SPEED RACER Coverage Starts Here. Author: Bob Johnson Source: Warner Brothers` Press Release With a number of anticipated films being released in 2008, from Batman to Bond and beyond, Warner Brothers is banking on one of Japan`s most recognizable cartoon characters to grab their portion of the box office. In the weeks that lead up to the release of SPEED RACER, SciFi Japan will be taking a look back at the original series, as well as some of its other incarnations, courtesy of Tatsunoko historian James Long. So relive the most dangerous races, the mammoth cars, the car acrobatic teams, the desert races and much much more with SciFi Japan as we gear up to celebrate all things SPEED! In the meantime, here is an initial peek at the new movie, with much more coverage to come! From writers/directors/producers Larry and Andy Wachowski, creators of the groundbreaking

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Hobby Japan Brings Back Classic Japanese Magazine. Author: Bob Johnson In January of 1980, a new magazine was published in Japan covering Science Fiction films, television, books and other media. Called “Space Magazine Uchusen”, this publication grew over 25 years to become a leading source of information on the latest Japanese films and television series, as well as an authoritative resource on classic movies and TV from not only Japan, but all over the world. First released as a quarterly magazine, Uchusen would switch between quarterly and bi-monthly over the years, finally settling on bi-monthly status shortly before its demise in July of 2005 after 119 issues. Early issues of Uchusen featured articles on classic science fiction, as well as information on new and upcoming releases. However, the most fascinating aspect of the earlier issues were the splashy covers, many painted in retro-sci

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US Version of the Korean Horror Hit Coming in 2008 Author: Keith Aiken and Kim Song-ho (Loomis) Source: DreamWorks/Paramount, Tartan Films USA TALE OF TWO SISTERS revolves around Anna (Emily Browning), who returns home after spending time in the hospital following the tragic death of her mother. Her recovery suffers a setback when she discovers her father (David Strathairn) has become engaged to her mother`s former nurse (Elizabeth Banks). That night, Anna is visited by her mother`s ghost, who warns of Rachel`s intention. Together, Anna and her sister Alex (Arielle Kebbel) try to convince their father that his current fiancee is not who she pretends to be, and what should have been a happy family reunion becomes a lethal battle of wills between stepdaughters and stepmother. -Synopsis from the DreamWorks/Paramount presskit. The trend of remaking popular Asian horror movies continues with DreamWorks’ TALE OF TWO SISTERS,

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SciFi Japan, teaming with Novemberfire, bring you the first ever series of SciFi Japan shirts! Not only can you get basic t-shirts, but there`s a little something for everyone! T-shirts, tank tops, long sleeve, hip hop oversized and hoodies. And for the women, girl cut t-shirts and tank tops with spaghetti straps! Outfit the entire family for Christmas and show off your devotion to the wonderful world of Japanese Sci Fi films and TV! Great fashions at a great price! Click here to order now!

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Adaptation of French novel will mix live action and animation Author: Loomis (Kim Song-ho) Source: The Seoul Shinmun, The Segye Ilbo, various Official Author Site: Bernard Werber According to South Korean newspapers, the French novelist Bernard Werber`s bestseller Empire of the Ants (Les Fourmis) will be adapted into a feature film. Werber is a popular author, journalist, and playwright whose works include The Encyclopedia of Relative and Absolute Knowledge (L’Encyclopedie du Savoir Relatif et Absolu, 1993), The Thanatonauts (Les Thanatonautes, 1994), The Ultimate Secret (L’Ultime Secret, 2001), The Tree of Possibles (L’Arbre des Possibles, 2002), and The Breath of the Gods (Le Souffle des Dieux, 2005). He has also directed two short films, THE MOTHER-OF PEARL QUEEN (La Reine de Nacre, 2000) and THE HUMANS (Les Humains, 2003). Empire of the Ants – no relation to the 1943 short story of the

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Source: Independent Film Channel Special Thanks to Loren Portillo This month the Independent Film Channel is running TERROR FROM TOKYO, a new documentary about Japanese horror films. The half hour special covers the evolution of the horror genre from the classic ghost stories through GODZILLA (1954) and the wave launched by SCARY TRUE STORIES (1991) and the RING films to the recent downturn caused by constant repetition and remakes. TERROR FROM TOKYO focuses on producer Takashige Ichise (RING, JU-ON, DARK WATER, INFECTION, THE GRUDGE) and director Hideo Nakata (RING, DARK WATER, THE RING 2) with a visit to the set of their upcoming movie, the period piece KAIDAN (Ghost Story, 2007). Also included are comments by Hiroshi Takahashi (author of the Ring series), Norio Tsuruta (director of RING 0), Takashi Shimizu (director of JU-ON and THE GRUDGE), Chiaki Konaka (writer of Marebito and ULTRAMAN TIGA), Japanese

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