Japan cinema

JFF Theater: PROJECT DREAMS: HOW TO BUILD MAZINGER Z’S HANGAR Review: An ode to enthusiasm driven by Go Nagai´s legacy

Based on true events, this crazy film tells us in a light-hearted and comedic tone the story behind the Japanese construction company Maeda, and the project they carried out to design the hangar to store the Mazinger Z robot and replicate his epic exit to the surface. Showing a lot of love for Go Nagai’s legacy, and featuring a multitude of references to it, the film moves at a frenetic pace, even allowing itself to include a shy little romance between two of its characters, giving the plot large doses of comedy and a few touches of inevitable nostalgia, gradually building up an ode to enthusiasm so energetic and contagious that it makes you feel like Koji Kabuto at the controls of Mazinger Z. Along with the characters, we participate in the gestation of the project and the many obstacles they had to overcome to turn their crazy idea into […]

THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- Delivers A First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

This week, a brand new teaser aired publicly for The Next Generation -Patlabor-. The teaser marks the latest revival of the classic franchise based on Headgear’s award-winning 1988 manga/anime property, newly reapproached for a seven-part twelve-episode live-action serial reboot that follows up the previous stories with a fresh new plot and cast of characters. Directed and co-written by Headgear’s own Mamoru Oshii with screenwriter Kei Yamamura, The Next Generation -Patlabor- stars Toshio Kakei, Erina Mano, Seiji Fukushi, Rina Ohta and Shigeru Chiba. The series is set to air beginning on April 5, 2014 at Japan’s Shinjuku Piccadilly theater, prior to the upcoming feature film in 2015. SERIES SYNOPSIS: Following the development of the humanoid work machines called Labors, technology propelled forward at a high speed, eventually resulting in the use of Labors in all facets of society. With global warming causing the rising of sea levels around Tokyo, and the […]

Three Brothers Defend The Spirit Of Martial Arts In TAEKWONDO DAMASHII: REBIRTH

Lee B. Golden III

Set for domestic release on February 15, 2014 courtesy of Toei Video, writer and director Hideyuki Katsuki‘s newest film, Taekwondo Damashii: Rebirth is looking to make history as the first Taekwondo-themed martial arts action picture in Japanese cinema history, with full backing of the Japan branch of the International Taekwondo Federation. The latest 30-second spot is now online and you can check it out below, courtesy of Eigapedia. Taekwondo Damashii: Rebirth stars martial artist and Kamen Rider Decade star Masahiro Inoue, and actors Ryoma Baba, and Kyosuke Hamao, with Kazushige Nagashima, Rina Koike, Seiran Kobayashi, and Renji Ishibashi rounding out the cast. SYNOPSIS: Three brothers are involved in a family conflict over which one of them will be heir to the family taekwondo dojo. One day, they accidentally wander into a mysterious forest where they’re confronted by waves of enemies which they must keep defeating with their taekwondo skills in […]

Hiro Mizushima Flies In The New Full Trailer For BLACK BUTLER

Lee B. Golden III

After two teasers and several BTS cut-clips were released online, a new full trailer is now available for the upcoming feature-length live action manga re-imagining of Black Buter. Spun off from Yana Toboso’s original 2006 manga, the latest vision from directors Kentaro Otani and Keiichi Sato stars Hiro Mizushima and Ayame Gôriki in a story of the youngest daughter of a wealthy family in a futuristic Victorian-era London, who, prior to changing her identity as the son in order to inherit control of her family’s wealth, summons a killer demon in the form of Sebastian Michaelis, to help her avenge the death of her parents in exchange for her soul. Featuring action choreography by Ouchi Takahito, Black Butler also stars Ohno Takuro, Yuka, Kaito Ken, Mizuki Yamamoto, Maruyama Tomomi, Shirota Yu, Yasuda Ken, Hashimoto Satoshi, Shigaki Taro, Ibu Masato and Kishitani Goro. The film will release in domestically on January 18, 2014. SYNOPSIS: […]

Ken Watanabe Gets An Offer He Can't Refuse In UNFORGIVEN (Yurusarezaru Mono)

Lee B. Golden III

I have always enjoyed Ken Watanabe‘s film performances ever since he starred in The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise back in 2003. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by the possibilities of roles he could play in future Hollywood productions. That said, fans of Japanese cinema may want to catch on to his latest film, Yurusarezaru Mono, directed by Sang Il-Lee. The film is a remake of the 1992 award-winning western picture, Unforgiven, which starred and was directed by Clint Eastwood, along with Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman and Richard Harris co-starring. And while Sang’s 2013 remake looks more dramatic than anything, the film is said to be a jidaigeki samurai re-imagining. It sounds and looks pretty bold, and I can’t wait to see it. Sang Il-Lee film the movie late last year with star Ken Watanabe in the lead role, along with Yuga Yagira, Koichi Sato and Jun Kunimura. The film […]