Although the second season does not have the element of surprise, as first seasons usually do, it is easy to say that the creators of “Tokyo Vice Season 2” did an excellent job this time also, by focusing even more to the series' best aspect, its characters.
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Jake's miraculous rise in the echelons of Meicho newspaper continues, with his relationship with both his superior, Maruyama, and his colleagues, Tin Tin and Trendy, being on its highest level. Maruyama listens to him and trusts him, as do the other two actually, frequently following his advice even. Even Baku, his racist, nationalistic boss seems to have warmed up to him, at least professionally, occasionally approving even his most daring suggestions. At the same time, the reappearance of Tozawa throws a shadow over everyone, including Jake, who has started a relationship with his former mistress,...
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Jake's miraculous rise in the echelons of Meicho newspaper continues, with his relationship with both his superior, Maruyama, and his colleagues, Tin Tin and Trendy, being on its highest level. Maruyama listens to him and trusts him, as do the other two actually, frequently following his advice even. Even Baku, his racist, nationalistic boss seems to have warmed up to him, at least professionally, occasionally approving even his most daring suggestions. At the same time, the reappearance of Tozawa throws a shadow over everyone, including Jake, who has started a relationship with his former mistress,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
[This story contains spoilers from the season two finale of Tokyo Vice.]
Many heroes brought down ruthless yakuza crime lord Shinzo Tozawa (Ayumi Tanida) in the season two finale of Tokyo Vice.
But for many faithful fans of the Japan-set and American-produced crime drama on Max, watching Akiro Sato (played by Show Kasamatsu), the young resilient yakuza member of the Chihara-Kai clan, deliver proof of Tozawa’s treachery to the oyabuns of various clans was a greatly satisfying ending to the 10 episodes that have been soaked with violence, honor, dishonor, loyalty and betrayal.
And of all the yakuza portrayed in the series about the Japanese organized crime world, Sato was the one member who sought quiet and peace, in his own way.
Tokyo Vice fandom pages indicate that Kasamatsu’s portrayal of Sato leaps off of the screen, similar to the series’ main star Ansel Elgort, who plays real-life American journalist Jake Adelstein, who moved to Japan in the ‘90s...
Many heroes brought down ruthless yakuza crime lord Shinzo Tozawa (Ayumi Tanida) in the season two finale of Tokyo Vice.
But for many faithful fans of the Japan-set and American-produced crime drama on Max, watching Akiro Sato (played by Show Kasamatsu), the young resilient yakuza member of the Chihara-Kai clan, deliver proof of Tozawa’s treachery to the oyabuns of various clans was a greatly satisfying ending to the 10 episodes that have been soaked with violence, honor, dishonor, loyalty and betrayal.
And of all the yakuza portrayed in the series about the Japanese organized crime world, Sato was the one member who sought quiet and peace, in his own way.
Tokyo Vice fandom pages indicate that Kasamatsu’s portrayal of Sato leaps off of the screen, similar to the series’ main star Ansel Elgort, who plays real-life American journalist Jake Adelstein, who moved to Japan in the ‘90s...
- 4/8/2024
- by Demetrius Patterson
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spoiler Alert: This interview contains spoilers for the Season 2 finale of “Tokyo Vice,” now streaming on Max.
Season 2 of “Tokyo Vice,” the neo-noir crime drama set in Tokyo, Japan, and loosely based on a memoir written by journalist Jake Adelstein, has come to a close in an explosive finale that both sent off the series’ main, two-season running antagonist — and laid the foundation for what could potentially come from the Max thriller if a third season were to be greenlit.
The show stars Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe, and tells the story of a Japanese-fluent American writer (Elgort) who works his way into covering crime for one of Tokyo’s most prominent newspapers. In the process, he forges an unlikely bond with a dogged local police detective, Hiroto Katagiri (Watanabe), with the duo sharing information and working together to untangle sordid yakuza activities.
Before diving into the specifics of the finale,...
Season 2 of “Tokyo Vice,” the neo-noir crime drama set in Tokyo, Japan, and loosely based on a memoir written by journalist Jake Adelstein, has come to a close in an explosive finale that both sent off the series’ main, two-season running antagonist — and laid the foundation for what could potentially come from the Max thriller if a third season were to be greenlit.
The show stars Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe, and tells the story of a Japanese-fluent American writer (Elgort) who works his way into covering crime for one of Tokyo’s most prominent newspapers. In the process, he forges an unlikely bond with a dogged local police detective, Hiroto Katagiri (Watanabe), with the duo sharing information and working together to untangle sordid yakuza activities.
Before diving into the specifics of the finale,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety Film + TV
Hollywood’s biggest night is upon us at last. The 96th Academy Awards air Sunday at 7/6c on ABC, which is good news for “Oppenheimer” leading man Cillian Murphy, who on Monday will be able to return home to Ireland and not leave its shores for six months. The ceremony will again be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and many former winners, including Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey and Rita Moreno, will be on hand to help hand out this year’s awards. The evening will also include what is probably going to go down as one of the weirdest musical numbers to be featured on the Oscar stage, as someone was able to talk three-time nominee Ryan Gosling into performing the memorable hit song “I’m Just Ken” from Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” So although there haven’t been too many surprises this awards season, meaning Sunday’s telecast might be...
- 3/9/2024
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
Spoiler Alert: This interview contains spoilers from the Season 2 premiere of HBO’s “Tokyo Vice,” now streaming on Max.
“Jake is being a very bad boy…”
That’s how Ken Watanabe, who plays detective Hiroto Katagiri, described Jake Adelstein’s (Ansel Elgort) actions at the end of “Tokyo Vice’s” Season 2 premiere. The second season picks off right where Season 1 ended in April 2022 and plugs viewers back into the neon-lit streets of Tokyo’s underbelly.
Loosely based on the memoir written by journalist Jake Adelstein, “Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan,” the show follows Adelstein as he works with detective Katagiri to expose the atrocities committed by the yakuza and dismantle organized crime in the city.
The jaw-dropping Season 2 premiere, which debuted on Max with two episodes, saw Jake, the Japan-based journalist, for lack of a better phrase, “sealing the deal” with Shinzo Tozawa’s (Ayumi Tanida) girlfriend,...
“Jake is being a very bad boy…”
That’s how Ken Watanabe, who plays detective Hiroto Katagiri, described Jake Adelstein’s (Ansel Elgort) actions at the end of “Tokyo Vice’s” Season 2 premiere. The second season picks off right where Season 1 ended in April 2022 and plugs viewers back into the neon-lit streets of Tokyo’s underbelly.
Loosely based on the memoir written by journalist Jake Adelstein, “Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan,” the show follows Adelstein as he works with detective Katagiri to expose the atrocities committed by the yakuza and dismantle organized crime in the city.
The jaw-dropping Season 2 premiere, which debuted on Max with two episodes, saw Jake, the Japan-based journalist, for lack of a better phrase, “sealing the deal” with Shinzo Tozawa’s (Ayumi Tanida) girlfriend,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety Film + TV
Over the first half of “Tokyo Vice” Season 2, Ken Watanabe’s harried detective looks, to put it mildly, like absolute dogshit. Puffy bags threaten to swallow his eyes. Peppered stubble creeps across his chin and cheeks. Watch closely and you’ll swear you can see his hair falling out, one withered strand at a time. While likely frowned upon by his superiors, Detective Hiroto Katagiri’s shabby appearance is justified. At work, he’s been relegated to demeaning desk duty, promising clueless citizens he’ll find out where the yakuza has taken their cat. At home, he’s been living alone for months, smoking silently in an empty bed, gazing out into the darkness for any signs of danger — and danger is out there. His family is in hiding because, when not busy catnapping, the yakuza is threatening to kill them. If they feel Katagiri snooping around in their business,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Aoi Takeya will make his television debut in the HBO Max series Tokyo Vice‘s second season.
He will portray the character of Jason Oki, a Japanese-American member of the US Foreign Service who gets pulled into Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) and his colleagues’ hunt to uncover the secrets of yakuza crime lord Shinzo Tozawa (Ayumi Tanida).
Tokyo Vice is loosely inspired by American journalist Jake Adelstein’s nonfiction firsthand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat. The crime drama, filmed on location in Tokyo, captures Adelstein’s daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in the late ‘90s, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem.
Ken Watanabe plays Hiroto Katagiri, a detective in the organized crime division of the Tokyo Police Department who is also a father figure to Jake throughout the series as he helps guide him along the thin and...
He will portray the character of Jason Oki, a Japanese-American member of the US Foreign Service who gets pulled into Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) and his colleagues’ hunt to uncover the secrets of yakuza crime lord Shinzo Tozawa (Ayumi Tanida).
Tokyo Vice is loosely inspired by American journalist Jake Adelstein’s nonfiction firsthand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat. The crime drama, filmed on location in Tokyo, captures Adelstein’s daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in the late ‘90s, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem.
Ken Watanabe plays Hiroto Katagiri, a detective in the organized crime division of the Tokyo Police Department who is also a father figure to Jake throughout the series as he helps guide him along the thin and...
- 11/10/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
As the credits roll on the final episode of HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice, we know that Jake (Ansel Elgort) and Katagiri’s (Ken Watanabe) quest to take down ruthless Yakuza leader Shinzo Tozawa (Ayumi Tanida) is far from over. Whether HBO actually green lights a second season of this excellent, neon-tinged crime drama is another question, especially now that Warner Bros. Discovery is in charge and cleaning house when it comes to original TV programming across the media company, but it would be a shame if the story ended here. There are just too many cliffhangers to resolve.
While it’s clear that Jake and Katagiri will continue to build their case against Tozawa, thanks to a flash-forward in the opening scene of the first episode that shows the duo meeting with his men about a “story” that the Yakuza leader wants buried, we don’t know the fate...
While it’s clear that Jake and Katagiri will continue to build their case against Tozawa, thanks to a flash-forward in the opening scene of the first episode that shows the duo meeting with his men about a “story” that the Yakuza leader wants buried, we don’t know the fate...
- 4/29/2022
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
"I want to know the real Tokyo... what's beneath the surface." HBO Max has unveiled an official trailer for a new crime thriller series titled Tokyo Vice, streaming starting this April. Based on Jake Adelstein's non-fiction first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat, the drama captures his daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem... Ansel Elgort stars as an American journalist from Missouri who moves to Tokyo. The longer he stays, the more he delves into the corruption of Tokyo's seedy underworld. Ken Watanabe also co-stars as a detective in the organized crime division. He's a father figure to Adelstein who helps guide him through the thin and often precarious line between the law and organized crime. Also starring Odessa Young, Ella Rumpf, Rinko Kikuchi, Shun Sugata, and Noémie Nakai. Where did this come from?...
- 3/14/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
HBO Max has released the trailer for “Tokyo Vice,” offering a first look at the upcoming crime series. Loosely adapted from American journalist Jake Adelstein’s coverage of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s operations, the series stars Ansel Elgort as Adelstein as he documents the criminal underbelly and culture of police corruption of 1990s Tokyo. Ken Watanabe also stars, alongside Rachel Keller, Ella Rumpf, Rinko Kikuchi, Hideaki Ito, Show Kasamatsu, Tomohisa Yamashita, Shun Sugata, Masato Hagiwara, Ayumi Tanida and Kosuke Toyohara.
The series was greenlit with Elgort attached as the lead in 2019. Emmy winner and acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann later joined the production, signing on to direct the pilot episode and serve as executive producer for the series. J.T. Rogers serves as series writer, creator and executive producer
“Tokyo Vice” comes from Endeavor Content and Japanese pay-tv broadcaster Wowow. Other executive producers include Adelstein, Elgort, Watanabe, Cretton, Alan Poul, Emily Gerson Saines,...
The series was greenlit with Elgort attached as the lead in 2019. Emmy winner and acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann later joined the production, signing on to direct the pilot episode and serve as executive producer for the series. J.T. Rogers serves as series writer, creator and executive producer
“Tokyo Vice” comes from Endeavor Content and Japanese pay-tv broadcaster Wowow. Other executive producers include Adelstein, Elgort, Watanabe, Cretton, Alan Poul, Emily Gerson Saines,...
- 3/14/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Tokyo Vice, after pausing production in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, finally will land at HBO Max this spring. The series starring Ken Watanabe and Ansel Elgort hails from creator and writer J.T. Rogers. The series pilot was directed by Michael Mann.
The second official series order from HBO Max in 2019, Tokyo Vice is loosely inspired by American journalist Jake Adelstein’s nonfiction firsthand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat. The crime drama, filmed on location in Tokyo, captures Adelstein’s (Elgort) daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in the late ‘90s, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem. The series will premiere with three episodes on Thursday, April 7, followed by two episodes airing every Thursday until the season finale on April 28.
Watanabe will play Hiroto Katagiri, a detective in the organized crime division of the Tokyo Police Department who is also...
The second official series order from HBO Max in 2019, Tokyo Vice is loosely inspired by American journalist Jake Adelstein’s nonfiction firsthand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat. The crime drama, filmed on location in Tokyo, captures Adelstein’s (Elgort) daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in the late ‘90s, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem. The series will premiere with three episodes on Thursday, April 7, followed by two episodes airing every Thursday until the season finale on April 28.
Watanabe will play Hiroto Katagiri, a detective in the organized crime division of the Tokyo Police Department who is also...
- 2/7/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Cast is being finalized on Tokyo Vice, the crime drama loosely based on Jake Adelstein’s 2009 memoir about a crime reporter on the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat.
Series regulars added include Hideaki Ito (Tokkai), Show Kasamatsu (Flowers and Rain) and Tomohisa Yamashita (The Man from Toronto). Further additions include Shun Sugata (Tomorrow’s Dinner Table), Masato Hagiwara (Tokkai), Ayumi Tanida (The Return), and Kosuke Toyohara (Yakuza and The Family).
They join the previously announced Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rachel Keller, Ella Rumpf and Rinko Kikuchi. Michael Mann directed the Tokyo Vice pilot and serves as an executive producer along with J.T. Rogers, Alan Poul, Jake Adelstein, Ansel Elgort, Emily Gerson Saines, Destin Daniel Cretton, Ken Watanabe, Kayo Washio, and John Lesher. J.T. Rogers created and wrote the series.
Endeavor Content and Japanese pay-tv broadcaster Wowow are producing for HBO Max. The show is expected to debut in early 2022.
Series regulars added include Hideaki Ito (Tokkai), Show Kasamatsu (Flowers and Rain) and Tomohisa Yamashita (The Man from Toronto). Further additions include Shun Sugata (Tomorrow’s Dinner Table), Masato Hagiwara (Tokkai), Ayumi Tanida (The Return), and Kosuke Toyohara (Yakuza and The Family).
They join the previously announced Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rachel Keller, Ella Rumpf and Rinko Kikuchi. Michael Mann directed the Tokyo Vice pilot and serves as an executive producer along with J.T. Rogers, Alan Poul, Jake Adelstein, Ansel Elgort, Emily Gerson Saines, Destin Daniel Cretton, Ken Watanabe, Kayo Washio, and John Lesher. J.T. Rogers created and wrote the series.
Endeavor Content and Japanese pay-tv broadcaster Wowow are producing for HBO Max. The show is expected to debut in early 2022.
- 9/16/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
A series of dramas inspired by stories directed by Takushi Tsubokawa, such as “Hamelin,” from people he met in Muroran, Hokkaido, where he lives. It tells seven stories of people living in local cities. In addition to Ren Osugi such as “Kyoukaishi”, Nene Otsuka such as “13 Moon”, Kenji Mizuhashi such as “Kazoku Drawing”, Nahana, Shun Sugata, Kouta Kusano, Sayu Kubota, Komatsu Starring Masao, Nagatoshi Sakamoto, Kyoko Kagawa and others.
Synopsis:
Aquarium employee Iwanai (Hiroki Nakajima) sees a woman holding a bottle with a letter at the port (“Episode 1”). Shinta (Ryunosuke Kawai) finds an unreceived photo in his father’s (Ren Osugi) photo studio and searches for the owner (“Episode 2”). Mizuno (Kenji Mizuhashi), who leads the chorus, receives a request from her predecessor’s husband (“Episode 3”). Sugiyama (Kouta Kusano), an oversized garbage collector, is asked to dispose of the piano (“Episode 4”). Junior high school student Momoko (Sayu Kubota) visits the science...
Synopsis:
Aquarium employee Iwanai (Hiroki Nakajima) sees a woman holding a bottle with a letter at the port (“Episode 1”). Shinta (Ryunosuke Kawai) finds an unreceived photo in his father’s (Ren Osugi) photo studio and searches for the owner (“Episode 2”). Mizuno (Kenji Mizuhashi), who leads the chorus, receives a request from her predecessor’s husband (“Episode 3”). Sugiyama (Kouta Kusano), an oversized garbage collector, is asked to dispose of the piano (“Episode 4”). Junior high school student Momoko (Sayu Kubota) visits the science...
- 10/12/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
"You... are not human." What the?!! This is so badass!! A Japanese filmmaker and VFX artist named Junya Okabe has finally released his homemade short film Zvp online for everyone to watch. The official title is just Zvp, but this is actually Zatoichi vs Predator - but since it's fan-made and all for fun, he can't call it that due to IP rights. In feudal Japan, blind Swordsman Zatoichi comes to the aid of a noblewoman carrying a secret treasure, and must fight cyborg ninjas and a powerful and mysterious Samurai. There are some cool cyberpunk Japanese warriors in this, but the big reveal is that the Predator is somehow kicking ass in feudal Japan. The film stars Shun Sugata and Chihiro Yamamoto. It originally premiered in 2017, but has only just hit the web this month. Even the score is awesome, too. I love coming across this kind of stuff - enjoy it.
- 9/18/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The slow-burning drama, as dictated nowadays by the style of Hirokazu Koreeda, is one of the most dominant genres in the Japanese movie industry. Takashi Saito makes his effort in the category with a film that follows its general rules, but also soars with a “subtle” tension deriving from the protagonist.
The Voice of Obo is screening at Japan Film Fest Hamburg
Shuta is a former boxer, and the embodiment of what society calls a loser. He cannot keep a job due to his temper, he mistreats his girlfriend for the slightest of reasons, and he seems to take no responsibility for anything that happens to him, blaming an invisible force for his troubles. His tendencies reach an apogee when his girlfriend announces to him that she is pregnant and she is keeping the baby: he decides to abandon her and leave for his hometown and his mother’s house,...
The Voice of Obo is screening at Japan Film Fest Hamburg
Shuta is a former boxer, and the embodiment of what society calls a loser. He cannot keep a job due to his temper, he mistreats his girlfriend for the slightest of reasons, and he seems to take no responsibility for anything that happens to him, blaming an invisible force for his troubles. His tendencies reach an apogee when his girlfriend announces to him that she is pregnant and she is keeping the baby: he decides to abandon her and leave for his hometown and his mother’s house,...
- 5/25/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Scott Adkins, Mika Hijii, Kane Kosugi, Shun Sugata, Vithaya Pansringarm, Mukesh Bhatt, Tim Man, Jawed El BerniSaichia Wongwirot, Shogo Tanikawa, Futoshi Hashimoto | Written by David N. White | Directed by Isaac Florentine
I’m a huge fan of 2009′s Ninja, as my signed Blu-ray will atest, so it’s safe to say I was super-excited for the UK release of the sequel Ninja: Shadow of a Tear. Whereas the first film saw Scott Adkins titular hero Casey Bowman using his ninjutsu skills on the streets of New York, this film sees Casey return home from some late night shopping to find someone has brutally killed his wife Namiko (Mika Hijii) and their unborn child. Bereft, Casey has only one thing left to live for… revenge.
The only clues to Namiko’s killer are the barbed wire marks left around her neck. So, with the help of his trusted friend Nakabara...
I’m a huge fan of 2009′s Ninja, as my signed Blu-ray will atest, so it’s safe to say I was super-excited for the UK release of the sequel Ninja: Shadow of a Tear. Whereas the first film saw Scott Adkins titular hero Casey Bowman using his ninjutsu skills on the streets of New York, this film sees Casey return home from some late night shopping to find someone has brutally killed his wife Namiko (Mika Hijii) and their unborn child. Bereft, Casey has only one thing left to live for… revenge.
The only clues to Namiko’s killer are the barbed wire marks left around her neck. So, with the help of his trusted friend Nakabara...
- 5/8/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Title: Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear Directed by: Isaac Florentine Starring: Scott Adkins, Vithaya Pansringarm, Mika Hijii, Shun Sugata, Ron Smoorenburg Running time: 94 minutes, Rated R, Available on DVD Special Features: Featurette, Cast & Crew Interviews, Behind the Scenes Casey Bowman (Scott Adkins) and his pregnant wife Namiko (Mika Hijii) are living the idyllic life in Japan. He goes out to purchase a special necklace, get’s confronted by muggers but he holds his own and brings the gift home to his wife. Sometime later, an intruder murders his young wife and unborn child. Casey returns to his old dojo after his former classmate returns for the funeral and [ Read More ]
The post Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear Blue-ray Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear Blue-ray Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/28/2013
- by juliana
- ShockYa
Principal photography hasn't begun yet for Isaac Florentine's martial arts flick Ninja 2 but that hasn't stopped Nu Image/Millennium Films from whipping up a poster art. While the artwork is nothing more than a rehash of material from the first installment, the tagline makes it pretty clear where the story is heading - the revenge-plot direction. Scott Adkins reprise the role of the American ninja Casey Bowman, along with Mika Hijii as Namiko. The antagonist roles include Kane Kosugi as Nakabara and Shun Sugata as Goro. Here's how the official synopsis describes it (spoiler alert):Fight everyone and trust no one: it's the code of survival practiced by martial-arts master Casey Bowman after his life of domestic bliss is shattered by a savage act of violence....
- 12/10/2012
- Screen Anarchy
When it comes to Venice Film Festival, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano is definitely not a stranger. I’m sure you all remember his Hana Bi from 1997 (for which he recevied the Golden Lion), or 2003 Zatoichi project (Silver Lion statue).
Well, guess what, Kitano is now back In Competition with his completely new project, titled Outrage Beyond. And, in case this sounds like it has something to do with Kitano’s Outrage movie from last year’s Cannes film festival – relax, you’re not tripping – it’s just a sequel to the original story…
So, this time we have the Sanno crime family all grown into a huge organization, expanding its power into politics and legitimate big business. The Sanno’s upper ranks are now dominated by young executives, and the old-guard members are penting up resentment while being pushed to the sidelines.
This vulnerable spot in the Sanno hierarchy is...
Well, guess what, Kitano is now back In Competition with his completely new project, titled Outrage Beyond. And, in case this sounds like it has something to do with Kitano’s Outrage movie from last year’s Cannes film festival – relax, you’re not tripping – it’s just a sequel to the original story…
So, this time we have the Sanno crime family all grown into a huge organization, expanding its power into politics and legitimate big business. The Sanno’s upper ranks are now dominated by young executives, and the old-guard members are penting up resentment while being pushed to the sidelines.
This vulnerable spot in the Sanno hierarchy is...
- 8/23/2012
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
The official website for Haruhi Oguri’s Donzumari Benki has been updated with a second full trailer.
Nahana stars as a violent girl named Narumi who was sent to prison for stabbing a co-worker. Narumi lost both parents when she was young, so she decides to go stay with her younger brother, Kei (Kuniaki Nakamura) upon release. When she arrives, she finds him living with his girlfriend, Kana (Keiko Sugawara). Seeing the two of them living happily together causes her to become filled with jealousy due to the twisted relationship they’ve shared since their parents died. In a desperate attempt to steal Kei back from his girlfriend, Narumi makes up her mind to betray their childhood secret.
Shun Sugata (Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Confessions of a Dog) also stars.
“Donzumari Benki” will be screened at Shibuya Euro Space on April 14, 2012.
Nahana stars as a violent girl named Narumi who was sent to prison for stabbing a co-worker. Narumi lost both parents when she was young, so she decides to go stay with her younger brother, Kei (Kuniaki Nakamura) upon release. When she arrives, she finds him living with his girlfriend, Kana (Keiko Sugawara). Seeing the two of them living happily together causes her to become filled with jealousy due to the twisted relationship they’ve shared since their parents died. In a desperate attempt to steal Kei back from his girlfriend, Narumi makes up her mind to betray their childhood secret.
Shun Sugata (Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Confessions of a Dog) also stars.
“Donzumari Benki” will be screened at Shibuya Euro Space on April 14, 2012.
- 3/24/2012
- Nippon Cinema
The fine people at Arc Entertinament and XLRator Media have provided Twitch readers with the opportunity to win one of six signed one sheets from Guy Moshe's neo-noir/western/action/samurai film, Bunraku! The posters are signed by director Guy Moshe and star Ron Perlman and will be shipped in poster tubes, unfolded to you, the winner!Bunraku is a hyper-stylized post-apocalyptic fantasy film that meshes elements from different avant garde film and theater styles to create something new. The film is very daring visually, and brings together a pretty damned impressive main and supporting cast, including: Josh Hartnett, Gackt, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore, and Shun Sugata. What do you have to do to win? That's easy! Just send me an e-mail with Bunraku Poster...
- 10/31/2011
- Screen Anarchy
#7. Cut Director: Amir Naderi Cast: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Takako Tokiwa,Takashi Sasano, Shun Sugata, Denden Distributor: Rights Available Buzz: Opening Venice's Orizzonti section before shipping out to Toronto, this marks a noteworthy new direction for one of the most important figures in New Iranian cinema of the 70's and 80's. After working as an American filmmaker for a pair of decade, Amir Naderi has gone all "The Five Obstructions" on his career by ordering his latest work to be all things Japanese. With collaborations from Shinji Aoyama (2000's Eureka) who helped co-write the film and Kiyoshi Kurosawa (2003's Bright Future) who served as special consultant, this should be a standout item in Naderi's filmography. The Gist: Described by the festival "as a visual love poem for the cinema set in the world of the yakuza," I'm a huge fan of filmmakers making films about the filmmaking process - in this case...
- 9/2/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
See Josh Hartnett's The Drifter take on Yoshi (Gackt) in this fight scene clip from Bunraku! Arc Entertainment releases the action pic to theaters on September 30th and you can catch Bunraku on Video on Deman on September 1st. Guy Moshe (Holly) directs from his own script with a well known cast for the most part, including Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, Gackt, Jordi Mollà, Emily Kaiho and Shun Sugata. Check out the clip below the plot for Bunraku and let us know what you think. Cheesy or are you up for it?...
- 8/24/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See Josh Hartnett's The Drifter take on Yoshi (Gackt) in this fight scene clip from Bunraku! Arc Entertainment releases the action pic to theaters on September 30th and you can catch Bunraku on Video on Deman on September 1st. Guy Moshe (Holly) directs from his own script with a well known cast for the most part, including Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, Gackt, Jordi Mollà, Emily Kaiho and Shun Sugata. Check out the clip below the plot for Bunraku and let us know what you think. Cheesy or are you up for it?...
- 8/24/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the first poster for Bunraku, starring Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Gackt, Kevin McKidd, Ron Perlman and Demi Moore. Guy Moshe (Holly) directs and writes the action fantasy which follows a toung man who has spent his life in search of revenge, only to find himself against a bigger challenge than he expected. Also in the cast of Bunraku are Jordi Mollà, Emily Kaiho and Shun Sugata. The film is produced by Ram Bergman, Keith Calder, Jessica Wu and Nava Levin. Pic made its premiere at last year's Toronto International Film Festival and opens theatrically on September 30th via Arc Entertainment.
- 8/5/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the first poster for Bunraku, starring Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Gackt, Kevin McKidd, Ron Perlman and Demi Moore. Guy Moshe (Holly) directs and writes the action fantasy which follows a toung man who has spent his life in search of revenge, only to find himself against a bigger challenge than he expected. Also in the cast of Bunraku are Jordi Mollà, Emily Kaiho and Shun Sugata. The film is produced by Ram Bergman, Keith Calder, Jessica Wu and Nava Levin. Pic made its premiere at last year's Toronto International Film Festival and opens theatrically on September 30th via Arc Entertainment.
- 8/5/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the first poster for Bunraku, starring Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Gackt, Kevin McKidd, Ron Perlman and Demi Moore. Guy Moshe (Holly) directs and writes the action fantasy which follows a toung man who has spent his life in search of revenge, only to find himself against a bigger challenge than he expected. Also in the cast of Bunraku are Jordi Mollà, Emily Kaiho and Shun Sugata. The film is produced by Ram Bergman, Keith Calder, Jessica Wu and Nava Levin. Pic made its premiere at last year's Toronto International Film Festival and opens theatrically on September 30th via Arc Entertainment.
- 8/5/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Arc Entertainment, in association with Barry Gordon's XLrator Media, has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Snoot Entertainment’s "Bunraku." Josh Hartnett ("30 Days of Night," "Pearl Harbor") toplines a cast that also includes Ron Perlman ("Hellboy"), Demi Moore ("GI Jane"), Woody Harrelson ("No Country For Old Men"), Kevin McKidd ("Grey's Anatomy") and Jordi Mollà ("Knight and Day"), Gackt Camui and Shun Sugata ("Tokyo Gore Police"). Written and directed by Guy Moshe ("Holly"), "Bunraku" premiered at the 2010 Toronto Film Fest. In a nod to samurai films and spaghetti westerns alike, Harnett plays a mysterious stranger (Josh Hartnett) who wanders into a...
- 4/26/2011
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
Arc Entertainment and Barry Gordon's XLrator Media has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the Snoot Entertainment’s "Bunraku." The martial arts film premiered at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival. Among its stars are Josh Hartnett, Ron Perlman, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Kevin McKidd and Jordi Mollà as well as Japanese actors Gackt Camui and Shun Sugata. The movie centers on a mysterious drifter (Hartnett) and young Japanese warrior Yoshi (Gackt) who arrive in a town that has been terrorized by criminals. The two eventually join forces to bring down the bad guys. Snoot Entertainment’s...
- 4/26/2011
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Update: I originally posted a trailer for this movie that I found on Youtube, and the Deadline commenters have spent the day beating it like it owed them money. The producers have appealed to my sense of fair play because, they said, the trailer was an early sales tool that doesn't reflect the quality of the finished film. So I've pulled the trailer. Exclusive: Arc Entertainment is teaming with Barry Gordon's XLrator Media to acquire U.S. distribution rights to Bunraku, the Guy Moshe-directed martial arts action film that premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last fall. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Ron Perlman, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Kevin McKidd, Jordi Molla, Gackt Camui and Shun Sugata. Hartnett plays a mysterious drifter who arrives in town the same time as a young Japanese warrior (Gackt). The town has been poisoned by criminal elements, and each man moves along toward separate missions,...
- 4/26/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
“Aren’t you ashamed?” is a phrase oft repeated in Gen Takahashi’s blistering portrait of the Japanese police force, Confessions of a Dog, and it is one that is levelled as squarely at the audience as it is the ‘villains’ presented on screen. Over the course of just over three hours Takahashi paints a depressing picture of the widespread corruption in the Japanese police force and the way it infects every area from top to bottom.
Leading us through this murky world are a variety of police officers and journalists but key is the central character of Takeda, who gradually becomes absorbed into the corrupt police force and little by little loses any sense of right or wrong. Played by experienced character actor Shun Sugata, Takeda is a wonderfully sympathetic character in spite of his immoral behaviour. Conflicted and complex, Takeda is wonderfully written and Sugata’s performance, which...
Leading us through this murky world are a variety of police officers and journalists but key is the central character of Takeda, who gradually becomes absorbed into the corrupt police force and little by little loses any sense of right or wrong. Played by experienced character actor Shun Sugata, Takeda is a wonderfully sympathetic character in spite of his immoral behaviour. Conflicted and complex, Takeda is wonderfully written and Sugata’s performance, which...
- 3/29/2011
- by Craig Skinner
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Gen Takahashi's Confessions of a Dog was a leap of faith by the director. The Japanese police are a near bulletproof institution in their homeland, and to make a film criticizing them in such a brutal and searing way was certainly a risky operation. Filming began the day after Christmas in 2004 with a projected 2006 release date. However, upon completion, no cinema in Japan would touch it. As Takeda, played with intense solemnity by Shun Sugata, says in the film, "there are two things no Japanese should question: the Emperor and the police". Takahashi did the latter, and as a result, no one saw the film for almost five years.Confessions of a Dog is a story of police corruption of the most vile sort. ...
- 3/18/2011
- Screen Anarchy
[Once again, thanks goes to the intrepid, Christopher Bourne for the following review.]
Hideyoshi Date (Katsunori Takahashi) is at his wits' end when we first meet him in Hideo Sakaki's Accidental Kidnapper. Deep in debt, with no job, no prospects, and no family, he's ready to end it all, and tries to do so, but he doesn't even have the nerve to commit suicide.
Wacky events are set in motion when Densuke (Roi Hayashi), a grade school boy, gets into Hideyoshi's cab and demands to be taken to his prep school. Hideyoshi at first tries to get rid of him, but when he learns that Densuke comes from a rich family, he seizes on the opportunity to get himself out of his financial hole. Recalling the advice of an old prison mate (Takashi Sasano) who pops up now and then to give fantasy pep talks, Hideyoshi hits upon the idea of demanding ransom from Densuke's parents. Densuke is also on the run...
Hideyoshi Date (Katsunori Takahashi) is at his wits' end when we first meet him in Hideo Sakaki's Accidental Kidnapper. Deep in debt, with no job, no prospects, and no family, he's ready to end it all, and tries to do so, but he doesn't even have the nerve to commit suicide.
Wacky events are set in motion when Densuke (Roi Hayashi), a grade school boy, gets into Hideyoshi's cab and demands to be taken to his prep school. Hideyoshi at first tries to get rid of him, but when he learns that Densuke comes from a rich family, he seizes on the opportunity to get himself out of his financial hole. Recalling the advice of an old prison mate (Takashi Sasano) who pops up now and then to give fantasy pep talks, Hideyoshi hits upon the idea of demanding ransom from Densuke's parents. Densuke is also on the run...
- 7/7/2010
- Screen Anarchy
The Toronto-based Shinsedai Festival got off to a roaring start in 2009 and though it hardly seems like a year has passed the first block of titles has already been announced for the 2010 edition.
Once again curated by Chris MaGee and Jasper Sharp, the festival will present the finest in Japanese independent film from the past year. And here's the initial announcement:
Since our inaugural year in 2009 so many great films have come out of Japan. Shinsedai Cinema Festival co-programmers Jasper Sharp (Midnight Eye) and Chris MaGee (Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow)have spent the past eight months watching as many of these films as humanly possible so that they can bring the best independent, and in many cases under-appreciated, Japanese films to movie audiences here in Toronto. From July 22nd to July 25th, 2010 the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre will be hosting this celebration of Japanese film, and while Sharp and MaGee are...
Once again curated by Chris MaGee and Jasper Sharp, the festival will present the finest in Japanese independent film from the past year. And here's the initial announcement:
Since our inaugural year in 2009 so many great films have come out of Japan. Shinsedai Cinema Festival co-programmers Jasper Sharp (Midnight Eye) and Chris MaGee (Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow)have spent the past eight months watching as many of these films as humanly possible so that they can bring the best independent, and in many cases under-appreciated, Japanese films to movie audiences here in Toronto. From July 22nd to July 25th, 2010 the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre will be hosting this celebration of Japanese film, and while Sharp and MaGee are...
- 5/25/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Jelly Fish Film has uploaded a trailer for 27-year-old director Kentaro Matsuda‘s upcoming indie comedy Awaremi Mumashika which was produced in 2009 and will get its theatrical release this summer.
The film revolves around an enthusiastic town council member named Atsuo Kashiwagi (Koshiro Asami) who decides to invent a mysterious creature to make his town famous. Against the objections of his family, he enacts his plan and begins orchestrating sightings. The idea works well at first, increasing revenue by attracting gawkers hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious yeti-like creature; but the excitement generated eventually throws the whole town into chaos.
The cast also includes Yoshie Otsuka as Atsuo’s wife, Nahana as his daughter, Ryunosuke Kawai as his son, and veteran actor Shun Sugata as the town’s mayor.
“Awaremi Mumashika” will be released at Shibuya Uplink X sometime in July.
Source: YouTube...
The film revolves around an enthusiastic town council member named Atsuo Kashiwagi (Koshiro Asami) who decides to invent a mysterious creature to make his town famous. Against the objections of his family, he enacts his plan and begins orchestrating sightings. The idea works well at first, increasing revenue by attracting gawkers hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious yeti-like creature; but the excitement generated eventually throws the whole town into chaos.
The cast also includes Yoshie Otsuka as Atsuo’s wife, Nahana as his daughter, Ryunosuke Kawai as his son, and veteran actor Shun Sugata as the town’s mayor.
“Awaremi Mumashika” will be released at Shibuya Uplink X sometime in July.
Source: YouTube...
- 5/20/2010
- Nippon Cinema
Ron Perlman will play the bad guy in Snoot Entertainment's hybrid martial arts movie Bunraku, which Guy Moshe is directing from his own script. Japanese actors Gackt and Shun Sugata also have been cast in the international-flavored movie, which features Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Scottish actor Kevin McKidd and Spanish actor Jordi Molla.
The film is set in a hyperstylized universe a la Sin City and draws from a mixed bag of genres, including puppets, origami, comic books, video games and German expressionism. It follows a drifter (Hartnett) who teams with a samurai (Gackt) to take on an Eastern European gang lord, played by Perlman (Hellboy).
"I've always loved movies in the 'no-name stranger coming to town and ending up in a bigger struggle (genre), ' " Snoot's Keith Calder said. "I think this is an opportunity to take this genre and spin it on its head and bring a unique and strong visual style to it."
Calder and Jessica Wu are producing along with Nava Levin of Picturesque Films and Ram Bergman.
The film is set in a hyperstylized universe a la Sin City and draws from a mixed bag of genres, including puppets, origami, comic books, video games and German expressionism. It follows a drifter (Hartnett) who teams with a samurai (Gackt) to take on an Eastern European gang lord, played by Perlman (Hellboy).
"I've always loved movies in the 'no-name stranger coming to town and ending up in a bigger struggle (genre), ' " Snoot's Keith Calder said. "I think this is an opportunity to take this genre and spin it on its head and bring a unique and strong visual style to it."
Calder and Jessica Wu are producing along with Nava Levin of Picturesque Films and Ram Bergman.
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