A live-action feature film adaptation of Hikaru Nakamura's slice of life comedy manga series Saint Young Men (known as Saint ☆Oniisan in Japan) is set to release in Japan on December 20, 2024, following the launch and announcement on the film's official website. The Japanese title is Saint☆Oniisan The Movie ~Holy Men Vs Akuma Gundan , literally translating to Saint Young Men The Movie ~Holy Men vs Devil's Army . Teaser visual The manga featuring Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha, who live in an apartment together in modern-day Tokyo, is serialized in Kodansha's Morning Two monthly magazine. 21 tankobon volumes have released in Japan to date, with 17 million copies total in circulation. The manga was previously adapted into a live-action TV drama series for three seasons from 2018 to 2020. While the drama series had a limited-theatrical run, this is the first time that an all-new live-action feature film will be produced. Kenichi Matsuyama (L...
- 5/9/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
"If he's trying to murder me, I'll kill him first." Another official trailer is available to watch for this kooky and crazy Japanese horror film called Lumberjack the Monster, based on the novel of the same name. A suspenseful thriller directed by Takashi Miike and starring Kazuya Kamenashi. The brutal film is about a series of bizarre murders by someone wearing a strange monster mask found in the picture book 'Monster Woodcutter' who then steals their brains. Akira heads out to get revenge on this Lumberjack killer. The plot follows this Patrick Bateman-like psychopath lawyer (who also kills) going up against this vicious masked murderer - pitting a psychopath against a serial killer in a totally bonkers new Takashi Miike creation. Only someone like Miike could make something so absurd! Lumberjack the Monster stars Kazuya Kamenashi as Akira Ninomiya, Nanao, Riho Yoshioka, Shota Sometani, and Shido Nakamura. The film already opened in Japan last December,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The official YouTube channel for Japanese rock band Bump Of Chicken has posted a collaboration music video for "Kaikou" ( Encounter ), the theme song for Onmyoji 0 , a new live-action film inspired by Baku Yumemakura's historical fantasy novel series. As their 21st digital single, the song released on April 15, ranking #1 in Oricon's daily digital single charts on its first day. The clip is composed of scenes from the film selected by Shimako Sato , who wrote and directed the film, and includes plenty of VFX scenes by the renowned video production company Shirogumi ( Godzilla Minus One ). Bump Of Chicken "Kaikou" × "Onmyoji 0" Collaboration Music Video Bump Of Chicken profile photo Related: Onmyoji 0 Live-Action Film Releases Full Trailer Featuring Bump Of Chicken Theme Song The film opens in Japan today on April 19, 2024. The novel series features Abe no Seimei, a real-life sorcerer/leading specialist of Onmyodo from the Heian period (a Japanese sorcery.
- 4/19/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike has over 115 directing credits to his name, and it has only taken him 33 years to reach that impressive number. One of his latest credits came on a blood-soaked horror thriller called Lumberjack the Monster, and the folks at Rue Morgue have confirmed that Lumberjack the Monster is going to be available to watch on the Netflix streaming service as of June 1st.
Before the film reaches Netflix, New York City’s Japan Society (located at 333 East 47th Street) will be hosting its the North American premiere screening on Monday, May 6 at 8pm. Rue Morgue notes, “There will also be a pre-screening reception at 7pm with beverages donated by Sapporo-Stone Brewing and Brooklyn Kura. The screening is being presented in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival, as part of its Escape from Tribeca program.”
Lumberjack the Monster is based on a novel by Mayusuke Kurai and stars Kazuya Kamenashi,...
Before the film reaches Netflix, New York City’s Japan Society (located at 333 East 47th Street) will be hosting its the North American premiere screening on Monday, May 6 at 8pm. Rue Morgue notes, “There will also be a pre-screening reception at 7pm with beverages donated by Sapporo-Stone Brewing and Brooklyn Kura. The screening is being presented in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival, as part of its Escape from Tribeca program.”
Lumberjack the Monster is based on a novel by Mayusuke Kurai and stars Kazuya Kamenashi,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Prolific genre filmmaker Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer) is back with Lumberjack the Monster, an adaptation of Kaibutsu no Kikori by Mayusuke Kurai. And it’s heading to Netflix this summer.
It’s going to be battle to the death between a serial killer and a psychopath.
Lumberjack the Monster will make its North American premiere on May 6 at the Japan Society, in partnership with Tribeca Festival’s Escape from Tribeca, ahead of its Netflix debut on June 1, 2024.
In the film, “Akira Ninomiya (Kamenashi) is a remorseless lawyer who doesn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. One night he is brutally attacked by an unknown assailant wearing a monster mask. Although he miraculously survives the assault, Ninomiya becomes fixated on finding the attacker and getting revenge. Meanwhile, a series of gruesome murders occur where the victims are found with their brains removed from their bodies.
It’s going to be battle to the death between a serial killer and a psychopath.
Lumberjack the Monster will make its North American premiere on May 6 at the Japan Society, in partnership with Tribeca Festival’s Escape from Tribeca, ahead of its Netflix debut on June 1, 2024.
In the film, “Akira Ninomiya (Kamenashi) is a remorseless lawyer who doesn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. One night he is brutally attacked by an unknown assailant wearing a monster mask. Although he miraculously survives the assault, Ninomiya becomes fixated on finding the attacker and getting revenge. Meanwhile, a series of gruesome murders occur where the victims are found with their brains removed from their bodies.
- 4/11/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Voice actor Megumi Ogata (Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion ) announced on her official Twitter that she served as the narrator for a special trailer for Onmyoji 0 , a new live-action film inspired by Baku Yumemakura's historical fantasy novel series Onmyoji . "Awesome visuals...in a word, super cool!" Ogata said on Twitter. "Please check out the trailer and the movie!" The new clip features sorcery scenes by young Abe no Seimei, played by Kento Yamazaki, and visual effects created by Shirogumi ( Godzilla Minus One ). Ogata narrates the four abilities of Seimei: to cut through space, seal the enemy's spells, make a spiritual barrier, and summon hidden, powerful forces. Related: Onmyoji 0 Live-Action Film Releases Full Trailer Featuring Bump Of Chicken Theme Song Onmyoji 0 Main trailer The main cast for the movie includes: Abe no Seimei played by Kento Yamazaki Minamoto no Hiromasa played by Shota Sometani Queen Yoshiko played by Nao...
- 4/4/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
The official YouTube channel for singer-songwriter Vaundy has started streaming a music video for his latest song "Time Paradox," which will be featured as the theme song for the Doraemon anime franchise's next 43rd feature film, Doraemon: Nobita's Earth Symphony . The song released digitally on January 7, and its CD single will be available on February 28. The clip was directed by himself for the first time in one year since "Mabuta" (21st digital single) in January 2023. Actor Shota Sometani (the protagonist Shinichi Izumi in the Parasyte live-action films) plays the lead role in the clip, which tells a story about interfering in the past through a 'time runner'. The theme is "a story about changing your present self to help your past self". Vaundy "Time Paradox" music video Vaundy artist photo As reported , Vaundy also makes his voice acting debut. In the film, he plays the vocalist of a band performing on the street.
- 2/26/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
The official website for Onmyoji 0 , a new live-action film inspired by Baku Yumemakura's historical fantasy novel series Onmyoji , released a full trailer today featuring its theme song "Kaikou" ( Encounter ) performed by Japanese rock band Bump Of Chicken. The film is set to release in Japan on April 19, 2024. Poster visual Related: Onmyoji 0 Live-Action Film Posts New Teaser Trailer for April 2024 Release The main cast for the movie includes: Abe no Seimei played by Kento Yamazaki Minamoto no Hiromasa played by Shota Sometani Queen Yoshiko played by Nao Hegurino Sadafumi played by Masanobu Ando Tachibana no Yasuie played by Nijiro Murakami Emperor played by Rihito Itagaki Kamono Tadayuki played by Jun Sonomura Koremune no Korekuni played by Kazuki Kitamura Fujiwara no Yoshisuke played by Kaoru Kobayashi Bump Of Chicken band photo Bump Of Chicken made their major debut in 2000 and have provided theme songs for many popular anime franchises, such as...
- 2/8/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
"Psychopath vs. Serial Killer!" Warner Bros Japan has revealed the first look teaser trailer for a brand new Takashi Miike film, a surprise new production called Lumberjack the Monster, based on the novel of the same name. It's set for release in December in Japan, though we still don't know when it'll show up in the US - likely sometime in early 2024. "A suspenseful thriller directed by Takashi Miike and lead starring Kazuya Kamenashi." The brutal horror film involves a series of bizarre murders by someone in a monster mask from the picture book ‘Monster Woodcutter’ who then steals their brains. The plot features a Patrick Bateman-like psychopath lawyer who goes up against this masked murderer - pitting psychopath against killer in this totally bonkers new Miike creation. Only someone like him could make this! Lumberjack the Monster stars Kazuya Kamenashi, Nanao, Riho Yoshioka, Shota Sometani, and Shido Nakamura. This is teaser is only 40 secs,...
- 6/11/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The ever-prolific Takashi Miike is back this year, following his Disney+ series Connect last winter. Based on a novel “Kaibutsu no Kikori” by Mayusuke Kurai, the Japanese director’s latest feature is Lumberjack the Monster, a serial killer vs. psychopath thriller that will arrive in his native country this December and is awaiting a U.S. release. Starring Kazuya Kamenashi, Nanao, Riho Yoshioka, Shota Sometani, and Shido Nakamura, the first teaser and set of posters have arrived.
Here’s the synopsis: “Akira Ninomiya (Kamenashi) is a remorseless lawyer who doesn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. One night he is brutally attacked by an unknown assailant wearing a “monster mask.” Although he miraculously survives the assault, Ninomiya becomes fixated on finding the attacker and getting revenge. Meanwhile, a series of gruesome murder occur where the victims are found with their brains removed from their bodies. While police conduct an intensive investigation,...
Here’s the synopsis: “Akira Ninomiya (Kamenashi) is a remorseless lawyer who doesn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. One night he is brutally attacked by an unknown assailant wearing a “monster mask.” Although he miraculously survives the assault, Ninomiya becomes fixated on finding the attacker and getting revenge. Meanwhile, a series of gruesome murder occur where the victims are found with their brains removed from their bodies. While police conduct an intensive investigation,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Prolific genre filmmaker Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer) is back with Lumberjack the Monster, an adaptation of Kaibutsu no Kikori by Mayusuke Kurai. A brand new Japanese teaser trailer highlights the violence in store when a serial killer crosses paths with a psychopath.
The trailer introduces a Patrick Bateman-like psycho and a masked killer that may prove even more bloodthirsty, teasing a hyper-violent grudge match for the ages. The film’s official site explains, “A series of bizarre murders in which people wear a monster mask from the picture book ‘Monster Woodcutter’ and steal their brains with an axe.” The teaser also touts Miike’s feature as “insanely suspenseful.”
Whoever loses, all signs point to audiences winning. Miike always delivers on the unexpected and never shies away from pushing boundaries when it comes to violence or taboos.
Lumberjack the Monster is slated for theatrical release in Japan on December...
The trailer introduces a Patrick Bateman-like psycho and a masked killer that may prove even more bloodthirsty, teasing a hyper-violent grudge match for the ages. The film’s official site explains, “A series of bizarre murders in which people wear a monster mask from the picture book ‘Monster Woodcutter’ and steal their brains with an axe.” The teaser also touts Miike’s feature as “insanely suspenseful.”
Whoever loses, all signs point to audiences winning. Miike always delivers on the unexpected and never shies away from pushing boundaries when it comes to violence or taboos.
Lumberjack the Monster is slated for theatrical release in Japan on December...
- 6/7/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Although Netflix is still working its way around the Asian movies in its catalog, in terms of series the quality is quite high, with a quality in terms of production values of many of them being comparable, if not better with feature films. “Sanctuary”, which takes a look at the world of sumo, is definitely one of those films.
Click the image below to follow our Tribute to Netflix
The protagonist of the series is Kiyoshi Oze, a young delinquent from a broken family, which was destroyed when his father's debts forced him to close the shop, sending him into a being a traffic light attendant, and his wife, who obviously underwent some sort of shock, into prostituting. Kiyoshi was a judo champion at a teenager, but now finds himself bullying his way around life, until a proposition from Ensho, the owner of a sumo stable and the promise for...
Click the image below to follow our Tribute to Netflix
The protagonist of the series is Kiyoshi Oze, a young delinquent from a broken family, which was destroyed when his father's debts forced him to close the shop, sending him into a being a traffic light attendant, and his wife, who obviously underwent some sort of shock, into prostituting. Kiyoshi was a judo champion at a teenager, but now finds himself bullying his way around life, until a proposition from Ensho, the owner of a sumo stable and the promise for...
- 5/20/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Sanctuary is a Japanese film directed by Kan Eguchi, starring Wataru Ichinose, Shôta Sometani y Shiori Kutsuna,
If you expect something traditional from the Japanese country… not at all. Sanctuary is a very modern and humorous series about the world of sumo, the Japanese most famous sport.
About the series
A very realistic series in certain aspects, but without ever forgetting the fictional premise. It is the story of a boy who reveals himself to be arrogant and full of flaws but ends up conquering the public in a sport rooted in tradition.
The series seeks a bit of this, to combine the traditional with the modern show, to give a pick of the ins and outs of this intricate sport.
Is it a great series? To be honest, we are not going to recommend it. It is not a series that stands out at the production level, although it...
If you expect something traditional from the Japanese country… not at all. Sanctuary is a very modern and humorous series about the world of sumo, the Japanese most famous sport.
About the series
A very realistic series in certain aspects, but without ever forgetting the fictional premise. It is the story of a boy who reveals himself to be arrogant and full of flaws but ends up conquering the public in a sport rooted in tradition.
The series seeks a bit of this, to combine the traditional with the modern show, to give a pick of the ins and outs of this intricate sport.
Is it a great series? To be honest, we are not going to recommend it. It is not a series that stands out at the production level, although it...
- 5/4/2023
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid - TV
Sanctuary is a Japanese film directed by Kan Eguchi, starring Wataru Ichinose, Shôta Sometani y Shiori Kutsuna,
A tough, desperate kid becomes a sumo wrestler, captivating fans with his cocky attitude — and upsetting an industry steeped in tradition.
Release Date
Mai 4, 2023
Where To Watch Sanctuary
Netflix
La entrada ‘Sanctuary’ (2023) Premiere on Netflix on May 4 se publicó primero en Martin Cid Magazine.
A tough, desperate kid becomes a sumo wrestler, captivating fans with his cocky attitude — and upsetting an industry steeped in tradition.
Release Date
Mai 4, 2023
Where To Watch Sanctuary
Netflix
La entrada ‘Sanctuary’ (2023) Premiere on Netflix on May 4 se publicó primero en Martin Cid Magazine.
- 4/25/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Debt, violence, family dysfunction…
Pushed to the brink, delinquent Kiyoshi Oze (Wataru Ichinose) takes on the world of sumo as a wrestler under the name “Enno” in this bold and intense human drama.
While sumo is known across the globe as a part of traditional Japanese culture and a religious ritual passed down for over 1,500 years, the world of this sport remains veiled in secrecy. The “dohyo,” the ring where the sumo matches are fought, is truly a “sanctuary” built on the foundation of this unusual world.
Unmotivated to train, often skipping practice and defying his more experienced seniors, Oze is branded as a hopeless case, but he gradually delves deeper into the world of sumo. This human drama depicts Oze and the young people surrounding the world of sumo as they struggle to find their way in life, including Shimizu (Shota Sometani), who loves the sport but is not blessed with an ideal physique,...
Pushed to the brink, delinquent Kiyoshi Oze (Wataru Ichinose) takes on the world of sumo as a wrestler under the name “Enno” in this bold and intense human drama.
While sumo is known across the globe as a part of traditional Japanese culture and a religious ritual passed down for over 1,500 years, the world of this sport remains veiled in secrecy. The “dohyo,” the ring where the sumo matches are fought, is truly a “sanctuary” built on the foundation of this unusual world.
Unmotivated to train, often skipping practice and defying his more experienced seniors, Oze is branded as a hopeless case, but he gradually delves deeper into the world of sumo. This human drama depicts Oze and the young people surrounding the world of sumo as they struggle to find their way in life, including Shimizu (Shota Sometani), who loves the sport but is not blessed with an ideal physique,...
- 4/22/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Netflix is giving global fans a sneak peak at its forthcoming Japanese original series Sanctuary, a YA drama set within the reclusive world of Japanese professional sumo wrestling. (See the first teaser trailer and art from the show below.)
Set to launch on Netflix on May 4, the series follows a juvenile delinquent who becomes a sumo apprentice — and soon finds himself on a collision course with a voiceless wrestler carrying a secret.
Netflix describes the show as offering “a gritty look into the underbelly of professional sumo, a world full of young men with ambitions for money, women, fame, and power.”
“This is the story of the sumo ring,” the streamer adds, “where some may find sanctuary with a history of more than 1,500 years in Japan’s traditional culture and as a religious ceremony.”
The series is written by Tomoki Kanazawa (who recently penned the TBS medical drama Get Ready!
Set to launch on Netflix on May 4, the series follows a juvenile delinquent who becomes a sumo apprentice — and soon finds himself on a collision course with a voiceless wrestler carrying a secret.
Netflix describes the show as offering “a gritty look into the underbelly of professional sumo, a world full of young men with ambitions for money, women, fame, and power.”
“This is the story of the sumo ring,” the streamer adds, “where some may find sanctuary with a history of more than 1,500 years in Japan’s traditional culture and as a religious ceremony.”
The series is written by Tomoki Kanazawa (who recently penned the TBS medical drama Get Ready!
- 3/29/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Suzume no tojimari Trailer 3 — Toho Company has released the third movie trailer for Suzume no tojimari (2022). Crew Makoto Shinkai‘s Suzume no tojimari stars Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, Koshiro Matsumoto, and Shota Sometani. Makoto Shinkai wrote the screenplay for Suzume no tojimari. “This new anime adventure features character design by Masayoshi Tanaka, [...]
Continue reading: Suzume No Tojimari (2022) Movie Trailer 3: An Abandon Door Leads to a Mystery in Makoto Shinkai’s Anime Film...
Continue reading: Suzume No Tojimari (2022) Movie Trailer 3: An Abandon Door Leads to a Mystery in Makoto Shinkai’s Anime Film...
- 9/30/2022
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The Film
The new Miyazaki. That’s a description I’ve heard applied to Mamoru Hosoda over and over, and it’s never sat well with me. Notwithstanding that Hosoda has expressed critical feelings about Miyazaki’s depiction of women, or my own apathy about Miyazaki’s films, Hosoda isn’t the new anybody, nor does he need to be. He’s the first Mamoru Hosoda, and across his six solo features, he’s established a strong authorial voice and, for my money, stands out as one of the best and most exciting filmmakers working today, and not just in animation.
Belle, like Hosoda’s previous films, takes a gigantic sci-fi concept and boils it down to a tiny personal story. The setting is contemporary, but the internet seems to be dominated by an app called U, a social network which, through body sharing technology (think a less gross take...
The new Miyazaki. That’s a description I’ve heard applied to Mamoru Hosoda over and over, and it’s never sat well with me. Notwithstanding that Hosoda has expressed critical feelings about Miyazaki’s depiction of women, or my own apathy about Miyazaki’s films, Hosoda isn’t the new anybody, nor does he need to be. He’s the first Mamoru Hosoda, and across his six solo features, he’s established a strong authorial voice and, for my money, stands out as one of the best and most exciting filmmakers working today, and not just in animation.
Belle, like Hosoda’s previous films, takes a gigantic sci-fi concept and boils it down to a tiny personal story. The setting is contemporary, but the internet seems to be dominated by an app called U, a social network which, through body sharing technology (think a less gross take...
- 7/13/2022
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Although its characters get drunk all the time, “And Your Bird Can Sing” is as sober as it gets. Captured in the triviality of everyday life in northern Japan, Sho Miyake presents a lackluster love drama based on a novel by Yasushi Sato.
“And Your Bird Can Sing” is streaming on Sakka Films
A nameless book dealer played by Tasuku Emoto (“Air Doll” 2009) falls in love with his coworker, Sachiko. His roommate, Shizuo, also has interest in her. Normally, a perfect base for conflict. But somehow Miyake misses to build up the tension. I don’t blame the actors. Shota Sometani (“Parasyte” 2014) as Shizuo and Shizuka Ishibashi (“Nights Tightrope” 2016) as Sachiko are doing their best. Natural acting, becoming one with the camera and creating harmony on screen. Unfortunately, this does not help the pace of the film, who fails to arouse the interest of the viewer.
“And Your Bird Can Sing” is too long.
“And Your Bird Can Sing” is streaming on Sakka Films
A nameless book dealer played by Tasuku Emoto (“Air Doll” 2009) falls in love with his coworker, Sachiko. His roommate, Shizuo, also has interest in her. Normally, a perfect base for conflict. But somehow Miyake misses to build up the tension. I don’t blame the actors. Shota Sometani (“Parasyte” 2014) as Shizuo and Shizuka Ishibashi (“Nights Tightrope” 2016) as Sachiko are doing their best. Natural acting, becoming one with the camera and creating harmony on screen. Unfortunately, this does not help the pace of the film, who fails to arouse the interest of the viewer.
“And Your Bird Can Sing” is too long.
- 6/28/2022
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
To The Ends Of The Earth (Tabi no Owari Sekai no Hajimari) Tokyo Theatres Co./ Loaded Films Reviewed for Shockya.com & BigAppleReviews.net linked from Rotten Tomatoes by: Harvey Karten Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Writer: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Cast: Atsuko Maeda, Tokio Emoto, Ryô Kase, Adiz Rajabov, Shôta Sometani Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 11/18/20 Opens: December 11, […]
The post To The Ends of the Earth Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post To The Ends of the Earth Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/6/2020
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
"It was like a dream." KimStim Films has released an official trailer for the US release of the Japanese indie film To the Ends of the Earth, one of the latest works by prolific Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa. This premiered at the fall festivals last year including Locarno, TIFF, and New York, and is opening in select theaters (starting at the Metrograph) this December. A Japanese woman finds her cautious and insular nature tested when she travels to Uzbekistan to shoot the latest episode of her travel variety TV show. It's described as "a brilliant mix of black comedy, travelogue, drama, and adventure-imbued showbiz satire, To the Ends of the Earth—commissioned to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the central Asian republic of Uzbekistan—chronicles the journey of a young woman from displacement to self-discovery." Starring Atsuko Maeda as Yoko, Shôta Sometani, Tokio Emoto, Adiz Rajabov,...
- 11/16/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"Whoever wins this race... I shall grant them a wish." Signature Ent. UK has debuted an official trailer for the indie action thriller Samurai Marathon, also known as Samurai Marathon 1855. Inspired by a real-life race that is still held annually in Japan, Samurai Marathon is an epic thriller from the team behind 13 Assassins and The Last Emperor. It is actually directed by a British filmmaker named Bernard Rose, best known for directing Candyman and Immortal Beloved. Set in the late feudal era of Japan, a young ninja is operating undercover in the court of an aging Lord during a peaceful era of Japan. His loyalties are put to the test as he competes in the Samurai Marathon event. Starring Takeru Satoh, Nana Komatsu, Mirai Moriyama, Shôta Sometani, Munetaka Aoki, Ryu Kohata, Yuta Koseki, Motoki Fukami, Junko Abe, and Danny Huston. Featuring a Philip Glass score, which is also a...
- 11/26/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Miike’s energy and playfulness seems to know no end. His latest effort “First Love” has nothing that might betray its ordinal number (103!), on the contrary, it feels rather fresh as a “feel good” plot – yes, you’ve heard right – emerges under the familiar Yakuza antics.
“First Love” is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2019
Before throwing them in complete chaos, the main characters are introduced in their separate microcosms. Leo (Masataka Kubota) is a talented boxer who cannot do much else than boxing. “I am just a boxer” he likes to say but his skills are as good as his enthusiasm is low. Abandoned near a rubbish skip as a baby, Leo has a clear lack of drive; as a fortune-teller warns him, he should find a purpose for his fights, something or someone to fight for. But he will not have much time for it as he...
“First Love” is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2019
Before throwing them in complete chaos, the main characters are introduced in their separate microcosms. Leo (Masataka Kubota) is a talented boxer who cannot do much else than boxing. “I am just a boxer” he likes to say but his skills are as good as his enthusiasm is low. Abandoned near a rubbish skip as a baby, Leo has a clear lack of drive; as a fortune-teller warns him, he should find a purpose for his fights, something or someone to fight for. But he will not have much time for it as he...
- 10/16/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The last film legendary Japanese ultra-violence auteur Takashi Miike brought to Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight featured a character that was essentially a person in a felt frog costume that looked like it’d gone through the wash a few too many times. The being had a knack for martial arts and, like some acid-trip Sesame Street version of the four horsemen, was said to signal the coming apocalypse. So to note that First Love, Miike’s latest deliriously violent mob film, which opened this week in that same renowned sidebar, is the more sober of the two is to perhaps not say a whole lot.
By anyone else’s standards, of course, it is a work of the darkest gallows humor and upmost anarchy. Miike opens Love on a boxing match and his earliest notable cut takes us from a shot of a fighter landing a left hook to an image...
By anyone else’s standards, of course, it is a work of the darkest gallows humor and upmost anarchy. Miike opens Love on a boxing match and his earliest notable cut takes us from a shot of a fighter landing a left hook to an image...
- 5/18/2019
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
A boxer with a brain tumor, a crooked cop with terrible luck, a screw-up yakuza who’s seen too many movies, a dismembered Chinese gangster who wields a pump-action shotgun with his one remaining arm, a terrified prostitute who’s stalked by a ghost in tighty whities, an unkillable femme fatale who will kick a man to death just for being in her way, and the world’s most wonderful heroin. Those are just some of the many different ingredients that prolific Japanese auteur Takashi Miike swirls into his frequently sublime new gangster film, a piece of work so feral and full of life that you’d never guess it was (at least) the 90th feature its director has made in the last 30 years. Even now, after making everything from scarring horror masterpieces (“Audition”) to unwatchable family comedies (“Ninja Kids!!!”), Miike hasn’t lost any of his lust for life,...
- 5/17/2019
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
The Notebook is covering Tiff with an on-going correspondence between critics Kelley Dong and Daniel Kasman.The Legend of the Demon CatDear Kelley,I must admit I don’t find this year’s festival any more tiring—yet!—than the beginning of the last. As you point out, film culture in general and festivals in particular are being exhaustively picked at and vividly debated over to in order try to fight the tragic inertia of wide-spread and often institutional biases and discrimination. This deep questioning is being seen everywhere from hiring practices all the way to, as you indicate, programming choices and the diversity of critical voices. On the one hand, I find this context an inspiring one for improvement and change for an industry that is all kinds of conservative; but on the other, I do indeed find myself preliminarily wearied these days by the gamut of cultural criticism...
- 9/8/2018
- MUBI
Exclusive: Bad Genius star is the first Thai actor to win.
The 16th New York Asian Film Festival (June 30 to July 13), co-presented by Film Society of Lincoln Centre, has selected Chutimon “Aokbab” Chuengcharoensukying as the recipient of the Screen International Rising Star Asia award.
It’s the first time the award, in its fourth year, has gone to a Thai actor.
21-year-old Chuengcharoensukying, nicknamed “Aokbab”, stars in the high school thriller Bad Genius which opens the festival.
Chuengcharoensukying will be presented with the award before a screening of the film, which is Thailand’s biggest local hit of 2017.
Bad Genius is Chuengcharoensukying’s first film, and the festival’s executive director Samuel Jamier praised her performance in a “demanding role”.
Nattawut Poonpiriya, director of Bad Genius, added: “For solving the great demands of portraying Lynn’s character, Aokbab proved herself the correct answer for this film. Her great skill as an actress is to show that ‘less...
The 16th New York Asian Film Festival (June 30 to July 13), co-presented by Film Society of Lincoln Centre, has selected Chutimon “Aokbab” Chuengcharoensukying as the recipient of the Screen International Rising Star Asia award.
It’s the first time the award, in its fourth year, has gone to a Thai actor.
21-year-old Chuengcharoensukying, nicknamed “Aokbab”, stars in the high school thriller Bad Genius which opens the festival.
Chuengcharoensukying will be presented with the award before a screening of the film, which is Thailand’s biggest local hit of 2017.
Bad Genius is Chuengcharoensukying’s first film, and the festival’s executive director Samuel Jamier praised her performance in a “demanding role”.
Nattawut Poonpiriya, director of Bad Genius, added: “For solving the great demands of portraying Lynn’s character, Aokbab proved herself the correct answer for this film. Her great skill as an actress is to show that ‘less...
- 6/1/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Japanese drama recently premiered at Osaka Asian Film Festival.
Japan’s Stardust Pictures (Sdp) Inc. has sold Parks, directed by Natsuki Seta(A Liar And A Broken Girl, A Letter From Elsewhere), to mainland China (Time-in-Portrait Entertainment), Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures), Taiwan (Sky Digi Entertainment), South Korea (Entermode), Thailand (Starlings) and worldwide in-flight (Encore Inflight Entertainment).
Set in and around Tokyo’s Inokashira Park, the drama stars Ai Hashimoto (Little Forest), Mei Nagano (Peach Girl) and Shota Sometani (Himizu) in a story about a girl who sets out to find a woman mentioned in a love letter written by her late father. Clues lead her to two other millennial friends and a damaged tape of a love song which they try to recreate.
Entermode CEO Bruce D. Lee says Parks is “a good and heartwarming movie, like a Japanese version of La La Land”, while Encore CEO Jovita Toh says, “Parks is a beautiful...
Japan’s Stardust Pictures (Sdp) Inc. has sold Parks, directed by Natsuki Seta(A Liar And A Broken Girl, A Letter From Elsewhere), to mainland China (Time-in-Portrait Entertainment), Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures), Taiwan (Sky Digi Entertainment), South Korea (Entermode), Thailand (Starlings) and worldwide in-flight (Encore Inflight Entertainment).
Set in and around Tokyo’s Inokashira Park, the drama stars Ai Hashimoto (Little Forest), Mei Nagano (Peach Girl) and Shota Sometani (Himizu) in a story about a girl who sets out to find a woman mentioned in a love letter written by her late father. Clues lead her to two other millennial friends and a damaged tape of a love song which they try to recreate.
Entermode CEO Bruce D. Lee says Parks is “a good and heartwarming movie, like a Japanese version of La La Land”, while Encore CEO Jovita Toh says, “Parks is a beautiful...
- 3/12/2017
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Based on the popular Japanese novel ‘Shamon Kuukai’, Chinese-Japanese collaborative film “The Legend of the Demon Cat” has released gorgeous stills of the fantasy movie set in the Tang Dynasty era.
This latest offering from acclaimed Chinese director Chen Kaige (best known for “The Emperor and the Assassin” (1998), and “Farewell My Concubine” (1993)) stars young Japanese actor Shota Sometani, Liu Haoran, Kitty Zhang, Huang Xuan and Zhang Rongrong. The supernatural film tells the tale of the mysterious killings that take place in the capital city of Chang’an after the appearance of a talking cat. Shortly after, a monk and a poet decide to work together to unearth the truth that leads tozhang a shocking revelation.
In the movie stills released by the film’s production company Emperor Motion Pictures, the major characters are revealed, together with the impressive backdrop of scenery and props that were painstakingly customised for the movie.
This latest offering from acclaimed Chinese director Chen Kaige (best known for “The Emperor and the Assassin” (1998), and “Farewell My Concubine” (1993)) stars young Japanese actor Shota Sometani, Liu Haoran, Kitty Zhang, Huang Xuan and Zhang Rongrong. The supernatural film tells the tale of the mysterious killings that take place in the capital city of Chang’an after the appearance of a talking cat. Shortly after, a monk and a poet decide to work together to unearth the truth that leads tozhang a shocking revelation.
In the movie stills released by the film’s production company Emperor Motion Pictures, the major characters are revealed, together with the impressive backdrop of scenery and props that were painstakingly customised for the movie.
- 11/3/2016
- by Pamela Koh
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese actress joins cast of Chen Kaige’s [pictured] Chinese-Japanese co-production, which is currently in production in China.
Japanese actress Keiko Matsuzaka has joined the cast of Chen Kaige’s Kukai, co-produced by China’s New Classics Media and Japan’s Kadokawa, which is currently in production.
Based on a novel by Japanese author Baku Yumemakura, the film tells the story of a Japanese Buddhist monk who visits Tang Dynasty China to learn about its culture and civilisation.
The film, which will be distributed in Japan by Kadokawa and Toho, has been shooting in Hubei province in China since the end of July.
The casting was announced today at Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) at an event attended by Matsuzaka, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa and Yoshishige Shimatani, who head Kadowkawa and Toho respectively, and Japanese and Chinese government officials.
The film’s previously announced cast includes Chinese actor Huang Xuan (The Golden Era) and Shota Sometani, who also appears...
Japanese actress Keiko Matsuzaka has joined the cast of Chen Kaige’s Kukai, co-produced by China’s New Classics Media and Japan’s Kadokawa, which is currently in production.
Based on a novel by Japanese author Baku Yumemakura, the film tells the story of a Japanese Buddhist monk who visits Tang Dynasty China to learn about its culture and civilisation.
The film, which will be distributed in Japan by Kadokawa and Toho, has been shooting in Hubei province in China since the end of July.
The casting was announced today at Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) at an event attended by Matsuzaka, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa and Yoshishige Shimatani, who head Kadowkawa and Toho respectively, and Japanese and Chinese government officials.
The film’s previously announced cast includes Chinese actor Huang Xuan (The Golden Era) and Shota Sometani, who also appears...
- 10/28/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
North America’s largest festival of new Japanese cinema, and pound-for-pound one of the most consistently rewarding film festivals on the planet, Japan Cuts grows more vital with every passing year. In part, that’s because Manhattan’s Japan Society has done a stellar job of cultivating a local audience, pouring resources into the annual celebration, and programming their slates in a way that appeals equally to cinephiles, otaku, and people who just want to see a movie about a guy who falls in love with his goldfish.
Unfortunately, Japan Cuts also grows more vital with every passing year because the domestic market for foreign film is withering away at a terrible rate, lowering the odds that you’ll ever get a second chance at seeing any of these exhilarating dispatches from the Land of the Rising Sun on the big screen.
This year’s fest, which runs from July...
Unfortunately, Japan Cuts also grows more vital with every passing year because the domestic market for foreign film is withering away at a terrible rate, lowering the odds that you’ll ever get a second chance at seeing any of these exhilarating dispatches from the Land of the Rising Sun on the big screen.
This year’s fest, which runs from July...
- 7/14/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Kabukicho Love HotelSTORY75%DIRECTION72%ACTING80%VISUALS71%POSITIVESVery entertaining, including drama, comedy and sexDisillusioned depiction of the love hotel concept and the sex industry in generalGreat acting by all the actorsNEGATIVESThe minor promotion stunt with Atsuko Maeda2016-07-0175%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (1 Vote)90%
Ryuichi Hiroki combines his pinku past with his social film present to portray a plethora of stories that occur during a 24-hour period and interweave through a love hotel in Tokyo’s Red Light district.
Saya is a singer-songwriter who tries to take the next step in her career. She lives with Toru, and although the two of them are in love, the sex has stopped. Toru supposedly works for a five star hotel, but actually is a front desk attendant in a love hotel called Atlas. Mena is a Korean call girl that meets her clients in Atlas. This is her last day in the job, since...
Ryuichi Hiroki combines his pinku past with his social film present to portray a plethora of stories that occur during a 24-hour period and interweave through a love hotel in Tokyo’s Red Light district.
Saya is a singer-songwriter who tries to take the next step in her career. She lives with Toru, and although the two of them are in love, the sex has stopped. Toru supposedly works for a five star hotel, but actually is a front desk attendant in a love hotel called Atlas. Mena is a Korean call girl that meets her clients in Atlas. This is her last day in the job, since...
- 7/1/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit the interwebs. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
The Boy and the Beast (Mamoru Hosoda)
Two worlds collide once young Kyuta (Shôta Sometani) and warrior Kumatetsu (Kôji Yakusho) meet in Mamoru Hosoda‘s The Boy and the Beast. The former was recently orphaned after his mother’s death (she had divorced his father years ago and her family refuses to get in touch with him), currently working his way towards becoming a solitary street...
The Boy and the Beast (Mamoru Hosoda)
Two worlds collide once young Kyuta (Shôta Sometani) and warrior Kumatetsu (Kôji Yakusho) meet in Mamoru Hosoda‘s The Boy and the Beast. The former was recently orphaned after his mother’s death (she had divorced his father years ago and her family refuses to get in touch with him), currently working his way towards becoming a solitary street...
- 6/10/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Two worlds collide once young Kyuta (Shôta Sometani) and warrior Kumatetsu (Kôji Yakusho) meet in Mamoru Hosoda‘s The Boy and the Beast. The former was recently orphaned after his mother’s death (she had divorced his father years ago and her family refuses to get in touch with him), currently working his way towards becoming a solitary street urchin full of dark rage aimed at the human race for causing him such pain. The latter is a candidate to replace the Beast Kingdom Jutengai’s lord—a fighter of immense power but little discipline who probably won’t stand a chance against his opponent Iozan (Kazuhiro Yamaji). One needs a father and the other an apprentice. One to learn strength and love while the other discovers humility and patience’s immense value.
It’s all pretty familiar—at the beginning. The film’s first half can get tedious as a result.
It’s all pretty familiar—at the beginning. The film’s first half can get tedious as a result.
- 3/2/2016
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
★★★★☆ According to an octogenarian emcee as she lays down some beats on a neon-drenched intersection of sprawling graffiti-laden alleyways, Sion Sono's Tokyo Tribe (2014) is "comin' at ya from the ass-end of hell." The Japanese gonzo director prefers his dials turned up to eleven and that's most certainly the intention with this, a dystopian gangland bubblegum hip-hopera in which there's mayhem on the streets and almost every word is rapped. Hurling a million and one things at the screen at all times, it's both an adrenaline shot and an exhausting experience. It's also eye-popping, loud and riotous fun. A fresh-faced narrator (Shôta Sometani) stalks through this grimy warren to outline the evening's entertainment.
- 6/15/2015
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Stars: Takayuki Yamada, Howard Harris, Fumi Nikaidô, Shôta Sometani, Hideaki Itô, Ruth Sundell, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Rio Kanno, Yukito Nishii, Ken’ichi Takitô, Daniel Genalo, Noriko Nakagoshi, Erina Mizuno, Fujiko Kojima, Kento Hayashi | Written and Directed by Takashi Miike
I learnt from watching Audition that you never take Takashi Miike movies at face value, he won’t let you. That movie was my introduction into the twisted world of the director, and this is the reason he has quickly become one of my favourites. From horror to gangsters, historical and even school movies like Crows Zero he shows a flexibility and an ability to bring fun to his work, while also masterfully handling the extremes. Lesson of Evil is a movie that risks coming across as boring especially in the first half when it is setting the scene for the violence to come. Whether you find it dull or the characters interest you,...
I learnt from watching Audition that you never take Takashi Miike movies at face value, he won’t let you. That movie was my introduction into the twisted world of the director, and this is the reason he has quickly become one of my favourites. From horror to gangsters, historical and even school movies like Crows Zero he shows a flexibility and an ability to bring fun to his work, while also masterfully handling the extremes. Lesson of Evil is a movie that risks coming across as boring especially in the first half when it is setting the scene for the violence to come. Whether you find it dull or the characters interest you,...
- 9/30/2014
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
The latest installment of the Japanese Ringu series is making its way to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download in the Us on June 4th. If you’re interested in learning more about Sadako 3D, we’ve been provided with the official trailer and three clips from the movie.
“The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher in a high school where...
“The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher in a high school where...
- 6/1/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Around these parts we are big fans of the Japanese Ring films. Hell, even the American version of The Ring was pretty good. Sure, the Japanese TV show sucked and the American The Ring 2 left Lots to be desired, so we're hoping Sadako 3D can right some wrongs.
From the Press Release
The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher...
From the Press Release
The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher...
- 4/8/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The latest installment of the Japanese Ringu series is making its way to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download in the Us, and we have the first release details:
“The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher in a high school where students are mysteriously committing suicide after viewing a video hosted on the internet. She discovers that a deranged artist is...
“The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher in a high school where students are mysteriously committing suicide after viewing a video hosted on the internet. She discovers that a deranged artist is...
- 4/8/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening Ringu franchise with Sadako 3D, debuting on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film debuted last year overseas.
Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long-haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more.
The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher in a high school where students are mysteriously committing suicide after viewing a video hosted on the internet. She discovers that a deranged artist is trying to bring Sadako back to life.
Read more...
Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (High School Review) brings back the long-haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more.
The cast includes Satomi Ishihara (Moonlight Mask), Kôji Seto (Runway Beat), Tsutomu Takahashi (Aragure) and Shôta Sometani (The Intermission). Akane Aikawa (Ishihara) works as a teacher in a high school where students are mysteriously committing suicide after viewing a video hosted on the internet. She discovers that a deranged artist is trying to bring Sadako back to life.
Read more...
- 4/8/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Himizu
Stars: Shôta Sometani, Fumi Nikaidô, Tetsu Watanabe | Written and Directed by Shion Sono
When we are teenagers as much as we don’t want to admit it we need our parents. Whether it’s to look up to them or revile them for what they do they still help to shape our view of the world and set us on the road to what will be our own life. In Himizu though Shion Song looks at what happens when there is no road to the future, when the earthquake in Japan has taken away a boys hope to the point of losing who he is.
Sumida is a fourteen year old boy who believes he does not look to the future, he just lives for the now and expects nothing from life but hatred and abuse from his parents. He feels he needs nobody and walks through life giving...
Stars: Shôta Sometani, Fumi Nikaidô, Tetsu Watanabe | Written and Directed by Shion Sono
When we are teenagers as much as we don’t want to admit it we need our parents. Whether it’s to look up to them or revile them for what they do they still help to shape our view of the world and set us on the road to what will be our own life. In Himizu though Shion Song looks at what happens when there is no road to the future, when the earthquake in Japan has taken away a boys hope to the point of losing who he is.
Sumida is a fourteen year old boy who believes he does not look to the future, he just lives for the now and expects nothing from life but hatred and abuse from his parents. He feels he needs nobody and walks through life giving...
- 8/9/2012
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
Following last week’s release of The Players, with Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist) co-starring in the lead, we have a handful of new international films reaching the shelves this week, with three more films from France and two from Asia leading the pack.
We’ve also got a few excellent films to add to Play.com’s exclusive new Blu-ray Steelbook releases, in tandem with Universal’s 100th Anniversary, so with that in mind:
My picks of the week:
Shion Sono’s Himizu & David and Stéphane Foenkinos’ Delicacy
With the Blu-ray Steelbook re-release of Serenity a must-buy for fans/collectors.
Himizu Iframe Embed for Youtube
DVD and Blu-ray
Debuting at the Venice Film Festival last year, where it came away with the Marcello Mastroianni Award, Shion Sono’s Himizu has been receiving critical acclaim ever since in its film festivals tour ever since. The film was given a limited...
We’ve also got a few excellent films to add to Play.com’s exclusive new Blu-ray Steelbook releases, in tandem with Universal’s 100th Anniversary, so with that in mind:
My picks of the week:
Shion Sono’s Himizu & David and Stéphane Foenkinos’ Delicacy
With the Blu-ray Steelbook re-release of Serenity a must-buy for fans/collectors.
Himizu Iframe Embed for Youtube
DVD and Blu-ray
Debuting at the Venice Film Festival last year, where it came away with the Marcello Mastroianni Award, Shion Sono’s Himizu has been receiving critical acclaim ever since in its film festivals tour ever since. The film was given a limited...
- 8/6/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Lesson of the Evil Trailer. Takashi Miike‘s Lesson of the Evil (2012) teaser trailer stars Hideaki Itô, Jab, Takayuki Yamada, Shôta Sometani, and Fumi Nikaidô. Lesson of the Evil‘s plot synopsis: an adaptation of Yusuke Kishi’s novel Aku No Kyoten, ”A popular high school teacher concocts an extreme plan to deal with the rise of bullying and [...]
The post Lesson Of The Evil (2012) Teaser Trailer: Takashi Miike, Hideaki Itô appeared first on Film-Book.com.
Continue reading: Lesson Of The Evil (2012) Teaser Trailer: Takashi Miike, Hideaki Itô...
The post Lesson Of The Evil (2012) Teaser Trailer: Takashi Miike, Hideaki Itô appeared first on Film-Book.com.
Continue reading: Lesson Of The Evil (2012) Teaser Trailer: Takashi Miike, Hideaki Itô...
- 7/19/2012
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The Angels' Share (15)
(Ken Loach, 2012, UK/Fra) Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Roger Allam, William Ruane. 101 mins
If anyone can cut it at Cannes, Ken can, and this recent surprise Jury Prize-winner sees Loach doing what he does so well: dignifying ordinary lives and chronicling social history as it happens. The tone is a little lighter this time, though, as we follow a violent young offender's potentially fruitful encounter with the whisky industry, thus bringing together the best and worst of Scotland.
Prometheus (15)
(Ridley Scott, 2012, Us) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron. 124 mins
With all the zealous promotion and yet tight secrecy, this long-awaited Alien prequel couldn't live up to fans' expectations, could it? There's no way of telling at the time of writing, so let's just say it'll be a brilliant triumph, and a complete disaster.
The Turin Horse (15)
(Béla Tarr, 2011, Hun/Fra/Ger/Swi/Us) János Derszi,...
(Ken Loach, 2012, UK/Fra) Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Roger Allam, William Ruane. 101 mins
If anyone can cut it at Cannes, Ken can, and this recent surprise Jury Prize-winner sees Loach doing what he does so well: dignifying ordinary lives and chronicling social history as it happens. The tone is a little lighter this time, though, as we follow a violent young offender's potentially fruitful encounter with the whisky industry, thus bringing together the best and worst of Scotland.
Prometheus (15)
(Ridley Scott, 2012, Us) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron. 124 mins
With all the zealous promotion and yet tight secrecy, this long-awaited Alien prequel couldn't live up to fans' expectations, could it? There's no way of telling at the time of writing, so let's just say it'll be a brilliant triumph, and a complete disaster.
The Turin Horse (15)
(Béla Tarr, 2011, Hun/Fra/Ger/Swi/Us) János Derszi,...
- 6/1/2012
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Himizu quickly rushes to cement itself in our minds with a powerful opening portion, displaying the grim devastation of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March of last year. With a filmography that is littered with controversial gems like Suicide Circle and, more recently, Cold Fish, this is the sort of confronting work we should expect from director Shion Sono, but most interestingly, the manga upon which it is based predates the disaster by a full decade. Ingeniously imbuing the source material with a completely new context, Sono has crafted an uneven but worthwhile look at survival – both physical and spiritual – in light of grave circumstances.
There are no sound stages here, just the depressing reality of people sifting through the wreckage of their homes and indeed, their lives. This authentic footage is mixed into the drama unfolding between students Sumida (Shôta Sometani) and Keiko (Fumi Nikaidô), both who are neglected,...
Himizu quickly rushes to cement itself in our minds with a powerful opening portion, displaying the grim devastation of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March of last year. With a filmography that is littered with controversial gems like Suicide Circle and, more recently, Cold Fish, this is the sort of confronting work we should expect from director Shion Sono, but most interestingly, the manga upon which it is based predates the disaster by a full decade. Ingeniously imbuing the source material with a completely new context, Sono has crafted an uneven but worthwhile look at survival – both physical and spiritual – in light of grave circumstances.
There are no sound stages here, just the depressing reality of people sifting through the wreckage of their homes and indeed, their lives. This authentic footage is mixed into the drama unfolding between students Sumida (Shôta Sometani) and Keiko (Fumi Nikaidô), both who are neglected,...
- 6/1/2012
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
Weaving images of the tsunami into a manga-adapted plot, Sion Sono touches on great themes of our time
Japanese poet-provocateur Sion Sono was adapting a popular manga – concerning a teenager's thwarted desire to live as peacefully as the humble himizu ("mole") – when the 2011 tsunami struck the Japanese mainland. Mobilising a rapid-response film crew, he has captured not only staggering images that exemplify our tumbledown world but what may become one of the great themes of our time: how the young will bear the yoke of elders who've been wiped out – financially, geographically, emotionally – by recent events. Sono retains his go-for-the-throat approach, but the violence here somehow connects with the brutal economic conditions, and he fosters very tender, affecting performances from Shôta Sometani and Fumi Nikaidô as his crushed young lovers.
Rating: 4/5
World cinemaDramaMike McCahill
guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use...
Japanese poet-provocateur Sion Sono was adapting a popular manga – concerning a teenager's thwarted desire to live as peacefully as the humble himizu ("mole") – when the 2011 tsunami struck the Japanese mainland. Mobilising a rapid-response film crew, he has captured not only staggering images that exemplify our tumbledown world but what may become one of the great themes of our time: how the young will bear the yoke of elders who've been wiped out – financially, geographically, emotionally – by recent events. Sono retains his go-for-the-throat approach, but the violence here somehow connects with the brutal economic conditions, and he fosters very tender, affecting performances from Shôta Sometani and Fumi Nikaidô as his crushed young lovers.
Rating: 4/5
World cinemaDramaMike McCahill
guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use...
- 5/31/2012
- by Mike McCahill
- The Guardian - Film News
Oscar Season Officially Begins! Check Out Complete List of Winners of the 68th Venice Film Festival!
Official Awards of the 68th Venice Film Festival
Venezia 68
Golden Lion for Best Film
Faust by Aleksander Sokurov (Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director
Shangjun Cai for the film Ren Shan Ren Hai (People Mountain People Sea) (China - Hong Kong)
Special Jury Prize
Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese (Italy)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
Michael Fassbender in the film Shame by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actress
Deanie Yip in the film Tao jie (A Simple Life) by Ann Hui (China - Hong Kong)
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress
Shôta Sometani and Fumi Nikaidô in the film Himizu by Sion Sono (Japan)
Osella for the Best Cinematography
Robbie Ryan for the film Wuthering Heights by Andrea Arnold (United Kingdom)
Osella for Best Screenplay
Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou for the film Alpis (Alps) by Yorgos Lanthimos (Grecia)
Lion of the Future -...
Venezia 68
Golden Lion for Best Film
Faust by Aleksander Sokurov (Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director
Shangjun Cai for the film Ren Shan Ren Hai (People Mountain People Sea) (China - Hong Kong)
Special Jury Prize
Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese (Italy)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
Michael Fassbender in the film Shame by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actress
Deanie Yip in the film Tao jie (A Simple Life) by Ann Hui (China - Hong Kong)
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress
Shôta Sometani and Fumi Nikaidô in the film Himizu by Sion Sono (Japan)
Osella for the Best Cinematography
Robbie Ryan for the film Wuthering Heights by Andrea Arnold (United Kingdom)
Osella for Best Screenplay
Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou for the film Alpis (Alps) by Yorgos Lanthimos (Grecia)
Lion of the Future -...
- 9/12/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Faust directed by Aleksander Sokurov of Russia won the Golden Lion for the Best Film at the 68th Venice International Film Festival. The festival came to a close on September 10 with the award ceremony.
The Special Jury prize went to Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese of Italy.
Fipresci Prizes went to Shame directed by Steve McQueen of UK and Two Years at Sea directed by Ben Rivers of UK.
The Indian films that were presented at the festival are Amit Dutta’s Sonchidi and Gurvinder Singh’s Anhey Ghore Da Daan (Alms of the Blind Horse).
Official Awards of the 68th Venice Film Festival
Golden Lion for Best Film
Faust by Aleksander Sokurov (Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director
Shangjun Cai for the film Ren Shan Ren Hai (People Mountain People Sea) (China – Hong Kong)
Special Jury Prize
Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese (Italy)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
Michael Fassbender in...
The Special Jury prize went to Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese of Italy.
Fipresci Prizes went to Shame directed by Steve McQueen of UK and Two Years at Sea directed by Ben Rivers of UK.
The Indian films that were presented at the festival are Amit Dutta’s Sonchidi and Gurvinder Singh’s Anhey Ghore Da Daan (Alms of the Blind Horse).
Official Awards of the 68th Venice Film Festival
Golden Lion for Best Film
Faust by Aleksander Sokurov (Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director
Shangjun Cai for the film Ren Shan Ren Hai (People Mountain People Sea) (China – Hong Kong)
Special Jury Prize
Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese (Italy)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
Michael Fassbender in...
- 9/11/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Jose here.
Earlier today the 68th Venice Film Festival came to an end. Awards were given out to what seem to be some strange choices (gotta love when quriky jury members choose the most obscure people, no?)
with the Golden Lion (Best Picture) going to Alexander Sokurov's Faust.
Just yesterday, our awesome correspondent from Venice mentioned how people expected this one to win and yet it doesn't even show up in the critical consensus. That must've been a dark horse if there ever was one. Apologies to the actual Dark Horse which came out empty handed.
The complete list of winners:
Golden Lion - Faust (Alexander Sokurov, Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director - Shangjun Cai for Ren shan ren hai/People Mountain People Sea (China)
Special jury Prize - Terraferma (Emanuele Crialese, Italy)
Volpi Cup for Best Actor - Michael Fassbender for Shame (Steve McQueen, UK)
Volpi Cup...
Earlier today the 68th Venice Film Festival came to an end. Awards were given out to what seem to be some strange choices (gotta love when quriky jury members choose the most obscure people, no?)
with the Golden Lion (Best Picture) going to Alexander Sokurov's Faust.
Just yesterday, our awesome correspondent from Venice mentioned how people expected this one to win and yet it doesn't even show up in the critical consensus. That must've been a dark horse if there ever was one. Apologies to the actual Dark Horse which came out empty handed.
The complete list of winners:
Golden Lion - Faust (Alexander Sokurov, Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director - Shangjun Cai for Ren shan ren hai/People Mountain People Sea (China)
Special jury Prize - Terraferma (Emanuele Crialese, Italy)
Volpi Cup for Best Actor - Michael Fassbender for Shame (Steve McQueen, UK)
Volpi Cup...
- 9/10/2011
- by Jose
- FilmExperience
Getty Actors Anton Adasinskiy, Johannes Zeiler, director Aleksander Sokurov, Festival Director Marco Muller, producer Andrey Sigle and guests attend the ‘Faust’ premiere during the 68th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on September 8, 2011 in Venice, Italy.
Russian director Aleksander Sokurov’s “Faust” won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday night.
Sokurov has described “Faust” — a new interpretation of Goethe’s tragedy — as the last installment of his four films exploring the “nature of power,...
Russian director Aleksander Sokurov’s “Faust” won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday night.
Sokurov has described “Faust” — a new interpretation of Goethe’s tragedy — as the last installment of his four films exploring the “nature of power,...
- 9/10/2011
- by Dean Napolitano
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
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