just joined, i love the ringu series (i think ring 0 is my fave cos sadako is great and its mostly about her) i bought them ages ago, im quite new to liking japanese horror, but ill soon get more films, at the moment i also have the ju-on series well theres my introduction. Zoey_lou
howdy. just joined the community to talk about asian cinema and the japanese horror genre. i'm a newbie to j-horror, but have been watching hong kong action and horror for some time now.
i've recently made my dvd player region free (and macrovision free) and can now enjoy the many region3 dics in my collection on my tv instead of just on my computer. i'd be interested in trading film reviews because there is alot out there that i've seen and a ton of stuff i havent seen!
as for discussion starters of my own: anyone have any comments on attack the gas station, phone, hypnosis, space travellers or the quiet family? these are some of the movies next on my list to purchase.
as to the battle royale comments, i can understand in our american mindset regarding youth violence why it would not be released. way too many groups on power trips out there would lash out against it despite the very important themes it presents. and is it just me, or is the all-region version just way too overpriced?
i read a report that Ping Pong (reminecent of Shaolin Soccer) is soon to be released on dvd. i'm pretty stoked about that.
also, any word on the Zu sequel? i saw a trailer for it last year and then it sort of dropped off the radar and i havent heard anything since.
i'm all for helping out with faq's on where to find the best deals on asian dvds on the internet as well as trading with those interested. i consider myself pro-trading because i too have seen alot of the films first on vhs from friends and have gone on to purchase them on dvd to be a completist. I have made many vcd's of the films in my collection as well as vhs for friends of mine to spur them to try out asian cinema.
plus, i would also like to start discussions on soundtracks to some of these movies. i've been on a desperate hunt for the Kairo soundtrack, as well as the Uzumaki soundtrack, which I have found, but still am unsure as how to go about ordering it and converting dollars to yen.
Hi. It looks like I'm the third member of the community so far...
I joined because I saw your post, and the things you listed are also things I'm interested in. I love the Ringu series, and Battle Royale, and some of the others.
Although to be honest, I really didn't like Audition at all. I don't even know where to begin explaining why.
I've heard about The Eye, and I'd like to see it, but it's not playing here in the US. It's playing in England, but not here. It sounds interesting, but I have no way of seeing it. :x
2. "Battle Royale" cannot be released in America, but there is now an all-region dvd available.
It can't?! Because it's kids killing each other off, right? I guess our gov't is afraid that schools will get ideas from it. :P
Ok…this is the “rough” launch of what I hope to be an engaging and informative ‘blog, for people to put up their views, reviews, opinions, responses and queries about the burgeoning word of Asian Cinema. Subject matter off-topic relating to forms of “cult cinema” will not be punished (usually). Martial arts, horror, and drama…no subject matter is out-of-bounds. I suppose we should start with a general…
Mission Statement: Dedicated to further discussion and knowledge of Eastern cinema (not limited to but including: Japan, Hong Kong, Korea(s), China).
So, we’ve got some idea of will most likely be discussed here. Here are some examples of movies I’d like to discuss (but doesn’t mean that you will): Audition Avalon Battle Royale The Bedroom Branded to Kill Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Cure Emperor Tomato Ketchup Evil Dead Trap Exorsisters The Eye I.K.U. The Imp Naked Blood Pinocchio 964 Ring (& sequels, prequel, remake, & rip-offs) Rubber’s Lover Shojo Geba Geba Sorum St. John’s Wort Tetsuo Tomie
Good jumping points to begin off with: 1. “Ring” phenomena; the forthcoming American remake. 2. “Battle Royale” cannot be released in America, but there is now an all-region dvd available. 3. The emergence of Sejuin Suzuki as a visionary. 4. How Sundance and IFC are bright, positive examples of expanding Eastern cinema, while Disney is busy re-editing and re-scoring “Shaolin Soccer”, so us Yankees can “get it”. 5. Tsui Hark: “Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain”, “Chinese Ghost Story”
One of the things I’ll be working on is an FAQ on how to acquire movies discussed, as well as what formats are available, and the difference between each of these. Many of these films do not have any “official” version available, which is where networking will be important – I’m pro-trading. Many of these films I’ve seen as vhs copies first, and then have upgraded to better formats. I believe that if a film is good enough, people will pay to buy it (even if not at first).
Anyway, I hope this is of interest to some out there. Feel free to drop a line.
iLLiterati49
P.S. One of the first things I hope to have up in the next several days is a synopsis and review of “St. John’s Wort”.
exhausted