2011 J-Pop Summit Festival announces expanded programming and events: Saturday and Sunday, August 27th-28th

2011 J-Pop Summit Festival

2011 J-Pop Summit Festival

An explosion of colorful artists and pop culture music, fashion, art, and film takes over San Francisco in only 16 DAYS when the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival will be held the city’s Japantown. The annual is newly expanded to two days and will take place Saturday and Sunday, August 27th- 28th.

The weekend-long festival is highlighted by live bands and DJs, fashion shows, a vocaloid music conference, several theatrical film premieres, dance workshops and performances, and assorted arts, crafts and food vendors. NEW PEOPLE, the dynamic entertainment destination showcasing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture, presents the annual event and also welcomes several Guests of Honor to this year’s J-Pop Summit.

A dedicated web site with full details and event schedules is now available at J-pop.com.

Posted in News |

The Last Circus Blu-ray/DVD (Magnolia)

The Last Circus Blu-ray/DVD (Magnolia)

The Last Circus Blu-ray/DVD (Magnolia)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011

The Last Circus (aka ”Balada triste de trompeta” or “Sad Trumpet Ballad”) is a 2010 Spanish film by Director Álex de la Iglesia. It’s critically acclaimed and noted for it’s brutal and bloody content. The plot involves two generations of circus clowns who do a little more than just clowning around. Check out the trailer here. It looks amazing!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Action Double Feature: 99 and 44/100% Dead/The Nickel Ride DVD (Shout!)

Action Double Feature: 99 and 44/100% Dead/The Nickel Ride DVD (Shout!)

Action Double Feature: 99 and 44/100% Dead/The Nickel Ride DVD (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2011

Two obscure classics in one package from Shout! 9 and 44/100% Dead is a 1974 action film directed by John Frankenheimer (ever see 1966’s Seconds? No? Shame on you!) and starring Richard Harris as Harry Crown, a stylish professional hit man with a pair of Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistols. Also included is 1974’s The Nickel Ride, a gangster film directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird). It was selected by Quentin Tarantino for the First Quentin Tarantino Film Fest in Austin, Texas, 1996. No trailers needed (or found). Trust me on these.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

The Cannonball Run Blu-ray (HBO)

The Cannonball Run Blu-ray (HBO)

The Cannonball Run Blu-ray (HBO)

RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2011

Produced by Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest, this 1981 action/comedy, which stars Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jackie Chan will street on November 8th with a SRP of $14.98. Check out the trailer here.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Source Code (2011) Review

"Source Code" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Source Code” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Duncan Jones
Writer: Ben Ripley
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Cas Anvar, Russell Peters, Michael Arden, Scott Bakula, Craig Thomas
Running Time: 93 min.

By HKFanatic

Director Duncan Jones made a sizable impact in 2009 with his film “Moon” – an intelligent science-fiction thriller for an era that hasn’t seen very many of them, featuring practical production design that harkened back to the work of Stanley Kubrick and an amazing performance from actor Sam Rockwell. It was the kind of auspicious debut that would have garnered attention for Jones even if he wasn’t the son of legendary rocker David Bowie. While 2011’s “Source Code” isn’t exactly the next evolution of Jones’ style that critics and fans were hoping for, it is at the very least an interesting sidestep into commercial filmmaking and proof that Jones can stand shoulder to shoulder with more mainstream directors.

“Source Code” remains firmly rooted in science fiction territory but whereas “Moon” channeled films like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Alien,” the script from Ben Ripley takes influence from “Groundhog’s Day,” “12 Monkeys,” and the little-seen Tony Scott/Denzel Washington movie “Deja Vu” from a few years back. Through some advanced near-future psuedo-science, our main character (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) is able to experience the last 8 minutes of a recently deceased person’s life. In this case, the person is a victim of a terrorist bombing on a Chicago commuter train. Jake is repeatedly sent back into this “simulation” by his military handlers since he’s the only one who can utilize those 8 minutes to discover who the bomber is before an even bigger terrorist attack is launched on downtown Chicago. Expect plenty of twists and turns along the way.

Jake Gyllenhaal gives what has to be one of his best performances since his “Donnie Darko” days. Jake ably steps up as a leading man and commanding physical presence (he has to beat up a lot of people in his quest to find the terrorist). Though “Source Code” isn’t as dependent on its central actor as the one-man show of “Moon” was, it’s clear that the movie wouldn’t have nearly worked as well without Jake giving his all in the lead. Seriously, he’s so good that I’m almost willing to forgive him for “Prince of Persia.”

If only the rest of the cast held up so well: Vera Farmiga does just fine in her supporting role but Duncan Jones and his director of photography somehow found a way to make an actress as lovely as her look homely through their use of unflattering sci-fi lighting. The biggest offender, though, is Jeffrey Wright – I don’t know what went wrong here since Wright (“Casino Royale,” “W.”) is a supremely talented actor, but his performance in “Source Code” is a disaster. He plays his character like a limping parody of Orson Welles in his later years, you know, when he was showing up drunk to the set of wine commercials. It’s an embarrassingly over-the-top turn in a film that needed its actors to keep the story grounded amidst all the heady sci-fi concepts.

Crisply photographed (it’s seriously one of the nicest looking blu-rays I’ve seen) and well-scored, “Source Code” had me hooked right up to the end. And I mean that literally – besides Jeffrey Wright’s hammy acting, the ending is what cripples this film. There’s a perfectly staged freeze-frame sequence that, if the credits had rolled there like the I was expecting, would have concluded the film on the perfect note.

Instead, “Source Code” keeps going…and going, straining credibility as it pulls together a cliche happy Hollywood ending.  Very rarely does a film bungle its conclusion this spectacularly: not only did the ending make me gag from the Hallmark card corniness of it all, but it made my brain hurt as it pushed the film’s science fiction conceits to their breaking point. Seriously, Hollywood screenwriters: I shouldn’t need a PHD in String Theory or to have seen every alternate reality episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in order to make sense of your film.

Despite a limp conclusion, “Source Code” is an interesting thriller from a director with a bright future ahead of him. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a likable hero, Ben Ripley’s script is full of compelling twists (not bad for a guy who got his start writing “Species III”), and, frankly, we need more movies like this: smart thrillers with modest budgets. With “Source Code” Duncan Jones proves he can play in the Hollywood big leagues without compromising what makes him such a talented filmmaker – and that’s no small feat.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

New People Entertainment to release Japanese sci-fi thriller “Gantz” on DVD and Blu-ray in August

"Gantz" coming to DVD and Blu-ray in August!

"Gantz" coming to DVD and Blu-ray in August!

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, will delight sci-fi, action and anime/manga fans across North America with the release of GANTZ on DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack(SRP $29.99) on August 30th. The film, which is unrated, features both English and Japanese dialogue options and a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview and film trailers.

To celebrate the film’s release, a special screening of GANTZ is scheduled for Friday, August 26th at 7:00pm in San Francisco at NEW PEOPLE’s Cinema as part of the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival. The film will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Get a great deal by purchasing a ticket bundle that also includes the brand-new DVD or Blu-ray plus a poster. Tickets and more information are available at HYPERLINK “http://www.newpeopleworld.com/films” http://www.newpeopleworld.com/films.

In addition, the San Francisco theatrical premiere of GANTZ II: Perfect Answer will also take place during the J-Pop Summit Festival on both Saturday, August 27th and Sunday August 28th. The film will also be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Complete details on the J-Pop Summit are available at: HYPERLINK “http://www.J-Pop.com” www.J-Pop.com.

GANTZ is based on a hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City). The film tells the story of two childhood friends that are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “GANTZ.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.

“GANTZ first thrilled domestic audiences when we presented the film theatrically in a special one-night-only premiere at over 300 movie theatres nationally earlier this year that was attended by thousands of people across North America,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “Anticipation has risen steadily since then and fans now have the exclusive opportunity to own the film on DVD and Blu-ray with our release on August 30th. GANTZ features two of the biggest stars in Japanese cinema and remains true to the innovative storyline from the original manga series. Fans won’t want to miss this exciting release and stay tuned for news coming soon on the upcoming release of the film’s action-packed sequel, GANTZ II: Perfect Answer!”

Check out the trailer here.

Kazunari Ninomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is also world-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles.

Kenichi Matsuyama is currently one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film and he has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is widely recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008) and also for his portrayal of Johannes Krauser II in the outlandish rock and roll comedy, Detroit Metal City (2009).

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment ( HYPERLINK “http://www.newpeopleent.com” www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

Posted in News |

A Horrible Way to Die Blu-ray/DVD (Anchor Bay)

A Horrible Way to Die Blu-ray/DVD (Anchor Bay)

A Horrible Way to Die Blu-ray/DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2011

Forget everything you’ve ever seen in a serial killer movie and get ready for the chiller that stunned festival audiences around the world. Check out the trailer here.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Island of Lost Souls Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

Island of Lost Souls Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

Island of Lost Souls Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011

“If you’ve ever thought old movies were boring, this is the one to watch. It’s like Apocalypse Now from 1932 with monsters.” – Joe909 Island of Lost Souls is a cautionary tale of science run amok adapted from H. G. Wells’s novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. Charles Laughton is a mad doctor conducting ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor (Richard Arlen) who finds himself trapped there. Check out the trailer here.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Double Feature: Incredible Hulk Returns/The Trial of the Incredible Hulk DVD (Image)

Double Feature: Incredible Hulk Returns/The Trial of the Incredible Hulk DVD (Image)

Double Feature: Incredible Hulk Returns/The Trial of the Incredible Hulk DVD (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

Ang Lee’s version made you angry. Edward Norton’s portrayal came and went. And now we have to wait a full year to see Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk? Lame. It isn’t The Hulk without Lou Ferrigno, Bill Bixby, a duffle bag, and a depressing piano score. Got that?

Trailers: Incredible Hulk Returns | The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Secret Garden DVD Set (Ya Entertainment)

Secret Garden DVD Set (Ya Entertainment)

Secret Garden DVD Set (Ya Entertainment)

RELEASE DATE: August 30, 2011

Winner of Best Drama at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, fantasy romance Secret Garden is the hottest Korean TV drama series of 2011. The topsy-turvy love story turns the modern fairytale romance on its head with hilariously eccentric characters, body swapping, and an emotional roller coaster that will have you laughing and crying the whole way through. Starring Ha Ji-Won and Hyun Bin! Check out the trailer here.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

Trespass Blu-ray/DVD (Millennium Media)

Trespass Blu-ray/DVD (Millennium Media)

Trespass Blu-ray/DVD (Millennium Media)

RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2011

What happens when a man with everything a beautiful wife (Nicole Kidman), a teenage daughter (Liana Liberato) and a wealthy estate is confronted with the reality of losing it all? That is what Kyle Miller (Nicolas Cage) must come to terms with as he and his family become the victims of a vicious home invasion. Led by Elias (Ben Mendelsohn) and Jonah (Cam Gigandet), a gang of cold-blooded thugs holds Kyle and his loved ones hostage as they carry out their plans to take everything that Kyle holds dear, including his life.

A straight to video flick with Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman? Was Val Kilmer and Cuba Gooding Jr. ahead of their time or what? Actually, I’ve read some positive reviews about this thriller from Joel Schumacher (who hasn’t made a good movie since “Falling Down”). Check out the trailer.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Double Feature: Captain America/Captain America II: Death Too Soon DVD (Shout!)

Double Feature: Captain America/Captain America II: Death Too Soon DVD (Shout!)

Double Feature: Captain America/Captain America II: Death Too Soon DVD (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2011

Are you sick of CG effects, big budgets and stupid little kids kicking the back of your chair? Why put up with the hassle of going to the movies when you can enjoy this old school classic in your own living room? Screw Chris Evans, it’s all about Reb Brown. Check out a clip here. Not to be confused with Albert Pyun’s 1989 film.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Calamari Wrestler DVD (Eastern Star)

Calamari Wrestler DVD (Eastern Star)

Calamari Wrestler DVD (Eastern Star)

RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2011

“Goofy, bizarre, yet surprisingly coherent, The Calamari Wrestler veils sharp social commentary with irreverent humor and corny romance.” –The New York Times

With a title like this, how can you possibly go wrong? Check out the trailer here.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

August 9th brings 4 New Shaw Brothers DVD titles from Dragon Dynasty

Executioner from Shaolin aka Executioners from Shaolin DVD (Dragon Dynasty)

Executioner from Shaolin aka Executioners from Shaolin DVD (Dragon Dynasty)

Can’t get enough old-school Shaw Brothers action? Have no fear, Dragon Dynasty/Celestial Pictures are releasing four Shaw Brothers catalog titles on DVD today, August 9th. One of them even stars Jet Li!

If you’re wondering how these movies stack up against the rest of the Shaw Brothers’ filmography, we’ve got you covered with our reviews:

Martial Arts of Shaolin Review

Mad Monkey Kung Fu Review

Five Shaolin Masters Review

Executioner From Shaolin Review

Posted in News |

Mike Pecci’s Grindhouse Shorts DVD: Violence, tattoos and women!

Mike Pecci’s Grindhouse Shorts DVD: Violence, tattoos and women!

Mike Pecci’s Grindhouse Shorts DVD: Violence, tattoos and women!

Next Monday director & photographer Mike Pecci is self releasing all of his violent short films on one loaded DVD.

This is the definitive collection of what Filmthreat magazine called “Grindhouse done right”. It includes the director’s cut of Cold Hard Cash, a re-mastered Capture Device, Stray Bullet, and a new short featuring a chainsaw wielding Evalena Marie (from the upcoming film based on the “Remains” comic written by Steve Niles).

Each film is uncensored and loaded with sex, violence, and Suicide Girls! The DVD is jammed to the limit with interactive menus, behind the scenes clips, brand new recorded director’s commentaries and the infamous “Mom-mentaries” (where the director watches the films with his highly opinionated mother) and loads of hidden “Easter eggs.” The disks will be released with 3 limited edition variant covers with artwork from comic book and poster artists as well photography from Pecci. Check out the trailer and film clip.

DVD can be purchased here.

Posted in News |