Father Geek here with the latest Asia-AICN Thursday morning column. There's some really good stuff in this week's report so make sure to check it all out. Whoa... FISTS OF FURY cooooool... BATTLE ROYALE can't wait to see this one... and India's new thriller KASOOR(Fault), I'll probably never see that one in a theatre. These and many more are in Darius' post today, check it all out!
Asia-AICN
Hey guys. Hope you're all in a great mood. We have lots of great news
for you this week including news on Sunny Deol's next film, some pics
from "Beastic Pupils" and info on an upcoming "Fist of Fury" remake with
Donnie Yen. Now here's the latest from Asia.
INDIA
Hey guys. Hope you're all in a great mood. We have lots of great news
for you this week including news on Sunny Deol's next film, some pics
from "Beastic Pupils" and info on an upcoming "Fist of Fury" remake with
Donnie Yen. Now here's the latest from Asia.
INDIA
- I generally don't start the column with bad news, but this is extremely important. It seems that the earthquake in Gujarat (a North-Eastern state in India) has taken the country by storm and this has affected Bollywood aswell. In fact as a result, most of the films scheduled to release in February have been bumped up by a month (or more). So far, only Kasoor (Fault) was released last Friday, and the next film to be released will be Shah Rukh starrer One Two Ka Four (One Two Then Four), which has been postponed till March 2nd. Other films releasing that day are Officer (with Sunil Shetty and Raveena Tandon), and Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (The Heart Remembers, with Jackie Shroff, Tabu and Govinda). So basically, unless there are any surprises, no new films will be released for a whole month!
- Actor Sunny Deol has hired a few stuntmen from Hollywood for his upcoming production, Indian. The film (which was supposedly shelved) is supposed to feature many action-packed (and death-defying) sequences which will top almost anything done before in Bollywood. We'll see if it lives up to the hype when it's released this summer. The film also stars Aishwarya Rai.
- The release of Jackie Shroff's long-delayed film, Grahan (Curse), has been postponed yet again to an indefinite date. The film has been made for atleast a year now and was unable to find a distributor. Finally, Govinda's distribution company had bailed it out, only to dump it again last week. The film, which also stars Manisha Koirala and was directed by Shashilal Nair, was supposed to release in March.
- Director Ram Gopal Verma will produce an Indian version of "Fatal Attraction" for the big screen. The film, titled Pyar Tune Kya Kiya? (What Has Love Done?), will star Fardeen Khan, Sonali Kulkarni, and Urmila Matondkar. It is expected to release later on in the year.
- It seems that many Bollywood icons are heading to the small screen these days. We all know how successful Amitabh Bachchan is in the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" and just last week came news that actress Sri Devi was considering to star in an Indian sitcom. Now comes news that former legend Rekha (from "Kama Sutra - A Tale of Love" and "Zubeidaa" among others) is now considering in an Indian soap. Rekha will play the role of a crusading journalist fighting against social issues.
- Last week's release was the suspense thriller Kasoor (Fault), directed by Vikram Bhatt. Basically a remake/update of "The Jagged Edge", the film stars former model Lisa Ray, Aftab Shivdasani, Apoorva Agnihotri and Ashutosh Rana. Lisa stars as a criminal lawyer who takes on the case of a rich newspaper editor (Aftab) accused of murdering his wife. She has doubts in the beginning but eventually she comes to believe that he is innocent. She then starts to fall for this mysterious man, when things turn for the worse and the editor begins to look guilty. I won't go further more into the details, but let me just say that you won't see the ending coming (unless you've seen The Jagged Edge). For a debut film, Lisa Ray actually acts pretty good. This isn't an Oscar winning performance, but it's good enough. Like her fellow models, Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen, Lisa will probably go really far. The entire film depends on her alone and if her acting was weak, the whole film would have gone down with her. The other cast members are decent, the two male leads, Aftab and Apoorva (as Lisa's friend/assistant) are not too annoying, while Ashutosh Rana gave a good performance as the bad cop determined to put Aftab behind bars. The songs are really good in this film and were placed in a way that doesn't really distract from the plot. It's also nice to see songs where we just a see a montage of events and not actors dancing around trees. The erotic tension between the two leads is also a nice addition in this film. While there is no nudity and sexuality, the eroticism is there, and not just hinted at like in other films. The overall direction was pretty good as well while the script kept the film moving right along till the end. The film managed to be taut and suspenseful, even though the ending is a direct rip off of a very recent Hollywood film (hint: a really bad thriller that made lots of money in July 2000). All in all, Kasoor is not a DVD keeper, but it's good enough to watch in theatres.
To see a picture from Kasoor, with Lisa Ray and Aftab Shivdasani, Go Here
CHINA / HK
"Jotarou" sent in this info about a really cool remake (again) of Bruce
Lee's Fist of Fury, this time with Donnie Yen!!! Here's the details:
Once again, donnieyen.com (in the "current" section of the web page) is reporting that Donnie Yen is going to helm and star in a big screen version of his "Fist of Fury" television program. According to the site, the show was popular across East Asia and Yen's dream of making a big screen version of the show was realized when a number of financiers decided to back the project. Part of the movie will be filmed in Japan where Yen has a cult following.
Now you might ask, is this the same "Fist of Fury" that Bruce Lee is associated with. The answer is yes!! Yen is a huge fan of Lee's and wants to take Lee's story to the next level. As most devout Hong Kong flick fans know, Gordan Chan and Yuen Wo-Ping made a film remake of the Lee classic in 1994 with Jet Li entitled "Fist of Legend" (my personal favorite of Jet Li's work). However, Yen felt his TV adaptation of the Lee original had better fight scenes than Jet Li's incarnation. That's a mighty confident statement considering that: A)Yuen Woo-Ping was Yen's mentor and B)"Fist of Legend" has some great fight scenes!!
Personally, I have never seen the "Fist of Fury" TV series but I am now interested. Yen wants this to be the best martial arts film for his generation so I am interested in what he comes up with considering the innovation he has put in to his other two directorial efforts, "Legend of the Wolf" and "Ballistic Kiss".
Jotarou
Now here is the weekly report from "AccSpy": -
Here's some fresh stills from the upcoming boxing drama "Beastic Pupils (lit.title)", being directed by Patrick Leung ("Somebody Up There Likes Me", "Task Force") and starring Louis Koo, Daniel Wu, Jo Kuk and Patrick Tam:
To see a pic of Louis being beaten, Click Right Here
To see a shot of Daniel going to be beaten, Click
To see a shot of the main leads, Louis Koo (left), Jo Kuk, and Daniel Wu, Go Here
- Stanley Tong's next film, "Yue Fei", is now on hold due to a hostility between Tong and actor Aaron Kwok. The duo worked together in the recent "China Strike Force" and Tong didn't like the fact that Aaron's manager was involved considerably in the film's promotion, allowing Aaron to hog the spotlight in the promos and the soundtrack. The producers of "Yue Fei" are hoping to replace Aaron with Jet Li (Good luck, they can't afford him - D25).
- HK's hottest hip-hop group LMF (Lasy Muthafucka) will make their acting debut in Leon Lai and Asaka Seto's "The Eternal Love Quest (lit title)", which will be directed by Andrew Lau and will start shooting soon.
- The 51st Annual Berlin Film Festival will commence on February 7th . Three Hong Kong movies will be participating in the event, including screenwriter Raymond To's directorial debut "Forever and Ever" starring Sylvia Cheng and Josie Ho ("Purple Storm"), romantic fantasy "Lavender" with Kelly Chen and Herman Yau Lai To's "From the Queen to the Chief Executive". Also, two other Chinese films will be in competition - Taiwan's "Betelnut Beauty" starring Chang Chen from "CTHD" and China's "Beijing Bicycle" starring Zhou Xun. Wong Kar Wai's 3-minute short-feature will also compete in the short film category.
- As the "Holiday of Fortune" is gone, the audiences have once again embraced dramatic films, allowing "Cast Away" to make a tremendous boost to the top spot during last weekend in HK. The film has collected around $12.5 million HKD in 12 days. Sammi Cheng's "Wu Yen" held on at no.2 with an estimated $25 million in 18 days. Jackie Chan's "The Accidental Spy" fell to no.3 with $28.5 million in 18 days. "102 Dalmatians" and "Vertical Limit" both slipped one spot to no.4 & no.5, respectively. Last week had no major debut in HK except China's family comedy "Shower", which debuted at no.7. There are two major Cantonese releases in February including "Martial Angels" starring Chilam Cheung, Shu Qi, Kelly Lin, Sandra Ng and Rachel An; and "Feel 200%", a sequel to 1996's "Feel 100%" and "Feel 100% Once More" with a fresh new cast including Eason Chan, Daniel Chan, Mariam Yeung and Joey Yung. Here's pics of two posters for "Martial Angels".
To see poster #1, Just click
To see poster #2, click here
JAPAN
The following was reported by "Pigmon":
- While still being hot at the Japanese box office,"Battle Royal" will be re-released in April, featuring a brand new cut with additional footage. New scenes have been shot and re-edited for this version, which will also feature some deleted scenes (including some with Takeshi Kitano). The new scenes will also provide depth and focus on each of the students in the film.
- Next year's Godzilla film, being directed by Shusuke Kaneko (of "Gamera" series), will revert back to the old-school 60's tradition in which Godzilla faces many different (and classic) monsters. In this new installment, Godzilla will face off against King Gidorah, Mothra, and Radon!! Sounds good to me!
ANIME
By Scott Greene
Jubei-Chan Ranks in Video Sales
According to the Febuary 10, 2001 issue of Billboard magazine ``Jubei-Chan The Ninja Girl,'' Bandai Entertainment ranked number 8 in national video sales. The series is a comedy/action about the famed swordsman Yagyu Jubei (basis of the same named character is Ninja Scroll, Ninja Resurrection, and Samurai Showdown), who is resurrected in the form a high school girl who must wear his "lovely eye patch" to gain his skill.
ADV Princess Nine DVD Plans
ADV has previously intended to release the 27 episode anime series Princes Nine, about a girls' baseball team on nine discs, but have subsequently decided to release it on six discs, the first of which will have five episodes. The series is expected to be released starting this Spring.
Berserk DVD BOX Details
More details on the coming Berserk Box Set due out in Japan Region 2 on 3-20 at $30,000 Yen from VAP (VPBY-11210). Berserk creator, Kentarou Miura will provide original box jacket art for the set. Each of the 7 disc cases will carry original art from character designer Umakoshi Yoshihiko. A "luxurious booklet" will be included with behind the scenes data and for those ordering the special reservation set, a super unique illustration calendar will be offered. DVD menus are animated and extra data on the series is included as well.
From the Bar in English?
Gichi Ohtsuka, author of the new Gundam novel "For the Barrel", made a statement about the series to the famed Japanese anime magazine NewType in their online English edition http://www.newtype-net.com/. "In his exclusive column FOR THE BARREL: UPDATE on Newtype's online edition, Mr Ohtsuka revealed tantalizing details about the identities of certain hotly-debated characters, and background details still unknown to the Japanese audience. He also spoke at length about realism in giant robot shows such as Patlabor, in an exclusive Q&A session with fans. Mr Ohtsuka's web column presents an unmissable opportunity for English-speaking fans to communicate with a professional from the anime/manga industry ? the unique chance to express opinions direct to the author in Japan. See "Special Topics" in this month's Newtype online. "
Bandai Release Plans
According to a Kidscreen artile:" Bandai's betting the ranch on new anime imports Outlaw Star, Big O and Pilot Candidate, with action figures hitting shelves before the latter shows even hit airwaves. Outlaw Star debuted on Cartoon Network's Toonami block January 15, and Big O and Pilot Candidate probably won't light up screens until this fall, but new anime collector sets from Bandai America will include figures from all three shows, along with characters from Gundam Wing, Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne and Blue Submarine No. 6. Each of the sets is tentatively priced at US$14.99 and will include one seven-inch and two four-and-a-half-inch figures when they ship later this spring. Bandai is also planning to pour lots of cash into building the successful Gundam franchise this year via a Gundam Wing Interactive Tour. The promo, currently being developed with Wal-Mart and Pioneer, will aim for 15- to 28-year-old guys and run between March and October 2001. The multimillion-dollar U.S. project will aim to build on Gun! dam's cult following through model-making workshops and presentations on the history of Gundam and anime in general. " More Parappa TV Details
The upcoming Parappa TV series will feature Parappa and his gang, and brand-new original characters illustrated by Rodney Greenblat. Directing will be by Sakurai Hiroaki, who has previously directed the Akihabara Dennou-Gumi movi e & DiGi Charat. Animation production will be by JC Staff & Production IG.
It was announced at a press event in Ginza it was also announced that Takara Co., Ltd. has acquired the toy merchandising rights, and plans to bring several lines of merchandise to market later this year. Parappa will air at 18:30 on Fuji Television Network, weekly on Saturdays from April. Takayuki Gotou will provide character designs and series co-creator Matsuura Masaya will create original music. JC Staff and Production I.G. will be producing the animation for the series with Fuji Television Network and SME Visual Works sharing in the production. There is a possibility that the Parappa TV Anime could be U.S. bound with TV broadcast in mind.
New TV Series: Magical Warfare Loyal Retainer Riui
Based on the Monthly Dragon Junior manga, Record of Loddoss War creator Ryo Mizuno will lend his talents to the new Anime TV series Magical Warfare Loyal Retainer Riui which starts running on WOWOW BS Ch. 5 non scrambled in April. The story is set in a fantasy RPG style world and focuses on a beatiful maiden and elite sorcerer. Directing will be Miami Guns director Tadashi Kozan, Katsuhiko Chiba who was responsible for scenario on the Slayers TV animation will provide series composition, Iwakura Kazunori (Orphen) will create original character designs and Kenji Kawai will compose the musical score. According to the storyline, 500 years hence, the ruins of the Castul kingdom known as a truly ancient state stands as remnant of the age of magic which has ended. Many kingdoms have subsequently arisen and fallen here each either relying on the physical power of the sword or the mystic energy of the magic force. Extremely and uncommonly talented warriors are born dubbed "Magic soldier" who invade the ancient ruins and pillage it's riches, works of art and magical artifacts. A young person, Riui who has just graduated from a magician's apprenticeship meets the thief Mirel and the soldier, Gani, the three compnaions join up seeking the magician, Ninatsu. The OP theme "Twinkle Trick" will be performed by idol unit PRECOCI and go on sale via cd single on March 28, 2001.
VHS Princess Mononoke Priced to Own The dubbed price to own Princess Mononoke VHS version will go on sale 3/13 for $19.95.
Utena Movie Acquired
Information from sources inside CPM have confirmed that The Adolescence of Utena has been acquired and is expected to be released by the fourth quarter of 2001 on bilingual DVD and dubbed VHS.The original dub cast is expected to be reassembled. The Utena movie is a re-vised retelling of the surreal story told in the television series.
Slayers in February
Right Stuf is confirming the rumor that Fox will be bringing the Slayers series to the Fox Kids Line-up, as part of a deal with Enoki Films (as opposed to Central Park Media as was previously stated). The show will begin airing in February.
FUNimation on Blue Gender and YYH
According to an e-mail to Gen Fukanaga of FUNimation: Here's the original e-mail sent to Gen:
1. For Yu Yu Hakusho and Blue Gender, will you be using voice actors from Dragon Ball Z?
2. Will you be getting any of the Movies/Specials of any of the 2 series?
3. Will the original dialog be kept or will it be changed like Dragon Ball Z's?
Here's Gen's response:
1. Only if we feel it is a very good match.
2. A 90 minute Blue Gender movie is currently under production in Japan and we have the rights for it. For YYH, we do not have those rights for the movies/specials since they were granted many years ago to another company.
3. Blue Gender's dialog will be more of a direct translation. YYH will need to be adjusted for mass market broadcast on a network. Gen
Princess Mononoke On Starz
Princess Mononoke will air on Starz 2-22-01 at 9:30 pm EST, and 2-26-01 and3:45 p.m. EST.
Saber Marionette DVD Info
Saber Marionette J DVD Collection 1 has been released to mass-production, and should be arriving in stores soon. It contains the first 9 episodes of SMJ on 2 DVD's. as well as a character databank and exclusive music video on the 2nd disc. The discs use a clean new master from Japan in order to provide the best video and audio source possible for this TV series.
Lady Death Update
In the vain of the recent release of ADV Japanese collaboration Sin, there is news about the status of their adaptation of the Chaos comic book Lady Death. Comics2Film spoke with Andy Orjuela of ADV Films about progress on the Lady Death Animated movie. The movie was announced in August of 1999 with a targeted release date of Halloween 2001.Orjuela tells C2F that work is proceeding ap ace on the movie, although recent milestones are unlikely to excite fans. "We're getting storyboards on a daily basis from Japan. Chaos is reviewing the storyboards," Orjuela said. "We're going over fine details and streamlining the process. It's a slow and tedious process."
While ADV is hoping to have the movie out this year, Orjuela is reluctant to impose a deadline that would adversely impact the quality of the movie. Likewise, recent developments have changed the game plan for the movie slightly. "Ideally what w e'd like to do, as opposed to sending this straight to video, is to have it in a broadcast ready format instead and maybe do a cable release," Orjuela told C2F. "So basically we've just switched gears on the entire movie. The budget has increased and we've gotten additional funding. So it looks like it can be bigger, badder and better! We don't want to rush anything."
Anime DVD Dates
Due out on 4/17, Neon Genesis Evangelion Vol. #6 and Martian Successor Nadesico Vol. #4. Both list for 29.95 each. Evangelion was mentioned to be on track for finishing by June, so expect the last two volumes to follow in May and June.
In a press release Media Blasters has announced the following DVD release dates: · Magic Users Club (Maho Tsukai Tai) Vol. #2 (24.95) Episodes 3 & 4 · Samurai: Hunt for the Sword (24.95) · Rurouni Kenshin Vol. #8 (29.95) episodes Episodes 32-35 · Elf Princess Rane (24.95)
Magic Users Club is the third and fourth episodes of the six episode comedy OAV series about a high school magic users' club's encounter with an inquisitive, but seemingly benign alien race. Volume eight of Kenshin continues the fan favorite Kyoto Story arc in which Kenshin is enlisted by the government to stop the man who replace him as hitokiri (assassin) from toppling the Meji government. This volume feature Kenshin's first battle with Soujiro, a smiling young swordman who appears to be Kenshin's equal in speed and skill. Elf Princess Rane (known in an old fan translation as Fair Princess Ren) is a very amusing two episode OAV parody of other anime series.
Media Blasters describes Samurai as "Shinjuro may be a little young to be the master of a swordsmanship school, but fate didn't give him a choice. Now his position and martial arts skill land him right in the middle of serious trouble when the rogue samurai Mikage faces off against the Tokugawa government. Caught in the middle, Shinjuro and the small group of swordsmen who train at his school must protect the town from harm. However the group won't really be challenged until the Tokugawa house calls in a favor, and the young swordsman is forced to duel Mikage himself!"
