Safe to say few movies this year engender more excitement than Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Serpent’s Path, a remake of his superb, bad-vibes 1998 thriller. Though an expected Cannes debut didn’t come to pass, the film releases in France on June 14; we now have a trailer that shows the known cast members with the pleasant surprise of Drive My Car‘s Hidetoshi Nishijima, and though enthusiasts of the original will spot bare bones of its revenge plot, quick shots imply scenes and scenarios not in Kurosawa’s original. News of U.S. acquisition already feels overdue.
Here’s the synopsis: “An intense desire for revenge fills Albert Bacheret: his daughter Marie. This father, exalted by violence, joins forces with Sayoko, to find and kill the culprits one by one. But at the same time, Sayoko leads her own mission of revenge which risks turning against Albert at any moment… Sayoko Mijima,...
Here’s the synopsis: “An intense desire for revenge fills Albert Bacheret: his daughter Marie. This father, exalted by violence, joins forces with Sayoko, to find and kill the culprits one by one. But at the same time, Sayoko leads her own mission of revenge which risks turning against Albert at any moment… Sayoko Mijima,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Today, Apple TV+ announced that Sunny, its 10-episode mystery thriller with a darkly comic bent, is set to premiere globally with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through September 4.
Created by Katie Robbins, who also serves as showrunner, and executive producer and director Lucy Tcherniak, Sunny stars Emmy Award nominee multi-hyphenate Rashida Jones.
Jones also serves as executive producer, along with stars Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura, Judy Ongg, You, Annie the Clumsy, and Jun Kunimura.
Sunny stars Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation,” she’s given Sunny, which is one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company.
Though Suzie initially resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, they gradually develop an unexpected friendship.
Created by Katie Robbins, who also serves as showrunner, and executive producer and director Lucy Tcherniak, Sunny stars Emmy Award nominee multi-hyphenate Rashida Jones.
Jones also serves as executive producer, along with stars Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura, Judy Ongg, You, Annie the Clumsy, and Jun Kunimura.
Sunny stars Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation,” she’s given Sunny, which is one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company.
Though Suzie initially resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, they gradually develop an unexpected friendship.
- 4/18/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Apple TV+ has debuted a set of first-look images alongside announcing that ‘Sunny,’ its ten-episode mystery thriller with a darkly comic bent, is set to premiere globally with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through September 4.
The show stars Rashida Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first, Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship, as together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family, becoming dangerously enmeshed in a world Suzie never knew existed.
Also in news – Zachary Levi set for action-thriller ‘Free Fall’
Created by Katie Robbins,...
The show stars Rashida Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first, Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship, as together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family, becoming dangerously enmeshed in a world Suzie never knew existed.
Also in news – Zachary Levi set for action-thriller ‘Free Fall’
Created by Katie Robbins,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Apple TV+ has slotted a summer premiere date for Sunny, a half-hour darkly comedic drama, starring and executive produced by Rashida Jones. The 10-episode mystery thriller will launch with the first two episodes Wednesday July 10, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through September 4.
Created by Katie Robbins, Sunny is based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based award-winning Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan. Jones stars as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship, as together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family,...
Created by Katie Robbins, Sunny is based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based award-winning Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan. Jones stars as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship, as together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Rashida Jones needs a friend in her new Apple TV+ series… and she’ll settle for a synthetic one.
The Parks and Recreation veteran plays a lonely woman who befriends a robot in the sci-fi mystery Sunny, which premieres Wednesday, July 10 on the streamer with the first two episodes, TVLine has learned. Apple TV+ has also released a series of first-look photos from Sunny, including the one above; scroll down to see the rest.
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The Parks and Recreation veteran plays a lonely woman who befriends a robot in the sci-fi mystery Sunny, which premieres Wednesday, July 10 on the streamer with the first two episodes, TVLine has learned. Apple TV+ has also released a series of first-look photos from Sunny, including the one above; scroll down to see the rest.
More from TVLineWe Are Lady Parts (Finally) Lands Season 2 Release Date at PeacockTVLine Items: Acapulco Trailer, Golden Axe TV Series and MoreFor All Mankind Renewed for Season 5 - Plus,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
“Hacks” is back, and Max has revealed the official trailer and key art for the show’s long-awaited Season 3. The new installment of “Hacks,” which Variety chronicled in this recent feature, returns on Thursday, May 2, with two episodes on Max. The nine-episode season will continue with two episodes each week, up until the season finale on May 30.
Here’s this season’s logline: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
Smart and Einbinder star along with Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo. Guest stars this season include J. Smith-Cameron, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, Tony Goldwyn, and Aristotle Athari.
Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky are the show’s exec producers.
Here’s this season’s logline: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
Smart and Einbinder star along with Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo. Guest stars this season include J. Smith-Cameron, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, Tony Goldwyn, and Aristotle Athari.
Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky are the show’s exec producers.
- 4/16/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov, Lexi Carson and Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Get ready for your next marathon with Max! This February, the streamer is saying goodbye to major award winners, camp classics, and more. Most of the platform’s exits will take place on the final day of the month, including the genre and history-changing “The Exorcist,” the recent Oscar winner “Drive My Car,” and more, but Max will remove several other major TV and film titles throughout the month.
We at The Streamable have assembled our top picks for what’s leaving Max this month— continue below to find your next thing to watch and see the full list below to plan your next movie night before they’re gone!
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Leaving Max in February 2024? “Drive My Car” | Thursday, Feb. 29
A recent Oscar winner for Best International Feature Film, the Japanese drama stars Hidetoshi Nishijima as Yūsuke Kafuku,...
We at The Streamable have assembled our top picks for what’s leaving Max this month— continue below to find your next thing to watch and see the full list below to plan your next movie night before they’re gone!
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Leaving Max in February 2024? “Drive My Car” | Thursday, Feb. 29
A recent Oscar winner for Best International Feature Film, the Japanese drama stars Hidetoshi Nishijima as Yūsuke Kafuku,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Mubi’s retrospective Takeshi Kitano: Destroy All Yakuza—featuring Violent Cop, Boiling Point, and Outrage Coda—is now showing in the United States, Canada, and select countries.Kubi.The presidential suite of the Grand Hotel Yerevan sits at the end of an amber-lit, carpeted corridor. The door comes fitted with its own CCTV camera, the concierge proudly gloats as an elevator slingshots us several floors above the ground, “so guests can feel safer.” Not that the current occupant has much to worry about. Guarding the suite on this exceptionally hot July afternoon is a small platoon of suit-clad Japanese men, looking equally stern and jet-lagged. The lucky few who get to pad in and out of the room do so in reverential silence, and even those outside speak in hushed voices, lest he should be disturbed. "He" is somewhere in the suite right now, and his name is Takeshi Kitano.
- 1/11/2024
- MUBI
Is this a first? It kind of feels like a first for our friends at Raven Banner Releasing. They have announced that they have acquired the Japanese Sci-fi epic, Shin Ultraman. They will release the film digintally here in Canada on November 28th then on Blu-ray in December, just in time for the holidays and lovers of Ultraman here in Canada. As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/6/2023
- Screen Anarchy
’Shoshana’ world premiered at Toronto, ahead of screenings at Dinard film festival and BFI London Film Festival.
Michael Winterbottom is one of the UK’s more prolific independent filmmakers, with over 30 features to his name across a 35-year career – but his latest, Shoshana, has been rather a slow burn.
The drama, based on real people and events, premiered in Toronto, before playing in French festival of UK and Irish film Dinard, and will have its UK premiere at BFI London Film Festival on October 7.
It is set in 1930s Tel Aviv, as violence erupt in the British Mandate for Palestine,...
Michael Winterbottom is one of the UK’s more prolific independent filmmakers, with over 30 features to his name across a 35-year career – but his latest, Shoshana, has been rather a slow burn.
The drama, based on real people and events, premiered in Toronto, before playing in French festival of UK and Irish film Dinard, and will have its UK premiere at BFI London Film Festival on October 7.
It is set in 1930s Tel Aviv, as violence erupt in the British Mandate for Palestine,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Shin Ultraman Watch The Trailer: youtu.be/U6AphAYe4WU Distributor Cleopatra Entertainment Directed by Shinji Higuchi Starring Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima, with Anno and Bin Furuya as Ultraman As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace …
The post Shin Ultraman: On VOD July 4, On Blu-ray & DVD July 11 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post Shin Ultraman: On VOD July 4, On Blu-ray & DVD July 11 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 6/9/2023
- by Janel Spiegel
- Horror News
Cleopatra Entertainment have announced the US home entertainment release of Shin Ultraman, directed by Shinji Higuchi, next month.
As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery. Shin Ultraman is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, charismatic villains, and giant Kaiju, leading Variety to declare that “the mix of styles and moods works wonderfully, raising Shin ‘Ultraman’ into the top rank of superhero movies!”
Starring Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima,...
As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery. Shin Ultraman is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, charismatic villains, and giant Kaiju, leading Variety to declare that “the mix of styles and moods works wonderfully, raising Shin ‘Ultraman’ into the top rank of superhero movies!”
Starring Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima,...
- 6/9/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The live-action comic book reboot of Ultraman, titled Shin Ultraman will be released on Blu-ray and DVD this July!
Synopsis: As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery. Shin Ultraman is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, charismatic villains, and giant Kaiju, leading Variety to declare that “the mix of styles and moods works wonderfully, raising Shin Ultraman into the top rank of superhero movies!”
About The Film
Starring: Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima, with...
Synopsis: As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery. Shin Ultraman is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, charismatic villains, and giant Kaiju, leading Variety to declare that “the mix of styles and moods works wonderfully, raising Shin Ultraman into the top rank of superhero movies!”
About The Film
Starring: Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima, with...
- 6/8/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
"As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery. Shin Ultraman is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, charismatic villains, and giant Kaiju"
Distributor Cleopatra Entertainment
Directed by Shinji Higuchi
Starring Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima, with Anno and Bin Furuya as Ultraman
On VOD July 4, On Blu-ray & DVD July 11
The post Shin Ultraman Arrives on VOD July 4th, Blu-ray & DVD July 11th appeared first on Daily Dead.
Distributor Cleopatra Entertainment
Directed by Shinji Higuchi
Starring Takumi Saitoh, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, Tetsushi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nishijima, with Anno and Bin Furuya as Ultraman
On VOD July 4, On Blu-ray & DVD July 11
The post Shin Ultraman Arrives on VOD July 4th, Blu-ray & DVD July 11th appeared first on Daily Dead.
- 6/8/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Shin Ultraman, from Shin Godzilla filmmaking duo Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, finally dates a home release after a limited theatrical release earlier this year.
Look for the live-action comic book reboot to arrive on Digital on July 4 before heading to Blu-ray and DVD on July 11. No box art or special features have been revealed at this time.
In Shin Ultraman, “we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as ‘S-Class Species (Kaiju)’ has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery.”
Takumi Saitoh is playing the main character. In addition, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, and Tetsushi Tanaka star in Shin Ultraman.
Look for the live-action comic book reboot to arrive on Digital on July 4 before heading to Blu-ray and DVD on July 11. No box art or special features have been revealed at this time.
In Shin Ultraman, “we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as ‘S-Class Species (Kaiju)’ has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery.”
Takumi Saitoh is playing the main character. In addition, Masami Nagasawa, Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, and Tetsushi Tanaka star in Shin Ultraman.
- 6/8/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
A project that’s reportedly been in gestation for 30 years, so long that Akira Kurosawa once expressed huge hopes for its success before he died, Kubi is a labor of love.
Billed in its press materials as “the latest film by Takeshi Kitano” but hopefully not the veteran director’s last, it marks Kitano’s return to the samurai genre for the first time since 2003’s Zatoichi (a.k.a. The Blind Swordsman). The latter did modestly solid business in its day for an international film, and it will be interesting to see if Kitano, practically a national treasure in Japan, still has the same pull across Asian territories as he used to, let alone across the Pacific and beyond.
But regardless of any box-office performance, this challenging, extremely violent, ravishing-looking, intricately plotted adaptation by Kitano of his novel is of interest for its fresh take on a musty genre.
Billed in its press materials as “the latest film by Takeshi Kitano” but hopefully not the veteran director’s last, it marks Kitano’s return to the samurai genre for the first time since 2003’s Zatoichi (a.k.a. The Blind Swordsman). The latter did modestly solid business in its day for an international film, and it will be interesting to see if Kitano, practically a national treasure in Japan, still has the same pull across Asian territories as he used to, let alone across the Pacific and beyond.
But regardless of any box-office performance, this challenging, extremely violent, ravishing-looking, intricately plotted adaptation by Kitano of his novel is of interest for its fresh take on a musty genre.
- 5/25/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the early ’90s, Japan’s Takeshi “Beat” Kitano was on a roll, with a superb string of nuanced crime movies that stood in stark contrast to the good-vs.-evil bullet operas that were coming out of Hong Kong at the time. Kitano’s darkly funny cynicism (who else could have made Violent Cop?) made him stand out by miles, but it soon became his weakness, as became evident in the lean period after the success of Zatoichi in 2013. The experimental, semi-autobiographical trilogy that followed — Takeshis’, Glory to the Filmmaker and Achilles and the Tortoise — seemed to offer little more than self-sabotage, the work of a frustrated artist trying to take a blowtorch to his populist image without much thought for the future.
The collateral damage was his international reputation, which took a hit to the extent that his next trilogy, the Outrage series, generally was received as the half-hearted work of a bored auteur.
The collateral damage was his international reputation, which took a hit to the extent that his next trilogy, the Outrage series, generally was received as the half-hearted work of a bored auteur.
- 5/24/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
For all their grisly mayhem, the earliest films by Takeshi Kitano all demonstrated a keen grasp of negation. Violence was an omnipresent fixture of his first crime capers––from Violent Cop (1989) to Fireworks (1997)––but it unfolded in hiccups. The director enjoyed trading in tantalizing elisions, and his most gruesome scenes would often leave the action offscreen, offering a set-up and aftermath while cutting the most dramatic moments––an approach that would become more frequent after A Scene at the Sea (1991), the first feature he’d edit himself. It was as if Kitano had realized the most visceral shots were those left on the cutting room floor and proceeded to fashion those early projects on an iceberg principle: prodding one to imagine the bloodletting without ever displaying it in full. It was a style predicated on absence; it made the violence all the more vivid, the films all the more original.
- 5/23/2023
- by Leonardo Goi
- The Film Stage
Toronto-based genre specialist plans summer release.
Toronto-based genre specialist Raven Banner has acquired Canadian rights to Japanese box office smash Shin Ultraman, the latest incarnation of the Japanese superhero franchise from Tsuburaya Productions.
The latest Ultraman adventure grossed more than $30m at the Japanese box office and opened theatrically in the US through Fathom Events in January.
Raven Banner plans a summer release on Shin Ultraman, which takes place as Japanese authorities respond to the appearance around the country of giant unidentified life forms known as S-Class Species (Kaiju), when a silver giant descends from the sky to save the country.
Toronto-based genre specialist Raven Banner has acquired Canadian rights to Japanese box office smash Shin Ultraman, the latest incarnation of the Japanese superhero franchise from Tsuburaya Productions.
The latest Ultraman adventure grossed more than $30m at the Japanese box office and opened theatrically in the US through Fathom Events in January.
Raven Banner plans a summer release on Shin Ultraman, which takes place as Japanese authorities respond to the appearance around the country of giant unidentified life forms known as S-Class Species (Kaiju), when a silver giant descends from the sky to save the country.
- 5/19/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Kadokawa has revealed the first look teaser for a movie called Kubi, a historical epic from iconic Japanese actor Beat Takeshi. This will be premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival later this month in the Cannes Premiere section. This film was conceived by director Takeshi Kitano around the same time as Sonatine, one of his early masterpieces, and has been in the works for 30 years. It depicts the "Honnoji Incident" along with the ambitions, betrayals, and fates of various characters, including warlords, ninja, comedians, and peasants. The ambitious new film has assembled a splendid and unique cast! Takeshi plays Hideyoshi Hashiba, who plots the "Honnoji Incident," and Hidetoshi Nishijima plays Mitsuhide Akechi. Ryo Kase gives a dubious performance as the mad genius Nobunaga Oda, while Tadanobu Asano and Nao Omori play the military strategist Kanpei Kuroda, who supports Hideyoshi, and his brother Hidenaga Hashiba with a great sense of humor.
- 5/3/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Toho Tombo Pictures will be led by Georgina Pope.
Toho, Japan’s leading film studio, has launched a subsidiary to provide production services for the growing number of international productions filming in the country.
Toho Tombo Pictures has been established as a joint venture with Tokyo-based producer Georgina Pope, one of Japan’s most experienced and well-known bilingual production experts.
At launch, the company will primarily support global entertainment brands seeking to develop features and TV series throughout Japan, but will also offer services to companies producing commercials, documentaries and music videos. It will combine Toho’s production facilities, including Toho Studios,...
Toho, Japan’s leading film studio, has launched a subsidiary to provide production services for the growing number of international productions filming in the country.
Toho Tombo Pictures has been established as a joint venture with Tokyo-based producer Georgina Pope, one of Japan’s most experienced and well-known bilingual production experts.
At launch, the company will primarily support global entertainment brands seeking to develop features and TV series throughout Japan, but will also offer services to companies producing commercials, documentaries and music videos. It will combine Toho’s production facilities, including Toho Studios,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
“Drive My Car” star Hidetoshi Nishijima has signed with CAA for representation.
Nishijima starred in the acclaimed 2021 Japanese feature “Drive My Car,” which was nominated for four Academy Awards, and walked away with the Oscar for best international feature film.
He earned several awards for his performance in the Cannes-premiering critical darling, including best actor from the National Society of Film Critics and the Boston Film Critics Circle Awards, as well as the Japan Academy Film Prize for best actor.
Nishijima will next star alongside Rashida Jones in “Sunny,” Apple TV+’s half-hour dark comedy series from A24 and Lucy Tcherniak. He also stars in Kitano Takeshi’s “Kubi,” which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Nishijima’s previous credits include “Shin Ultraman” (2022), Kitano Takeshi’s “Dolls” (2002), and “License to Live” for which he won the best actor award at the Japanese Professional Movie Awards.
Nishijima has also appeared in TV series,...
Nishijima starred in the acclaimed 2021 Japanese feature “Drive My Car,” which was nominated for four Academy Awards, and walked away with the Oscar for best international feature film.
He earned several awards for his performance in the Cannes-premiering critical darling, including best actor from the National Society of Film Critics and the Boston Film Critics Circle Awards, as well as the Japan Academy Film Prize for best actor.
Nishijima will next star alongside Rashida Jones in “Sunny,” Apple TV+’s half-hour dark comedy series from A24 and Lucy Tcherniak. He also stars in Kitano Takeshi’s “Kubi,” which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Nishijima’s previous credits include “Shin Ultraman” (2022), Kitano Takeshi’s “Dolls” (2002), and “License to Live” for which he won the best actor award at the Japanese Professional Movie Awards.
Nishijima has also appeared in TV series,...
- 4/25/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Yu, an employee at a clothing boutique, lives with Kei, an out-of-work actor who lives off of her. Battling listlessness in his daily life, Kei decides the only way to bring legitimacy to their relationship is to get married. However, when proposed the question, Yu withdraws and Kei further dwells on his own misery. “2/duo” covers a turbulent period in the lives of a young couple and the fallout thereafter.
“2/Duo” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
An intimate portrayal of a relationship reaching the point of exhaustion, “2/Duo” is a film that will resonate with those who have struggled with similar feelings of stagnation. In fact, its minimalistic approach feels semi-perverse in the way the viewer is given a front-row seat into the lives of two individuals at a breaking point. Yet, capturing this level of intimacy marks “2/Duo” as a deeply engaging work that relies on a minimalistic yet intimate approach,...
“2/Duo” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
An intimate portrayal of a relationship reaching the point of exhaustion, “2/Duo” is a film that will resonate with those who have struggled with similar feelings of stagnation. In fact, its minimalistic approach feels semi-perverse in the way the viewer is given a front-row seat into the lives of two individuals at a breaking point. Yet, capturing this level of intimacy marks “2/Duo” as a deeply engaging work that relies on a minimalistic yet intimate approach,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
The wait for “Shin Ultraman’s” U.S. release is finally over, but for now, you’ve got a very limited window to catch it in theaters. Following a blockbuster May 2022 debut in Japan, the reimagining of the iconic “Ultraman” franchise is getting a special engagement release in limited theaters, for two days only.
If you weren’t able to catch the film during its festival run, this might be the last chance to see it in theaters. And If you’re an “Ultraman” fan, you’ll definitely want to catch the Kaiju-packed, crowd-pleasing film on the big screen, so we’ve put together all the need-to-know details so you don’t miss your shot.
When Is “Shin Ultraman” Getting a U.S. Release?
“Shin Ultraman” will finally arrive in U.S. theaters on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12, via Fathom Events.
Screenings on Jan. 11 will have subtitles, while the Jan.
If you weren’t able to catch the film during its festival run, this might be the last chance to see it in theaters. And If you’re an “Ultraman” fan, you’ll definitely want to catch the Kaiju-packed, crowd-pleasing film on the big screen, so we’ve put together all the need-to-know details so you don’t miss your shot.
When Is “Shin Ultraman” Getting a U.S. Release?
“Shin Ultraman” will finally arrive in U.S. theaters on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12, via Fathom Events.
Screenings on Jan. 11 will have subtitles, while the Jan.
- 1/11/2023
- by Haleigh Foutch
- The Wrap
Shinji Higuchi’s fantastic new film “Shin Ultraman” elicits a sensation that other blockbusters, huge and popular blockbusters, have often neglected: In these worlds where larger-than-life, godlike beings traipse around like they own the place, people wouldn’t just feel small — we’d be completely confused. How inconsequential are we? How oblivious have we been to the rest of this incredible universe? What is our purpose? What’s the freakin’ point?
“Shin Ultraman,” an adaptation of an immensely popular and long-running tokusatsu/kaiju multimedia franchise that began way back in 1966, captures all the ecstatic joy of giant monsters fighting a giant alien and breaking buildings and blowing up mountains. But the screenplay (by “Neon Genesis Evangelion” creator Hideaki Anno) also captures the episodic quality of the “Ultraman” series, leaving audiences overwhelmed by how multifaceted this fantasy truly is and how existentially challenging it would be simply to live in a world that’s this weird.
“Shin Ultraman,” an adaptation of an immensely popular and long-running tokusatsu/kaiju multimedia franchise that began way back in 1966, captures all the ecstatic joy of giant monsters fighting a giant alien and breaking buildings and blowing up mountains. But the screenplay (by “Neon Genesis Evangelion” creator Hideaki Anno) also captures the episodic quality of the “Ultraman” series, leaving audiences overwhelmed by how multifaceted this fantasy truly is and how existentially challenging it would be simply to live in a world that’s this weird.
- 1/11/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Cleopatra Entertainment has acquired U.S. territory rights to the latest incarnation of the Japanese Superhero franchise Ultraman from Tsuburaya Productions. Entitled Shin Ultraman, this new Ultraman adventure was the sixth-highest grossing Japanese feature film of 2022 and will hit U.S. theaters – via Fathom Events – on January 11th and 12th, 2023.
Written by Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla) and directed by Shinji Higuchi, the film stars Takumi Saitoh, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Masami Nagasawa (Before We Vanish, Mother), Daiki Arioka (Innocent Curse), and Akari Hayami (Gintama, Forget Me Not).
As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman,...
Written by Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla) and directed by Shinji Higuchi, the film stars Takumi Saitoh, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Masami Nagasawa (Before We Vanish, Mother), Daiki Arioka (Innocent Curse), and Akari Hayami (Gintama, Forget Me Not).
As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the Sssp, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Blue An, Film.UA & Zdf Team On Zelenskyy Doc ‘Citizens At War’
Canada’s Blue Ant International has struck a distribution and co-production financing deal for six-part doc series Citizens at War: A Year in Ukraine. The doc will include exclusive, personal interviews with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, and details how the lives of people in Ukraine were turned upside down by the Russian invasion. Stories include intervies with a Ukrainian beauty queen turned sniper, a Russian soldier terrified by unexpected resistance to his convoy and the sole survivor of a mass execution in Bucha. Blue Ant’s Global Head of Acquisitions and Partnerships Lilla Hurst struck the deal for the series with leading Ukrainian studio Film.UA, Australia’s Tilt Media and Gtv Docs in London. Germany’s Zdf is attached as the commissioning broadcaster and the show is expected to debut on the one-year anniversary...
Canada’s Blue Ant International has struck a distribution and co-production financing deal for six-part doc series Citizens at War: A Year in Ukraine. The doc will include exclusive, personal interviews with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, and details how the lives of people in Ukraine were turned upside down by the Russian invasion. Stories include intervies with a Ukrainian beauty queen turned sniper, a Russian soldier terrified by unexpected resistance to his convoy and the sole survivor of a mass execution in Bucha. Blue Ant’s Global Head of Acquisitions and Partnerships Lilla Hurst struck the deal for the series with leading Ukrainian studio Film.UA, Australia’s Tilt Media and Gtv Docs in London. Germany’s Zdf is attached as the commissioning broadcaster and the show is expected to debut on the one-year anniversary...
- 1/11/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Tár was named best picture by the National Society of Film Critics in the group’s 57th annual vote Saturday.
The film was among the key 2023 winners, as Cate Blanchett was named best actress for her titular role, while writer-director Todd Field prevailed for best screenplay. Also faring well was The Banshees of Inisherin, with Colin Farrell winning best actor for his performances in that and After Yang, while Banshees’ Kerry Condon was chosen as best supporting actress.
Ke Huy Quan continued his awards-season momentum with a best supporting actor triumph for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Additionally, Charlotte Wells landed the best director prize for Aftersun.
The group selected winners in the following categories: picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, screenplay and cinematography.
Last year, the group’s selection for best picture was director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car, which went on to win the Oscar for best international feature film.
The film was among the key 2023 winners, as Cate Blanchett was named best actress for her titular role, while writer-director Todd Field prevailed for best screenplay. Also faring well was The Banshees of Inisherin, with Colin Farrell winning best actor for his performances in that and After Yang, while Banshees’ Kerry Condon was chosen as best supporting actress.
Ke Huy Quan continued his awards-season momentum with a best supporting actor triumph for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Additionally, Charlotte Wells landed the best director prize for Aftersun.
The group selected winners in the following categories: picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, screenplay and cinematography.
Last year, the group’s selection for best picture was director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car, which went on to win the Oscar for best international feature film.
- 1/7/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The National Society of Film Critics convened in New York and Los Angeles on Saturday to vote on their annual film awards, with some of the top prizes going to “TÁR” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Todd Field’s classical music saga won Best Picture, Best Actress for Cate Blanchett, and Best Screenplay for Field himself. “Banshees” took home Best Actor for Colin Farrell while Kerry Condon won Best Supporting Actress. Both films were already expected to be Oscar frontrunners, but today’s vote certainly helped their cause.
Another film to notch a major win, albeit a more unexpected one, was “Aftersun,” as Charlotte Wells won Best Director for her debut feature.
Per usual, voting was being conducted via a weighted ballot system. In each category, critics submitted ballots containing their top three picks. Their first choice received three points, their second received two, and their third choice received a single point.
Another film to notch a major win, albeit a more unexpected one, was “Aftersun,” as Charlotte Wells won Best Director for her debut feature.
Per usual, voting was being conducted via a weighted ballot system. In each category, critics submitted ballots containing their top three picks. Their first choice received three points, their second received two, and their third choice received a single point.
- 1/7/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Fathom Events, Tsuburaya, and The Exchange are partnering to bring the iconic Japanese superhero Ultraman to theaters nationwide this coming January for a two night engagement. January 11 will have English subtitles while January 12 will be dubbed in English.
The film, Shin Ultraman turns the Japanese icon Ultraman – first broadcast on television in 1966 – into a full-length feature film, written and produced by Hideaki Anno – a self described Ultraman fan – and directed by Shinji Higuchi. The film is set in modern Japan – depicting a world where Ultraman is witnessed by human eyes for the first time, ever!
View trailer with a special message from Takumi Saitoh Here.
Tickets for Shin Ultraman can be purchased at Fathom Events or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters participants are subject to change). Please contact your local theater for individual safety precautions.
There’s...
The film, Shin Ultraman turns the Japanese icon Ultraman – first broadcast on television in 1966 – into a full-length feature film, written and produced by Hideaki Anno – a self described Ultraman fan – and directed by Shinji Higuchi. The film is set in modern Japan – depicting a world where Ultraman is witnessed by human eyes for the first time, ever!
View trailer with a special message from Takumi Saitoh Here.
Tickets for Shin Ultraman can be purchased at Fathom Events or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters participants are subject to change). Please contact your local theater for individual safety precautions.
There’s...
- 1/6/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Tongue-in-cheek but never campy, “Shin Ultraman” is an object lesson in how to reboot a superhero franchise for modern times. Cannily making its CGI resemble the aesthetic of Japanese monster movies from yesteryear, this all-new Ultraman adventure has been lovingly assembled to enthrall viewers with no prior knowledge and satisfy fans who’ve been cheering for the giant red-and-silver humanoid since he first saved Japan and the world in a 1966-67 children’s television series. The sixth-highest grossing Japanese feature of 2022, “Shin Ultraman” will fly into U.S. cinemas for an initial two-days-only release on January 11 and 12.
Reuniting after their hit 2016 reboot “Shin Godzilla” (shin translates as “new”), director Shinji Higuchi (“Attack on Titan” Parts 1 and 2) and writer-producer-editor Hideaki Anno (the “Evangelion” anime series) have again woven smart political commentary and meaningful ruminations on human existence into a screenplay otherwise dedicated to delivering marvelously entertaining silliness with an immaculately straight face.
Reuniting after their hit 2016 reboot “Shin Godzilla” (shin translates as “new”), director Shinji Higuchi (“Attack on Titan” Parts 1 and 2) and writer-producer-editor Hideaki Anno (the “Evangelion” anime series) have again woven smart political commentary and meaningful ruminations on human existence into a screenplay otherwise dedicated to delivering marvelously entertaining silliness with an immaculately straight face.
- 1/3/2023
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
Yu, an employee at a clothing boutique, lives with Kei, an out-of-work actor who lives off of her. Battling listlessness in his daily life, Kei decides the only way to bring legitimacy to their relationship is to get married. However, when proposed the question, Yu withdraws and Kei further dwells on his own misery. “2/duo” covers a turbulent period in the lives of a young couple and the fallout thereafter.
“2/Duo” is Playing as part of Metograph’s Hachimiri Madness: Japanese Indies from the Punk Rock years
An intimate portrayal of a relationship reaching the point of exhaustion, “2/Duo” is a film that will resonate with those who have struggled with similar feelings of stagnation. In fact, its minimalistic approach feels semi-perverse in the way the viewer is given a front-row seat into the lives of two individuals at a breaking point. Yet, capturing this level of intimacy marks “2/Duo...
“2/Duo” is Playing as part of Metograph’s Hachimiri Madness: Japanese Indies from the Punk Rock years
An intimate portrayal of a relationship reaching the point of exhaustion, “2/Duo” is a film that will resonate with those who have struggled with similar feelings of stagnation. In fact, its minimalistic approach feels semi-perverse in the way the viewer is given a front-row seat into the lives of two individuals at a breaking point. Yet, capturing this level of intimacy marks “2/Duo...
- 12/9/2022
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
It’s a grand time for fans of Japanese cinema if you’re living in New York City. With a Noriaki Tsuchimoto retrospective recently concluding at the Museum of the Moving Image, a Yoshimitsu Morita retrospective starting Friday at Film at Lincoln Center, and a Shunji Iwai series coming to Japan Society, another major highlight is “Hachimiri Madness: Japanese Indies from the Punk Years,” which kicks off this Friday at Metrograph.
One of the major highlights of that series––which profiles works from the jishu eiga (“autonomous film”) indie scene that kicked off in the late 1970s Japan with 8mm-shot guerilla filmmaking––is the brand-new, 25th-anniversary restoration of Nobuhiro Suwa’s 2/Duo, which features an early performance from Drive My Car‘s Hidetoshi Nishijima. It opens on December 9, and ahead of that we’re pleased to exclusively debut the new trailer (courtesy Arbelos). The high-definition digital transfer was supervised by Suwa and cinematographer Masaki Tamura.
One of the major highlights of that series––which profiles works from the jishu eiga (“autonomous film”) indie scene that kicked off in the late 1970s Japan with 8mm-shot guerilla filmmaking––is the brand-new, 25th-anniversary restoration of Nobuhiro Suwa’s 2/Duo, which features an early performance from Drive My Car‘s Hidetoshi Nishijima. It opens on December 9, and ahead of that we’re pleased to exclusively debut the new trailer (courtesy Arbelos). The high-definition digital transfer was supervised by Suwa and cinematographer Masaki Tamura.
- 11/29/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Tatsushi Ohmori made an impressive transition from arthouse filmmaker to cineplex crowd pleaser. Known for violent disruptions of conventions both cinematic and social, he created his own style, starting in 2005 with the debut film “The Whispering of Gods”. His latest production, “Goodbye Cruel World”, is a heist movie about a group of people who rob a Yakuza gang. Betrayal, love, and revenge are mixed together and crowned with an A-List cast.
Goodbye Cruel World is screening at Hawai’i International Film Festival
Nao Ohmori (“Outrage Coda” 2017) steals the show as a detective hired by the yakuza to find the culprits. On the other side, “Drive my Car” actor Hidetoshi Nishijima leads the robbers, consisting of Takumi Saitoh (“Shin Godzilla” 2016), Hio Miyazawa (“his” 2020), Tina Tamashiro (“Diner” 2019), Tomokazu Miura (“Adrift in Tokyo” 2007), and Daisuke Miyagawa (“Drop” 2009). All the characters are portrayed in a passive way, and their story is told with many omissions,...
Goodbye Cruel World is screening at Hawai’i International Film Festival
Nao Ohmori (“Outrage Coda” 2017) steals the show as a detective hired by the yakuza to find the culprits. On the other side, “Drive my Car” actor Hidetoshi Nishijima leads the robbers, consisting of Takumi Saitoh (“Shin Godzilla” 2016), Hio Miyazawa (“his” 2020), Tina Tamashiro (“Diner” 2019), Tomokazu Miura (“Adrift in Tokyo” 2007), and Daisuke Miyagawa (“Drop” 2009). All the characters are portrayed in a passive way, and their story is told with many omissions,...
- 11/7/2022
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Apple TV+‘s upcoming dark comedy Sunny, starring and executive produced by Rashida Jones, has rounded out its cast with five more additions, including Barry star Joanna Sotomura. According to Deadline, Sotomura will be joined by Judy Ongg (Doctor-x), Jun Kunimura (Kill Bill), You (Nobody Knows), and singer-songwriter annie the clumsy (Miss Osaka). The series, written by Katie Robbins (The Affair), is based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based Irish author Colin O’Sullivan. Sotomura will play the titular Sunny, an emotionally sophisticated domestic robot given to Jones’ Suzie after her husband, Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima), and their son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. While Suzie initially resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, they gradually develop an unexpected friendship and together uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family. Ongg will play Masa’s mother, Noriko Sakamoto, a wealthy housewife from an old Kyoto family,...
- 10/27/2022
- TV Insider
Exclusive: Apple TV+ has rounded out the ensemble cast for Sunny (fka Dark Manual), a half-hour darkly comedic drama, starring and executive produced by Rashida Jones. Joanna Sotomura (Barry) stars in the titular role, along with annie the clumsy (Miss Osaka), You (Nobody Knows), Judy Ongg and Jun Kunimura (Kill Bill) join Jones in the series from Katie Robbins (The Affair, The Last Tycoon) and A24. Lucy Tcherniak (Station Eleven, The End of the F***ing World) is attached to direct.
Written by Robbins, Sunny is based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based award-winning Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan.
Jones stars as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny (Sotomura), one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s (Hidetoshi Nishijima) electronics company. Though...
Written by Robbins, Sunny is based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based award-winning Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan.
Jones stars as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny (Sotomura), one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s (Hidetoshi Nishijima) electronics company. Though...
- 10/26/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Amir Naderi’s 1984 “The Runner” is often lauded as the first movie to emerge from post-revolutionary Iran and for having one of the best child performances of all time with Madjid Niroumand. It’s now receiving a new restoration that will debut at Film Forum on October 28 and run through November 10, with Naderi and Niroumand appearing in person for screenings. It will then make its way around the country. Exclusively on IndieWire, watch the new trailer below.
In “The Runner,” an illiterate 11-year-old orphan (Niroumand), living alone in an abandoned tanker in the Iranian port city of Abadan, survives by shining shoes, selling water, and diving for deposit bottles, while being bullied by both adults and competing older kids. But he finds solace by dreaming about departing cargo ships and airplanes and by running — seemingly to nowhere.
The movie has echoes of Vittorio De Sica’s “Shoeshine” and “The Bicycle Thief,...
In “The Runner,” an illiterate 11-year-old orphan (Niroumand), living alone in an abandoned tanker in the Iranian port city of Abadan, survives by shining shoes, selling water, and diving for deposit bottles, while being bullied by both adults and competing older kids. But he finds solace by dreaming about departing cargo ships and airplanes and by running — seemingly to nowhere.
The movie has echoes of Vittorio De Sica’s “Shoeshine” and “The Bicycle Thief,...
- 10/4/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
"Ultraman" is a franchise that has deep roots dating back to the mid-'60s with the original series that birthed the giant Japanese superhero. We've had several iterations of the character since but now, it's radical reinvention time: "Shin Ultraman" arrives from Toho and director Shinji Higuchi to give us an Ultraman for modern times. Much like "Shin Godzilla," "Shin Ultraman" very much succeeds in providing an update to the franchise that can stand up to modern scrutiny. But, in many ways, that's where the similarities stop with this absolutely insane, visually delightful, and downright haphazard reboot. What begins, instead, is something hard to classify but also impossible to look away from.
The movie takes place after Japan experiences a rapid growth in kaiju attacks. So, the Sssp kaiju defense task force is established to help deal with these monstrous threats. The group is led by Kimio Tamura (Hidetoshi Nishijima...
The movie takes place after Japan experiences a rapid growth in kaiju attacks. So, the Sssp kaiju defense task force is established to help deal with these monstrous threats. The group is led by Kimio Tamura (Hidetoshi Nishijima...
- 9/28/2022
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The Exchange has acquired the sales rights for North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and other remaining territories for superhero movie “Shin Ultraman,” a blockbuster hit in Japan when it was released on May 13. The Exchange is introducing the movie to buyers at the Toronto Film Festival.
The movie, produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Toho and Khara, grossed 31.2 million in Japan, building on the fanbase of the “Ultraman” TV series, which was first broadcast in 1966.
The movie was directed by Shinji Higuchi and was written by director and screenwriter Hideaki Anno, who also acted as producer alongside Takayuki Tsukagoshi and Minami Ichikawa.
“Shin Ultraman” stars Hidetoshi Nishijima, who was in the Academy Award winning movie “Drive My Car,” Takumi Saitoh, and Masami Nagasawa. The cast also includes Daiki Arioka (“Innocent Curse”), Akari Hayami (“Forget Me Not”), and Tetsushi Tanaka.
In the movie, the appearance of giant unidentified life forms,...
The movie, produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Toho and Khara, grossed 31.2 million in Japan, building on the fanbase of the “Ultraman” TV series, which was first broadcast in 1966.
The movie was directed by Shinji Higuchi and was written by director and screenwriter Hideaki Anno, who also acted as producer alongside Takayuki Tsukagoshi and Minami Ichikawa.
“Shin Ultraman” stars Hidetoshi Nishijima, who was in the Academy Award winning movie “Drive My Car,” Takumi Saitoh, and Masami Nagasawa. The cast also includes Daiki Arioka (“Innocent Curse”), Akari Hayami (“Forget Me Not”), and Tetsushi Tanaka.
In the movie, the appearance of giant unidentified life forms,...
- 9/12/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Translation by Koichi Mori
Shinji Higuchi is a filmmaker and storyboard artist. At a young age, he was taken on a tour by his aunt to Toho Studios, where he saw the making of tokusatsu in action, which greatly inspired him. He would get his big start as an assistant modeler for the production of “The Return of Godzilla” and further advance career-wise with his collaborations with the studio Daicon. During that period, he would meet fellow filmmaker Hideaki Anno, who would become a close friend and frequent collaborator. Higuchi’s recognition would peak for his phenomenal work directing the special effects for the “Heisei Gamera Trilogy” directed by Shusuke Kaneko. Since then, he has been hailed both natively and internationally for his exceptional work as a special effects director and his movie directorial career. Higuchi’s latest film is “Shin Ultraman” the newest entry in the long-running “Ultra” franchise...
Shinji Higuchi is a filmmaker and storyboard artist. At a young age, he was taken on a tour by his aunt to Toho Studios, where he saw the making of tokusatsu in action, which greatly inspired him. He would get his big start as an assistant modeler for the production of “The Return of Godzilla” and further advance career-wise with his collaborations with the studio Daicon. During that period, he would meet fellow filmmaker Hideaki Anno, who would become a close friend and frequent collaborator. Higuchi’s recognition would peak for his phenomenal work directing the special effects for the “Heisei Gamera Trilogy” directed by Shusuke Kaneko. Since then, he has been hailed both natively and internationally for his exceptional work as a special effects director and his movie directorial career. Higuchi’s latest film is “Shin Ultraman” the newest entry in the long-running “Ultra” franchise...
- 8/6/2022
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Hidetoshi Nishijima (Drive My Car) is set to star opposite Rashida Jones in Sunny, Apple TV+’s half-hour dark comedy series from A24.
Written by Katie Robbins based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan and to be directed Lucy Tcherniak, Sunny stars Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband (Nishijima) and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship, as together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family, becoming dangerously enmeshed in a world Suzie never knew existed.
Nishijima will star as Masa Sakamoto, Suzie’s husband,...
Written by Katie Robbins based on the book Dark Manual by Japan-based Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan and to be directed Lucy Tcherniak, Sunny stars Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband (Nishijima) and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship, as together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family, becoming dangerously enmeshed in a world Suzie never knew existed.
Nishijima will star as Masa Sakamoto, Suzie’s husband,...
- 7/14/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
37th film in the Ultraman franchise and the second reboot of a tokusatsu series to be adapted by script writer Hideaki Anno and director Shinji Higuchi after “Shin Godzilla”, “Shin Ultraman” proves that the team behind the two movies (including Toho and Cine Bazar) have found the perfect recipe (and the money) for these relaunches.
Shin Ultraman is screening at Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival
In a style very similar to “Shin Godzilla”, the movie jumps right into the action, as a number of giant creatures, classified as “S-Class Species” have appeared throughout Japan, with the government establishing the S-Class Species Suppression Protocol to eliminate further threats. Shortly thereafter, the Sssp addresses Neronga’s attack, when a silver extraterrestrial giant dubbed “Ultraman” appears to defeat the monster and save humanity. However, he inadvertently kills Sssp member Shinji Kaminaga during his battle with the monster. He subsequently takes Shinji’s appearance and place,...
Shin Ultraman is screening at Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival
In a style very similar to “Shin Godzilla”, the movie jumps right into the action, as a number of giant creatures, classified as “S-Class Species” have appeared throughout Japan, with the government establishing the S-Class Species Suppression Protocol to eliminate further threats. Shortly thereafter, the Sssp addresses Neronga’s attack, when a silver extraterrestrial giant dubbed “Ultraman” appears to defeat the monster and save humanity. However, he inadvertently kills Sssp member Shinji Kaminaga during his battle with the monster. He subsequently takes Shinji’s appearance and place,...
- 7/3/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
More than 40 of the group are women and 50 come from outside the US.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 artists and executives, half of them from outside the US, to join its ranks.
Among the 30 actors invited are recent Oscar winners Troy Kotsur, from Coda, and Ariana DeBose, from West Side Story, along with Caitríona Balfe, Jessie Buckley, Jamie Dornan, Amir Jadidi, Kajol, Vincent Lindon, Hidetoshi Nishijima and Renate Reinsve.
Twenty-one directors were invited, including Pawo Choyning Dorji (Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom), Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), Sian Harries...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 artists and executives, half of them from outside the US, to join its ranks.
Among the 30 actors invited are recent Oscar winners Troy Kotsur, from Coda, and Ariana DeBose, from West Side Story, along with Caitríona Balfe, Jessie Buckley, Jamie Dornan, Amir Jadidi, Kajol, Vincent Lindon, Hidetoshi Nishijima and Renate Reinsve.
Twenty-one directors were invited, including Pawo Choyning Dorji (Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom), Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), Sian Harries...
- 6/28/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Tuesday that it is inviting 397 artists and executives to join the Oscar organizer’s membership ranks. The prospective 2022 class includes 71 Oscar nominees and 15 winners, with 44 of the invitees women, and 37 of the group belongs to underrepresented communities.
See the full list below.
Among this year’s Oscar winners on the list are Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur, and Kotsur’s Coda writer-director Siân Heder, who has been invited into both the Directors and Writers branches. Among those invited into multiple branches, the new member must pick one. There are a total of 17 AMPAS branches, along with 25 who today received members-at-large invitations.
Others on the list include this year’s Oscar Original Song winners Billie Eilish and brother Finneas O’Connell; actors Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Jesse Buckley, Michael Greyeyes, Olga Merediz, Jesse Plemons, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Anya Taylor-Joy; writers Zach Baylin,...
See the full list below.
Among this year’s Oscar winners on the list are Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur, and Kotsur’s Coda writer-director Siân Heder, who has been invited into both the Directors and Writers branches. Among those invited into multiple branches, the new member must pick one. There are a total of 17 AMPAS branches, along with 25 who today received members-at-large invitations.
Others on the list include this year’s Oscar Original Song winners Billie Eilish and brother Finneas O’Connell; actors Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Jesse Buckley, Michael Greyeyes, Olga Merediz, Jesse Plemons, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Anya Taylor-Joy; writers Zach Baylin,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Every summer, when the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invites new members, publicists scramble to update their lists. In the past seven years since #OscarsSoWhite, the Academy membership ranks have burgeoned dramatically, adding more young, diverse, and international members. As the Academy has sought to meet its diversity goals, the organization has swelled its ranks since 2015 from 6,446 to 10,665 total members (including Emeritus), if all the 2022 invitees accept membership, and the number of voting members to 9,665.
In the past two years, though, the pace has slowed, since the Academy met its goal of doubling the number of women and people of color in its membership. Instead of 819 new invites going out in 2020, the 2022 invites are just 397, a sign that the Academy is continuing to pull back on its 10 percent growth rate surge, and that the number of qualified experienced industry professionals has limits.
Next...
In the past two years, though, the pace has slowed, since the Academy met its goal of doubling the number of women and people of color in its membership. Instead of 819 new invites going out in 2020, the 2022 invites are just 397, a sign that the Academy is continuing to pull back on its 10 percent growth rate surge, and that the number of qualified experienced industry professionals has limits.
Next...
- 6/28/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Academy Invites 397 New Members, Including Billie Eilish, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jamie Dornan, Dana Walden
Anya Taylor-Joy, Billie Eilish, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan and Disney exec Dana Walden are among the 397 artists and executives invited to join the membership of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. If all of this year’s invitees accept membership, it will bring the total number of Academy members to 10,665, with 9,665 eligible to vote for the 95th Oscars set to take place on March 12, 2023.
The 2022 class is 44 women, 37 belong to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 50 are from 53 countries and territories outside the United States. There are 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners, among the invitees. Some of the big names invited are recent winners Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) and Troy Kotsur (“Coda”), and nominees Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”). Also invited are a slew of global artists and artisans such as actors Robin de Jesús, Olga Merediz...
The 2022 class is 44 women, 37 belong to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 50 are from 53 countries and territories outside the United States. There are 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners, among the invitees. Some of the big names invited are recent winners Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) and Troy Kotsur (“Coda”), and nominees Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”). Also invited are a slew of global artists and artisans such as actors Robin de Jesús, Olga Merediz...
- 6/28/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar winners Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsur and Billie Eilish and nominees Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons are among the 397 film professionals invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy announced on Monday.
Invitations were also extended to actors Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Renate Rensve and Anya Taylor-Joy, directors Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Sian Heder and Jonas Poher Rasmussen, writers Zach Baylin, Takamasa Oe and Alex Ross Perry and film critic Leonard Maltin, who was invited to join as a member at large.
Four people were invited by two different branches, and must choose which branch they wish to join. Hamaguchi, Heder and Pawo Choyning Dorji were invited by both the Directors and Writers Branches, while Rasmussen was invited by the Directors Branch and the Documentary Branch.
Also Read:
Marlee Matlin, Jason Reitman and Jason Blum Elected to Oscars Academy...
Invitations were also extended to actors Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Renate Rensve and Anya Taylor-Joy, directors Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Sian Heder and Jonas Poher Rasmussen, writers Zach Baylin, Takamasa Oe and Alex Ross Perry and film critic Leonard Maltin, who was invited to join as a member at large.
Four people were invited by two different branches, and must choose which branch they wish to join. Hamaguchi, Heder and Pawo Choyning Dorji were invited by both the Directors and Writers Branches, while Rasmussen was invited by the Directors Branch and the Documentary Branch.
Also Read:
Marlee Matlin, Jason Reitman and Jason Blum Elected to Oscars Academy...
- 6/28/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 members of the global film community to join the organization, it was announced Tuesday.
Among those who will henceforth be able to vote for the Oscar nominations and winners if they accept, as the vast majority of people who have received invites historically have: newly-minted Oscar winners Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (music branch) and Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur (actors); Paramount chief Brian Robbins and Disney general entertainment chief Dana Walden (executives); and film critic Leonard Maltin (members-at-large).
According to an Academy-provided breakdown of the new invitees, 44 percent are women, 37 percent are non-white and 50 percent are non-Americans (54 different countries are represented). If they all accept, the Academy’s overall membership will be 34 percent female, 19 percent non-white and 23 percent non-American.
Seven branches invited more women than men (actors, casting directors, costume designers, documentary,...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 members of the global film community to join the organization, it was announced Tuesday.
Among those who will henceforth be able to vote for the Oscar nominations and winners if they accept, as the vast majority of people who have received invites historically have: newly-minted Oscar winners Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (music branch) and Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur (actors); Paramount chief Brian Robbins and Disney general entertainment chief Dana Walden (executives); and film critic Leonard Maltin (members-at-large).
According to an Academy-provided breakdown of the new invitees, 44 percent are women, 37 percent are non-white and 50 percent are non-Americans (54 different countries are represented). If they all accept, the Academy’s overall membership will be 34 percent female, 19 percent non-white and 23 percent non-American.
Seven branches invited more women than men (actors, casting directors, costume designers, documentary,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The article was initially published on Sirp
As probably everyone knows by now, the Oscar for Best International Feature Film was given to another East Asian movie on March 27,2022 , after the unprecedented success “Parasite” had two years ago, with the statue going to the Japanese “Drive My Car” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Before that, however, the film has also won three awards in Cannes, Best International Film in the Independent Spirit Awards, BAFTA and Golden Globes, 9 awards from the Japanese Academy and a huge number of awards from Critics Circles and Societies all over the world. In that regard, it would be interesting to give a more thorough look to this success, but also to highlight an issue that has been tormenting Asian cinema representation outside of the continent, and was, in the case of “Drive my Car”, one of the major factors that led to all these accolades.
For starters,...
As probably everyone knows by now, the Oscar for Best International Feature Film was given to another East Asian movie on March 27,2022 , after the unprecedented success “Parasite” had two years ago, with the statue going to the Japanese “Drive My Car” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Before that, however, the film has also won three awards in Cannes, Best International Film in the Independent Spirit Awards, BAFTA and Golden Globes, 9 awards from the Japanese Academy and a huge number of awards from Critics Circles and Societies all over the world. In that regard, it would be interesting to give a more thorough look to this success, but also to highlight an issue that has been tormenting Asian cinema representation outside of the continent, and was, in the case of “Drive my Car”, one of the major factors that led to all these accolades.
For starters,...
- 6/13/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi has created a multi-layered nuanced film which slowly reveals its characters in ways we want to discover, witness and savor.
A renowned stage actor and director (Yusuke Kafuku played by Hidetoshi Nishijima) and his wife (Reika Kirishima), a screenwriter, are happily married until she suddenly dies and leaves behind a secret. Two years later, Kafuku, still unable to fully cope with the loss of his wife, receives an offer to direct a play at a theater festival and drives to Hiroshima with his car. There, he is assigned a chauffeur (Tôko Miura), and as they spend time together, they confront the mystery of their families which have quietly haunted them.
It has rightfully garnered a long list of prizes since premiering last July at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards, including best screenplay. It was also named best picture by the National Society of Film Critics in the United States, as well as by critics’ associations in Los Angeles and New York. Most recently, it took the 2022 Golden Globe for best picture in the non-English language category.
Watch the trailer here.
Adapted from two of the stories featured in Haruki Murakami’s collection, “Men Without Women,” Drive My Car, is the exploration of one man’s life after the sudden death of his wife. One story is “Scheherazad,” the story of a woman who’s telling tales while she was having sex. Another is “Kino” which is the name of the main character who is a man being cheated on by his wife. Within that story, the state that he’s able to reach is similar to Kafuku’s own journey’s destination. The rest of the intertwined elements of Drive My Car were written by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi himself along with Takamasa Oe.
Hamaguchi says, “I felt an affinity for its theme of having two people deepen their relationship via having conversations in cars.”
Layers of the story are revealed slowly and the characters’ inter-relationships are also revealed in a way that envelops the audience. For instance, Kafuku reveals he knew about his wife’s infidelity and he suspected one of her amours was a young actor he subsequently hires to be in the play he is directing. However this actor’s own character is so flawed that his actions propel the story into an unexpected direction. The chauffeur’s personal story brings Kafuku to a realization he can only share with the chauffeur and which brings both characters to a sort of closure in their separate burdens of mourning. Drive My Car runs three hours but not a frame is superfluous and the reward is a masterful and poignent shared meditation on mournng.
The film went on to play in San Sebastian and Toronto Film Festivals. Isa The Match Factory sold the film to Janus for the USA. For Austria to Polyfilm, the Baltics to A-One Films Baltic, Benelux — September, Croatia — Kino Mediteran, Denmark — Camera, Estonia — A-One, Finland — Future, France — Diaphana, Germany — Rapid Eye Movies, Italy — Tucker, Japan producer Bitters End, Norway — Arthaus, Poland — Gutek, Singapore — Lighthouse, Slovenia and Ex-Yugoslavia—Demiurg-Cvetka Flakus, Spain — Elastica, Sweden- Njuta, Switzerland — Sister, Taiwan — Andrews, Turkey — Mars, UK — Modern.
A renowned stage actor and director (Yusuke Kafuku played by Hidetoshi Nishijima) and his wife (Reika Kirishima), a screenwriter, are happily married until she suddenly dies and leaves behind a secret. Two years later, Kafuku, still unable to fully cope with the loss of his wife, receives an offer to direct a play at a theater festival and drives to Hiroshima with his car. There, he is assigned a chauffeur (Tôko Miura), and as they spend time together, they confront the mystery of their families which have quietly haunted them.
It has rightfully garnered a long list of prizes since premiering last July at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards, including best screenplay. It was also named best picture by the National Society of Film Critics in the United States, as well as by critics’ associations in Los Angeles and New York. Most recently, it took the 2022 Golden Globe for best picture in the non-English language category.
Watch the trailer here.
Adapted from two of the stories featured in Haruki Murakami’s collection, “Men Without Women,” Drive My Car, is the exploration of one man’s life after the sudden death of his wife. One story is “Scheherazad,” the story of a woman who’s telling tales while she was having sex. Another is “Kino” which is the name of the main character who is a man being cheated on by his wife. Within that story, the state that he’s able to reach is similar to Kafuku’s own journey’s destination. The rest of the intertwined elements of Drive My Car were written by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi himself along with Takamasa Oe.
Hamaguchi says, “I felt an affinity for its theme of having two people deepen their relationship via having conversations in cars.”
Layers of the story are revealed slowly and the characters’ inter-relationships are also revealed in a way that envelops the audience. For instance, Kafuku reveals he knew about his wife’s infidelity and he suspected one of her amours was a young actor he subsequently hires to be in the play he is directing. However this actor’s own character is so flawed that his actions propel the story into an unexpected direction. The chauffeur’s personal story brings Kafuku to a realization he can only share with the chauffeur and which brings both characters to a sort of closure in their separate burdens of mourning. Drive My Car runs three hours but not a frame is superfluous and the reward is a masterful and poignent shared meditation on mournng.
The film went on to play in San Sebastian and Toronto Film Festivals. Isa The Match Factory sold the film to Janus for the USA. For Austria to Polyfilm, the Baltics to A-One Films Baltic, Benelux — September, Croatia — Kino Mediteran, Denmark — Camera, Estonia — A-One, Finland — Future, France — Diaphana, Germany — Rapid Eye Movies, Italy — Tucker, Japan producer Bitters End, Norway — Arthaus, Poland — Gutek, Singapore — Lighthouse, Slovenia and Ex-Yugoslavia—Demiurg-Cvetka Flakus, Spain — Elastica, Sweden- Njuta, Switzerland — Sister, Taiwan — Andrews, Turkey — Mars, UK — Modern.
- 5/8/2022
- by Sydney
- Sydney's Buzz
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