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    DVD cover art for SYNESTHESIA. Photo courtesy of ADV Films. © 2004 Art Port/Shochiku/Euro Space /Kansai Telecasting Corp.

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    Source: ADV Films ADV Films of Houston, TX recently announced that they had acquired North American theatrical, video and TV rights for several recent properties from the Japanese studio Shochiku Co., Ltd. Their first release will be the 2005 suspense thriller SYNESTHESIA (Gimme Heaven). SYNESTHESIA was the feature film debut of docuentary director Toru Matsuura. It stars Yosuke Eguchi of ANOTHER HEAVEN (Anazahevun, 2000) and SAMURAI COMMANDO: MISSION 1549 (Sengoku Jieitai 1549, 2005); Masanobu Ando from the blockbuster hits REX: A DINOSAUR`S STORY (Rex: Kyoryu Monogatari, 1993), BATTLE ROYALE (Batoru Rowaiaru, 2000) and AEGIS (Bokoku no Igisu, 2005); and actress Aoi Miyazaki from EUREKA (2000) and TOMIE: FORBIDDEN FRUIT (Tomie: Saishu-sho Kindan no Kajitsu, 2002). Rounding out the cast are Ryuhei Matsuda (IZO), Yuriko Ishida (PRINCESS MONONOKE), Hijiri Kojima (OTAKUS IN LOVE), and Shigemitsu Ogi (THE HYPNOTIST). The film was written by Yuji Sakamoto, screenwriter of

    Richard Jaeckel, Akira Takarada, Linda Haynes, Joseph Cotten and Kin Omae in LATITUDE ZERO, coming to DVD in 2007 from Media Blasters. © 1969 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Tokyo Shock Release Schedule Updated for 2007 Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc., various Special Thanks to Clay Holden SciFi Japan has learned that Linda Haynes may be recording a brand-new audio commentary for Media Blasters’ Region 1 DVD of LATITUDE ZERO. The former Miss Miami played Dr. Anne Barton in the 1969 Toho science fiction film by director Ishiro Honda and special fx director Eiji Tsuburaya. Her other film credits include COFFY (1973), ROLLING THUNDER (1977), and BRUBAKER (1980). The deal is still in the talking stages, but the actress herself revealed that she had been contacted about providing commentaries for both LATITUDE ZERO and HUMAN EXPERIMENTS, a 1980 American horror film coming to DVD next year from Code Red. We’ll be sure to announce if/when the agreement is approved and confirmed by Media Blasters and Toho. In related news, Media Blasters announced that the

    Beauty and the beast revisited: Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and King Kong. Photo courtesy of Weta Digital Ltd./Universal Studios.© 2005 Universal Studios.

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    The Cast and Crew Discuss Making a New Eighth Wonder of the World Source: Universal Studios Official Site: King Kong Movie The following production notes were created by Universal Pictures for the December 14, 2005 theatrical release of KING KONG. The text is © 2005 Universal Studios. Triple Academy Award winner Peter Jackson, whose THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy made motion picture history, now brings his sweeping cinematic vision to one of the screen’s most enduring classics and one of the greatest filmic adventures of all time: KING KONG. Assuming directing, producing and co-screenwriting duties, Jackson turns his attention to the iconic tale immortalized in 1933 by adventurers-turned-filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and co-director Ernest B. Schoedsack, who first conjured the indelible image of the gigantic ape atop the Empire State Building, protecting his human companion from an onslaught of attacking biplanes. Jackson

    The packaging for the new KING KONG DELUXE EXTENDED EDITION details the features of the DVD. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. © 2005 Universal Studios.

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    More Dinosaurs, More Kong in a Spectacular New 3-Disc Set Author: Keith Aiken Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Official Site: King Kong Movie KING KONG ON DVD KING KONG PRODUCTION NOTES from Universal Studios KING KONG DELUXE EXTENDED EDITION Running Time: 201 Minutes Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) Dolby Digital 5.1 SRP: $34.98 Release Date: November 14, 2006 Few movies have had the impact of the original KING KONG. Merian C. Cooper— working with co-director Ernest B. Shoedsack, special effects wizard Willis O’Brien, and a talented cast headlined by Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong— had crafted a “Beauty and the Beast” fable full of adventure, romance, and dinosaurs; a perfect (if temporary) escape for audiences reeling from the Great Depression. The RKO Radio Picture was a box office sensation upon its initial release in March of

    ADV will release the thriller SYNESTHESIA and the horror film GHOST TRAIN in 2007. SYNESTHESIA international publicity flyer courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. © 2004 Art Port/Shochiku/Euro Space/Kansai Telecasting Corp. GHOST TRAIN AFM screening advertisement © 2006 Ghost Train Film Partners

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    Source: ADV Films Special Thanks to Shochiku Co., Ltd. ADV Films of Houston, TX and Shochiku Co., Ltd. of Tokyo have announced an agreement for several recent properties from the Japanese studio. Under terms of the deal, ADV has North American theatrical, video and TV rights to the feature films GHOST TRAIN and SYNESTHESIA, as well as North American, British, and Australian video, TV and Video On Demand rights to the hit animated series LE CHEVALIER D’EON. These titles are planned for release before the summer of 2007. Founded in 1895, Shochiku is involved in movie and television production, theatrical distribution of Japanese and foreign motion pictures, worldwide sales, exhibition, DVD and home video distribution, and the Kabuki Theater. The company has produced a number of critically and financially successful films, including Yoji Yamada’s THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI (Tasogare Seibei, 2003), the 2004 Academy Award nominee for best

    Lake Sai near Mt Fuji is home to a hungry plesiosaur in LEGEND OF DINOSAURS AND MONSTER BIRDS. © 1977 Toei Co., Ltd

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    Tokyo Shock Release Schedule for November 2006-March 2007 Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Media Blasters has announced the following Tokyo Shock titles for November 2006 through March 2007. Not all details are final, but the following information provides a sneak peek at what will be on Region 1 DVD in the coming months. November 7, 2006: ZEIRAM Special Edition (Zeiramu, 1991) The vicious space outlaw Zeiram (Mizuho Yoshida) escapes to earth, pursued by an attractive bounty hunter named Iria (Yuko Moriyama) and her assistant Bob, a sentient computer. Iria sets up a dimensional trap called the Zone that will allow her to fight and capture the bio-engineered monster without drawing any outside attention, but two bumbling power company employees, Kamiya and Tepphei (Yukijiro Hotaru, Kunihiko Iida), accidentally stumble into the trap as it is being activated. Iria now has to save

    Godzilla battles Angilas in GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, one of two classic Godzilla films coming to DVD next month. © 1955 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Classic Media Official site: Godzilla on DVD Classic Media is offering FREE Shipping on all orders (US only) for GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA on DVD received now through 10/27/06. Enter the code GRAMOTH1 at check out and free shipping will be reflected in your order. Your order will be shipped to arrive on or just prior to the release date of 11/07/06. All orders received after 10/27/06 will be subject to applicable shipping and handling fees. Standard delivery orders received after 10/27/06 and 2-3 day Rush delivery orders received after 11/4/06 are not guaranteed to arrive prior to the release date. Official Press Release:

    The gathering of good yokai brings together (from l to r) Tenoume, Kasabake, Bakeneko, Noterabo, Shojo, Kawataro, Yuki Onna, Zashiki, General Nurarihyon, Furu Furu, Lamp Oil, Namahage, Rokurokubi, Mitsume Kozo, Kawahime, and Kamakiri. Photo courtesy of Horizon Entertainment. © 2005

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    A look at the incredible fantasy adventure YOKAI DAISENSO from Takashi Miike and Kadokawa Pictures Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc., Horizon Entertainment Ltd Official site: Yokai-Movie Special Thanks to Kyle Yount, Daisuke Ishizuka, Vivian Chen, JustBeComplex.com, Clay Holden, and Kyle Byrd DVD REVIEW: THE GREAT YOKAI WAR Double-Disc Special Edition from Media Blasters The Cast and Characters of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR The legends of Japan are replete with tales of the strange creatures known as yokai. Not quite apparitions, monsters, or ghosts, the yokai are mystical beings that secretly live in the world of men. Mostly unseen, they come in a variety of bizarre forms— some hideous, some cute— and have incredible supernatural powers. They tend to be mischievous and playful, but they are sometimes dangerous towards humans because the yokai are not restrained by the

    The River Sanzu is the threshold to the afterlife. © 1960 Kokusai Hoei

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    Nobuo Nakagawa’s HELL on DVD from the Criterion Collection Author: Keith Aiken Source: Criterion Collection “Shocking, outrageous, and poetic, JIGOKU (HELL, a.k.a. THE SINNERS OF HELL) is the most innovative creation from Nobuo Nakagawa, the father of the Japanese horror film. After a young theology student flees a hit-and-run accident, he is plagued by both his own guilt-ridden conscience and a mysterious, diabolical doppelganger. But all possible escape routes lead straight to hell— literally. In the gloriously gory final third of the film, Nakagawa offers up his vision of the underworld in a tour de force of torture and degradation. A striking departure from traditional Japanese ghost stories, JIGOKU, with its truly eye-popping (and -gouging) imagery, created aftershocks that are still reverberating in contemporary world horror cinema.” – from Criterion publicity materials The award-winning Criterion Collection continues their tradition of top-quality DVDs

    Media Blasters will be bringing FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD and LATITUDE ZERO to DVD early next year. © 1965/69 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Media Blasters announces more Toho DVDs Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Tuesday’s coverage of Media Blasters’ upcoming DVDs revealed that the company was planning to release more Toho titles in the new year. Today, Media Blasters officially announced that the Ishiro Honda/Eiji Tsuburaya collaborations FRANKENSTEIN VS BARAGON (Furankenshutain tai Chite Kaiju Baragon, US title FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, 1965) and LATITUDE ZERO (Ido Zero Daisakusen, 1969) will be coming to Region 1 DVD in 2007 from the `Tokyo Shock` label. This will be the first US DVD release for both films. Media Blasters put out their first DVDs of classic Toho fx movies in March 2005, and to date they have released THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957), VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (Daikaiju Baran, 1958), MATANGO: ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE (Matango, 1963), ATRAGON (Kaitei Gunkan, 1963), DOGORA (Uchu Daikaiju Dogora, aka DAGORA THE SPACE MONSTER, 1964),

    ZEBRAMAN and DEVILMAN are coming to DVD from Media Blasters in 2007. English promotional materials courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ZEBRAMAN © 2004 Zebraman Partners. DEVILMAN © 2004 Devilman Production Committee

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    Upcoming 2006 Titles from the `Tokyo Shock` Label... and Early News on What to Expect in 2007 Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Media Blasters has announced the following Tokyo Shock titles for November 2006 through January 2007. Not all details are final, but the following information provides a sneak peek at what will be coming to Region 1 DVD over the next few months. November 7, 2006: ZEIRAM Special Edition (Zeiramu, 1991) The vicious space outlaw Zeiram (Mizuho Yoshida) escapes to earth, pursued by an attractive bounty hunter named Iria (Yuko Moriyama) and her assistant Bob, a sentient computer. Iria sets up a dimensional trap called the Zone that will allow her to fight and capture the bio-engineered monster without drawing any outside attention, but two bumbling power company employees, Kamiya and Tepphei (Yukijiro Hotaru, Kunihiko Iida), accidentally stumble into the

    Rare Toho publicity material from 1954/55 featuring Toshiro Mifune as the samurai Kikuchiyo. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Could this be the best presentation of the best movie ever made? Author: Richard Pusateri Official Site: Criterion Collection Special thanks to Stuart Galbraith IV SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no Samurai) Year: 1954 Running time: 207 minutes Black & White Aspect ratio: 1.33:1, Not Anamorphic Dolby Digital Mono 1.0 Japanese language with English subtitles SRP: $49.95 One fine day last week, I came home to find Classic Media’s GOJIRA/GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS and Criterion’s SEVEN SAMURAI special edition DVD sets waiting for me. By coincidence, they arrived the same day from different retailers; both sets are from Japan, black and white, Academy aspect ratio, originally released in 1954 and they are probably Japan’s two internationally best known movies. I presume everyone visiting SciFi Japan has read Dutch’s comprehensive review of the new Godzilla release. I also expect all readers have acquired that Classic Media set or

    The original GODZILLA roars back to life in the new GOJIRA Region 1 DVD set from Classic Media. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Classic Media Releases the Original GODZILLA in a Deluxe Edition on DVD Author: John "Dutch" DeSentis Source: Classic Media Official site: Godzilla on DVD Special Thanks to Aaron Cooper and James Ballard September 5th, 2006 is a date that should forever be important to Godzilla fans as the day that the original, unaltered, post-war masterpiece GOJIRA was finally and officially released on DVD in North America. After years of hoping and clamoring, fans finally get their wish and much to our satisfaction the film is given an incredibly packaged and dignified release. Dignity is a word not often associated with the Godzilla series. For years the character has been lambasted and the subject of ridicule almost directly brought on by the childlike movies of the 1970s. Certainly, most Godzilla fans have similar stories of mentioning the monster`s name to non-fans and being met with rolling eyes and

    The almost final packaging design for Classic Media’s DVDs of GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (the Mothra icon will be replaced by Anguirus) and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA. Photos courtesy of Classic Media. © 1955, 1964 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Classic Media Official site: Godzilla on DVD With the 2-disc GOJIRA/GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS set barely two weeks away, Classic Media has revealed DVD specs and packaging art for their next two releases, GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA. Both DVDs will be available separately on November 7, and have a SRP of $19.98 each. GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA will feature both the original Japanese version (with English subtitles), the US release version, audio commentaries, and other extra features. GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN Single sided DVD Black and White Original theatrical aspect ratio: 4X3 (1.33:1) Japanese version GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (Gojira no Gyakushu, 1955) • English Subtitles • Runtime of film 81:34 American version GIGANTIS THE FIRE MONSTER (1959) • English Dub • Runtime 79:00 Special Features: • Commentary by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski • Art of Suit Acting featurette •

    The final packaging design for Classic Media`s GOJIRA DVD. ©1954 Toho Co., Ltd. Photo ©2006 Classic Media.

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    Classic Media launches "RETURN TO THE KING OF THE MONSTERS HOMETOWN SWEEPSTAKES" today to celebrate the release of GOJIRA on DVD Source: Classic Media Official site: Godzilla on DVD One Grand Prize Winner Will Receive an 8-Day, 7-Night Trip For 2 to Tokyo, Japan Godzilla wants to show you his hometown! To celebrate the US release of GOJIRA, the original 1954, uncut Japanese Godzilla movie, Classic Media kicks off the "Return to the King of the Monsters Hometown" Sweepstakes. Starting today, Godzilla fans can log onto Godzilla on DVD to enter to win one of more than 250 monstrous prizes. One grand prize-winner will receive an 8-day/7-night vacation to Tokyo, Japan for two, including travel and first-class accommodations. Classic Media will also give away one SONY PSP per day for the duration of the sweepstakes, running from August 16 September 16, 2006.

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