CONTENT-RICH SITE INCLUDES NEWS, CHARACTER PROFILES, TRAILERS, ARTWORK AND EXTENSIVE HIDDEN OMAKE
HOUSTON, June 16, 2003-ADV Films today announced the launch of http://www.advfilms.com/favorites/voices/, a brand-new, content-rich site dedicated to the firm's latest anime sensation, Voices of a Distant Star. Voices... is a Japanese animated short film created single-handedly by animation prodigy Makoto Shinkai using only a Macintosh G4/400 computer and assorted consumer- and professional-level design and animation programs. The film tells a tale of two lovers torn apart by tides of war and millions of miles of interstellar space.
The Website The newly launched website includes: an information section, with details about Voices of a Distant Star and its creation; detailed character backgrounds; downloadable desktop backgrounds; interviews with key staff and English voice talent; and an exclusive cell phone riddle game, allowing visitors to access hidden "omake" on the site.
"Voices of a Distant Star" (SRP $19.98) is a DVD-only release, including both English- and Japanese-language versions, and English subtitles. Extras include three versions of Shinkai's award-winning animated short "She and Her Cat;" interview with Makoto Shinkai; "Voices of a Distant Star" Director's Cut, with alternate vocals; original production animatics; four original Japanese trailers; reversible cover; and ADV previews.
"Cat Soup is a visual extravaganza, a 'Hello Kitty On Acid' of sorts, that will appeal to a much wider audience than just anime fans," says Sam Napolitano, Director of Sales, Central Park Media. "However bizarre or disturbing this release may be, it is sure to attract attention because of its brilliancy, groundbreaking imagery and Liquid Art packaging. No cat-napping allowed!"
Cat Soup has a surreal style and compelling plot. Produced without any verbal dialogue, Cat Soup features a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack that is rich with audio effects and an impressive score. While there isn't a dialogue track, there are periodic Japanese word balloons which contain dialogue and other information relevant to the story. English subtitles have been included for each of these occurrences. However, the subtitles are not needed for full comprehension of the storyline.
Winner of the "Best Short Film" at The 6th Fantasia Film Festival and "Excellence Prize" at Japan's Media Arts Festival, Cat Soup features the psychedelic imagery of the late artist Nekojiru. From the director of Nadesico, Tatsuo Sato's Cat Soup tells the story of a little kitten, Nyaako, who embarks on a bizarre journey with her brother Natta, to get her soul back, which has been stolen by Death. In the surreal dreamscape of the Other Side, they encounter many fantastic characters and embark on various remarkable and disturbing adventures. From a hallucinatory sea voyage to a rambunctious carnival, the two kittens travel far from home and discover just how strange and miraculous the world can be.
Following the launch of a special Web site in early July, 2003, Cat Soup will have its North American theatrical premiere at the Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF), August 29-31 in New York City.
The Cat Soup Collector's Series Edition DVD and Cat Soup Collector's Series Limited Edition "Liquid Art" Package DVD feature:
* Director's Commentary (Japanese with English subtitles) * Interview with Director Tatsuo Sato (Japanese with English subtitles) * Art Gallery * Cat Soup Trailer * Previews * Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
TITLE: Cat Soup Collector's Series Edition RUNNING TIME: 66 minutes (33 minutes/program, 33 minutes/commentary) RATING: 16 & UP SRP PRICE: $19.99 $24.99 (Limited Edition Liquid Art Package) GENRE: Drama CATALOG #: SSDVD-6219 SSDVD-6218 (Limited Edition Liquid Art Package) STREET DATE: September 9, 2003 PRE-ORDER DATE: August 11, 2003
Audio CD Catalog#: AT9328 ISBN: 1-57032-935-4 UPC#: 7-42617-9328-2-3 SRP: $14.98
From renowned composer MASAMICHI AMANO (SiN: the Movie / Ninja Resurrection / Giant Robo / Ruin Explorers / Urotsukidoji) comes the Original Soundtrack to PRINCESS NINE!
Head back out to the mound with the music from Princess Nine! Featuring songs composed by Masamichi Amano and performed by the WARSAW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, this second CD contains the musical themes for several characters, including Hikaru, Shino, and Ryo - not to mention an acoustic version of the Princess Nine ending theme, "Passionate Days", and liner notes featuring off-the-wall stories from series director, Tomomi Mochizuki! Follow the Princesses' season to its final moments with Volume 2 of Princess Nine.
Graphic of this CD jacket is located at: http://www.rightstuf.com/outgoing/sleeves/at9328.jpg
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE PRINCESS NINE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS: "Princess Nine's music is... some of the best background music you will hear in recent anime." - AnimeOkashi.com
Hear a variety of your favorite orchestral anime soundtracks on this weekly program, which is broadcast LIVE (not a jukebox) and hosted by radio personality Mark Weiss.
Our new feature, "A MIDI Moment" which airs 15 minutes into the show and features 1 unique anime theme song or BGM, performed specially on our in-studio Kurzweil K2500RS orchestral synth/sampler. This is a special treat, and an exclusive feature on Adventures in Anime Music!
The show may be heard on the web at www.adventuresinanimemusic.com by clicking LISTEN NOW on the menu and then choosing your stream preference under Live Streams.
Archival broadcasts may also be heard by selecting the link at the top of the Listen page.
Each "movement" of this silent film is accompanied by a track from the duo's 2001 Virgin album, "Discovery." "The project was born in 2000, when we flew out to Tokyo with an hour of music and our own script," Bangalter says. "Leiji gave us a warm reception, and after listening to the music, he came on board immediately. Three years later, our dream has come true."
Previewed at this year's Cannes Film Festival, "Interstella 5555" was released in 30 French theaters May 28 and has secured cinema distribution in Japan, Russia, Portugal, and the Baltic states. EMI plans to release a DVD of the film in December.
U.S. graphic novel sales (for both general bookstores and comics specialty stores) have increased from approximately $75 million in 2001 ($43 million from comics stores; $32 million from bookstores and noncomics retailers) to about $100 million in 2002, according to a graphic novel retailing guide published by pop culture Web site ICV2.com and Diamond Book Distributors.
In 2002, bookstores and noncomics specialty store sales represented about $50 million in graphic novel sales, making such outlets the fastest-growing retail venues for book-format comics. In fact, ICV2.com projects a total graphic novel market of about $120 million ($65 million in bookstores and noncomics retailers) for 2003.
Featured are several images of familiar industry booth offerings, and recaps of all the manga announcements coming out of the event.
The main topic aside the Florida Today piece goes on to cite famous Spikes and perhaps a sign of how far anime has penetrated into the mainstream, Cowboy Bebop's own Spike Spiegel gets a mention in print.
GET READY TO DRIVE, DRIFT, DREAM: TOKYOPOP ANNOUNCES U.S. DVD DEBUT OF INITIAL D ANIME
Fans Can Customize The Anime's Full-Throttle Racing Action With Interchangeable Viewing Options For Authentic And Enhanced Versions
LOS ANGELES (June 9, 2003) - Tokyopop Inc.-an influential force in youth entertainment- announces the U.S. introduction of its highly anticipated, high-action anime Initial D, a blend of lightning-fast street racing action, tricked-out tuner cars and suspe nseful drama. Slated for a September 2003 debut, the series combines the iconic pop culture appeal of Speed Racer and 2 Fast 2 Furious.
An enormous hit in Japan, the Initial D property has already sold more than 30 million graphic novels, boasted an enormous 47% market share in its television time slot and earned more than $300 million in revenue from the Asian market alone. The fast-paced , action-filled anime/manga series has a storyline built for speed. Its coming-of-age plot follows the adventures of reluctant hero Tak, a teenage tofu delivery boy who gets swept up in the world of street racers by besting some of the fastest drivers in t own.
Soon available on DVD for the first time in the U.S., Initial D is positioned to be the next breakout anime, ready to leave its competition in the dust. Each volume (composed of three separate action-packed episodes) contains both the original authentic Ja panese version (with English subtitles) and the U.S. version, with English dialogue and enhanced video options that intensify the race sequences.
Like Initial D's street racing characters, viewers can "custom tune" these two different versions, mixing and matching the English and Japanese audio and video, and modifying the way they watch each exciting episode.
"With its cutting-edge blend of digital animation and visual effects, its unique on-screen customization properties, and its exciting, relevant storylines, Initial D is TOKYOPOP's premier property of 2003," says Stuart Levy, TOKYOPOP Founder and CEO. "We l ook forward to answering the call of the series' core fans while exposing Initial D to a whole new audience, as well."
The three-episode first volume of Initial D- at a suggested retail price of $19.99-hits the shelves of major retailers nationwide this September. Volume 2 is scheduled for an October 2003 release, and Volume 3 will be in stores in early 2004.
SUMO EAST AND WEST USA 2003 85 min Color English, Japanese
Director: Ferne Pearlstein Producer: Ferne Pearlstein, Robert Edwards Cinematographer: Ferne Pearlstein Editor: Ferne Pearlstein, Robert Edwards Music: Doug Edwards, Bobby Lurie, Shirakami Featuring: Wayne Vierra, Manny Yarborough, Akebono, Konishiki, Jesse Kuhaulua
In the modern era, the ancient art of Sumo wrestling has seen an influx of interest from around the globe. This visually arresting film examines not only the history of Sumo in Japan, where it is viewed as a cultural treasure, but also its future worldwide. Along the way, we meet the wrestlers themselves, including the first non-Japanese grand champion, a wrestler turned rapper, and the highly controversial women wrestlers, who suffer not only through intense training and competition, but also from health problems brought on by their tremendous size. Trying to describe the discipline and dedication required, one participant sums it up by saying, "Sumo isn't a sport; it's a lifestyle."
Fri, Jun 13 @ 9:30 pm Laemmle Sunset 1 $10.00
Sun, Jun 15 @ 2:00 pm DGA Theatre 1 $10.00
(Of note is that there will be a live sumo performance before Sunday's screening.)
The Seven Samurai Japan 1954, 204 min Director's Showcase Sat, Jun 21, 11:00 am Laemmle Sunset 1
Source: LA Filmfest
From LA Filmfest :
DOING TIME Keimusho no naka Japan 2002 93 min Color Japanese
Director: Sai Yoichi Writer: Sai Yoichi, Chong Wui Shin, Nakamura Yoshihiro Producer: Enoki Nozomu Cinematographer: Hamada Takeshi Editor: Kawase Isao Music: Sasaki Tsugihiko Cast: Yamazaki Tsutomu, Kagawa Teruyuki, Taguchi Tomorou, Matsushige Yutaka, Muramatsu Toshifumi
Arrested for his hobby of collecting replica guns, Hanawa finds himself confined to a prison that seems more like a super-strict boarding school: no escape attempts, no yard brawls, but if you make too much noise horsing around with your roommates, you lose your TV privileges. Based on the true experiences of manga artist Hanawa Kazuichi, this prison movie unfolds unlike any other. Director Sai Yoichi focuses on the inmates' slow-building camaraderie as they confront the nonviolent but impossibly exacting rules of prison life. Hanawa's attempts to enjoy just the simplest things--a warm bowl of rice, a baseball game, a new friendship--amount to a quiet rebellion against obsessive order.
Fri, Jun 13 @ 9:15 pm DGA Theatre 2 $10.00
Sat, Jun 14 @ 5:00 pm Laemmle Sunset 2 $10.00
Mon, Jun 16 @ 3:00 pm Laemmle Sunset 2 $10.00
Finally, http://www.asianfilm.org/ is sponsoring a midnight screening of Ichi the Killer at the Sunset 5 this weekend.
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