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News
Archive #4 Feb. 2005 - Oct. 2004 |
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Loft:
Another spooky Japanese suburban house flick this time
directed by Kiyoshi (Doppelganger, Kairo, Seance, Guard from
the Underground) Kurosawa. The mystery and horror director will
spin a haunting tale including ghosts, mummies, and secrets
of the past. His film "Guard from the Underground"
will see a release later this year I was just notified. Loft
info in english can be seen at the Mirovision.com website and
also you can see the full poster art. This company is also doing
"Red Eye" below. |
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Red
Eye: Perhaps a deeper Korean version of Terror Train?
Heres a spot of news on this horror fantasy from Microvision
in Korea. On July 16, 1988, a train accident which drives 100
hundred people to death occurs. Without knowing the cause, the
case becomes a mystery and soon gets forgotten. In the present
prepare yourself for an express ride to hell perhaps as a lot
of weird things start to happen as the train line goes back
into service. Has the train hit some kind of backwards warp
travel. |
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Infection
(aka Kansen): Along with other title Premonition (aka
Yogen) from the upcoming J-Horror Theater from Japan will see
US DVD releases from Lions Gate. These releases will be great
for US Asian horror fans and we at Kyonsi are happy that Lions
Gate will be releasing these new titles on DVD. Synopsis: When
a hospital patient dies due to malpractice, the doctors decide
to cover up the crime thereby unleashing an evil and terrifying
curse upon the hospital and its inhabitants. |
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Cursed:
Upcoming from Media Blasters is "Cursed".
No not the US film of the same title but a Tokyo Shock release
that sounds more interesting. A haunted or shall I say possessed
Mini market? Yes along with vengeful spirits of the undead,
demonic terrors, and soul stealing spooks that are claiming
the souls of clerks. Oh and I need to mention the owners wife
that stares endlessly into the security cameras in the store.
Sounds like a fun film. Stop by AM/PM for a Big Gulp soon. |
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Japanese
Hell: Will get a US DVD release in a few months from
Tokyo Shock here in NYC. The synopsis deals with a girl being
able to view what happens to some Japanese gas bombing terrorists
when they go to hell. The trailer was interesting and it looks
like a modern film mixed with rubbersuit type Yokai Monsters
and a bit of the original plotline of the old 1960 favorite
"Jigoku - Sinners of Hell". The 1960 film was a classic
of Japanese horror and I hope this film is as slick and interesting. |
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Ebola
Virus: This nasty gore exploitation flick starring
the infamous Anthony Wong of Bunman fame just got a new DVD
re-release. This Hong Kong Cat. III title is again making the
rounds and is sure to get some new viewers as the old version
on VHS was a bit too pricey for most peoples tastes. Anthony
will be making food again from murder victims and this time
the food is tainted with the nasty ebola virus, I will not go
into how he contracts the deadly virus in Africa as its not
for everyone. CAT III . |
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Shaolin
Vs. Evil Dead: Screenshot of Gordon Liu
Chia-hui and a Kyonsi (Hopping Vampire) in
the film Shaolin Vs. Evil Dead aka several
other titles. I have seen the film minus subs & give it
thumbs up. Its just like the Mr. Vampire series of the 80's
and 90's but way more updated. The film combines horror, Comedy
and of course Kung Fu, three staples of past successful (and
some really bad) Hopping Vampire horror comedies. This time
around we get some nifty zombies, Vamps & CGI. |
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Phone
and Doppelganger: Early 2005 and we
have a new US company in the Asian horror genre to announce.
Welcome Tartan USA a branch of the UK based Tartan Video company.
The first month of the new year and they have already brought
us two official US Region 1 DVD releases. The creepy fright
inducing Korean horrorfest Phone (pictured) and the Japanese
Thriller Doppelganger. Tartan also is doing theatrical releases
of some titles like the recent Korean- Tale of Two Sisters. |
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R-Point:
The Korean Ghost and War genre combination is going to be released
theatrically in the USA this year by Tartan US. The horror war
combination did well in Asian and as word has it may even be
remade in China. The horrors of war are bad enough and then
to throw the ghost genre in the mix should present us with an
interestingly haunting movie. I announced news about this film
months ago but just recently learned that it was getting a US
theatrical release. Go Tartan USA! |
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Pontianak
Harum Sundal Malam: The spooky film that recently swept
the Malay box office and marked the return of the Pontianak
horror film genre. It has been 30 years since a movie about
the "Pontianak” (close translation: ‘Banshee’
or ‘Vampire’) was allowed to be produced and screened
in Malaysia. This genre had been banned from Malaysian cinema
due to religious sensitivities. Kyonsi will be the first website
in the US to feature Pontianak HSM if we ever get thru it the
discs are defective...? |
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One
Missed Call 2: Chakushin Ari 2 (2005) hits screens
in Asia early this year.This sequel to One Missed Call is
coming out on the heels of the One Missed Call DVD release.
The official Asian Imported One Missed Call DVD is available
in the Kyonsi store. I just watched the trailer for Chakushin
Ari 2 aka One Missed Call 2 and it actually looks pretty dark
and spooky. Sure its a sequel minus Takashi Miike in the directors
seat but this sequel looks promising. Chuck your cellular
phone fast!!! |
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Marronnier:
Marronnier will soon see a official US DVD release
from the crew at the US based Elite Entertainment. They have
also just struck a distro deal with Koch and this will allow
their upcoming new line of Japanese horror DVDs to be more
available and obtain a wider rage of genre fans. Elite Entertainment
the company that brought us the official US release of the
encircling film "UZUMAKI", will be releasing Marronnier
in early 2005. Get set for a horrific japanese tale of dolls,
Human Dolls? |
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The
Ring Two: March 2005 the sequel to RING the US remake
of the Japanese horror masterpiece Ringu comes out. "The
Ring Two" was directed by original RINGU director Hideo
Nakata, also the director of the superb Japanese film "Dark
Water". As most of you know "Dark Water" has
also been remade in the USA and will be released later in
2005. "The Ring Two" is not a remake of the Japanese
Ring 2 or Ring:Spiral films but is a sequel to the US RING
film.Confused? Ask Samara... |
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Hellevator:
This upcoming US DVD release from Media Blasters looks
like fun. Hellevator: Bottled Fools should be a unique and intense
vision of abstract, psychologically charged sci-fi horror, set
almost entirely in a transport elevator that shuttles citizens
between towns which are stacked one on top of one another. From
what I have read looks like there will be some interesting people
boarding this lift at different levels. I like Sci-Fi/Horror
genre combos and we will see how this one does. |
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Ichi
1: Ichi 1 will be here in the future from the splatter
fanatics at Unearthed Films.They sent me a sneak peak in the
form of a zip file of stills and it looks as bloodthirsty and
action packed as Ichi the Killer was.This film coming to the
US for the first time is a prequel to Ichi the Killer the Takashi
Miike splatterfest most of you should have seen by now. Just
why is Ichi the way he is? This film should give us the background
on this madman of an anti-hero. This pic sure looks bloody to
me... |
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Khun
Krabi (Sars War): Yes thats really the title of this
upcoming Thai Zombie splatterfest. Seems like the zombies are
infected with Sars and are on a rampage. Although this film
may be a bit much for some PC people, Hell it was made in Asia
not here. The film will mix action, zombies, cute gals and rock
music. I saw the trailer and it looks like a fun flick. Surely
for fans of movies like "Versus" and "Wild Zero".
I will post more on it comes in. Some of these Thai films are
farout. |
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Lizard
Woman: This 2004 Thailand horror release sports a
poster of an outlandish demon woman with a big lizard hanging
out of her nasty mouth. Brace yourself for supernatural lizard
curses, mysteriously horrific illusions and a woman in battle
with evil. Perhaps shes the cause of the evil events endangering
her? I like Thai Horror that deals with folklore but until
I see this film I am unsure what to expect. Director Manop
Udomdej - Do check out: www.lizardwomanmovie.com The sites
in Thai. |
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Bunshinsaba
(Ouija Board): More Korean Horror from the Director
of Phone and Nightmare this flick looks like a psyche out.
The storyline follows a girls move to a rural area in Korea
from the big city of Seoul. She gets harassed by her new peers
at school and summons a spirit via a chant called "Bunshinsaba".
As we all know extreme measures always have horrific and even
more extreme results. Let the body count begin. Watch the
Store for the official All region Import version with Eng
Subs. |
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Feng
Shui: Philippine Horror films have been around for
some time. The 2004 film Feng Shui is about a Chinese Bagwa
(Ba-Gua) mirror that Is used to bring good luck to your household.
Well good luck getting rid of the curse that is inside this
Bagwa. The mirror seems to be making Joy ( Kris Aquino) into
a greedy gal. To top that off people that have recently gazed
into the Bagwa are dropping dead. I look forward to seeing
this and it may have some humor in it as well. Who can refuse
goodluck?
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Jiang
Shi: The website is finally active (or again active?
Its was dead or coming soon all of our past visits) for Han
Entertainments Taoist Vs. Vampire Film. From the bio the film
will show "The horrific evil that are Chinese Hopping
Vampires". A interesting storyline for the film is posted
on the site but is dated in 2003 so it looks like this film
is held up. This film comes from the same company that recently
did Silver Hawk and The Touch. Jiang Shi is produced by Michelle
Yeoh. More to Come. |
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Gozu
DVD: From Takashi Miike, comes a Yakuza/Horror film
to shock and amaze audiences everywhere! When Minami is sent
to kill his mentor, Ozaki, who is in the midst of a nervous
breakdown, he embarks on a journey of unexplained natural
phenomenon that only the director of such films as Audition,
Dead or Alive and Ichi the Killer can provide in this surreal
Lynch/Cronenberg type odyssey. The DVD saw its official USA
region 1 release recently from Pathfinder Home Ent.
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A
Tale of Two Sisters: (Janghwa, Hongryeon)
Korea. This Korean film is being described as creepy and dark
with some interesting plot twists. The film did great in Korea
and is sure to catch some attention here in the US. Korean
horror is becoming a very hot item these days and even talk
of US remakes of some titles are floating around. The film's
now being released in the US on DVD from TARTAN FILMS US.
This Movie is Creepy!! It is a great Korean horror genre release,
One of the best! |
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Ju-Rei
The Uncanny: A group of high school girls discover
the truth to an urban legend when one by one, each begins
to die under mysterious circumstances after witnessing a black
hooded figure. Who is the black hooded figure and will these
girls be able to escape death? Thats the synopsis for the
new release DVD from Pathfinder Home Ent. The artwork bills
it as "The Most Terrifying Film from Japan". Yeah
Right! The films got alot of competition right now, We'll
see how it does. |
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Onmyoji
II: Abe no Seimei the mightiest Onmyoji returns to
DVD this month in Onmyoji 2. The release is from Geneon Entertainment
and should kick as much ghost and demon ass as the first one
did. If you don't know Onmyoji is an action packed set of
films dealing with a master ghost fighter in the Heian Era
of ancient Japan. The Mighty Abe no Seimei must save the ancient
world and its noble family from supernatural bloodthirsty
devils running amok in the capital of Heian. |
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The
Ghost (Dead Friend) DVD: The new horror hit from
Korea looks like a shocker. We will be carrying this DVD in
the store as soon as its available stateside in an official
version. The artwork for the 3 Asian versions I have seen
are all interestingly spooky looking. The official Asian Imports
seem to all be NTSC Region 3 and that's what we will be reviewing
and have available in our store. The film should be packed
with scares, premonitions and odd happenings. You have been
warned... |
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One
Missed Call 2: More of those phone calls from the
damned are coming already in Chakushin Ari 2 (2005). Looks
like there is no Takashi Miike on the line this time. Maybe
the line was still busy?. I suggest that of you get a call
from two days in the future anytime soon you get a new wireless
provider. This sequel is coming out almost right on the heels
of the One Missed Call DVD release. It is available in the
Kyonsi store. Just hope the ghosts are not calling back a
little too soon. Ring Ring... |
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Shaolin
Vs. Evil Dead aka Shaolin Vampire:
Gordon Liu Chia-hui from Kill Bill Vol. 1-2,
Spiritual Boxer II (SB 2 Pictured) and many other classics
is currently working on a new film. The film is Shaolin Vs.
Evil Dead and shall have a awesome combo of Kung Fu and Horror
as well. I am looking forward to this Mr. Vampire type film
and am hopping (oops hoping) its better than the hopping vampire
and kyonsi genre films that came out a few years ago. More
details later as they come in. |
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Gozu
on DVD: Pathfinder Home Entertainment will be releasing
Takashi Miike's (Ichi the Killer, Full Metal Yakuza, One Missed
Call) on DVD in Late November 2004.
The Yakuza-Horror release should be a very weird one indeed.
Mixing several genres Gozu should be a really strange release
and a welcome addition to all Asian Horror film fans DVD collection.
The film should also be of interest to fans of Yakuza and
International films also not just horror fans. We hope to
do a full feature on the DVD. |
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Shaolin
Vs. The Devil's Omen: This US release coming in March
2005 features Donnie Yen and looks like an older film being
re-released to get his films out there after his recent success
in Hero and a few other recent films. All I can speculate
on this is perhaps is a US release of an older film like "Holy
Virgin Vs. The Evil Dead" or Satan Returns 666. The cover
art as you can see in the picture has the same baby from the
recent THE EYE 2 DVD release?? Alright then! Time will tell
Stay Tuned. |
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Dangerous
Seductress: Mondo Macabro USA is releasing the DVD
of Indonesian Cult and Horror favorite Dangerous
Seductress. The DVD is slated for November 2004 release and
is sure to be one of the fave cult releases of 2004. This
weird flick once hard to obtain will probably be one of the
better genre releases of the year. Set in Bali look for a
bizarre mix of Indonesian witchcraft, vampirism, hot babes
and of course the required black magic. This film is overboard
and is a must see LOL. |
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R-Point:
(Romeo Point) shows promise as the film will soon
see its DVD Release in Asia. The new Korean film blends the
War and Horror genres. Set during the Vietnam war a group
of soldiers get recon calls from some vanished soldiers deep
in the jungle and go to rescue them. It should have an interesting
mix of jungle haunting's, ghostly encounters,the living dead
and a ungodly curse that may not be able to be broken. Coming
to the US from Tartan Video. |
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The
Grudge (US Remake of Ju-on: The Grudge):
We are seeing how The Grudge (US) stands up to the Original
Japanese Kyonsi Favorite. I have seen the film and enjoyed it
even for a remake yet it was not as scary and creepy as the
Japanese Original it still provided a few jolts. As of 12.03
The Grudge was still a good draw at the box office. But I do
not think they should attempt to redo Grudge 2 they would ruin
it and the content of G2 is over US viewers heads. More to come... |
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Pontianak
Harum Sundal Malam: The box office horror smash which
marked the return of the Pontianak genre to Malaysian cinema
is currently playing film festivals in Spain and Asia. Pontianak
HSM is going to be fully featured on our website stay tuned
for more info. The Feature has been delayed a few months but
will be coming soon I have read the whole press kit over and
it seems to be a must see film for fans of Malay Horror and
Folklore. More news added above. |
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