Film - June 08

30th June

J-Horror ‘Exte: Hairy Extensions': DVD Giveaway

We have another great DVD giveaway! Sion Sono’s J-Horror ‘Exte: Hairy Extensions’ is being released through Revolver films, and we have three copies up for grabs. The giveaway is open to all, but please be aware that these are region 2 discs. The comp runs until July 14th, after which 3 winners names will be picked at random. To enter, send us an email to the address on our contact page, with your name and the title "EXTE DVD" in the subject field. Thats all there is too it, good luck!

Exte Trailer

Read our review of EXTE here

30th June

New Thai poster for 'The Coffin'

Perhaps playing catch-up with their Korean (who are releasing the film first) counterparts, the Thai marketing campaign for the new Thai horror 'The Coffin' has been kicked up a notch, with the appearance of a new (suitably bloody) poster for the film online. More details on the production can found down the page, in our post dated June 15th.

Via

The Coffin (Official Korean site)

29th June

'Frontiers' R2 DVD: Review

Frontiere(s) (2007) Director - Xavier Gens
R2 DVD (Optimum Releasing) Reviewed by: Darren Cenerini.

For a few years now, Asian horror films have been the only horror films worth watching (besides the old classics), in all honesty. Stuff like Ringu, Suicide Circle and Shutter were constantly pushing the bar on what was actually frightening to me nowadays. Then it took a turn for the worse and the previously mentioned "Sadako Syndrome" kicked in. Suddenly every horror film in existence had to have a female ghost with long black hair obscuring her facial features. A lull had come over the films I adored so. And then something wondrous happened, and it's name was Alex Aja. A director from France, Alex Aja unleashed Haute Tension (High Tension, AKA Razorblade Romance) and a remake of Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes in the recent past. Both were terrifying new visions of the slasher film, films that were as dark and gritty as they were blood soaked and deranged. Not a bad thing in the slightest, it was high time for the old '70's and '80's balls to the walls horror movies to resurface, the "Video Nasties", as it were. Aja then started to inspire other French directors, one being Xavier Gens who then let loose a film so violent and filled with homages to the slasher of old, I couldn't help but sit there and smile as my screen turned red.....Read the full review here.

Frontiers Trailer

Order the DVD here

28th June

Full trailer for J-Horror 'Ikigami' (aka Death Notice)

A full length trailer is now available to see on the newly updated official site for Tomoyuki Takimoto’s J-horror, ‘Ikigami (Death Notice).’ Based on the manga series created by Motoro Mase, the film tells the tale of a future Japan run by a government determined that citizens should have “productive” lives.

Citizens identified as unproductive are randomly selected for death and issued ‘ikigami’ (Death Notice). The period of notice, just 24 hours. The film will follow the story of some of the victims, but also that of Matsuda, whose grim and reluctant task it is to deliver the Ikigami. A cheery tale then! Ikigami opens in Japan in September.

Ikigami (Official site)

27th June

'20th Century Boys' Theatrical poster

The Theatrical poster for the live action version of '20th Century Boys' directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi (Sword of Alexander) has appeared on line. Its very nice and all, but we have one small gripe - its missing the giant killer robots! I guess for that, we shall just gave to be patient. For more background information on the film, including the synopsis and teaser posters, check our earlier posts on April 20th and 25th.

20th Century Boys (Official site)

27th June

'Diary Of The Dead' R2 DVD: Review

Diary of the Dead (2007) Director - George Romero
R2 DVD (Optimum Releasing) Reviewed by: Darren Cenerini

Although I'm an enormous fan of Asian cinema in every aspect, my other great love in the cinematic world are horror films both good and bad from across the globe. My favorite type of horror film has to be a good old fashioned zombie movie, and apart from the legendary Versus, I strongly feel there has yet to be a great Asian zombie film. Sure, there's plenty of good ones (Junk, Wild Zero, to name a few) but they just don't stack up to films such as the original Dawn of the Dead. Speaking of which, the director of most of the widely recognized zombie films, George Romero, maybe you've heard of him, has just recently unleashed his newest vision of the genre which he helped create. This time instead of continuing his long running "of the Dead" series he chooses to write a film that takes place when the outbreak first occurs, so roughly around the exact moment Johnny is murdered in the cemetery in Night of the Living Dead. So, has Romero managed to again make a compelling piece of film with social commentary padding the very premise of the story? Or is it a repeat of the gut-wrenchingly awful Land of the Dead?.....Read the full review here

DOTD Official UK Website

26th June

New on set photos for ‘The Storm Riders II’

A ton of new on set photos have emerged for ‘The Storm Riders II.’ Danny & Oxide Pang’s (Bangkok Dangerous) the live action sequel to 1998 martial arts fantasy 'The Storm Riders.’ Special FX for the flick are to be created by Fat Face, the Hong Kong effects house that did the amazing work on the previous Pang bros film ‘Re-cycle.’

Other talent on the sequel will include art director Yee Chung Man (Curse Of The Golden Flower) & action director Choi Shing (Bichunmoo). The same cast as the first pic - Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng - also returns for the film. All in all its looking like we will have a real treat in store. Lensing on the project started in March 20008, aiming for a release in Oct 09. Great stuff!

Check out the stills here and here and here.

26th June

Korea's Chungeorahm announces Chinese sequel to 'The Host'?

Korean movie house Chungeorahm films, Producer of Bong Joon-ho's hit horror 'The Host' have announced a Chinese version of the sequel will be made. Completely seperate to the Korean 'The Host 2,' the film will feature Chinese actors and be in Chinese. Director Ning Hao's Stoneman Films will front the project, with a release date due sometime late in 2009.

Source

25th June

'Persepolis' R1 DVD now available

Posted by: Pablo

North American audiences can now purchase the Academy Award nominated animated feature Persepolis for their DVD players. Co-directed and written by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi, the French language film tells the story of the Iranian Revolution and its effects on a middle class family. Related through the perspective of Satrapi herself growing up during the turbulant period, Persepolis begins just prior to the overthrow of the government. Hopes of political freedom from the Shah, however, quickly become dashed once the Islamic regime becomes increasingly authoritarian. Based on Marjane Satrapi's own graphic novel, her debut movie won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and has been hailed by critics as one of the best films of 2007.

Persepolis Website

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25th June

Trailer for 'Hard Revenge Milly' AND 'The Masked Girl'

A first trailer has appeared for Japanese ultra violent revenge pic 'Hard Revenge Milly' and our discovery has also answered a question that's been puzzling us for some time. Why the films run time was listed at only 44 mins? The answer - It's part of a double bill! 'Hard Revenge Milly' will be followed up by mini skirt wearing, high school girl action fight em up - 'The Masked Girl.' A double bill action fest, of death dealing femme fatales. It doesn't get much better than that. The film opens in Japan in August.

Hard Revenge/Masked Girl trailer

Hard Revenge/Masked Girl Website

Via

24th June

Cult Japanese revenge pic 'Madame O': DVD Review

Madame O: Director - Seiichi Fukuda
R1 DVD: Review by - Pete Higgins

“Madame O” is not your average female-revenge flick. For one thing, its sedate pace (it was made in 1967) takes some getting used to. For another, its languid, poised, quietly beautiful heroine is hardly the stuff of modern J-horror. And, for yet another, the unrelenting gaze with which it observes some pretty disturbing goings-on is brutally effective.

The plot, for what it’s worth, is your average female revenge-flick: Madame O, a successful gynaecologist, was gang-raped on the beach that summer, and now she picks up guys in bars, sleeps with them, and kills them. Pretty standard stuff, right? Not this time. Prepare yourself for a film that packs a real emotional punch.

The star, Michiko Sakyô, is in practically every scene, and she brings a truly mesmerising quality to her role, going about her business with a steely determination that’s never less than compelling. Whether she’s injecting her sleeping lover with some unnamed substance, or just driving home from work, you can’t take your eyes off her for a second. As the film progresses and things get really far out, you might want to stop looking, but resistance, as they say, is futile.

Switching, seemingly at random, between colour and black-and-white, “Madame O” is quite unlike any other film I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it’s just that I haven’t seen many Japanese films from the sixties. Anyway, even in its dubbed version, this is a film worth tracking down, because no amount of dubbing can detract from the superb cinematography and the film’s stately but hypnotic progress. And then there’s the surprising subtlety of the sex scenes, which, like those in “Lust, Caution” actually advance the plot and teach you something about the people involved, rather than just spicing things up. Yes, whatever it takes to make a cult classic, “Madame O” has got it.

Madame O Trailer

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23rd June

Teaser trailer for indy fantasy Horror 'Another Day In Hell'

Here at 24frames we get wind of a fair few independent movie productions. Some bad, some good and every once in a while, we get what could be a real gem turn up. Enter stage left the very promising teaser trailer for fantasy horror ‘Another Day In Hell.’ Written and Directed By S.Kane the film stars Monique Ganderton; Rowan Tichenor; Kaycee Camp and Shea Hobson. According to the movies production company Courtesan films, the project is to start the festival circuit over the next 6 months. This one we'll keep an eye on, thats for sure.

Plot Outline: Set in a radical re-interpretation of the traditional concept of Hell, a group of revolutionaries "kidnap" the soul of the angel of death in order for the inhabitants of Hell to die again and leave. Throughout the course of the day opposing forces struggle to contain or spread news of the uprising.

Trailer

Stills

22nd June

More 'Red Cliff' posters

Just in case we haven't had enough, another slew of suitably epic looking character posters are out for John Woo's period action movie, 'Red Cliff.' The film will have its world premiere, July 10th.

Posters

Red Cliff Trailer

21st June

Website for 'Queens of Langkasuka'

Bringing it to you first. The official site for Thai mega budget fantasy film 'Queens of Langkasuka' has just come online. What treats are there to see? Well so far theres only the full length theatrical trailer - but far higher resolution than seen before. All we can say is.....Wow!

We've been going on about this movie long enough that you should know the background story to the pic. But for those that missed them first time around, you can check out all our earliers stories, posted on: August 18th, May 19th and May 30th.

Queens of Langkasuka (Official Site)

21st June

Korean Zombie horror 'Guard Post 506' on English subtitled DVD

Great news, Korean Zombie horror GP506 is up for order on English subtitled DVD. One of the few local frighteners to come out of the country this year the film is Writer/director Kong Su Chang's 2nd feature following his acclaimed horror R-Point, the highest-grossing Korean horror film of 2004. His new military horror revolves around the mysterious mass killing of an entire squad of soldiers stationed at Guard Post 506 inside the demilitarized zone.

The Plot: Sergeant major Noh Seong Gyu (Cheon Ho Jin) gets the most disturbing call of his life. An entire squad of 21 soldiers from Guard Point 506 has been massacred except for one who is in a state of deep coma. 21 military investigators including sergeant Noh are sent to the crime scene where they discover dead bodies mutilated beyond recognition with no signs of outside attack. With the torrential rain blocking all paths to the base, the team find themselves trapped inside the bloodbath. Noh's task is to solve the case in just ten hours and bring back the body of first lieutenant Yoo Jeong Woo (Cho Hyun Jae), the son of the army chief. First believed to be one of the dead, they soon discover that lieutenant Yoo is missing in action, which brings the total number of corpses down to 19. When the search team find their visibly perturbed missing man, fingers point to him as the prime suspect. But Noh is convinced there's more to this case than meets the eye. What he doesn't know yet is that something horrific is heading their way.

Guard Post 506 Trailers

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20th June

New 'The Mutant Chronicles' poster

Director Simon Hunter’s film adaptation of the 'The Mutant Chronicles' has been knocking around in post production and festival (garnering very mixed reviews) circuits for what seems like forever. Now with the appearance of this first U.S. theatrical poster, could it mean they are finally preparing to actually start marketing the film for release? They haven't exactly rushed so far. Which has us wondering why.

Synopsis: Set in the distant future when the Earth is no longer inhabitable and the Megacorporations have banded together to control the remaining planets and their moons. When an alien force of undead Necromutants known as the Dark Legion prepares to attack the inhabited Mars, the Megacorporations assemble a band of warriors to destroy the warlord Alakhai. Together they return to Earth, infiltrate Alakhai's gothic Citadel, and attempt to reduce it to rubble.

Mutant Chronicles (Official Site)

Via

19th June

Voice (‘Whispering Corridors 4') on R1 DVD

The somewhat misrepresentative and over the top cover art to one side - Korean horror ‘Voice’ (aka Ghost Voice’) is to get a R1 DVD release through Genius products. The fourth (and very possibly the silliest) in the series that began with 1998 classic ‘Whispering Corridor,’ is directed by Choi Ik-hwan, who worked as assistant director on the first film.

Synopsis: Young Eon (Kim Ok Bin), a timid high school student dies mysteriously while singing in the school's music room. But even in death, Young Eon's voice continues to be heard by her best friend, Sun Min (Seo Ji Hye). Although startled by this supernatural development, Sun Min adapts rather quickly to the situation and tries to uncover the reasons for her friend's untimely demise. But Sun Min's absolute faith in her dearly departed friend is soon shaken when a plague of mysterious deaths start to occur on campus! Are these murders Young Eun's doing? Or could the culprit be someone far more sinister?

Special Features: Behind The Scenes - Trailers

Voice Trailer

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18th June

'Not Quite Hollywood': The untold story of OZPLOITATION cinema

From writer/director Mark Hartley comes 'Not Quite Hollywood.' "Jam packed full of outrageous anecdotes, lessons in maverick filmmaking, a liberal smattering of international names (including Ozploitation devotee Quentin Tarantino) & a genuine, infectious love of Aussie movies, 'Not Quite Hollywood' is a fast moving journey through Australian genre cinema of the '70s and early '80s A perhaps forgotten cinematic era unashamedly packed full of boobs, tubes? gore and kung fu." Sounds just about perfect to us!

Not Quite Hollywood (Official site)

17th June

Fantastic first trailer for 'The Coffin'

Further to our story a couple of days ago on new Thai horror 'The Coffin,' now we are first to turn up the films official site. Within is a great looking trailer, oozing with all the ingredients of a great horror - Atmosphere and creepy visuals galore.

The Coffin (Official site)

17th June

Sion Sono’s ‘Exte: Hair Extensions’: Review

EXTE: Hair Extensions (Ekusute) (2007) Director - Sion Sono
Reviewed by: Darren Cenerini

When one thinks of Asian horror films, one can't help but think of the many films in recent years that have suffered from "Sadako Syndrome", by which I mean the abundance of horror films whose villain is a long haired, female spectre with malicious intentions. Luckily for us, prolific director Sion Sono has noticed this trend (and how ridiculous it is) and wishes to turn it on its head; by making a horror film dealing entirely with long black hair.

Exte follows the story of Yuko (Chiaki Kuriyama), a wannabe hair stylist who spends all her waking hours practicing her techniques, speaking in a phony dramatic style with her co-workers, and putting up with a lot of stress caused by her half-sister, Kiyomi. Kiyomi is incredibly irresponsible and both neglects and abuses her daughter, Mami. One day after Yuko leaves for work, Kiyomi drops Mami off at Yuko's home and leaves to go hang out in a seedy bar. Yuko now has to try to undo the psychological damage that Kiyomi has inflicted on Mami, while she works and studies for her stylist exam. While this is happening, the corpse of a young female has been found in a shipping crate full of hair. The body is brought to the morgue and is quickly stolen by a psychotic worker with an extreme hair fetish named Yamazaki (Ren Osugi). Yamazaki has discovered that the corpse can grow hair at an alarming rate, and wanting to give the people of Japan beautiful hair, he begins to cut it and give it to hair salons to use as extensions. Unfortunately for anyone who has the extensions put in, the young woman who's hair they're receiving was brutally murdered and her rage lives on through her hair!

If it were any other director, I honestly feel this film would not have worked. Sono puts his unique flair into the whole story and once again makes a film that is both incredibly stylish and unnerving from the very moment it begins....Read the full review here

Exte Trailer

16th June

New character posters and a ton of stills from 'Painted Skin'

Three new character posters and over 100 stills from Donnie Yen's new historical action horror movie 'Painted Skin' were apparently released on Sunday, during the 11th Shanghai International Film Festival. KFCC managed to track down all three posters and about 40 of the pics and we have to say the movie is looking stunning. Check them all out from the links below.

Character posters 1 2 3

Stills

16th June

Franck Vestiel's 'Eden Log' up for pre-order on R2 DVD

Franck Vestiel's dark sci-fi horror ‘Eden Log' is finally to arrive on English subtitled DVD - with an R2 release via Momentum Pictures, in July. The films stars Clovis Cornillac & Vimala Pon. Those in the U.S. and Canada eager to see the movie may be in for quite a wait. Magnet releasing the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures have acquired the North American rights, but as yet no release date has been announced.

Synopsis: Tolbiac (Cornillac) wakes up naked, disorientated and lost in a dark cave deep below ground. He's cold, hurt, and has no idea what brought him there, or what happened to the dead man lying next to him. Surrounded by the ruins of an underground world and with only the faintest light source to guide him, Tolbiac attempts to recover his lost memory as he struggles to reach the surface. His journey takes him through a labyrinthine network of tunnels and abandoned laboratories, where he discovers he is not the only one trapped in this tomb-like underworld. Pursued by ravenous mutants and evil phantoms, he eventually meets a woman who may provide the clue to his identity, while all along the way he is confronted by evidence of a mysterious organisation known as Eden Log.

Eden Log Website

Eden Log English language teaser trail

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15th June

'The Coffin' opens in Korea

Highly anticipated around these parts, it would appear that upcoming Thai Horror 'The Coffin' will actually open first in Korea!? Last month we reported that Korean disributors had been Cherry picking the best of older Thai frighteners to fill the gaps in their summer horror movie release scedules. Now it seems they are going after all the latest films too. You'll hear no complaints from us about that though. A Korean release should guarantee a quality English subtitled DVD, sometime soon.

Directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer), the film stars Karen Mok (So Close) and Ananda Everingham, male lead of the Thai international horror hit, ‘Shutter.’ Inspired by a true Thai ritual of lying in coffins to cheat death and get rid of bad luck, ‘The Coffin’ is a supernatural thriller about a man and woman who are confronted by a series of paranormal and terrifying incidents after going through the bizarre ritual. ‘The Coffin’ opens in Korea, July 10th.

Synopsis: “Chris is an average Thai-Chinese guy living in Sydney. Following the Thai custom to cheat death and rid oneself of bad luck he agrees to a bizarre dare at a party, to lie in a coffin for a whole night. As the lid is nailed shut and claustrophobia strikes he soon feels short of breathe, But as the Coffin suddenly shakes violently he soon realizes that claustrophobia is the least of the terrors awaiting him.”

The Coffin (Official site)

15th June

Upcoming Australian horror 'The Fury'

Australian horror films are still quite a rare beast, but we have just had news in of a promising looking new project 'The Fury, ' directed by Ian Colmer. His first time in the big chair, Colmer has worked on the likes of Superman Returns, House of Wax and See no Evil. Ian Thorburn is also on board as Director of Photography whose past work includes Mission impossible 2, Ghost Ship and Pitch Black. The pic stars Erica Leerhsen, Patrick Nuo, Holly Brisley, August Lacore, Sam Lawson. With a production pedigree like that, we could be in for good things. There is no trailer as yet, but there are some great looking stills to be seen on the films official site. Still in production the movie opens in Australia and the U.S. in the new year.

Synopsis: 5 teenagers take shelter in an abandoned slaughter house rumoured to be haunted by a malevolent poltergeist. Overcome by an incredible rage, one of them seeks to destroy the others...

The Fury (Official site)

14th June

Live action ‘Blood: The Last Vampire’ still on for 2008?

Release dates for this production are going back an forth like a fiddlers elbow! Last month we had read that French backer of the film Pathé had pushed the released back to 2009. But now, according to Jun Ji Hyun's (pic left) Management Agency Sidus HQ 'Blood' will be released in 2008, via Universal Studios. "Its being planned to be released around September. We are certain that it will be released this year," a Sidus HQ representative announced. "A fixed American release date will be decided around June or July," the rep explained. "After its release, she will decide on her next project. She's currently looking at a couple of scripts." This is great news if true, but after all the rumours and date changes recently, we will take this latest annoucement with a LARGE pinch of salt. Source

Last Vampire stills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

14th June

Theatrical trailer for 'Death Race'

We shouldn't want to see it but we do. The first theatrical trailer for Paul Andersons remake of the 70's classic 'Death Race' has arrived. So far its looking pretty good (in that ridiculously over the top but without much sense of irony kind of way, that Anderson manages so well) and we did have have fun spotting some of the scenes and dialog seemingly "inspired" from other prison & sci-fi movies. Jason Statham also delivery the goods on the mean and moody front, as only he can. You can find the links to all the versions (Std & HD formats) of the trailer, on the pics official site.

Death Race Website

Source

13th June

Curzon Midnight Movies present: Sion Sono’s ‘Exte: Hair Extensions’

We are huge fans of director Sion Sono's work around these parts, so we thought this well worth a mention. On June 27th U.K indy Cinema chain Curzon are planning an exclusive midnight preview of Sion Sono’s superbly satirical & at times extremely dark J-horror, ‘Exte: Hair Extensions.’ Screening at their Soho theatre in London the films stars Chiaki Kuriyama (Kill Bill, Battle Royale) as Yuko, a budding hair stylist who is unaware that the hair extensions she uses on her clients are actually cursed...and out for revenge.

A pre-screening party starts from arond 9.30pm, with radical hairstyles, cool wigs and if you dare…extensions positively encouraged. Music will be provided by Amanda Palmer from THE DRESDEN DOLLS, who will be spinning the discs in the DJ booth before the main event. Tickets are on sale now: £8 in advance / £12 on door (Members £7/£10). For full details, whiz over to the Curzon website here.

Exte Trailer

12th June

'L - Change the World ' on English subtitled DVD

L returns to the big screen in the blockbuster Death Note spin-off L change the WorLd! Matsuyama Kenichi reprises his fan-favorite role as the quirky genius detective with a sweet tooth. Directed by Nakata Hideo of Ring and Dark Water fame, L change the WorLd revolves around the last 23 days of L's life, shedding new light into the inner world of the awkward and endearing prodigy as he embarks on his final adventure.

With only 23 days left to live, L burns the remaining Death Note and proceeds to work day and night solving as many cases and consuming as many sweets as possible. One final case is sent his way in the form of a Thai boy who alone survived a deadly virus outbreak in his village. L gets another guest when 12-year-old girl Maki (Fukuda Mayuko, Little DJ) shows up on the doorstep. Both children are connected to an Ebola-influenza virus developed by Maki's father which has been stolen by terrorists. With the terrorists hunting for Maki and threatening to unleash the virus, L is forced to leave his chair and venture out into the real world, both children in stow. The days tick down as L rushes to develop an antidote and catch the terrorists before time runs out.

L - Change the World trailer

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11th June

'The Good, The Bad and The Weird' website rides into town

Posted by: Pablo

The good people at Kung Fu Cult Cinema have posted news that the website for the Korean "Oriental Western" The Good, the Bad and the Weird, is now up. Directed by Jiwoon Kim (A Tale of Two Sisters, A Bittersweet Life), the grandiose homage to Spaghetti Westerns stars Woosung Jung, Byunghun Lee and Kangho Song as the Good, the Bad and the Weird respectively. The story concerns each man searching for secret treasure in 1930s colonial Manchuria. Along with dealing with each other, they all have to confront the Imperial Japanese Army as well as Chinese and Russian bandits throughout their travels. The movie had its premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival and should be released in South Korea in July.

The Good, The Bad (Official site)

The Good, The Bad (English subtitled trailer)

11th June

New poster for Indonesian horror 'Karma'

A second poster has just been released for the upcoming horror movie 'Karma.' It's all still looking good and a might bit intriguing. For more background on the film and to read a plot summary, check out our earlier post on April 28th.

Karma official site (teaser trail within)

10th June

Satoshi Kon: Beyond Imagination - A series of his work

A big hello to new contributor Pablo from the US of A. First up from him - news of a must see for Anime fans in NY.

Attention New Yorkers; genius Japanese animator Satoshi Kon will be visiting the Big Apple as part of a retrospective of his career. From June 27th-July 1st the Lincoln Center's Film Society plans on screening Kon's movies, opening with his debut feature movie Perfect Blue followed by his second, 'Millenium Actress' being shown on June 27th. Shortly after Kon will have a post-screening conversation with the audience! Thereafter Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika & the entire season of Paranoia Agent will screened on later dates.

Those are able to make it to see the series should really try to, especially on the big screen. Kon is an innovative filmmaker who uses the medium of animation to discuss adult issues of psychology and metaphysics through eye-popping imagery. After watching Paprika, which I consider the best film I saw in 2007, I have since gone out and seen all of Kon's work. Once discovered, I'm sure others will gain more appreciation of him. For a full rundown of screening times, check the Lincoln Center's site here. [source]

10th June

My Blueberry Nights: Review

My Blueberry Nights (2007) Hong Kong/France. Director: Wong Kar Wai. R2 DVD. Review: Peter Higgins.

Six words: “Starring Jude Law and Norah Jones.” 6 words which could strike fear in the hardest of hearts. And yet…And yet, “My Blueberry Nights,” starring Jude Law and Norah Jones, is not the car-crash one had every right to expect.

Perhaps it’s the director’s fault. Wong Kar Wai is incapable of making a bad movie. He has proved in the past that he is very capable of making a frustrating, confusing, inconsequential and infuriating movie, but a bad one has so far been beyond him. Would Nora Jones change all that? Or would it be down to Jude Law – he of the gurning self-regard so virulent it can turn the most innocuous rom-com (“The Holiday”, anyone?) into a cinematic abomination? Casting a singer and an annoying English guy in your first English-language movie is the kiss of death, isn’t it? Make that two singers: Chan “Cat Power” Marshall is in this as well. Along with Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz and David Strathairn. Let’s face it: there was no way this was ever going to be any good. And yet…the damn thing works....

Read the full review here

My Blueberry Nights (Official site)

9th June

'The Wig' on DVD

Won Shin-yeon's K-Horror classic 'The Wig' is to finally get a R1 DVD release this month. The movie is chock full of subtle creepy chills and suspense galore, with moments of unexpected and sometimes explosive violence. An absolute Asian horror classic.

Synopsis: A young woman is discharged from hospital after being treated for a cancer is seems unlikely she will survive. Having endured the devastating effects of her treatment, the woman is left without hair and her sister buyers her a wig, as way of clinging on to the little dignity she has left. However, it's not long before her sister begins to suspect that the wig has a sinister power that is rapidly taking control of her ailing sibling.

The Wig trailer

Order the DVD here

9th June

Hong Kong theatrical poster and trailer for 'Red Cliff'

With the release date of John Woo's uber-budget historical epic 'Red Cliff' less than a month away, Hong Kong Studios marketing depts are starting to head into overdrive. Latest treats to arrive are a new theatrical poster and trailer, with scenes we've not seen before.

'Red Cliff' is now so sprawling in its scope that the film has had to be split into two parts for its Chinese release. Whilst outside Asia it looks as though we will have to settle for a single cut down version. 'Red Cliff' part one opens in Hong Kong July 10th, with the second half due in December.

Red Cliff Trailer

8th June

New trailer for Nicolas Alberny's '8th WONDERLAND'

With the intriguing tag line of "how do you fight a country that doesn't exist?," a new full length trailer for Nicolas Alberny's futuristic thriller '8th Wonderland' has appeared the directors Myspace (an intended irony he posted it there, when you read the synopsis?) page. Repped though French production house M.A.D films, the movie stars Matthew Geczy, Robert William, Bradford Alain Azerot and Michael Hofland. Still in production, the film is due to open in France in September.

Synopsis: Millions of people scattered throughout the world are disappointed with the way it evolves & decide to unite to improve things. Through the Internet they create the first virtual nation, 8th WONDERLAND, a starting point of their resistance.
Their common goal: the desire to no longer suffer the television news without being able to react. Every individual has a chance to be heard. Each week, all the citizens of 8th WONDERLAND vote a motion differently by referendum. And if it is adopted, they are responsible for enforcing in the real world. They have a line of conduct: to improve things. But what would happen if the motions of 8th WONDERLAND became gradually reactionary? There actions becoming more like that of a terrorist, than responsible law abiding citizen. An intractable problem arises when the traditional nations realize this new powers threat: how to capture millions of people scattered all over the world? How to fight a country that does not exist?

8th Wonderland (New trailer)

8th Wonderland (Official site)

7th June

[REC-2] teaser poster

Last month we reported that Spanish directors Paco Plaza and Jaume Balaguero were planning a sequel to their highly original horror hit [REC]. Now, with the film barely a glint in their eyes, a teaser poster for the production has appeared!

Rec 2 will use the same style as the original, with the action being seen through a handheld camera lens. Cast, budget and shooting dates have yet to be announced. More as we get it.

[source]

7th June

Sumptuous eye candy alert - 'The Restless' arrives on R1 DVD

Well we werent expecting this. Korean director CHO Dong-oh's visual feast of a martial arts fantasy blockbuster 'The Restless,' is being released on R1 DVD. Inspired by the Chinese ghost tale about ‘a warrior that wandered into a haunted village,’ CHO a self-proclaimed ‘fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror film buff,’ also wrote the script. The pic starring Heo Jun-ho, Jung Woo-sung & Kim Tae-hee features stunning set pieces, cinematography and effects. It's like dipping your eyes in (well sort of) Honey. 'The Restless' goes on sale June 17th.

Synopsis: It is between the 9th ~ 10th century, when turmoil racks the once great United Shilla Empire, now at the brink of its demise. Lee Kwak, born with the powers to see spirits, joins the royal demon hunting squad, ‘Chuh- yongdae’ after losing his fiancée, Yeon-hwa to evil demons. Lee Kwak excels as the most talented warrior of Chuhyongdae and the royal squad seems to gain momentum as powerful fighters against the forces of darkness. This only aggravates opposition from the aristocrats who find the supernatural abilities of the royal squad intimidating not to mention threatening. As such antagonism reaches its boiling point, the Chuhyongdae decide to carry out a coup, but when their plot fails, it is not only their reputation but also their heads they end up losing. Robbed of his love and now his comrades, sole survivor, LEE Kwak has no choice but to wander the world as a lonely demon hunter.

The Restless trailer

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6th June

Mexican cult horror 'Alucarda,' retrospective

A big howdy to new contributor Sergio who hails from Mexico. First up from him, a retrospective on the Mexican cult classic gore horror - 'Alucarda.'

Directed by Juan Carlos Lopez Moctezuma in 1975, Alucarda is an important reference among Mexican movie goers, one of the reasons is because of its topics (vampirism, soft lesbianism, gothic culture and satanic cults). Coming from a country so religious as Mexico, it gives a curious unusual and Risqu'e vision of a convent and deals with the forces of evil.

UK film studio Hammer Films and independent Mexican producers financed the film which received good reviews on the festival circuit, but as time went by the Mexican film industry forgot this movie along with other gore and fantastic films, because they saw erotic cinema as a better chance to make money.

The plot centers on Justine, a young and attractive girl who enters a convent in which the nuns dress in white pieces of fabric that gives them the look of a living mummy. There she meets Alucarda, another attractive girl. Soon they become best friends and will discover the forces of the dark arts...and that's when all hell breaks loose...

Read the full story here

Alucarda clip (Youtube)

6th June

*Update* 24framespersecond still wants you

Last month we sent a shout out looking for new contributors to 24fps, to add regular content to the site. We've had a great response and several new members (some already introduced. Some to come) are already posting. But, there are a few gaps on the news finding front, so theres still a chance join in the fun. All you'll need is a passion for genre movies and the ability to write about them well. This is a chance to share your movie finds and thoughts with other like minded film fans. So if you fit the bill and want to contribute on a regular basis, email us via our contact page.

Del (Editor) 24fps

5th June

'Nightmare Detective': Review

Nightmare Detective (2006) Japan. Director: Shinya Tsukamoto. Review: Peter Higgins

Nightmare Detective is the new film from Shinya Tsukamoto, the twisted genius who invented the Tetsuo movies. However, unlike those 2 mind-f*cks, Nightmare Detective is surprisingly conventional and uninspired. Set in an impressively minimalist and blank-looking Tokyo, the film concerns the efforts of some downtrodden cops to work out what’s behind a spate of mysterious suicides. And, while the suicides are genuinely shocking and disturbing, with more than enough blood and gore flying in all directions, it soon becomes apparent that the film itself is going to rely on blood and gore flying in all directions rather than on a coherent plot to justify its existence.

The heroine, a gutsy detective played by a sultry oriental version of Mylene Klass, does her best with an underwritten role, but she’s not actually given much to do beyond looking sultry and trying to stay awake. Because if you fall asleep, you see, you could be in trouble. The suicides, it transpires, are caused by some seriously f*cked-up guy who crawls into people’s dreams and causes all sorts of fuss and bother.

The problem, for the viewer, is that the people were planning on committing suicide anyway, so why should we get overly concerned when the bad guy forces them to, um, commit suicide? Surely it would be a more interesting film if the bad guy was forcing people to commit suicide against their will? Anyway, the heroine, she of the dead-straight hair and the never-changing expression, hooks up with The Nightmare Detective, a miserable-looking chap who can get into people’s dreams as well, but uses this talent as a force for good. I think.

In typical Asian cinema style, the lurid climax manages to mix the ickily sentimental with the unbelievably depraved. When the monster – mercifully only glimpsed – finally appears, it is truly revolting, as far as we can tell. The accompanying sound-effects, too, are suitably squelchy and moist. Ultimately, however, Nightmare Detective’s intriguing premise is rather wasted in this illogical, overlong, excessive (but somehow not excessive enough) movie.

Nightmare Detective (Official site)

4th June

'The Forbidden Kingdom' on DVD

Want to see Jackie Chan fight Jet Li? The Hong Kong edition of The Forbidden Kingdom the martial arts adventure starring these two action legends has just been announced for June 13th - meaning you could now pick up a copy at least a month earlier than the U.S. release! Nice.

The Forbidden Kingdom (Official site)

Order the DVD here

4th June

New trailer for 'The Gene Generation' looks...well...good!

A new trailer for Pearry Reginald Teo’s sci-fi ,Cyberpunk, DNA Hacking action fest starring Bai Ling ‘The Gene Generation,’ has shown up on the movies Myspace page. We have to admit to not being wholly impressed with the original teasers on the official site, but this version (shown at Marche Du Cannes) is a far slicker effort. Along side Ms Ling, the flick also stars Parry Shen, Alec Newman, Faye Dunaway and Michael Shamus. Word is that Lionsgate have picked up the distribution rights for the film, so we can expect a release date soon.

Synopsis: In a futuristic world, Michelle lives everyday battling with DNA Hackers who use their skills to hack into people's bodies and kill them. She is an assassin, battling her past demons and trying to keep her younger and extroverted brother, Jackie, out of trouble. When Jackie gets involved in a petty crime of robbery, he propels himself into the world of DNA Hackers, Shylocks (Loan Sharks) and Gang Fights. Wanting the respect that the world has never given to him only makes it harder for Jackie to peel himself away from the underground trades, against the hopes of his sister, Michelle. Michelle always wanted to leave the city and lead a calm and quiet lifestyle. As emotions and gunfire get into the way, Michelle and Jackie soon find themselves battling between their lives and finding out that in an immoral world, love can still survive. Blood is thicker than water.

Gene Generation trailer

3rd June

‘The Machine Girl’ arrives in a hail of bullets on R1 DVD

Posted by: Daniel
While this post may seem outdated, the splat-happy, revenge film ‘The Machine Girl’ has not yet appeared on the shores of 24fps.

From director Noboru Iguchi (whose directing career consists mainly of porn flicks), the Machine Girl is the story of Ami, an independent schoolgirl who, after her younger brother is murdered before her eyes, seeks revenge on the Yakuza gang involved. Following the loss of her arm during the quarrel, Ami has an 8-barrel machine gun fitted to the now healed remains, vowing to annihilate all responsible. And thus begins the tale of The Machine Girl.

Just from the trailer, you can tell that this movie is in the same league as Tokyo Gore Police, with such highlights as a man being forced to eat his own fingers, the infamous "Drill-Bra", and what looks like a someone having their skin blown off (for those playing at home, see 1:16 in the trailer). Currently, there isn't a great deal of information available on The Machine Girl opening in many places theatrically, but it has already been screened at several film festivals around the world. The Machine Girl hits the shelves in the U.S today on R1 DVD - Two whole months before its theatrical debut in Japan.

Machine Girl trailer

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3rd June

Thanapon Maliwan’s action pic 'The Sanctuary' gets trailerized

Wowzer! A first trailer for Martial arts action pic ‘The Santuary’ starring Ong Bak stuntman Mike B (Brave), has hit the net. The film - shot in English features the fighting talents of Gary Daniels (Tekken), Rapeepan Bootthong and Dean Alexandrou (The Protector). Thanapon Maliwan ( helmer of Brave) returns to as writer/director of the project which, though still well into production has already enjoyed pre- sales to France & Spain.

Synopsis: A young Muay Thai warrior is accused of stealing a holy Emerald that his master appointed him to protect. Now on the run from the police, he must retrieve the emerald from the mafia in order to prove his innocence and return the emerald to its holy place.

The Santuary trailer

2nd June

Tezuka's 'MW' adapted for live-action remake

Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka's Manga 'MW' is to get the live action treatment. Director Hitoshi Iwamoto is to helm, with a release some time in 2009.

Hailed by some as the Godfather of Manga Tezuka's MW tells the story of a secret U.S chemical weapon called "MW" which accidentally leaks and wipes out the population of a southern Japanese island. Though Michio Yuuki survives, he emerges from the ordeal without a trace of conscience, to become a cold blooded and psychotic killer. His one true goal, to spread MW around the world.

We have managed to track down the films official site, but as yet its just a holding page.

MW (Official site)

1st June

Bong Joon-ho talks 'Le Transperceneige'

Korean Film Council Journalist Nigel D’Sa has just written a great article on the upcoming works (including his new mega budget sci-fi 'Le Transperceneige') of Bong Joon-ho, the man behind the international horror hit 'The Host.' We weren't able to link to it directly, so we've posted it in full below. Intriguing stuff...

Director of Korea’s all-time box-office monster, The Host (2006), and the now classic serial-killer mystery, Memories of Murder (2003), held a roundtable conference in Seoul last week to discuss a highly gossiped about future project 'Le Transperceneige', which he aims to have ready for release in 2011.

BONG recently completed his contribution to the omnibus project Tokyo!, a homage to the city, for which he and two famed French directors, Michel Gondry and Leos Carax, each made a short film. The finished project had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this Spring, where it received glowing reviews.

BONG is currently working on a crime-drama with the working title ‘Mother’, after which he plans to devote all his attention to 'Le Transperceneige'. At the roundtable, he presented the project as a ‘multi-national co-production’ in which he may cast Korean, Japanese, Chinese, or other Asian actors along with English-speaking actors. He describes the story as something of a “Noah’s Ark” in tone. Set in a post-apocalyptic future on a train where the passengers are the last survivors of a devastating world war and the onset of an ice-age. The train continues to run through a glacial landscape, with carriages partitioned into classes as a microcosm for human society.

BONG said at the talk, "I remember it was around the end of 2004. It was when I finished Memories of Murder and was working on 'The Host.' I went to a comic book store near Hong-ik University. I go there once or twice a month when I am stressed out. 'Le Transperceneige' suddenly came into my sight, and I read the whole trilogy standing there. I could not wait until I got home to read. "This train has enraptured me. I believe everyone has a fantasy about trains giving off chugs and puffs, and landscapes viewed from the window.

"What you can see from the window in this story, however, is only the world icebound, with minus 80 degrees outside. Survivors live in the train, but they can't stay in harmony even at a time of adversity." "Each partition of the train represents a class. In the last partition of the train, people live wretched lives. The closer to the front they are, the more luxurious life gets. "It's not quite the same, but it can be similar to what you feel when you get off a plane and see all the empty seats in business class after you spent more than 10 hours flying in the confined economy class seats. You realize some people got there very comfortably and almost have a fit of anger." Bong confirmed that the film will be produced by fellow director PARK Chan-wook, who won accolades and awards for his vengeance trilogy, including the Cannes 2004 Grand Prize for Old Boy.

The big-budget project will include ambitious special effects, something BONG wrestled with and proved a master of in his previous film. "During making The Host, I had such a hard time. I am not fond of making blockbuster movies. As for The Host, it was inevitable, since we had to make the monster." "Le Transperceneige is going to be much more spectacular with all the trains and frozen scenery. But the spectacle is not what I really want to show."