The Japanese family drama is inextricably connected to the name Hirokazu Koreeda due to features such as “Shoplifters” or “Monster”. While the majority of viewers will most likely come up with titles like the ones mentioned, the director has more than once explored other narratives and characters, while staying true to his core themes of what makes us human and connect to one another. His fans quite often make a case of works such as “The Third Murder” or “After Life” not being of the same quality as the more known family drama, but this is an unfair and wrong claim, as Koreeda has more than once dealt with ideas that have proven to be much more lasting and relevant in the long run. One of these examples is “Air Doll”, which ranks on place 13 of Amp’s list of the works of the director and is possibly one of...
- 9/3/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
"Why is there no realism in action?" Well Go USA is releasing this movie on video in March coming up soon - take a look at the official trailer for Japanese action thriller One-Percent Warrior. This also goes under the title One-Percenter, though the US release title is slightly different. After his devastatingly fast, samurai-style combat approach sets filmmakers against him, a legendary action star makes his own movie—on turf claimed by feuding yakuza gangs, one including Japan's deadliest martial arts assassin. International action sensation Tak Sakaguchi stars as a legendary, aging action film star who is drawn into the real world of violence when feuding yakuza gangs infiltrate the set of his directorial feature debut. Caught in the middle of a chaotic battle with an increasing body count, he must face whether his martial arts training is enough to save him. With action choreography by Kensuke Sonomura, it stars Sho Aoyagi,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
On November 20, 1971, Nikkatsu launched its new Roman Porno line with the double bill of Hayashi Ishao’s “Castle Orgies” and Nishimura Shogoro’s “Apartment Wife: Afternoon Affair”. The following 17-year period saw a grand total of at least 850 titles (another catalogue mentions 1133) released under this new brand name. before the series came to a halt in 1988. The bulk of these, a total of around 710 films, were made in-house by Nikkatsu, with the rest produced under contract by a number of independent pink companies including Shishi Pro and Enk, which meant that one of the three films playing on the triple bills in the Nikkatsu-operated adult theaters would have been made outside of Nikkatsu
Check the review of the book Book Review: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Cinema (2008) by Jasper Sharp
The films were (in)famously shot under three simple rules, ave a scene of...
Check the review of the book Book Review: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Cinema (2008) by Jasper Sharp
The films were (in)famously shot under three simple rules, ave a scene of...
- 2/4/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
‘Air Doll’ Film Review: Hirokazu Kore-eda and Bae Doona Take on the Inner Life of a Sentient Sex Toy
Middle-aged service worker Hideo (Itsuji Itao) shares his tiny apartment with an inflatable sex doll in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Air Doll,” a contemplative, melancholy — if minor — study of loneliness. (This 2009 film from the director who would go on to make “Shoplifters” and “The Truth” is getting its first U.S. release.)
And though the label on the box reads “Lovely Girl Candy,” and Hideo finds real human interaction “annoying,” he gives the doll the name “Nozomi,” after a former girlfriend. She’s as close to being real as he wants, and she silently absorbs his minor monologues and grievances about his work day before he has sex with her.
There are other inanimate, less functional dolls in Hideo’s home: small figures on shelves, a bedside “Paddington”-style teddy bear, and linens decorated with nesting dolls. But it’s Nozomi who, one day while Hideo is at work, gains consciousness and living,...
And though the label on the box reads “Lovely Girl Candy,” and Hideo finds real human interaction “annoying,” he gives the doll the name “Nozomi,” after a former girlfriend. She’s as close to being real as he wants, and she silently absorbs his minor monologues and grievances about his work day before he has sex with her.
There are other inanimate, less functional dolls in Hideo’s home: small figures on shelves, a bedside “Paddington”-style teddy bear, and linens decorated with nesting dolls. But it’s Nozomi who, one day while Hideo is at work, gains consciousness and living,...
- 2/3/2022
- by Dave White
- The Wrap
Despite coming from one of international cinema’s foremost working filmmakers, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 2009 film Air Doll had never seen a release in the U.S. Adapted by Kore-eda from Yoshiie Gōda’s manga series Kuuki Ningyo, it’s a modern retelling of the Galatea myth—in which the king Pygmalion fell in love with his ivory statue and the goddess Aphrodite brought the statue to life. For a 21st-century spin on the tale, Kore-eda naturally updated the statue to a blow-up sex doll, played by Bae Doona.
We begin with Nozomi (Doona) as the property of lonely middle-aged man Hideo (Itsuji Itao), who treats her as if she were a real human being—mostly. He takes her on walks in a wheelchair, sits with her at the park, and eats dinner with her, having lively conversation as though talking to someone who could speak back. Of course that humanity...
We begin with Nozomi (Doona) as the property of lonely middle-aged man Hideo (Itsuji Itao), who treats her as if she were a real human being—mostly. He takes her on walks in a wheelchair, sits with her at the park, and eats dinner with her, having lively conversation as though talking to someone who could speak back. Of course that humanity...
- 2/3/2022
- by Mitchell Beaupre
- The Film Stage
What began with “Pornostar” and “Blue Spring”, found its apogee in “9 Souls”, one of the greatest samples of Japanese indie cinema.
Nine convicts escape prison, since the tenth, Yamamoto, lost it just before a rat, which showed the others the way out, appeared on their cell. The convicts have decided to search for a money stash hidden by Yamamoto and so they function as a team, despite the fact that they differ in age, natire of crime and general background. Torakichi is the eldest and acts as the leader of the group. He has killed his own son. Kazuma is a young man, former member of a bike gang. He stabbed four members of his own group. Inui is a bomber (of sorts) who suffers from epilepsy. Shiratory is a dwarf, and a doctor who aided suicide. Michiru, the last one to enter prison, is an adolescent who killed his father.
Nine convicts escape prison, since the tenth, Yamamoto, lost it just before a rat, which showed the others the way out, appeared on their cell. The convicts have decided to search for a money stash hidden by Yamamoto and so they function as a team, despite the fact that they differ in age, natire of crime and general background. Torakichi is the eldest and acts as the leader of the group. He has killed his own son. Kazuma is a young man, former member of a bike gang. He stabbed four members of his own group. Inui is a bomber (of sorts) who suffers from epilepsy. Shiratory is a dwarf, and a doctor who aided suicide. Michiru, the last one to enter prison, is an adolescent who killed his father.
- 8/10/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“My Father, the Bride” by Momoko Fukuda has its roots in the 2016 short film “Dad’s Wedding”. It shows its Lgbtq hues proudly at the 14th Camera Japan (25-29 September 2019 – Rotterdam/3-6 October 2019 – Amsterdam). Is there a reason to be proud? Let`s have a look.
“My Father, the Bride” is screening at Camera Japan 2019
It has been three years since Tohka’s (Honoka Matsumoto) mother passed away. Now, she is returning home, to a small island, to attend the memorial service. To her shock, not only she learns her father (Itsuji Itao) is about to remarry, but also that he is remarrying to a man. Moreover, being the local school director, he wears her mother’s dress to….everywhere. Somehow, virtually no one, not even her younger brother Midori (Sho Kasamatsu) finds it strange.
“My Father, the Bride” presents its narrative as a feel-good family film. It even presents...
“My Father, the Bride” is screening at Camera Japan 2019
It has been three years since Tohka’s (Honoka Matsumoto) mother passed away. Now, she is returning home, to a small island, to attend the memorial service. To her shock, not only she learns her father (Itsuji Itao) is about to remarry, but also that he is remarrying to a man. Moreover, being the local school director, he wears her mother’s dress to….everywhere. Somehow, virtually no one, not even her younger brother Midori (Sho Kasamatsu) finds it strange.
“My Father, the Bride” presents its narrative as a feel-good family film. It even presents...
- 9/30/2019
- by Anomalilly
- AsianMoviePulse
Celebrating it’s 45th anniversary, Nikkatsu productions release of “Aroused by Gynopedies”, sets out to recapture the iconic Roman Porno era made popular in the 70’s and 80’s.
“Aroused by Gymnopedies” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Furuya is a director renown for making artistic films that have earned him international acclaim, but has left him with little money. It is during the shooting of his current film, that an actor pulls out after and altercation with another actor, where he subsequently finds himself unemployed and in debt.
Now broke, Furuya wanders around aimlessly, with feelings of being disenfranchised within his industry. This leads to him to meeting up with former student Yuka, whom he starts an affair with. Not the type to settle, Furuya soon becomes involved with other licit affairs with past acquaintances. As the film nears its closing, we learn that there is more to Furuya’s jaded nature.
“Aroused by Gymnopedies” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Furuya is a director renown for making artistic films that have earned him international acclaim, but has left him with little money. It is during the shooting of his current film, that an actor pulls out after and altercation with another actor, where he subsequently finds himself unemployed and in debt.
Now broke, Furuya wanders around aimlessly, with feelings of being disenfranchised within his industry. This leads to him to meeting up with former student Yuka, whom he starts an affair with. Not the type to settle, Furuya soon becomes involved with other licit affairs with past acquaintances. As the film nears its closing, we learn that there is more to Furuya’s jaded nature.
- 6/28/2019
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Have you ever seen a movie so bad, that as you were watching it, you paid less attention to what was going on and more to the fact that you’re still allowing your brain to process it? Have you ever seen a movie so bad that the longer you watch it, the more horrified and worried you become at the sheer size of the balls on the director and screenwriter? Like if they would go that far then what would they do next? I’m prepared to admit that in my exhaustive search to give you my opinions on some of the best Asian cinema out there…I have often come across the worst.
Now I too have seen the dark side. And its kung-fu is strong. One in particular that I just have to get off my chest is Tokyo Gore Police. I think a moment of horrified silence would be appropriate here.
Now I too have seen the dark side. And its kung-fu is strong. One in particular that I just have to get off my chest is Tokyo Gore Police. I think a moment of horrified silence would be appropriate here.
- 8/21/2017
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Kumi Takiuchi, Takashi Sasano, Aira, Itsuji Itao, Kkobbi Kim, Hôka Kinoshita, Kenji Matsuda, Wakana Sakai, Taro Yabe | Written by Eiji Uchida, Etsuo Hiratani | Directed by Eiji Uchida
In films that have a twisted edge, if a child grows up dysfunctional you know that somebody is likely to die. Greatful Dead is a twisted tale that brings slapstick humour to Japanese horror, looking at what happens when a child grows up without getting the attention she craves.
Nami (Kumi Takiuchi) is anything but ordinary, even though her sister would like her to be. As a child all she wanted was the attention of her parents, but with a mother who travelled the world to save needy children (though not her own) and a father who commits suicide soon after the mothers departure all Nami gets is a fortune to live on and peaceful solitude. Obsessing over lonely people she names...
In films that have a twisted edge, if a child grows up dysfunctional you know that somebody is likely to die. Greatful Dead is a twisted tale that brings slapstick humour to Japanese horror, looking at what happens when a child grows up without getting the attention she craves.
Nami (Kumi Takiuchi) is anything but ordinary, even though her sister would like her to be. As a child all she wanted was the attention of her parents, but with a mother who travelled the world to save needy children (though not her own) and a father who commits suicide soon after the mothers departure all Nami gets is a fortune to live on and peaceful solitude. Obsessing over lonely people she names...
- 1/28/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Air Doll
Stars: Doona Bae, Arata, Itsuji Itao, Jô Odagiri, Sumiko Fuji | Written and Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda
A life-size Air Doll lives in a shabby apartment in Tokyo. She cannot speak, nor can she move. But she is the only companion her middle-aged master has. He talks to her, puts her in a bath and makes love with her every day after he returns from work. This routine life is disrupted when fantasy turns into reality. The Air Doll suddenly comes to life, filled with a soul.
Like a newborn baby, she doesn’t understand what is going on around her, but she sees a world waiting to be explored outside the apartment. Eventually venturing to the outside world, the Air Doll is fascinated by everything she sees, and though she meets many people in all walks of life, they can’t seem to provide her an answer to what “being alive” means.
Stars: Doona Bae, Arata, Itsuji Itao, Jô Odagiri, Sumiko Fuji | Written and Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda
A life-size Air Doll lives in a shabby apartment in Tokyo. She cannot speak, nor can she move. But she is the only companion her middle-aged master has. He talks to her, puts her in a bath and makes love with her every day after he returns from work. This routine life is disrupted when fantasy turns into reality. The Air Doll suddenly comes to life, filled with a soul.
Like a newborn baby, she doesn’t understand what is going on around her, but she sees a world waiting to be explored outside the apartment. Eventually venturing to the outside world, the Air Doll is fascinated by everything she sees, and though she meets many people in all walks of life, they can’t seem to provide her an answer to what “being alive” means.
- 11/26/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Air Doll
Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda
Written by Hirokazu Koreeda
2009, Japan
Three years after its lukewarm Cannes premiere director Kore-eda Hirokazu returns to the eternal themes of life and love, loss and loneliness that haunted his acclaimed 1998 film After Life with an adaption of the popular manga Kuuki Ningyo by Yoshiie Gōda, roughly translated for western audiences as Air Doll. On the surface this potential companion piece re-tread of 2007′s Lars & The Real Girl where Ryan Gosling became umbilically tied to his doll companion to the gentle consternation of the local small town American community, Air Doll treads a slightly different path by focusing on the magical animation of the polyethylene protagonist rather than the motivations of her alienated master in this usual, uneven but intriguing tale, at the very least its a film that lingers in the memory for its bizarre premise and hook upon which to lash its plastic perambulations.
Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda
Written by Hirokazu Koreeda
2009, Japan
Three years after its lukewarm Cannes premiere director Kore-eda Hirokazu returns to the eternal themes of life and love, loss and loneliness that haunted his acclaimed 1998 film After Life with an adaption of the popular manga Kuuki Ningyo by Yoshiie Gōda, roughly translated for western audiences as Air Doll. On the surface this potential companion piece re-tread of 2007′s Lars & The Real Girl where Ryan Gosling became umbilically tied to his doll companion to the gentle consternation of the local small town American community, Air Doll treads a slightly different path by focusing on the magical animation of the polyethylene protagonist rather than the motivations of her alienated master in this usual, uneven but intriguing tale, at the very least its a film that lingers in the memory for its bizarre premise and hook upon which to lash its plastic perambulations.
- 11/22/2012
- by John
- SoundOnSight
They’re at it again! Director Noboru Iguchi and Special Effects Director Yoshihiro Nishimura, creators of ‘Mutant Girls Squad,’ have reunited for another insane production, the cyborg-filled action-packed comedy-thriller Karate-Robo Zaborgar and its debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital September 11th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film stars Itsuji Itato (Tokyo Gore Police) as a secret-police officer who teams up with his super robot “Zaborgar” to battle all manner of mechanized super weapons in their quest for justice. The film also stars Asami (Mutant Girls Squad) as a rampaging school-girl robot and Akira Emoto (Ichi) as the leader of the sinister Sigma organization who plans to unleash a giant, transforming robot weapon to wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting world. Only In Japan?! Check out the bonkers trailer. Synopsis: Following the death of his scientist father, secret police officer Yutaka Daimon (Itsuji Itao) inherits a mighty robot warrior named “Zaborgar.
- 8/1/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
I’ve been waiting for director Noboru Iguchi and special effects director Yoshihiro Nishimura’s over-the-top action effort “Karate Robo Zaborgar” to arrive on home video here in the States for quite some time now. Once again, the boys and girls over at Well Go USA have come to the rescue. This fall, Japanese cinema junkies will be able to shove all sorts of insanity into our throbbing ocular cavities, and I’m kind of jazzed about it. If nothing else, it will tide me over until “Zombie Ass: Toilet of the Dead” gets a Stateside release. Feel free to check out this handy synopsis: Following the death of his scientist father, secret police officer Yutaka Daimon (Itsuji Itao) inherits a mighty robot warrior named “Zaborgar.” With its array of super weapons, expertise in karate and its ability to transform into a motorcycle, Zaborgar assists Daimon in his fight against the Sigma,...
- 7/25/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Sometimes foreign language films simply exist across an insurmountable cultural divide that renders them indecipherable here. Hitoshi Matsumoto‘s Saya-zamurai [Scabbard Samurai] perfectly exemplifies through an obtusely-constructed first third before hitting its stride. Comically uneven at the start, I was left scratching my head and wondering if I was missing the joke. An old, toothless samurai with an empty scabbard breathlessly and wordlessly runs through the Japanese countryside with his young daughter following closely behind as three assassins – introduced in freeze-frame – arrive to inflict what should be mortal wounds. The attacks excise the would-be killer and victim from their backgrounds, placing them on black as bright red spurts forth from the aging relic’s body in slomotion. The samurai wails in pain, the girl heals him with a special herb, and it all happens again.
This prologue quickly instills a fear that the rest will end up a long and arduous journey...
This prologue quickly instills a fear that the rest will end up a long and arduous journey...
- 7/3/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Today it was revealed that former Thee Michelle Gun Elephant front man Yusuke Chiba and former Blankey Jet City drummer Tatsuya Nakamura will be teaming up for the first time to create a theme song for Toshiaki Toyoda’s upcoming film I’m Flash!
Additionally, they’ll be putting together a concept album under the name “I’m Flash! Band” along with bandmates Kazuhide Yamaji and KenKen.
The film was written and directed by Toyoda and was originally inspired by the song “Oh no! I’m Flash” by Sheena & The Rokkets guitarist Makoto Ayukawa (video).
Tatsuya Fujiwara, who was eager to work with Toyoda for the first time, stars as the charismatic leader of an upstart religious group who is involved in an accident which leaves a mysterious girl named Rumi (Kiko Mizuhara) in a vegetative state. In the aftermath, he flees to a desert island with a group of...
Additionally, they’ll be putting together a concept album under the name “I’m Flash! Band” along with bandmates Kazuhide Yamaji and KenKen.
The film was written and directed by Toyoda and was originally inspired by the song “Oh no! I’m Flash” by Sheena & The Rokkets guitarist Makoto Ayukawa (video).
Tatsuya Fujiwara, who was eager to work with Toyoda for the first time, stars as the charismatic leader of an upstart religious group who is involved in an accident which leaves a mysterious girl named Rumi (Kiko Mizuhara) in a vegetative state. In the aftermath, he flees to a desert island with a group of...
- 5/15/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Kiko Mizuhara has been cast as the female lead in Toshiaki Toyoda’s I’m Flash, playing the role of a “mysterious beauty” named Rumi who is involved in an accident which causes her to be left in a vegetative state.
Mizuhara (21) made her acting debut in Anh Hung Tran’s Norwegian Wood in 2010 and has been very active in television commercials and modeling.
The movie, which was first announced back in January, features an original script by Toyoda and stars Tatsuya Fujiwara as a charismatic religious guru named Rui who has become a wealthy celebrity for his work.
One day, Rumi approaches Rui, with her only connection to him being that her younger sister was once a member of his organization, “Life Is Beautiful”. After meeting Rumi, Rui is responsible for the accident which leads to her injury. He escapes with only minor scratches and decides to go into...
Mizuhara (21) made her acting debut in Anh Hung Tran’s Norwegian Wood in 2010 and has been very active in television commercials and modeling.
The movie, which was first announced back in January, features an original script by Toyoda and stars Tatsuya Fujiwara as a charismatic religious guru named Rui who has become a wealthy celebrity for his work.
One day, Rumi approaches Rui, with her only connection to him being that her younger sister was once a member of his organization, “Life Is Beautiful”. After meeting Rumi, Rui is responsible for the accident which leads to her injury. He escapes with only minor scratches and decides to go into...
- 3/27/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Director Yukihiko Tsutsumi will be following up the high-profile release of “Spec: The Movie” with a far more subdued black and white film called “My House” that’s been 5 years in the making. Details were first announced in late January and the poster art was revealed earlier today.
Back in 2007, Tsutsumi read a magazine article about the work a man named Kyohei Sakaguchi was doing to challenge the established idea of what a home should be and the negative stereotypes of homeless living. Two of Sakaguchi’s books on the subject, “Tokyo 0 Yen House 0 Yen Seikatsu” and “Sumida-gawa no Edison”, are the inspiration for this project as well as the distinct departure from Tsutsumi’s past directorial style.
The film is set in Nagoya, Tsutsumi’s own home city, and will star Nagoya-based singer-songwriter Takao Ito as a homeless man named Suzumoto. Eri Ishida, Itsuji Itao, and Tae Kimura will also appear.
Back in 2007, Tsutsumi read a magazine article about the work a man named Kyohei Sakaguchi was doing to challenge the established idea of what a home should be and the negative stereotypes of homeless living. Two of Sakaguchi’s books on the subject, “Tokyo 0 Yen House 0 Yen Seikatsu” and “Sumida-gawa no Edison”, are the inspiration for this project as well as the distinct departure from Tsutsumi’s past directorial style.
The film is set in Nagoya, Tsutsumi’s own home city, and will star Nagoya-based singer-songwriter Takao Ito as a homeless man named Suzumoto. Eri Ishida, Itsuji Itao, and Tae Kimura will also appear.
- 2/28/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Scabbard Samurai
Written by Mitsuyoshi Takasu, Tomoji Hasegawa, Kôji Ema, Mitsuru Koramoto, Itsuji Itao, and Hitoshi Matsumoto
Directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto
Japan, 2010
Would-be samurai Kanjuro Nomi (Takaaki Nomi) has landed himself in quite a predicament. Wanted for desertion by the government, and pursued by a trio of variously skilled assassins, he nonetheless silently carries on, always protecting his wily young daughter Tae (Sea Kumada). Rendered silent by grief since the death of his wife, he no longer carries a sword – only its hilt. When he’s finally brought to justice, the local clan head dispenses his usual, and particularly cruel punishment: Kanjuro has one opportunity a day, for the next thirty days, to inspire a smile on the face of the clan leader’s son, who has been practically catatonic since the loss of his mother.
The latest comic hybrid from popular Japanese director Hitoshi Matsumoto (Big Man Japan, Symbol...
Written by Mitsuyoshi Takasu, Tomoji Hasegawa, Kôji Ema, Mitsuru Koramoto, Itsuji Itao, and Hitoshi Matsumoto
Directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto
Japan, 2010
Would-be samurai Kanjuro Nomi (Takaaki Nomi) has landed himself in quite a predicament. Wanted for desertion by the government, and pursued by a trio of variously skilled assassins, he nonetheless silently carries on, always protecting his wily young daughter Tae (Sea Kumada). Rendered silent by grief since the death of his wife, he no longer carries a sword – only its hilt. When he’s finally brought to justice, the local clan head dispenses his usual, and particularly cruel punishment: Kanjuro has one opportunity a day, for the next thirty days, to inspire a smile on the face of the clan leader’s son, who has been practically catatonic since the loss of his mother.
The latest comic hybrid from popular Japanese director Hitoshi Matsumoto (Big Man Japan, Symbol...
- 10/24/2011
- by Simon Howell
- SoundOnSight
As I noted yesterday, I really didn't catch any of the films that I wanted to see during my brief visit to Fantastic Fest last weekend. But that turned out to be a good thing because I saw some great movies I would've missed otherwise.
While I enjoyed Daisuke Miura's twisted dramedy Boys on the Run, and I really liked and admired Luis Estrada's drug trafficking epic El Narco, my absolute favorite movie from Fantastic Fest 2011 was Noboru Iguchi's crazy new mondo-freakout action/comedy, Karate-Robo Zaborgar.
Based on Denjin Zaborger, the mid-1970s Japanese television series credited for inspiring the Transformers, Karate-Robo Zaborgar is the whacked-out story of secret policeman Yutaka Daimon (Yasuhisa Furuhara), martial arts expert and protector of all that is good. Daimon regularly has to deal with all kinds of weird and fantastical assaults on righteousness. It’s not uncommon for him to battle...
While I enjoyed Daisuke Miura's twisted dramedy Boys on the Run, and I really liked and admired Luis Estrada's drug trafficking epic El Narco, my absolute favorite movie from Fantastic Fest 2011 was Noboru Iguchi's crazy new mondo-freakout action/comedy, Karate-Robo Zaborgar.
Based on Denjin Zaborger, the mid-1970s Japanese television series credited for inspiring the Transformers, Karate-Robo Zaborgar is the whacked-out story of secret policeman Yutaka Daimon (Yasuhisa Furuhara), martial arts expert and protector of all that is good. Daimon regularly has to deal with all kinds of weird and fantastical assaults on righteousness. It’s not uncommon for him to battle...
- 9/27/2011
- by Theron
- Planet Fury
Awesome news for fans of these so-called Sushi Typhoon films. Well Go USA has released a press note saying they’ve acquired the distribution rights to release Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver (review here), Karate-Robo Zaorgar, and more to DVD this Fall.
It looks like fans of crazy, bloody, Japanese films will be plenty excited.
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences. Well Go plans to make its initial rollout on VOD, DVD and Blu-ray starting in fall 2011.
“We are very excited to have secured rights to these ‘neo action gore’ titles, a genre which...
It looks like fans of crazy, bloody, Japanese films will be plenty excited.
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences. Well Go plans to make its initial rollout on VOD, DVD and Blu-ray starting in fall 2011.
“We are very excited to have secured rights to these ‘neo action gore’ titles, a genre which...
- 7/19/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Well Go USA are quickly becoming one of my favorite distribution companies, with releases such as Man From Nowehere and Ip Man 2 kicking all kinds of ass. Now they have picked up the rights to five Sushi Typhoon flicks. Helldriver, Deadball, Mutant Girl Squad, Yakuza Weapon and Karate-Robo Zaborgar will be coming to VOD, DVD and Blu-ray starting in the Fall this year.
Well Go USA Acquires North American Distribution Rights
To Five Films From The Sushi Typhoon Label
Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar
Plano, Texas. (July 18, 2011) — Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences.
Well Go USA Acquires North American Distribution Rights
To Five Films From The Sushi Typhoon Label
Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar
Plano, Texas. (July 18, 2011) — Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences.
- 7/19/2011
- by Jude
- The Liberal Dead
Citing the growth potential and rabid fanbase, Well Go USA has nabbed the rights to five titles from Nikkatsu Corporation's Sushi Typhoon label. Well Go USA is now the proud owner of Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar. A thorough and descriptive list to say the least.
Varying from hilarious comedy to splatterific violence, the one common thread of all these films is going over-the-top for the sake of entertainment. And isn't that what we really want? Explode that head! Let's see some arterial spray! Bring it on! Stay tuned as Well Go will begin rolling out these titles beginning in the fall of 2011. You've been warned.
From the Press Release
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label,...
Varying from hilarious comedy to splatterific violence, the one common thread of all these films is going over-the-top for the sake of entertainment. And isn't that what we really want? Explode that head! Let's see some arterial spray! Bring it on! Stay tuned as Well Go will begin rolling out these titles beginning in the fall of 2011. You've been warned.
From the Press Release
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label,...
- 7/19/2011
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
It is Mortal Kombat week as the new video game arrives from Warner Bros. Taking advantage of the buzz, the two theatrical films based on the game are being re-released on Blu-ray as well.
The first Mortal Kombat was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and stars Christopher Lambert, Robin Shou, Linden Ashby and Bridgette Wilson while the sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, was directed by John R. Leonetti and stars Robin Shou, Talisa Soto and James Remar.
If you need help with the gameplay, don't forget the Mortal Kombat Prima Official Game Guide, both paperback and hardcover editions.
Don't fret; there are a couple other less-than-notable horror titles dropping this week, too. You can decide for yourselves if Tokyo Gore Police and Hyenas are worth the space on your library shelf.
Mortal Kombat (Video Game)
By Warner Bros
The newest chapter of the iconic fighting franchise marks a triumphant return to...
The first Mortal Kombat was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and stars Christopher Lambert, Robin Shou, Linden Ashby and Bridgette Wilson while the sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, was directed by John R. Leonetti and stars Robin Shou, Talisa Soto and James Remar.
If you need help with the gameplay, don't forget the Mortal Kombat Prima Official Game Guide, both paperback and hardcover editions.
Don't fret; there are a couple other less-than-notable horror titles dropping this week, too. You can decide for yourselves if Tokyo Gore Police and Hyenas are worth the space on your library shelf.
Mortal Kombat (Video Game)
By Warner Bros
The newest chapter of the iconic fighting franchise marks a triumphant return to...
- 4/19/2011
- by kwlow
- DreadCentral.com
The Japanese film site Cinema Today has posted a teaser trailer for Noboru Iguchi’s Karate-Robo Zaborgar on their YouTube channel.
Based on a 52-episode tokusatsu television series which aired in Japan from 1974-1975, the plot revolves around a secret police officer named Yutaka Daimon who inherits a powerful robot named “Zaborgar” after the death of his scientist father. Zaborgar is equipped with an arsenal of high-tech weapons, has the ability to transform into a motorcycle, and is also a karate expert. Daimon (played by Yasuhisa Furuhara in his younger days) uses Zaborgar to fight against an organization called Sigma, which is led by the evil Dr. Akunomiya (Akira Emoto). However, when Daimon falls in love with Dr. Akunomiya’s robotic top aide, Miss Borg (Mami Yamasaki), his bond with Zaborgar is suddenly severed.
25 years later, the disgraced Daimon (now played by Itsuji Itao) is forced out of retirement when...
Based on a 52-episode tokusatsu television series which aired in Japan from 1974-1975, the plot revolves around a secret police officer named Yutaka Daimon who inherits a powerful robot named “Zaborgar” after the death of his scientist father. Zaborgar is equipped with an arsenal of high-tech weapons, has the ability to transform into a motorcycle, and is also a karate expert. Daimon (played by Yasuhisa Furuhara in his younger days) uses Zaborgar to fight against an organization called Sigma, which is led by the evil Dr. Akunomiya (Akira Emoto). However, when Daimon falls in love with Dr. Akunomiya’s robotic top aide, Miss Borg (Mami Yamasaki), his bond with Zaborgar is suddenly severed.
25 years later, the disgraced Daimon (now played by Itsuji Itao) is forced out of retirement when...
- 2/23/2011
- Nippon Cinema
Sushi Typhoon, the company behind films such as Alien vs. Ninja and Helldriver, are back with their latest magnum-opus, Karate-Robo Zaborgar – and they’ve unleashed a whopping 14 images, including the one-sheet teaser poster, from the film!
Part Motorcycle, Part Karate Expert, All Robot! When The Safety Of The World Is At Stake, Zaborgar Will Save The Day!
Following the death of his scientist father, secret police officer Yutaka Daimon inherits a mighty robot warrior named “Zaborgar.” Equipped with an array of super weapons, an expertise in karate, and the power to transform into a motorcycle, Zaborgar assists Daimon in his fight against Sigma, the evil organization responsible for his father’s death.
After uncovering a plot by Sigma to steal the DNA of Japanese politicians and use it in a giant robot weapon, Daimon faces off against Miss Borg, a beautiful female robot under the control of Dr. Akunomiya, the twisted leader of Sigma.
Part Motorcycle, Part Karate Expert, All Robot! When The Safety Of The World Is At Stake, Zaborgar Will Save The Day!
Following the death of his scientist father, secret police officer Yutaka Daimon inherits a mighty robot warrior named “Zaborgar.” Equipped with an array of super weapons, an expertise in karate, and the power to transform into a motorcycle, Zaborgar assists Daimon in his fight against Sigma, the evil organization responsible for his father’s death.
After uncovering a plot by Sigma to steal the DNA of Japanese politicians and use it in a giant robot weapon, Daimon faces off against Miss Borg, a beautiful female robot under the control of Dr. Akunomiya, the twisted leader of Sigma.
- 1/7/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Followers of Sushi Typhoon on Twitter have known for a while now that Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl, RoboGeisha) has been hard at work on a new film adaptation of the 1970s tokusatsu television series “Denjin Zaborgar”, but the project wasn’t officially/fully announced in Japan until earlier today when more details were revealed.
The original series captured the imaginations of children by featuring a robot which was able to transform into a motorcycle, essentially inspiring all the robot transformation shows that followed—either directly or indirectly. The film version stars popular comedian and actor Itsuji Itao as the robot’s owner, Yutaka Daimon.
Daimon inherits a robot warrior called “Zaborgar” from his deceased father which obeys only his commands and uses it to fight against a secret evil organization called Sigma. He struggles to preserve the peace by utilizing his own hand-to-hand fighting ability along with Zaborgar’s...
The original series captured the imaginations of children by featuring a robot which was able to transform into a motorcycle, essentially inspiring all the robot transformation shows that followed—either directly or indirectly. The film version stars popular comedian and actor Itsuji Itao as the robot’s owner, Yutaka Daimon.
Daimon inherits a robot warrior called “Zaborgar” from his deceased father which obeys only his commands and uses it to fight against a secret evil organization called Sigma. He struggles to preserve the peace by utilizing his own hand-to-hand fighting ability along with Zaborgar’s...
- 6/11/2010
- Nippon Cinema
[Our thanks go out to Chris MaGee and Marc Saint-Cyr at the Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow for sharing their coverage of the 2010 Nippon Connection Film Festival.]
In 2005 director Toshiaki Toyoda was poised to take his career to the next level. At that point only 35-years-old Toyoda had already gained a reputation as one of Japan's most promising filmmakers. Throughout films like "Pornostar (a.k.a. "Tokyo Rampage")", the Taiyo Matsumoto manga adaptation "Blue Spring", and the masterful ensemble prison break film "9 Souls" he showed that he could combine tongue-in-cheek comedy with brutal drama, but by mid-decade he was ready to release a film that would place him alongside the likes of international festival favorites Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Hirokazu Kore-eda. "Hanging Garden" was an unblinking look at the disintegration of the Japanese family starring Kyoko Kozumi and Itsuji Itao as parents who demand 100% honesty from each other and their children, but who end up holding damaging secrets from each other. Not since Yoshimitsu Morita's "The Family Game" had a filmmaker presented such a damning llok at the core of Japanse society.
In 2005 director Toshiaki Toyoda was poised to take his career to the next level. At that point only 35-years-old Toyoda had already gained a reputation as one of Japan's most promising filmmakers. Throughout films like "Pornostar (a.k.a. "Tokyo Rampage")", the Taiyo Matsumoto manga adaptation "Blue Spring", and the masterful ensemble prison break film "9 Souls" he showed that he could combine tongue-in-cheek comedy with brutal drama, but by mid-decade he was ready to release a film that would place him alongside the likes of international festival favorites Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Hirokazu Kore-eda. "Hanging Garden" was an unblinking look at the disintegration of the Japanese family starring Kyoko Kozumi and Itsuji Itao as parents who demand 100% honesty from each other and their children, but who end up holding damaging secrets from each other. Not since Yoshimitsu Morita's "The Family Game" had a filmmaker presented such a damning llok at the core of Japanse society.
- 4/17/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Chicago – The Round-Up is back with a quintet of standard DVDs that may have gone unnoticed in your latest Best Buy circular. There’s at least one very good movie in here and a few unique independent offerings that you might want to take a peek at. We wish we had time to cover these titles in more depth, but here are the details - synopsis, cast, features - that you really need to know.
“Horsemen” was released on July 14th, 2009.
“Bad Lieutenant,” “Bart Got a Room,” “Big Man Japan,” and “The Great Buck Howard” will be released on July 28th, 2009.
“Bad Lieutenant: Special Edition”
Photo credit: Lionsgate Synopsis: “Harvey Keitel is a nameless New York cop, hopelessly addicted to drugs, gambling, and sex. As he makes his way to various crime scenes, he is concerned only with taking bets from his fellow cops on the outcome of the ongoing National League playoffs.
“Horsemen” was released on July 14th, 2009.
“Bad Lieutenant,” “Bart Got a Room,” “Big Man Japan,” and “The Great Buck Howard” will be released on July 28th, 2009.
“Bad Lieutenant: Special Edition”
Photo credit: Lionsgate Synopsis: “Harvey Keitel is a nameless New York cop, hopelessly addicted to drugs, gambling, and sex. As he makes his way to various crime scenes, he is concerned only with taking bets from his fellow cops on the outcome of the ongoing National League playoffs.
- 7/27/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Just getting this up right now.. will update later.
A life-size air doll (Doona Bae) is kept in the retro apartment of Hideo (Itsuji Itao), but over time she develops a soul of her own. One day she cheerfully fixes up her outfit and decides to enjoy a walk outside alone. She eventually meets a video store clerk named Junichi (Arata) and secretly falls in love. She hatches a plan to get a part-time job in the store alongside him, but an unexpected turn of events throws her fragile existence into turmoil. Through her subsequent journey of self-discovery she explores what it really means to be human.
Trailer after the break. via our friends at Nippon Cinema...
A life-size air doll (Doona Bae) is kept in the retro apartment of Hideo (Itsuji Itao), but over time she develops a soul of her own. One day she cheerfully fixes up her outfit and decides to enjoy a walk outside alone. She eventually meets a video store clerk named Junichi (Arata) and secretly falls in love. She hatches a plan to get a part-time job in the store alongside him, but an unexpected turn of events throws her fragile existence into turmoil. Through her subsequent journey of self-discovery she explores what it really means to be human.
Trailer after the break. via our friends at Nippon Cinema...
- 6/8/2009
- QuietEarth.us
- It’s a genre-specific crowd and not necessarily nigh people who fill up the seats for Tiff’s Midnight Madness sidebar. This year’s mix is comprised of a couple of Cannes titles, legendary horror genre filmmakers bringing some new product and some filler content that usually gets a great deal of buzz from buyers. Here’s 8 titles that will make up the section… George A. Romero's Diary Of The Dead George A. Romero, USAIn his first independently produced zombie film in over two decades, George A. Romero returns to ground zero in the history of the living dead. When a group of film students making a horror movie in the woods discover that the dead have begun to revive, they turn their cameras on the real-life horrors that suddenly confront them, creating a first person diary of their bloody encounters and the disintegration of everything they hold dear.
- 7/24/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
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