

“We believe in connecting exceptional and distinguished films to audiences around the world, and we think anime fans will thoroughly enjoy Girls und Panzer der Film,” said Ko Mori, CEO and President of ELEVEN ARTS.

Girls und Panzer der Film premieres during a special launch event at San Francisco’s NEW PEOPLE CINEMA in Japantown on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 7:00 pm. The 143-seat theater is located in NEW PEOPLE (1746 Post Street), a 20,000-square foot entertainment complex that promotes the latest in Japanese popular culture expressed though film, art, fashion, and various events. In addition to the movie, attendees will receive exclusive swag, participate in a Q&A panel with key film staff, and more.

All screening information can be found on www.girlsundpanzerderfilm.com with listings updated as additional theaters are added. For more information, including the movie trailer and cast and credits, please visit:

· Girls und Panzer der Film
· English-dubbed movie trailer
· Premiere Tickets, NEW PEOPLE CINEMA

Tuesday, November 01, 2016

THE LOST BLADESMAN reviewed; out on DVD and Digital today

Anchor Bay Entertainment
Presents
The Lost Bladesman / Guan Yun Chang
Directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong
China/Hong Kong, 2011, 109 minutes

The Lost Bladesman is a period martial arts film that becomes available today, November 1st, on Digital HD & On Demand and on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment. Starring Donnie Yen, it is loosely based on Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It was the Golden Lotus Award Winner for Best Film, Best Director (shared by Chong and Mak) and Best Actor (Donnie Yen) at the 2011 Macau International Movie Festival.

Synopsis
Set in ancient China during the warring period known as The Three Kingdoms (AD 220–280), the film's main character is Guan Yu (Donnie Yen, who also served as action director). He is one of the greatest warriors of the time. General Cao Cao (Wen Jiang), the real power behind the emperor, seeks to unify all China and enlists Guan Yu's aid. However, Guan Yu is a loyal friend of Liu Bei (Alex Fong), an enemy of Cao Cao.

A subplot involves the lovely Qilan (Li Sun, a.k.a. Betty Sun), who is to become one of Liu Bei's wives, but who, like Guan Yu, is held prisoner by Cao Cao. It so happens that she has long been loved by Guan Yu, who must suppress his feelings out of loyalty to his friend, a task mad ever more difficult after Cao Cao releases them and Guan Yu must take her to her future husband.

Disc Specs
-- Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1
-- Subtitles:
   -- English
   -- English for the Hearing Impaired
   -- Spanish
   -- None
-- Extras/Bonus Features: None

Review
There are numerous action pieces, primarily of the one-against-many type that feature Guan Yu battling hordes of opponents. These definitely keep things lively.

Unfortunately, the story is a bit on the thin side and not particularly engrossing. This is mainly due to Guan Yu being a too-good-to-be-true, rather one-dimensional character. There's no evidence here of the improved acting that Yen has displayed in some of his subsequent films. The best acting is by Wen Jiang as Cao Cao, a devious schemer who nonetheless has genuine admiration for Guan Yu.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars, recommended

Section23 Films announces its December 2016 slate of releases


Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its December slate of releases; including Sentai Filmworks’ Limited Edition Premium Box Set of Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions ~ Heart Throb!

Product details in order of release:

Title: THE KAWAI COMPLEX GUIDE TO MANORS & HOSTEL BEHAVIOR BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 12/6/2016
Format: BD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: For some, a home is where the heart is. For others, it's where people send those whose brains aren't functioning properly. So, when Kazunari Usa is sent to the Kawai Boarding House, it may take a while for him to figure out what kind of "home" his new "home" is. Let's just say that the troublemaking college girl and the perpetually grumpy working woman have some serious issues to work out. On one hand, his new roommate is a pervert and a masochist who peeps at girls' schools, and the landlady thinks feminine protection means leaving weapons lying around the girls' part of the dorm. On the other hand, Kawai is also home to Ritsu Kawai, who steals Usa's heart the second he sees her on his first day at his new school. That alone may just make living in this strange new house worth every second it takes to learn the complex rules of The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors & Hostel Behavior!


Title: LITTLE BUSTERS! EX COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 200 min.
Street Date: 12/6/2016
Format: BD, DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $49.98, $39.98

SYNOPSIS: Does the new girl in Riki Naoe's life need his help, or is she actually trying to kill him? After a chance encounter on a rooftop brings the enigmatic Saya Tokido into the Little Busters' world, the only thing that's certain is that trouble is sure to follow. As if saving the lives of his teammates wasn't enough of a task to handle, now Riki must also untangle a web of new mysteries that seem to be rooted in his own personal past! Who are the Dark Executives, why do they want to keep Saya and Riki apart, and what is the nature of the secret treasure that Saya seeks? Sometimes, answers lead to even more questions as Riki and the Little Busters discover that they weren't the only people drawn into Kyousuke's artificial world in LITTLE BUSTERS! EX!


Title: ANGELIC LAYER BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 650 min.
Street Date: 12/13/2016
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: From the moment twelve-year-old Misaki Suzuhara first arrives in Tokyo to live with her aunt, she finds herself swept away by the amazing world of Angelic Layer - a fast-paced high-tech game where dolls called "Angels" are controlled by the thoughts of their operator, or "Deus". Discovering that her new friends are as interested in Angelic Layer as she is, Misaki builds her own Angel, Hikaru, and begins competing in battles where will and determination count far more than size and strength. The competitions are going to be fierce and, with the national championships looming on the horizon, you can bet that not everyone Misaki meets will be on her side. Can Misaki handle the pressure of non-stop competition while struggling to adapt to life in an unfamiliar city? From the amazing minds and pens of Japan's legendary all-female creative team, CLAMP, it's the coming of age adventure that's become an all-time anime classic - ANGELIC LAYER!


Title: HAKUOKI ~ DEMON OF THE FLEETING BLOSSOM: RECORD OF THE JADE BLOOD SEASON 2 COLLECTION BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 250 min.
Street Date: 12/13/2016
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Betrayed by the shogun and forced to flee to Edo, the Shinsengumi are fighting a desperate battle; not just for their lives, but for their very souls and the ideals they swore to stand for. Now, as Harada, Shinpachi, and Saito launch a dangerous thrust to fight their way out of Koufu, Chizuru must decide whether to hold true to her own oath to Hijikata. Will she stand guard over the wounded Kondou and Okita, or will she succumb to the hopelessness and disillusionment that has shattered their ranks? As the Fury's advance, Hijikata must face the greatest test of all: can he keep the Shinsengumi together? Can the powers to be gained from the Water of Life ever justify the nightmarish price? As the fires of war threaten to consume Japan, the last hopes of salvation lie in the courage and steel of a chosen few in Hakuoki: Record of the Jade Blood!


Title: LOVE, CHUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS ~ HEART THROB PREMIUM BOX SET
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 12/13/2016
Format: COMBO
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $149.98

SYNOPSIS: Yuta Togashi thought he had problems dealing with one delusional girlfriend in the person of Rikka Takanashi, but now things are about to go totally insane as his FORMER "one true soul mate" from when he was a chuuni himself returns with a vengeance! So how bad is Satone Shichimiya's re-entry into Togashi's chuni-verse likely to be? Let's just say that she's so epically off the deep end of the chuni-scale that she prefers to use the name Sophia Ring SP Saturn VII and that she'll joyfully tear Togashi's real world to pieces in order to get him back in her imaginary one! Some girls just want to have fun and some want to break down the walls between their boyfriends and themselves. But when a girl's idea of fun is breaking down the wall between their presumed boyfriend and reality, retreating into a fantasy world might just be Togashi's best option. Especially since Satone knows where ALL the skeletons from his past are buried. Toss Rikka's equally delusional friend Sanae into the mix and girl-crazy takes on a whole new meaning in LOVE, CHUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS - HEART THROB!


Title: MY LOVE STORY COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 600 min.
Street Date: 12/20/2016
Format: BD, DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $99.98, $79.98

SYNOPSIS: Takeo Goda's hulking physique and affinity for sports make him popular with other guys, but girls just find him intimidating. Unaware of his gentle nature, the girls that Takeo likes always seem to fall for his handsome best friend, Suna, instead. Takeo is resigned to being Suna's wingman, with no hard feelings between them, until Takeo rescues Rinko Yamato from a molester on the train. Unfortunately, while Rinko might see past Takeo's brutish appearance, Takeo's become so conditioned to girls preferring Suna that he assumes Rinko is the same! Being the good, genuine guy he is, he's going to do everything he can to help the two of them be happy. Will Takeo let himself believe someone likes him? Love isn't blind: it's just a little dense in MY LOVE STORY!!


Title: WAKABA GIRL COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 112 min.
Street Date: 12/20/2016
Format: BD, DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $34.98, $24.98

SYNOPSIS: Even though her ridiculously wealthy family tries to give her everything, it's not until the sheltered Wakaba Kohashi fails to get into an upscale school that she finds what she really needed: a group of friends who want to know the real her, and not her status. Her new school mates may not be up to date on haute couture, but Wakaba is enthralled by their knowledge about the outside world, including the flashy "gyaru" fashion. Soon, Wakaba is helping (or TRYING to help) her newfound friends with their newfound high school girl problems. From helping innocent Moeko though gymnastics, standing in for Nao in a beauty contest, and inadvertently helping Mao act like a rich girl, to simply enjoying the joys of girl talk and sharing ice cream, there's a whole new world of everyday wonders waiting to be discovered in WAKABA*GIRL!