However hard it is to expand the canon, legwork must always be done. In my own time I’ve seen the understanding of mid-century Japanese cinema expand, however marginally, from Kurosawa alone to Ozu and Mizoguchi; it may be now that we place room for their contemporary Hiroshi Shimizu, whose films are subject of a two-part, cross-borough retrospective beginning next week. On May 4, Queens’ Museum of the Moving Image launches Part I: The Shochiku Years; May 16 will bring Part II: The Postwar and Independent Years to Manhattan’s Japan Society. In total the series spans 27 films, all shown on 35mm prints “imported from collections and archives in Japan.” We are accordingly thrilled to debut its trailer.
Here’s the series’ synopsis: “An unsung master of Japanese cinema, Hiroshi Shimizu (1903–1966) was highly regarded by contemporaries Yasujirō Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi for his seemingly effortless formal ingenuity, distinguished by his signature linear traveling shots and his naturalistic,...
Here’s the series’ synopsis: “An unsung master of Japanese cinema, Hiroshi Shimizu (1903–1966) was highly regarded by contemporaries Yasujirō Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi for his seemingly effortless formal ingenuity, distinguished by his signature linear traveling shots and his naturalistic,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
The sci-fi classic Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright and Jeff Goldblum) is out now on 4K Uhd (Blu-ray) and Limited Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
Remakes of great films are usually on a hiding to nothing, but Philip Kaufman’s brilliant update of the 1956 classic Invasion Of The Body Snatchers is a rare and memorable exception. Transposing the action to the heart of San Francisco allows Kaufman to retain all the suspense of Jack Finney’s original story while adding caustic social commentary about the selfishness of the 1970s “me generation” that remains all too relevant today.
But it’s a paranoid thriller first and foremost, based on one of the most psychologically terrifying of all premises – what happens when you can no longer trust not just the authorities but even your nearest and dearest?
Synopsis:
When health official Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams...
Remakes of great films are usually on a hiding to nothing, but Philip Kaufman’s brilliant update of the 1956 classic Invasion Of The Body Snatchers is a rare and memorable exception. Transposing the action to the heart of San Francisco allows Kaufman to retain all the suspense of Jack Finney’s original story while adding caustic social commentary about the selfishness of the 1970s “me generation” that remains all too relevant today.
But it’s a paranoid thriller first and foremost, based on one of the most psychologically terrifying of all premises – what happens when you can no longer trust not just the authorities but even your nearest and dearest?
Synopsis:
When health official Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams...
- 4/3/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Even though "Godzilla Minus One" has ended its record-breaking theatrical run in North America, the film's legacy will undoubtedly endure well beyond the silver screen. To that end, the folks at Mondo have announced the release of a brand new poster based on director Takashi Yamazaki's widely acclaimed monster movie, and it's very much deserving of some wall space for fans of the King of the Monsters.
The poster was cooked up by illustrator Tony Stella and captures this new, terrifying incarnation of Godzilla in all of his powerful, destructive glory. The image was inspired by the film's epic attack in Japan when the monster lays waste to the country just after it had begun picking up the pieces in the aftermath of World War II. Stella uses a hand-painted style that adds a lot of character to the poster while staying very true to what Yamazaki cooked up.
The poster was cooked up by illustrator Tony Stella and captures this new, terrifying incarnation of Godzilla in all of his powerful, destructive glory. The image was inspired by the film's epic attack in Japan when the monster lays waste to the country just after it had begun picking up the pieces in the aftermath of World War II. Stella uses a hand-painted style that adds a lot of character to the poster while staying very true to what Yamazaki cooked up.
- 2/6/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Now up for pre-order, Vinegar Syndrome is bringing Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 to 4K Ultra HD later this month, the film newly scanned and restored in 4K!
Pre-orders ship on or around the ship date of October 25, and you can grab the Standard Edition or the Limited Slipcase Edition from Vinegar Syndrome’s website right now.
The special limited edition hard case + slipcover (designed by Tony Stella) is limited to 10,000 units and is only available at VinegarSyndrome.com.
Special Features for the release include…
4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray Set 4K Uhd presented in High-Dynamic-Range Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative Presented with it’s original 2.0 stereo theatrical mix Brand new audio commentary with film critic Patrick Bromley Audio commentary with director Tobe Hooper Audio commentary with actors Bill Moseley, Caroline Williams and special effects makeup creator Tom Savini Audio commentary...
Pre-orders ship on or around the ship date of October 25, and you can grab the Standard Edition or the Limited Slipcase Edition from Vinegar Syndrome’s website right now.
The special limited edition hard case + slipcover (designed by Tony Stella) is limited to 10,000 units and is only available at VinegarSyndrome.com.
Special Features for the release include…
4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray Set 4K Uhd presented in High-Dynamic-Range Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative Presented with it’s original 2.0 stereo theatrical mix Brand new audio commentary with film critic Patrick Bromley Audio commentary with director Tobe Hooper Audio commentary with actors Bill Moseley, Caroline Williams and special effects makeup creator Tom Savini Audio commentary...
- 10/3/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
“Fate’s the one to blame!”
Lies and Deceit: Five Films by Claude Chabrol – a new 5-disc set will be available on Blu-ray February 22nd from Arrow Video
Too often overlooked and undervalued, Claude Chabrol was the first of the Cahiers du Cinema critics to release a feature film and would be among the most prolific. The sneaky anarchist of the French New Wave, he embraced genre as a means off lifting the lid on human nature. Nothing is sacred and nothing is certain in the films of Claude Chabrol. Anything can be corrupted, and usually will be.
Arrow Video is proud to present Lies & deceit: Five Films by Claude Chabrol. Featuring Cop Au Vin (Poulet au vinaigre), Inspector Lavardin, Madame Bovary, Betty and Torment (L’enfer), this inaugural collection of Claude Chabrol on Blu-ray brings together a wealth of passionate contributors and archival extras to shed fresh light...
Lies and Deceit: Five Films by Claude Chabrol – a new 5-disc set will be available on Blu-ray February 22nd from Arrow Video
Too often overlooked and undervalued, Claude Chabrol was the first of the Cahiers du Cinema critics to release a feature film and would be among the most prolific. The sneaky anarchist of the French New Wave, he embraced genre as a means off lifting the lid on human nature. Nothing is sacred and nothing is certain in the films of Claude Chabrol. Anything can be corrupted, and usually will be.
Arrow Video is proud to present Lies & deceit: Five Films by Claude Chabrol. Featuring Cop Au Vin (Poulet au vinaigre), Inspector Lavardin, Madame Bovary, Betty and Torment (L’enfer), this inaugural collection of Claude Chabrol on Blu-ray brings together a wealth of passionate contributors and archival extras to shed fresh light...
- 1/17/2022
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“Hey listen! Some great news! Chi-Hao’s beat up Chen Lang down at Chen Sun House.”
Shawscope Volume One , a 10-Disc Mega-Box Set with Twelve Movies featuring Hong Kong’s biggest stars will be available December 28th from Arrow Video
After an undisputed reign at the peak of Hong Kong’s film industry in the 1960s, Shaw Brothers (the studio founded by real-life brothers Run Run and Runme Shaw) found their dominance challenged by up-and-coming rivals in the early 1970s. They swiftly responded by producing hundreds of the most iconic action films ever made, revolutionizing the genre through the hard work of top-shelf talent on both sides of the camera as well as unbeatable widescreen production value, much of it shot at ‘Movietown’, their huge, privately-owned studio on the outskirts of Hong Kong.
This inaugural collection by Arrow Video presents twelve jewels from the Shaw crown, all released within the 1970s,...
Shawscope Volume One , a 10-Disc Mega-Box Set with Twelve Movies featuring Hong Kong’s biggest stars will be available December 28th from Arrow Video
After an undisputed reign at the peak of Hong Kong’s film industry in the 1960s, Shaw Brothers (the studio founded by real-life brothers Run Run and Runme Shaw) found their dominance challenged by up-and-coming rivals in the early 1970s. They swiftly responded by producing hundreds of the most iconic action films ever made, revolutionizing the genre through the hard work of top-shelf talent on both sides of the camera as well as unbeatable widescreen production value, much of it shot at ‘Movietown’, their huge, privately-owned studio on the outskirts of Hong Kong.
This inaugural collection by Arrow Video presents twelve jewels from the Shaw crown, all released within the 1970s,...
- 11/23/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Yasuzô Masumura’s Blind Beast (1969) will be available on Blu-ray August 24th from Arrow Video
Blind Beast is a grotesque portrait of the bizarre relationship between a blind sculptor and his captive muse, adapted from a short story from Japans foremost master of the macabre, Edogawa Rampo.
An artists model, Aki (Mako Midori), is abducted, and awakens in a dark warehouse studio whose walls are decorated with outsized womens body parts eyes, lips, legs and breasts and dominated by two recumbent giant statues of male and female nudes. Her kidnapper introduces himself as Michio (Eiji Funakoshi), a blind sculptor whom she had witnessed previously at an exhibition in which she featured intently caressing a statue of her naked torso. Michio announces his intention of using her to sculpt the perfect female form. At first defiant, she eventually succumbs to his intense fixation on her body and finds herself drawn into his sightless world,...
Blind Beast is a grotesque portrait of the bizarre relationship between a blind sculptor and his captive muse, adapted from a short story from Japans foremost master of the macabre, Edogawa Rampo.
An artists model, Aki (Mako Midori), is abducted, and awakens in a dark warehouse studio whose walls are decorated with outsized womens body parts eyes, lips, legs and breasts and dominated by two recumbent giant statues of male and female nudes. Her kidnapper introduces himself as Michio (Eiji Funakoshi), a blind sculptor whom she had witnessed previously at an exhibition in which she featured intently caressing a statue of her naked torso. Michio announces his intention of using her to sculpt the perfect female form. At first defiant, she eventually succumbs to his intense fixation on her body and finds herself drawn into his sightless world,...
- 7/25/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Yasuzo Masumura’s Irezumi (1966) will be available on Blu-ray June 22nd From Arrow Video
Drawn from the pen of one of Japan’s foremost writers of the 20th century, Junichiro Tanizaki, Irezumi is a stylish tale of lust, betrayal and revenge directed by Yasuzo Masumura.
Masumura’s muse Ayako Wakao stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father’s, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya’s beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya’s back marks her as the property of another man, radically altering her relationships with all around her as her personality transforms under its influence.
Available for the first time outside of Japan in a new 4K restoration,...
Drawn from the pen of one of Japan’s foremost writers of the 20th century, Junichiro Tanizaki, Irezumi is a stylish tale of lust, betrayal and revenge directed by Yasuzo Masumura.
Masumura’s muse Ayako Wakao stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father’s, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya’s beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya’s back marks her as the property of another man, radically altering her relationships with all around her as her personality transforms under its influence.
Available for the first time outside of Japan in a new 4K restoration,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Yasuzô Masumura’s Giants And Toys (1958) Special Edition will be available on Blu-ray May 11th from Arrow Video
Giants and Toys is a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry.
As a new recruit to the marketing department of World Caramel, fresh-faced graduate Nishi (Hiroshi Kawaguchi) is eager to impress his ambitious and hard-nosed boss Goda (Black Test Car’s Hideo Takamatsu), even if it strains his relationships with his college friend Yokoyama (Koichi Fujiyama) and budding love interest Masami (Michiko Ono), who work at the rival companies of Giant and Apollo. With World’s lead over its competitors slipping badly, the two spot a chance to get back in the race in the shape of the pretty but unsophisticated 18-year-old, Kyoko (Hitomi Nozoe). Goda and Nishi get to work polishing this rough diamond as their new campaign girl,...
Giants and Toys is a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry.
As a new recruit to the marketing department of World Caramel, fresh-faced graduate Nishi (Hiroshi Kawaguchi) is eager to impress his ambitious and hard-nosed boss Goda (Black Test Car’s Hideo Takamatsu), even if it strains his relationships with his college friend Yokoyama (Koichi Fujiyama) and budding love interest Masami (Michiko Ono), who work at the rival companies of Giant and Apollo. With World’s lead over its competitors slipping badly, the two spot a chance to get back in the race in the shape of the pretty but unsophisticated 18-year-old, Kyoko (Hitomi Nozoe). Goda and Nishi get to work polishing this rough diamond as their new campaign girl,...
- 4/14/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
We have an eclectic array of home media offerings coming out this week, led by the latest from Neil Marshall, The Reckoning. Shadow in the Cloud, featuring Chloë Grace Moretz, is also headed to Blu-ray and DVD this Tuesday, and if you missed the previous release of the Shinya Tsukamoto set from Arrow, they are releasing a standard Special Edition version of Solid Metal Nightmares as well.
Other Blu and DVD releases making their debut on April 6th include Doors, Sleepless, Dawn of the Beast, Lurking in the Woods, and Killer Karaoke.
The Reckoning
After losing her husband during the Great Plague, Grace Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk) is unjustly accused of being a witch and placed in the custody of England’s most ruthless witch-hunter, Judge Moorcroft (Sean Pertwee). Forced to endure physical and emotional torture while steadfastly maintaining her innocence, Grace must face her own inner demons as the Devil...
Other Blu and DVD releases making their debut on April 6th include Doors, Sleepless, Dawn of the Beast, Lurking in the Woods, and Killer Karaoke.
The Reckoning
After losing her husband during the Great Plague, Grace Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk) is unjustly accused of being a witch and placed in the custody of England’s most ruthless witch-hunter, Judge Moorcroft (Sean Pertwee). Forced to endure physical and emotional torture while steadfastly maintaining her innocence, Grace must face her own inner demons as the Devil...
- 4/5/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Fetch Publicity releases the first 4K Blu-ray release outside of “Irezumi,” (1966) Yasuzo Masumura’s early masterwork, outside of Japan. The Blu-ray will be available on 21 June 2021.
From us: Yasuzo Masumura may be practically unknown to the west, but he is quite famous and respected in Japan, with filmmakers like Shinji Aoyama and Nagisa Oshima considering him as one of the precursors of the Japanese New Wave of the sixties, and one of the most important creators in postwar Japan. Irezumi is of the first films that established his exploitation style, which was later implemented in his most well known ones, like “Hanzo the Razor: The Snare” and “Blind Beast.”…“Irezumi” is an exploitation film of rare quality that will definitely satisfy fans of the genre, as it paved the way for the surge of the category that occurred in the 70’s.” (Panos Kotzathanasis)
From Fetch: Drawn from...
From us: Yasuzo Masumura may be practically unknown to the west, but he is quite famous and respected in Japan, with filmmakers like Shinji Aoyama and Nagisa Oshima considering him as one of the precursors of the Japanese New Wave of the sixties, and one of the most important creators in postwar Japan. Irezumi is of the first films that established his exploitation style, which was later implemented in his most well known ones, like “Hanzo the Razor: The Snare” and “Blind Beast.”…“Irezumi” is an exploitation film of rare quality that will definitely satisfy fans of the genre, as it paved the way for the surge of the category that occurred in the 70’s.” (Panos Kotzathanasis)
From Fetch: Drawn from...
- 4/3/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Survivor Ballads: Three Films by Shohei Imamura is currently available on a 3-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Academy
Throughout the 1980s, Shohei Imamura, a leading figure of the Japanese New Wave era of the 1960s, cemented his international reputation as one of the most important directors of his generation with a series of films that all competed at Cannes to great critical acclaim. This exclusive box set from Arrow Academy presents restored versions of three late career classics from the legendary filmmaker.
Based on an ancient folktale, The Ballad of Narayama (1983) was the first of two works from the director to win the prestigious Cannes Palme d Or. Imamura s magnum opus depicts the members of an extended farming family eking out their existence in the mountainous north of Japan against the backdrop of the changing seasons before village lore decrees they make the sacrifice of abandoning their aged...
Throughout the 1980s, Shohei Imamura, a leading figure of the Japanese New Wave era of the 1960s, cemented his international reputation as one of the most important directors of his generation with a series of films that all competed at Cannes to great critical acclaim. This exclusive box set from Arrow Academy presents restored versions of three late career classics from the legendary filmmaker.
Based on an ancient folktale, The Ballad of Narayama (1983) was the first of two works from the director to win the prestigious Cannes Palme d Or. Imamura s magnum opus depicts the members of an extended farming family eking out their existence in the mountainous north of Japan against the backdrop of the changing seasons before village lore decrees they make the sacrifice of abandoning their aged...
- 12/30/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The tough decisions were made and those few big releases holding onto their Christmas date are still moving forward—some for the few theaters that will remain open and some to hopefully drive holiday subscriptions to their respective studios’ streaming services. Does it signify a brave new distribution world? Probably not. Odds are that things go back to “normal” this time next year as long as another new virus doesn’t strike … and as long as our favorite theaters can survive what might be another lengthy hibernation.
It’s nevertheless weird to enter the month and know that the majority of awards contenders have been held to arrive in January and February (the so-called “dump months”) due to the extended Oscar schedule, but that doesn’t mean we’re without some important pieces to the puzzle. Thankfully the poster game knows it and excelled accordingly.
Minimal distractions
Why not lean...
It’s nevertheless weird to enter the month and know that the majority of awards contenders have been held to arrive in January and February (the so-called “dump months”) due to the extended Oscar schedule, but that doesn’t mean we’re without some important pieces to the puzzle. Thankfully the poster game knows it and excelled accordingly.
Minimal distractions
Why not lean...
- 12/2/2020
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
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