Anime News Service - November 22-30 Anime News
12-30-04
- FUNimation has posted their video trailer for Lupin III: Dead Or Alive.
- As per ADV Films announcement today, those wanting a preview of the Windows Media High Definition Format can do so by accessing a number of clips at www.wmvhd.com.
- The UK's Medical News Today traces the history of the Japanese word "Tsunami".
- Japan's Active Fault Reasrch Center has an animation plotting this past weekend's horrific Sumatra Tsunami.
- Arrow In The Head reviews the live action Cutie Honey (2004) Directed by Hideaki Anno and Starring
Eriko Satoh/Cutie
Hairi Katagiri/Gold Claw
Eisuke Sasai/Sister Jill
Mikako Ichikawa/Natsuko.12-30-04---- ADV Films To Release Titles To Windows Media High Definition Format
Get ready to experience your favorite anime titles in a way you never have before! ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, today announced the release of Noir, RahXephon, and Full Metal Panic! in brand new high definition collector’s volumes. Look for these exciting 2-disc volumes of each series to hit the shelves throughout 2005.
Through the use of Windows Media High Definition Video (WMV HD), movies can now be viewed on computers with DVD drives, as well as on many new set-top DVD and digital media players, with amazing quality and resolution up to 6 times higher than that of today's standard DVDs! In addition, movies pack a whole new punch with crystal clear DTS Surround Sound audio.
ADV’s high definition collector’s releases will feature 2-disc volumes of each series. The first DVD of each volume will contain the feature presented in new WMV HD video format and Windows Media Audio Professional to be played on Windows Media Player 9 or 10 and WMV HD compatible DVD players. The 2nd DVD will feature a brand new DTS 5.1 audio track to accompany the Dolby 5.1 audio mix and standard definition video feature.
“High definition is the future of home entertainment,” said John Ledford, President and C.E.O. of ADV Films. “With crystal clear picture and sound, high definition is certain to deliver a new and exciting method by which to experience home video. We’re pleased to be able to be on the forefront of delivering this new high definition DVD format to North American audiences.”
Be sure to be on the lookout for more exciting high definition titles from ADV Films!
12-30-04---- Action Channel New Year's Eve Anime Marathon
From the Starz Press Release:
Get the party started… anime style… with the New Years Eve anime marathon on the Starz Encore Action Channel. Start off 2005 with an anime hangover.
The Starz Encore Action Channel has gained much respect over the past few years for its airing of Japanese animated feature films entirely uncut and unabridged. Featuring only the best that the anime industry has to offer, the Action Channel is one of the best sources for anime on cable and satellite television. Many anime fans love the television station as an outlet to find some of the best, classic, anime titles, while others simply seek to have a great and entertaining title to watch around midnight on specific nights of the week.
Recently, the Action Channel has announced an all anime New Years Eve marathon to kick off the 2005-year. After weathering a Last Exile marathon on G4TechTV just on week prior, anime fans can expect to keep the late night tradition alive with the Action Channel, as the network airs some of the best anime films every crafted during a little over twelve hours. This New Years Eve marathon begins 10:00pm ET on Friday, December 31, 2004, beginning with the groundbreaking cyber-punk classic feature film, Ghost in the Shell.
The Action Channel showcases a lot of different Japanese animated titles, including the horror title Hellsing amongst others. The complete marathon schedule is listed as follows; including the time of showing, the feature film or program of note, as well as a detailed synopsis of the program that Encore's Action Channel is showing. All times shown are scheduled as in the Eastern Time Zone.
Dec 31; 10:00PM -- Ghost in the Shell
Directed by Mamoru Oshii. The original science fiction feature film that traverses the universe of that is the human mind, Ghost in the Shell. In a world caught in the grip of information overload, where artificial intelligence is more than the real thing and cyborg cops spend their lives surfing on an electronic sea of living data, only the Ghost - the indefinable element of human consciousness - exists to determine who is alive and who is purely a creation of the net.
Major Motoko Kusanagi is an elite officer in the Section 9 security force: a cybernetic agent so heavily modified that little more than her Ghost remains. Along with fellow cyborg Bateau and the mostly human Togusa, Kusanagi is set on the trail of a computer criminal known as the Puppet Master, a data thief skilled enough to hack into the very minds of his victims. His human marionettes live out existences that are nothing more than computer generated fantasy, unwittingly committing their master's crimes while the Ghost-hacker hides in the darkness.
But as Kusanagi digs deeper into the walls of secrecy surrounding the case, it appears that the Puppet Master has a special interest in her alone. And when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shadowy Section 6, enter the scene, Kusanagi becomes tangled in a web of plot and counterplot, and realizes that the true identity of her invisible assailant lies at the center of a vast and lethal political conspiracy.
Dec 31; 11:30PM – X/1999: the movie
Directed by Rintaro. The feature film fictionalization of the popular manga series. The future of the universe rests on one young man, Kamui Shiro, who must destroy either the Dragons of Earth or the Dragons of Heaven - two opposing armies. He alone must decide whether humanity should be destroyed to create a purified universe, or whether it should be protected to preserve civilization.
Two oracles, the sisters Hinoto and Kanoe foresee the coming of the Dragons and predict opposite outcomes. Each sister gathers strength and ammunition to insure her own vision for the future. However, neither sister realizes that there is one man who has an even greater power than the Dragons, and that ultimately he will determine the fate of the earth. Which sister will prevail and how does Kamui fit into their struggle? The answer to this question will forever affect humanity.
Jan 1; 1:15AM -- Perfect Blue
Directed by Satoshi Kon. This movie is a psychological thriller at its heart, and is not for the weak of mind. Pop Singer Mima Kirigoe looks forward to a bright new career when she quits her chart-topping trio to become an actress. When she lands a role in a sexually charged murder mystery, Mima's life begins to fall apart. Reality and hallucinations merge into a terrifying world where innocence is lost and dreams become nightmares.
Quickly descending into a dangerous state of paranoid delusions, Mima watches as Internet sites appear describing every intimate detail of her life. She is helpless and afraid as her associates are threatened and killed by a mysterious stalker.
Jan 1; 2:40AM -- Blood: the Last Vampire
Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo and written by Mamoru Oshii and Kenji Kamiyama. At the Yokota Base in Japan, a nervous American military is on the brink of the Vietnam War. But a greater threat exists within the walls of the heavily guarded compound: Vampires.
A team of top-secret undercover agents learns of these blood-sucking fiends, and dispatches the mysterious Saya to hunt down and destroy them. This beautiful yet dangerous girl must use her extraordinary abilities and lethal Japanese sword to save the humans from these sinister creatures of the night.
Jan 1; 3:35AM -- Vampire Hunter D
Directed by Toyoo Ashida. This is the anime originally produced in the eighties. In the year 12,090 AD, the Earth has fallen into the clutches of ruthless vampires. Humans are enslaved by a corrupt feudal system. Only one being has dared to challenge the cruel authority of these arrogant immortals - the mysterious Vampire Hunter called "D".
Count Magnus Lee and his clan for the harsh doom of belonging to the Count have targeted a beautiful young villager, Doris. In desperation, Doris promises herself to the enigmatic hunter in exchange for the extermination of these tyrannical monsters. Before D can execute his plans, the Count abducts Doris, forcing D to forge into the bloody reign of the House of Lee.
Jan 1; 5:00AM -- Patlabor 2: the movie
Directed by Mamoru Oshii. The date is 2002, three years after the events of PATLABOR 1 --- Mobile Police. The destruction of a United Nations Labor team in South East Asia begins the build-up to a deadly terrorist plan that threatens to send shockwaves throughout Japan's military.
With evidence of an impending military takeover, the scattered members of the original SVD (Special Vehicle Division) must gather to defend the city against danger. To make matters worse, the mastermind behind the operation is none other than Nagumo's former teacher and ex-lover Tsuge. Can Nagumo stay true to her oath to uphold the law in the face of Tsuge's destructive plan for revenge? The countdown to armed revolution and panic on the streets of Tokyo begins now.
Jan 1; 6:50AM -- New Dominion Tank Police
Directed by Noboru Furuse. This series lasts a total of six episodes. Kobe, Japan -- 2100 A.D. - Terrorism runs rampant in the biochemical ruins of Newport City. An elite tank squad is established in an effort to put an end to the chaos. Led by Leona and her tank Bonepart, the Tank Police strike back using any means possible to save the city. Thrown into the mix are the mercenary Puma Sisters, who will side with anyone willing to pay their price.
12-30-04---- MTAC Changes Prices
From www.mtac.net:
Registration Price Tier Change
Ring in the new year the right way - with your registration guaranteed to the most cutting edge anime convention in the south! The deadline for our second price tier change is rapidly approaching and on Friday the 31st at midnight, the change will occur. Between now and then the discounted registration rate is a mere $24 for our top of the line 3-Day registration package.
Hundreds have pre-registered already, do you want to be the last? Remember, last year we had to close our doors to walk-ins because we reached max occupancy! Pre-registering is the ONLY way to guarantee access into MTAC Go, April 1st - 3rd 2005.
MTAC staff also wants to wish everybody a happy and safe new year celebration. Also, keep in mind sake is tasty, but it doesn't mix well with driving!
12-29-04
- Australia's Big News Network and Argentina's Buenos Aires Herald are but 2 of the world's papers echoing a variation on this week's story of Manga's success in the USA.
- The Japan Times' Mark Schilling reviews his top films of 2004. 8 of the 10 leading box-office slots across the country went to Hollywood productions. Schilling observes Japanese theaters are coming resemble American ones and this structure favors major Hollywood product. Interestingly, 2004 saw major Hollywood titles underperforming, an indication that Hollywood's grip on the local market is weakening. "The Last Samurai", however topped the Japanese box-office chart for the year (13.7 billion yen) beating even its U.S. gross. Following are his top 10 films of the year:
1) "Chi to Hone (Blood and Bones)"
2) "Dare Mo Shiranai (Nobody Knows)"
3) "Howl no Ugoku Shiro (Howl's Moving Castle)"
4) "Mind Game"
5) "Survive Style+5"
6) "Swing Girls"
7) "Aoi Kuruma (A Blue Automobile)"
8) "Casshern"
9) "Vital"
10) "Shimotsuma Monogatari (Kamikaze Girls)"
- AWN has new reviews by Fred Patton of Azumanga Daioh, Marmalade Boy Ultimate Scrapbook, Seven of Seven, Mobile Suit Gundam F91: The Motion Picture and Shaman King.
- China Daily is carrying a large article on global cartoon nostalgia currently sweeping the country. The piece mentions merchandise related to anime characters can be found on office desks, handbags and computer desktops. The classic Chinese work, the Monkey King from 1964 is mentioned as currently celebrating it's "40th birthday." Titled " Havoc in Heaven" (Danao Tiangong), the anime directed by pioneering animator/cartoonist Wan Laiming (1899-1997) and produced by the Shanghai Film Factory of Fine Arts is widely recognized as one of the best Chinese animes ever produced.
The Shanghai Film Studio of Fine Arts released a DVD of this work in July, which is selling very well. So well in fact
its success has led to a number of other classic animes being released on DVD such as "Nezha Stirs Up the Sea" (Nezha Naohai), "Child of the Snow" (Xue Haizi), "Deer of Nine Colours" (Jiuse Lu) and "Little Tadpole Looks for Mum" (Xiao Kedou Zhao Mama). Per Tezuka's declaration that Astro Boy's birth was born April 7, 2003 the date's passing was celebrated in China last year. Astroboy first aired on China's Central Television Station in 1982.
- CNET has news that several of the larger bittorrent sites are being sued by the MPAA.12-29-04---- DC Anime Art Show Announced
DC Anime Art Show
Location: Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library,
Exhibit Hall A-2
Address: 9th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC
Date: October 22, 2005 - November 29, 2005
Time: Show will run for a good 6 weeks
Cost: Admission is free
Details:
We The DC Anime Club will be doing an Anime Art Show
during October
and November, 2005. Yeah you heard me. October of
2005. Next Year duh.
At The Martin Luthur King Jr. Memorial Library in
Exibit Hall A-2. The Art Show will last 6
Weeks(Literaly a Month!!!!)Late October/Early November
of 2005.
Also during the Anime Art Show on Saturday, October
22, 2005 ONLY,
there will be a Cosplay Gathering as well as the Anime
Screeing of the Scariest Anime with prizes handed out
every hour in room A9 on the A Level(bottom floor) of
the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial
Library.
12-28-04---- Nevermore Film Festival Offerings
Durham, NC has an annual Nevermore film Festival is featuring the following this year:
Showing in January 21-23rd, 2005
House of Flying Daggers
Ong Bak
Sky Blue
Tale of Two Sisters
http://www.carolinatheatre.org/nevermore/index.html
12-28-04---- Buzzer Beater Anime Announced
The anime version of Inoue Takehiko's BUZZER BEATER will air within Japan starting on
February 5, 2005 (on WOWOW). The site mentions it will inform readers of overseas broadcasts as
well as English and other language versions as soon as details have been
finalized.
Source: http://www.itplanning.co.jp/fwhate.html
Special thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news
12-28-04
- The Daily Yomiuri reports a story created on the bulletin board of a Web site that was recently published as a book by Shinchosha Co., is to be made into four comics.
The story, "Densha Otoko" (Train Man), was created from actual conversations that took place on a bulletin board of the 2 Channel Web site.
Though recently many best-seller novels have been made into cartoon versions, it is unusual for four comic books to carry manga based on the same story almost simultaneously.
It is also a new phenomenon for anonymous conversations on a Web site about love affairs to serve as the origin for a comic strip.
The online chats took place on a 2 Channel bulletin board popular with single men.
- Animation Insider reviews the forthcoming Samurai Champloo and Rahzephon soundtracks from Geneon Anime Music.
- From Daniel, Patrick Macias' site mentions that Cruising the Anime City
is doing well in Japan, and links excerpts from the book. Also, Macias
listed new dvds for which he'll be contributing liner notes.
- The Village Voice's Voice Critics' Top 10s
for 2004 include Mamoru Oshii's Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence.12-28-04---- Black Jack - Patlabor - Cyber City Releases From CPM
From March 8th, 2005 through April 30th, 2005, Central Park Media will make available the entire Cyber City Trilogy on one jammed-packed DVD for a special low price of $9.95 SRP! Cyber City: The Final Collection, a sci-fi masterpiece from acclaimed director Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, The Animatrix episode Program) and Madhouse (Trigun), contains all three Cyber City episodes: Time Bomb, The Decoy, and The Vampire. This release includes bonus features, such as a Director's Commentary, an art gallery, character sketches, trailers, and much, much more!
This DVD will have audio tracks in both English and Japanese with English subtitles, a pre-order date of February 8, 2005 and a street date of March 8, 2005.
Cyber City: The Final Collection
This single DVD contains the complete Cyber City sci-fi series by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (director of Ninja Scroll and The Animatrix episode Program). In a future plagued by murderers and thieves, a team of convicts-turned-cops stands guard over the innocent. Sengoku, Goggles and Benten strive to reduce their sentences by hunting down their former allies. But if they fail or attempt to escape, their booby-trapped collars will explode, executing them and leaving the city defenseless!
"Everything we have come to expect from Madhouse and Kawajiri; great animation, cool action, and even cooler characters" - DVD Vision Japan
DVD Features:
Director's Commentary by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (episode 1: Time Bomb and episode 2: The Decoy)
Art Gallery
Sketch Gallery
Cyber City Trailers
Previews
Running time: 149 minutes
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: 16UP
WEA Selection: 752497
SRP: $9.95
UPC: 7-19987-24972-1
Central Park Media announced its March 2005 DVD releases which include two releases for the exciting medical thriller Black Jack. A young woman is struck with a deforming and transfiguring ailment in Black Jack: Biohazard. Episodes 7-10 of the series will be available on 4 Discs with the release of the Black Jack DVD Collection 2. Also available in March is volume 10 of the classic anime mecha Patlabor The Mobile Police-The TV Series.
All DVDs will have audio tracks in both English and Japanese with English subtitles, a pre-order date of February 8, 2005 and a street date of March 8, 2005.
Black Jack: Biohazard
A chilling medical thriller from Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astroboy, Kimba the White Lion and Metropolis. A young woman is poisoned by toxic waste and begins to deform...or transform. Black Jack operates and discovers that she might be transforming into a MERMAID! Is there a connection between the victim's illness and the ancient myth?
Running time: 50 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: 13UP
WEA Selection: 752464
SRP: $19.95
UPC: 7-19987-24642-3
Black Jack DVD Collection 2
In the age of science, death still wears many faces. Only the brilliant mercenary surgeon Black Jack has seen them all. As mankind threatens to annihilate itself, the detective doctor travels the world in search of bizarre medical mysteries…and the highest bidder for the cure!
Running time: 200 minutes / 4 DVDs (Eps. 7-10)
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: 13UP
WEA Selection: 752470
SRP: $49.95
UPC: 7-19987-24702-4
DVD Features:
Director’s Commentary by Osamu Dezaki (Ep. 10)
Anamorphic Widescreen Format (Episodes 8-10)
Black Jack Trailers
Art Gallery
Previews
Patlabor The Mobile Police-The TV Series: Volume 10
From the director of RahXephon and the screenwriter of .hack//SIGN. Scientists have invented a new giant robot suit, and Noa’s mecha Alphonse is looking a little obsolete in comparison. Can Noa bear to leave him behind? She’ll battle terrorists and sea monsters to prove that Alphonse is still the best robot (and friend) that a girl could ever have!
Running time: 100 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: 3UP
WEA Selection: 752417
SRP: $29.95
UPC: 7-19987-24172-5
12-27-04
- According to a press release, Award winning narrator Donna Reed will voice promo for the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, billed as the Cinderella game of the BCS. The television promo airs right before the game at 8:30pm EST, New Year's Day on ABC.
Her recent accomplishments include voiceover work for the Jones Radio Network, anime characters for ADV Films, and narrations for the US Armed Forces.
- Kung Fu Cinema previews the Korean Animated film Sky Blue, opening in Los Angeles on December 31st is Sky Blue. The film expands to theaters nationwide on February 18th, 2005.
- Ultimate AV eyes backward DVD compatibility with new standards already in stores. JVC has introduced a hybrid prototype that combines the high-definition Blu-ray disc with a standard DVD.
On December 23, Nihon Keizai Shimbun America, Inc. reported that JVC engineers had succeeded in combining the two formats in a single three-layer disc, making it possible to "fit a two-hour movie in both current DVD and Blu-ray Disc next-generation DVD formats on a single optical disc." The first two layers contain normal DVD content, as with current discs. The third layer contains the high-definition content.
- MSNBC is carrying a Business Journal of Portland piece on Dark Horse Comics's new business boost coming courtesy manga licenses. The article mentions US sales of manga graphic novels roughly doubled between 2002 and 2003, from an estimated $50 million to $60 million in retail sales to $90 million to $110 million in 2003.
- The Appleseed theatrical release site can be found at www.appleseedthemovie.com, Gofish's
Casshern page is linked at www.gofishpictures.com. Special Thanks to Daniel for the links.
- www.ifrc.org is currently taking donations for aid to the victims of
the recent tsunami in SE Asia. Thanks to Daniel for this item.12-27-04---- L.A. Screenings Flash
Special thanks to Daniel Zelter for the following information:
Michael William's website says that, over the next two
months, the New Beverly will have a double feature for Kill Bill vol. I+II,
Ran, a double feature for Infernal Affairs and Chungking Express(both which
feature Hero lead Tony Leung), and a double feature for Godzilla and Mothra.
(I'm not sure if the latter film will be dubbed or subbed...) Also, while
you're waiting for I.G. to start on the anime spin-off, the theater will be
playing Escape from New York. Finally, Kino will be releasing Days of Being
Wild-featuring Hero lead and Cannes winner Maggie Cheung-in select
www.landmarktheatres.com next month. The trailer for Days of Being
Wild can be viewed at http://kino.com/bigscreen/index.html.12-26-04---- KOCCA: Manhwa Industry Exports Up 20% In 2004
According to a year end report issued by the Korean Culture & Contents Agency (KOCCA),
the previous year saw Manhwa achieve astonishing growth, establishing itself solidly on the international scene as a unique brand. The industry finalized the export contracts worth #3.52 million. $1.13 million from San Diego Comic Con and $2.39 million from Frankfurt Book Fair. This year. 60+ titles were exported to 20 different countries to realize a year on year growth of 20%.
12-26-04
- The Daily Yomiuri is running a special submission by TokyoScope and Anime City author Patrick Macias. The topic? Boxing.
- The UK's Scotland On Sunday reviews Peter Carey's new book Wrong About Japan.
- In The New York Times top 10 films of the year, Satoshi Kon's Tokyo Godfathers gets a mention and while the author spells the director's name incorrectly, he offers the following analysis: 8. "TOKYO GODFATHERS" The anime master Takoshi Kon's third film transplants a mawkish John Ford western into modern Tokyo, a city Mr. Kon renders with breathtaking vibrancy and precision. A heartwarming Christmas fable, a candy-colored film noir, a magical-realist cartoon tear-jerker - no description of this movie can do justice to its captivating, virtuosic strangeness.
- The San Jose Mercury News looks at bay area museums exploring new ways of presenting art and references Yoshitomo Nara's``Nothing Ever Happens'' exhibit at San Jose Museum of Art.
- The San Francisco Chronicle has a great piece on the 30th anniversary of Hello Kitty.
- Jagged Team mentions details about
the Full Metal Alchemist game. Thanks to Daniel for the news.
12-24-04
- IGN reports earlier this week Nintendo announced at the JUMP Festa 2005 Convention that it has secured the rights to create games based on the Japanese manga franchise Eye Shield 21. Both a GameCube and a Nintendo DS Eye Shield 21 game were confirmed.
- Japan Today looks at Ten Ideal Public Works Projects recently issued by Chairman and chief executive officer of Ito-Yokado Co Toshifumi Suzuki, writer Yo Mizuki, and University of Tokyo Professor Ryuichiro Matsubara. Therein the group hopes to discuss their hopes for Japanese government spending. One of the project mentioned has the goal to "develop human resources with the goal of boosting the competitiveness of the anime (animated film) industry..."12-24-04---- UK Big Animation Magazine To Cover Anime
Fans of animation in the UK can look forward to a new print publication from the British on-line animation industry web developer and editor David R. Smith, who will launch 'Big Animation Magazine' in March of 2005.
'Big Animation Magazine' will include news, reviews, articles, features, commentary, event calendars, premieres, and more, on all subjects related to the entire animation industry. Big-budget 3D-CGI films, more modest 2D films, video games, new techniques, tutorials, artist profiles, software reviews, TV offerings, trends and styles, will be the grist of David's new magazine's mill. As many as 10,000 copies of the full-colour, glossy-print publication will be distributed every two months in the UK. At about 68 pages in length, British readers will be treated to not just local animation news, but also US and global cartoon insights and information. Free copies will go to animation companies and studios, schools and colleges, and festivals, with the remainder widely available at UK outlets or by subscription. Subscriptions will be available on-line for £2.20 (shop price £3.50) per issue, and can be provided internationally as well.
"Just because we use the word 'animation', it doesn't mean we're a kid's magazine," said Smith. "That's the thought of a lot UK people who don't know anything about animation. They think it's for children. We're going cover most aspects of animation, some mainstream 3D animation, and we want to include historical 2D, tutorials for students, manga, and anime."
He added that the familiar term for his website, 'Skwigly', may also be changing to 'Big Animation' to reflect the addition of the print magazine. "A lot of people like the name Skwigly," he said. "But for the magazine to be a hit, people will see the name 'Big Animation' and know it's about animation."
For more information about subscriptions and advertising please visit:
www.biganimation.com/business
12-24-04---- Holiday Greetings From Super Eurobeat's Dave Rodgers
From Dave Rodgers (www.daverodgers.it | www.rodgersmusic.com):Hi everybody!!
With this message I want simply to wish you a merry christmas and a very special happy new year: I hope you will spend theese days having fun with the people you love, maybe surrounded by the music I wrote and sang for you all!
I want also to thank you for your continuous support, for your suggestions about my music and my website, for the love I feel everytime I get in touch with someone of you: theese feelings are really my special engine and secret energy, once again... THANK YOUUUU!!
I would like to send a big hug to everybody and I hope to hear you very very soon!!
ciaoooooooooooo
dave
12-23-04---- Ong Bak American Opening
Andrew sends us some impressions from the coming American rollout of Ong Bak: The Thai warrior featuring new comer Tony Jaa. "I don’t know if you’ve heard about the film ONG BAK that’s coming out, but I saw it last night, and it really is one of the best martial arts films I have seen in a while. A lot of people are talking about how Tony Jaa, the film’s star is the next Bruce Lee." It’s a big debate but either way the Tony Jaa is pretty incredible and so is the film." The film is opening February 11th on 150 screens. The trailer is online in Quicktime format and can be accessed here: www.ongbakmovie.com/pages/comingsoon/index.html
12-23-04
- DVD Recorder World has uncovered further details on Bandai Visual's Bluray move. The article points out
Bandai has joined the Blu-Ray association as an ordinary member, but is already a member of the HD-DVD association. It has over 450 films in its back catalogue, but is adopting a 'wait and see' attitude before releasing any films on either format.
"Bandai Visual strives to provide the highest quality entertainment to consumers all over the world," commented Shigeru Watanabe, Senior Managing Director of Bandai Visual Co., Ltd. "Creating high-definition content such as animation is a very important theme for us. We expect Blu-ray Disc to strengthen our content technology and enable higher picture quality."
"The BDA is a membership organization comprised of almost 100 industry leaders all working to create the next generation of high-definition technology and content,” added Kiyoshi Nishitani, Senior Vice President, Executive Officer of Sony Corp. “Bandai Visual's decision is the recognition that high-quality content needs high-quality technology. "We are confident that this trend will continue with more content companies continuing to join BDA."
- CNET is carrying the article "Giant Robots In The Backyard" and looks at the creation of Alaskan Carlos Owens, an 18-foot-tall steel robot standing right outside his house.
12-23-04---- Blockbuster Adds Anime To Bolster Online Rentals
Blockbuster Inc. announced that effective immediately it has a lower, guaranteed price for its online rental service of $14.99 a month plus tax, an expanded distribution network and increased title selection. The company has increased the copy-depth of new release movies and expanded its inventory to include 30,000 titles including significant additions in TV shows, anime, Bollywood classics, Asian cinema, music performance, documentaries, fitness and how-to categories among others. "We have the largest number of titles in our online rental library of anyone in the marketplace. BLOCKBUSTER Online offers customers a huge breadth of titles, including everything from new releases to independent, special interest and hard-to-find movies," said Shane Evangelist, Blockbuster senior vice president and general manager of BLOCKBUSTER Online.
12-22-04---- KosaiKon 2005 Dates
The KosaiKon (www.kosaikon.com) staff has announced the dates for their next event, The KosaiKon Easter
AniFest which will take place from 9AM until 10PM on March 26, 2005 at
Villanova University, Villanova, PA.
12-22-04---- Bandai Visual Signs Onto Blue Ray Standard
The Blu-Ray Disc Association (BDA) announced the addition of Bandai Visual Co. Ltd., a worldwide visual production company, to its growing list of members, which now counts approximately 100, comprised of consumer electronics and PC manufacturers and content developers. This announcements means consumers will be able to enjoy a high-definition library of Japanese animation, or Anime, and movies on Blu-Ray discs.
"Bandai Visual strives to provide the highest quality entertainment to consumers all over the world," commented Shigeru Watanabe, Senior Managing Director of Bandai Visual Co., Ltd. "Creating high-definition content such as animation is a very important theme for us. We expect Blu-ray Disc to strengthen our content technology and enable higher picture quality."
"The BDA is a membership organization comprised of almost 100 industry leaders all working to create the next generation of high-definition technology and content,” added Kiyoshi Nishitani, Senior Vice President, Executive Officer of Sony Corp. “Bandai Visual's decision is the recognition that high-quality content needs high-quality technology. "We are confident that this trend will continue with more content companies continuing to join BDA."
Blu-ray Disc is a next-generation optical disc format being developed for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25 gigabytes of data and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50 gigabytes of data.
For more information, visit www.blu-raydisc.com.
12-22-04
- The Asahi Newspaper reports publishing house Futabasha has started offering a manga cartoon series featuring the ordeal of Megumi Yokota, the junior high school student abducted to North Korea in 1977 at age 13.
- Market News
- Houston's Ft. Worth Weekly reviews the group The Pointy Shoe Factory, who has had music in the American release of DBZ.
- The Daily Yomiruri examines J-Pop as it unfolded in 2004 mentioning new inroads made into the South Korean market. Avex and Sony phased out customer alienating copy-protections on CDs. CD shipments by the RIAJ's 21 member companies in the 11 months ending Nov. 30 were down 4 percent in volume terms and 5 percent in value from the corresponding period of 2003. Hiakru Utada's English language album, Exodus sold 1.3 million copies in Japan but only hit No. 160 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the USA. A remix of the single "Devil Inside" reached No. 1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. T.M. Revolution and Nami Tamaki's international performance at the Pacific Media Expo and L'Arc-en-Ciel Otakon concent in front of 12,000 in Baltimore are highlighted.
- The Daily Yomiuri looks back at 2004 and asks the question if it was a pivotal year for Japanese film. Their evidence for this comes not from any significant blockbusters of hints at fundamental shifts in the industry and its relation to the global marketplace. The most successful film using Japanese actors is mentioned as The Last Samurai and Anime and Japanese remakes in the USA are cited as prime examples of this major shift. Howl's Moving Castle and Mamoru Oshii's GITS2: Innocence have courted the international markets, being released in thise markets in some cases before their proper domestic release. TV dramas from South Korea made a big imapct. One of them, Fuyu no Sonata made "Yon-sama" a national idol.
- From Daniel, Yahoo
talks about
Zhang Yimou's familiarity with and experiences working in martial arts
films.
- Courtesy to Per for info the French Howl's Moving Castle site has launched at: www.lechateauambulant-lefilm.com
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