Four day OLD SCHOOL KUNG FU FEST: ENTER THE NINJAS! starts tomorrow in New York

Poster by Jerry Ma

The Old School Kung Fu Fest, a four-day celebration of the rarest, wildest, and most incredible martial arts and action cinema from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s is back at the Anthology Film Archives for its 5th edition, which is dedicated to the deadliest fighter of them all...the ninja!

Since the dawn of time, man’s natural predator has been the ninja. Hiding in your shower, crouching behind your laptop, clinging to your back — the ninja is everywhere. What killed the dinosaurs? Ninja. What battles great white shark? Ninja. Who is buying flowers for your mom? Probably ninja. But ninja is not vampire! Ninja can be filmed! This year’s Old School Kung Fu Fest examines this crazy natural phenomena of ninja with 14 movies that show you this sneaky fighter in the only place where he cannot shoot throwing stars into your eyes: on the movie screen!

There are serious black-and-white ninjas in the original ninja films Shinobi No Mono Parts 1 & 2 (1962 and 1963), super-noir ninjas in 1965’s Samurai Spy, party-colored crazy ninjas from the go-go 80s like American Ninja 1 & 2 and then be entered, revenged, and dominated by Cannon’s essential ninja trilogy: Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, and Ninja III: The Domination. Watch brave Chinese people fight ninjas with their guts in Shaw Brothers movies like Five Element Ninjas! See ninjas fly on kites in Duel to the Death! You must see all the ninjas! Because to fight ninja, first you must understand ninja.

The Old School Kung Fu Fest 2015: Enter the Ninjas! is curated by Subway Cinema’s programming team, consisting of Samuel Jamier, Rufus de Rham, and Goran Topalovic.

Complete information about this year's Old School Kung Fu Fest at Anthology Film Archives can be found here.

ACF 1744: NINJA SCROLL streets today on DVD and Blu-ray

Ninja Scroll / Jube ninpucho

Written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Japan, 1993, 94 minutes

Published by Sentai Filmworks

Dstributed by Section23 Films

SRP: DVD $14.98, Blu-ray $24.98

Hot on the heels of last month's release of the classic Grave of the Fireflies (my review here) comes another fantastic offering from Sentai Filmworks and Section23 Films, a classic in the action anime´ genre, Ninja Scroll. It's available on DVD and Blu-ray today. This review is based on the Blu-ray version.

Kibagami Jubai is a master swordsman who's just completed an assignment to recover a stolen sword. One night he happens upon a lovely young woman being sexually assaulted by a brute. The woman is Kagero, a poison-taster and member of the Koga ninja. Her assailant is Tessai, who has a rock hard body, sort of like The Thing from The Fantastic Four only not quite so ugly. Jubai and Kagero manage to escape, but they have not seen the last of Tessai, one of the Eight Devils of Kimon who are in cohorts with forces who would overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Jubai and Kagero find that their individual purposes and paths are inextricably intertwined not only with each other's but also with that of Dakuan, an elderly Tokugawa spy. They will have to overcome not only their antipathy, if not outright animosity, towards one another, but also the formidable enemies they will come up against if they are to survive.

The Blu-ray edition of Ninja Scroll (which has a 4:3 aspect ratio) has drop-dead vibrant colors, lovely artwork and imaginative action animation. There are three audio tracks to choose from. There's an English audio version, and a Japanese one with easy on the eyes yellow English subtitles. Finally there's a commentary audio track with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri and animation director & character designer Yutaka Minowa that is moderated by writer Hiroyuki Ohnuma. It has English subtitles in yellow and white lettering that makes it easy to follow what each person is saying. Needless to say, these audio options make for three distinct ways to experience the film, each worth repeated viewings.

While I imagine that the regular DVD version is fine, I don't think sensible fan would regret laying out a few more dollars for the Blu-ray version. It's stunning.

ACF Rating: 4/4 for the film (highest recommendation), 3.5 for the extras (based on the audio options; there are also some trailers of other offerings from Sentai Filmworks). Buy it for yourself, or "suggest" that someone buy it for you as a gift. But don't fail to add this fine film to your collection, along with Sentai's Grave of the Fireflies.

Note: Ninaja Scroll has numerous scenes of extreme animated violence and one of nudity and sexual abuse. Just make sure the intended recipient is of an appropriate age for such material if you're thinking of buying this for someone else.

ACF 1619: NINJA SCROLL licensed by Sentai Filmworks

The wildest samurai adventure ever made is back, this time in glorious and gruesome high-def detail!  Sentai Filmworks’ has announced their latest acquisition, the classic anime masterpiece: Ninja Scroll!.  Directed and with a screenplay by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Demon City Shinjuku) the movie that’s been called a “gateway drug to anime” features character designs by Yutaka Minowa (Devil May Cry, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) and music by Kaoru Wada (Inuyasha, Gilgamesh).  The anime that set the standard will be available for the first time ever on Blu-Ray, featuring an all-new, high-definition transfer straight from the source!

Ninja Scroll will be available through select digital outlets with a home video release on both DVD & BD later this year. 

Synopsis: Jubei Kibagami has always been the master dealer of death, but in rescuing a ninja woman from a monster he sets loose a chain of events that puts death in his own veins and sends them on a nightmarish odyssey through a surreal and devil infested ancient Japan.

How do demonic possessions, an annihilated village and a man Jubei thought safely buried in his past all connect?  If Jubei can’t piece the blood-soaked clues together, his only consolation will be that he won’t live to regret it for very long!

Prepare your mind and steel your gut for the insanely gore-packed orgy of violence that still stands alone and unchallenged as the ultimate anime action feature: the epic milestone in animation that is the legendary NINJA SCROLL.

ACF 1583: SULTRY ASSASSIN - NINJA BRAINWASH reviewed

Sultry Assassin - Ninja Brainwash / Tsuyakenkaku 2: Kunoichi iro sennô

Directed by Ken'ichi Fujiwara

Starring Akiho Yoshizawa and Yoshihiro Sato

Japan, 2011, 72 minutes
Japanese language with English subtitles

Sultry Assassin - Ninja Brainwash, the second film in the Sultry Assassin series (following Sultry Assassin - Aphrodisiac Kill) is being released today. It continues the tales of Rin Saejiima, who is both the master of the Shin Kage Itto-ryu Dojo and a Secret Guard of the Inner Garden for the Tokugawa shogunate. Yui Kusunoki, another secret guard, has gone on assignment to investigate disturbing activity in the Hikone fiefdom, the village of the nefarious Koga ninjas.

Yasoburo and Rin head for the Hikone fiefdom

When she does not report back, Rin becomes concerned and again enlists the aid of Yasoburo, a peasant with aspirations of becoming a swordsmen, to assist her. Traveling as husband and wife, they become embroiled in the Koga ninjas' plans to overthrow the shogunate. Unfortunately for Rin and her associates, the Koga are in possession of a moxa whose smoke is a powerful aphrodisiac. Its ability to provide pleasure beyond comprehension renders anyone who breathes its smoke to become a sex slave to it.

A young woman named Mio is attacked by a bandit

Sultry Assassin - Ninja Brainwash is a clear improvement over Sultry Assassin - Aphrodisiac Kill, which I found to be passable. This second offering is still a low-budget soft-core romp, but the story, acting, and sets are all significantly better. The nudity and simulated sex scenes are still there in ample supply and still quite pleasurable, but the film as a whole provides a much more satisfying overall experience.

While bathing, Yasoburo is approached by Mio

There are some issues with the DVD that should be mentioned. The English subtitles are non-removable, which is only an issue if you understand Japanese and don't need the English subtitles or if you hate having to work round the subtitles to get your screen captures. While the relatively short feature is divided into chapters, there is no chapter select option. And the only "special features" consist of trailers for some of the other films from Switchblade Pictures and the DVD credits.

Rin has a compound of a powerful moxa inserted in her netherregion.

Still, when all is said and done, I found watching Sultry Assassin - Ninja Brainwash a quite enjoyable experience. If a fun, soft-core romp with a decent narrative and a bit of comedy and action appeals to you at all, I'd say, "Go for it!" As for me, I'm assuming there are more Sultry Assassin films to come, and I'm already looking forward to the next installment in the series.

ACF 1502: SULTRY ASSASSIN – THE APHRODISIAC KILL streets today

Sultry Assassin - the Aphrodisiac Kill

Written and directed by Kunichi Fujiwara

Japan, 2010, 68 minutes

Rin Saejima, played by Akiho Yoshizawa (Maidroid 1 & 2 and The 33D Invader), is master of the Shin Kage Itto-ryo dojo. She's also a secret guard of The Inner Garden, which means she's one of those who must handle matters that can't be allowed to become public knowledge. When a powerful forbidden aphrodisiac is passed around the Inner Palace, resulting in the deaths of three ladies so far, Rin goes undercover as a courtesan, but she's recognized and her infiltration fails.

Yasaburo, left, and Rin

She then enlists the aide of Yasaburo (Yohoshihiro Sato), a young man who has come to Edo from his remote village to study the sword arts. His investigation leads him first to Onami (Rin Kawai, in her first film role), who left the inner palace, and then to Miyuki (former U.S. adult film star Asami), an "intimate" friend of Onami's.

Onami and Yasaburo

Make no bones about it, this is a soft-core, sexploitation V-Cinema. As such, it works nicely. There are a sufficient number of sex scenes featuring bare breasts and simulated intercourse (no penetration here; remember, it's soft, not hard, core). These scenes are grafted on to a better-than-one-would-expect story line. And the action scenes, though a bit clumsy, are not bad considering this is sexploitation, not action.

Miyuki and Yasaburo

The one thing that is bothersome -- or humorous, depending on your opinion -- is the film's obviously bare-bones budget. For example, consider the fake top-knot headpiece worn by Kageyama (Ryoichi Inaba), a family friend of Rin's. You can see the line of it across the forehead of actor Ryoichi Inaba's forehead. (See image below.)

Actor Ryoichi Inaba could use some blending makeup on his forehead.

 
Directed by Kenichi Fujiwara (Zombie Hunter Rika, Zeroman R and Grafreeter Toki), Sultry Assassin - the Aphrodisiac Kill is based a line of “eroninja” novels by Junichi Yagami. It's release is part of Switchblade Pictures expansion of its line of live action features. The next film in the series will be Sultry Assassin 2 – Ninja Brainwash, due to be released on subtitled DVD on August 14th, 2012.

Sultry Assassin: the Aphrodisiac Kill is -- no surprise here-- unrated. It contains Violence, Nudity & Adult Situations, three of my favorite things. It's sexy fun for everyone (of appropriate age, that is). The disc's "Special Features" consist of trailers for other films available from Switchblade Pictures and DVD credits.

ACF 1463: SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH coming August 14th, 2012 from Switchblade Pictures

Switchblade Pictures has announced the newest addition to the company’s growing line of live action features: SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH.  The second in a new series of ero-ninja epics based on the novels by Junichi Yagami, SULTRY ASSASSIN 2  picks up where the previous installment, APHRODISIAC  KILL, left off  and is once again written and directed by Kenichi Fujiwara (ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA, ZEROMAN R) and produced by the Take Shobo Company and Shintoho Pictures Co., Ltd.

Akiho Yoshizawa (MAIDROID 1 & 2, INVADER 33D) reprises the titular lead role, joined once again by WKA and WPKC world kickboxing champion Yoshihiro Sato, also the two-time winner of the Japanese national K-1 tournament (2006, 2007.)  Adding new faces to the spectacular selection of stunning physical specimens on display are a new duo of daring damsels in varying stages of distress and undress: exploitation star Shijimi (HELLDRIVER, MAIDROID 02,) and model/actress Yuzuka Kinoshita.

Summary: When Yui Kusunoki, an undercover geisha secretly in the employ of the Inner Secret Guard, disappears while en route to deliver an oral message concerning rogue Koga Ninja penetrations in southern Hikone, there’s just one sword-mistress who can go down after her: the notorious but very easy on the eyes Rin Saejima a.k.a. the Sultry Assassin!  But, knowing that her identity may have already been compromised as a result of the Koga’s Erotic Brainwashing technique, Rin devises a cunning plan of her own: one that involves bringing her “associate” Yasuburo back into her fold posing as her husband!

Get ready for sword-handling of every kind and lots of derring-do getting done in the most unexpected places (and locations) as the team behind the sizzling escapades of THE APHRODISIAC KILL reunite for a double-sworded, sordid ero-ninja epic that scholars of Japanese history would very much prefer that you don’t bring up in class: SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH.

SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH! feature will begin release on subtitled DVD on August 14th, 2012

ACF 1433: NARUTO SPIN-OFF: ROCK LEE & HIS NINJA PALS now on VIZAnime.com and Hulu

The superdeformed anime NARUTO SPIN-OFF: ROCK LEE & HIS NINJA PALS debuted yesterday on VIZAnime.com and Hulu - this is NARUTO like you've never seen it before! Starring Rock Lee, the ninja who actually can't use ninjutsu, you'll fall in love with the cute antics of all your favorite ninja!
 
Rock Lee may not be able to use ninjutsu, but that doesn't stop him from aspiring to become a great shinobi! What he lacks he makes up for with his undying passion and training... Under the guidance of his super-awesome sensei, Guy, and with the reluctant support of teammates Tenten and Neji, Rock Lee will make himself known to the world!

New episodes debut on VIZAnime.com and Hulu every Tuesday, two weeks after broadcast debut in Japan! Once you watch, you're sure to fall in love with Rock Lee and all his ninja friends!

ACF 1373: Live action SULTRY ASSASSIN – THE APHRODISIAC KILL licensed by Switchblade Pictures

 SWITCHBLADE PICTURES LICENSES

SULTRY ASSASSIN – THE APHRODISIAC KILL

Switchblade Pictures has announced the latest addition to the company’s expanding line of live action features: SULTRY ASSASSIN – THE APHRODISIAC KILL.  Based on the sizzling line of “eroninja” novels by Junichi Yagami, APHRODISIAC  KILL is the first film in a new series from writer/director Kenichi Fujiwara (Zombie Hunter Rika, Zeroman R and Grafreeter Toki).  Produced by the Take Shobo Company and Shintoho Pictures Co., Ltd, the erotic action thriller stars Akiho Yoshizawa (Maidroid 1 & 2, Invader 33D) as the titular female ninja Rin, while exploitation stalwart Kesuke (Cruel Restaurant), former U.S. adult film star Asami and new ero-horror star Rin Kawai round out the cast. 

SULTRY ASSASSIN - THE APHRODISAIC KILL will be available on subtitled DVD later this year.  Contains Violence, Nudity & Adult Situations.

Synopsis: When drugs, graft and the illegal sex trade, come together, the outcome can be deadly; especially in ancient Edo, where the law is dictated by he who wields the strongest sword. That’s why Yasaburo, a mere commoner, spends all his spare time practicing and refining his prowess with a blade.

But when Yasaburo comes to the aid of a woman he believes to be a prostitute, he soon learns that there are more kinds of weapon than he’d ever imagined… for the woman is actually Rin, a female ninja enforcer assigned to pose as a prostitute in order to investigate shipments of an illegal aphrodisiac, and the deadliest weapon in ancient Japan isn’t made of steel or wood, but rather of human flesh in the form of a deadly Kunoichi assassin.

Get ready for the wildest eroninja film ever as three of Japan’s hottest female stars bring Junichi Yagami’s epic erotic novels of sex and steel to life in SULTRY ASSASSIN - THE APHRODISAIC KILL!

ACF 1370: Ninja Duel

Ninja from Olivier Trudeau on Vimeo.

A short stop motion film by Olivier Trudeau about an old fashioned ninja duel. Music by Tan Dun & Yo-Yo Ma. Made with Dragon Stop Motion and After Effects. To see the original post on Vimeo, click here.

With thanks to John Kreng, who brought this to my attention. Check out his blog here.

ACF 1338: 15th anniversary New York International Children's Film Festival

Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below (Japan, 2011, 116 min.)

The 15th anniversary New York International Children's Film Festival will take place from March 2 - 25, 2012 at various venues, including Asia Society, the Walter Reade Theater, Symphony Space, the IFC Center and others. Several of the films are from Asian countries.

Cinderella Moon (China, 2011, 96 min.)

With an amazing lineup of new films from around the world. NYICFF 2012 will offer four weekends of premieres, special events, filmmaker Q&As, globe-spanning short film programs, filmmaking camp for kids, gala opening and closing parties, audience voting, and the NYICFF Awards & Best of the Fest celebration.

A Letter To Momo (Japan, 2011, 120 min.)

As in past years, all events are expected to sell out, and some are already close. So get busy this weekend and make your selections!   

Ninja Kids (Japan, 2011, 100 min.)

  To view the complete lineup and purchase tickets, click here.

ACF 779: TokyoScope Talk in San Francisco to Explore the World of the Ninja

TOKYOSCOPE TALK AT VIZ CINEMA EXPLORES THE HIDDEN
& DEADLY WORLD OF THE NINJA NEXT WEEK

NEW PEOPLE and VIZ Cinema offer an intriguing exploration of Japan’s famed shadow warriors of legend in the next TokyoScope Talk film event. TokyoScope Talk, Vol. 7 – NINJA ATTACK! will commence this coming Saturday, November 20th at 7:15pm. Tickets are $10.00.

Presented by host Patrick Macias (Editor, Otaku USA) and produced in association with Matt Alt, co-author of the new book Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws (published by Kodansha International), this lecture will explore the historical and pop culture legacy of the original men (and women!) in black. All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win free copies of the Ninja Attack! book, which will also be for sale in the NEW PEOPLE retail store.

TokyoScope Talk will also discuss elements from the new ninja action film Kamui Gaidian, which opens at VIZ Cinema on Friday, November 19th and runs thru Wednesday, December 1st (Tickets are $10.00). Based on the legendary 1970’s manga comic by Sampei Shirato, Kamui Gaidan boasts one of the biggest budgets in the history of Japanese film. Set in 17th Century Japan, Kamui, an outcast from society who dreams of escaping his miserable existence, trains to become a deadly ninja and embarks on a bloody adventure to find eventual redemption. NEW PEOPLE will host a special opening party for the Kamui Gaidan premiere on Friday, November 19th at 7:15pm.

Gasp in amazement as Macias offers rare clips from other assorted movies, anime, and TV programs such as Shinobi no Mono, Red Mask, Shogun Assassin, Dagger of Kamui, and Alien vs. Ninja reveal the over-the-top skills, weapons, and deadly techniques of these fearsome martial artists!

In the new book, Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws (Kodansha International), Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt introduce dozens of real-life ninja straight out of the annals of Japanese history. Ninja Attack! chronicles the true stories of Japan’s most famous – and feared – fighters. The book covers ninja ranging from clan leaders to solo artists, occult masters, warlords, and vicious assassins, presented with full-page illustrations along with detailed descriptions and anecdotes about their lives, weapons, weaknesses… and how each met his doom. The book includes “The Illustrated Ninja,” a guide that explains the weapons, tools, tricks and techniques of these legendary warriors; and includes a ninja tour of Tokyo. Yoda and Alt also discuss clothing styles, tools and the basics of the ninja diet.

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system.

About NEW PEOPLE
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/.