This year has already marked itself as one of the best years for G-Fans in the states, but it has also marked the deaths of two amazing japanese actors. Tetsuro Tamba (Well known for his work in films such as You Only Live Twice and the Prophecies of Nostradamus) passed away quite recently. He was a great actor, and will be missed. Unfourtanetly, he is not the only one. Makoto Iwamatsu also passed away on July 21st, 2006. Both Japanese actors were of superb quality and skill. RIP.
But, we must not let sad news ruin our days. In other news, Ryuthei Kitamura's masterpiece of a film, AZUMI (2003) will be coming to DVD in America for the first time on November 21st, 2006. AsiaVision Films will be releasing this two-disc special edition. There will be a wide variety of features, including cast and crew profiles, the making of Azumi, a hidden music video, and much, much more.
If that wasn't good enough, the Turner Classic Movies channel will be airing classic monster films, as it does every year when Halloween comes around. These films will include: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925), FREAKS (1932), KING KONG (1933), THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951), DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951), THE HAUNTING (1963), NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978). But thats not all. Turner Classic Movies will also be airing three rare Japanese films from the sixties. They will be in their original widescreen ratios, uncut with English subtitles and Japanese dialouge. These films are: KWAIDEN (1965), THE X FROM OUTER SPACE (1967), and GOKE, BODY SNATCHER FROM HELL (1968).
And probably the biggest news, Universe Laser released GODZILLA 1984 (1984) and GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (1989) on DVD on September 15th. Universe Laser's previous discs of all of the Millenium Godzilla films were a big hit with fans because they were the first official and legal releases of the film to be the original uncut Japanese versions with removable English subtitles and the film's original aspect raio. With the same treatment done with these two new discs, fans hope to see an R1 release soon (These discs are R3).
Both discs are now available for order at www.YesAsia.com. Just remember that you need either a Region-Free or Region 3 DVD player to play these DVDs.