Monday, August 21, 2017

Vampire Novel, "A Small Charred Face," Coming from VIZ Media

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU LITERARY SCIENCE FICTION IMPRINT ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF A SMALL CHARRED FACE

Even Monsters Need Families In Sakuraba’s Novel Depicting A Vampire’s Unconventional Friendship With A Young Boy

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media’s Haikasoru literary science fiction imprint explores the domestic life of monsters in the release of A SMALL CHARRED FACE on September 19th, 2017.

A SMALL CHARRED FACE was written by Kazuki Sakuraba, whose previous critically acclaimed novel, Red Girls: The Legend of the Akauchibas, was also published by Haikasoru. A SMALL CHARRED FACE will be released in print with an MSRP of $15.99 U.S. / $21.99 CAN. An eBook edition will also debut on September 19th in the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store, the Kobo eBooks Store, and the Google Play Store.

In A SMALL CHARRED FACE, a boy name Kyo is saved from the precipice of death by Bamboo, a vampire born of the tall grasses. They start an enjoyable yet strange shared life together, Kyo and the gentle Bamboo. But for Bamboo, communication with a human being is the greatest sin.

“Sakuraba captivated North American readers with her award-winning novel, RED GIRLS, and she returns with a unique new story that depicts the relationship between vampires and modern youth in A SMALL CHARRED FACE,” says Nick Mamatas, Editor. “We invite readers to discover the unconventional, yet poignant and tender dynamic that develops between Bamboo and Kyo in this gripping new release.”

Author Kazuki Sakuraba was born in 1971 and began publishing while still in college. Her early Gosick light novels were best sellers and were translated into English, and her adult fiction is also popular and critically acclaimed.  Red Girls: The Legend of the Akauchibas won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 2007 and was translated into English in 2015. Watashi no otoko, a suspense novel about an incestuous relationship, won the Naoki Prize for popular fiction in 2008.

For more information on A SMALL CHARRED FACE and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit Haikasoru.com.

For more information on other titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Sequel to "QQ Sweeper," "Queen's Quality," Arrives September 2017

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE SUPERNATURAL SHOJO MANGA SERIES QUEEN’S QUALITY

Sequel To The Paranormal Romance Series QQ SWEEPER Debuts From The Creator Of DENGEKI DAISY!
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, delivers the sequel to shojo manga creator Kyousuke Motomi’s acclaimed series, QQ SWEEPER, with the launch of QUEEN’S QUALITY on September 5th, 2017.

QUEEN’S QUALITY is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will be published under the Shojo Beat imprint. Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. The series also launches digitally via VIZ.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and Google Play stores. Subsequent volumes of the series, which is ongoing in Japan, will be published in English four times a year.

In QUEEN’S QUALITY, Fumi Nishioka lives with Kyutaro Horikita and his family of “Sweepers,” people who specialize in cleaning the minds of those overcome by negative energy and harmful spirits. Fumi has always displayed mysterious abilities, but will those powers be used for evil when she begins to truly awaken as a Queen?

“Fans will not want to miss the return of Kyutaro and Fumi in this action and romance packed sequel,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “Find out their fates as the pair face off against menacing new paranormal threats while their feelings for each other continue to grow.”

Manga creator Kyousuke Motomi debuted in Japanese shojo manga magazine Deluxe Betsucomi with Hetakuso Kyupiddo (No Good Cupid) in 2002. She is the creator of DENGEKI DAISY, BEAST MASTER and QQ SWEEPER, all available in North America from VIZ Media.

For additional information on QUEEN’S QUALITY and other manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Review: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2" Reaches New Heights

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 14 (of 2017) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Running time:  136 minutes (2 hours, 16 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language, and brief suggestive content
DIRECTOR:  James Gunn
WRITERS:  James Gunn (based on the comic book created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning)
PRODUCER:  Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Henry Braham (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Fred Raskin and Craig Wood
COMPOSER:  Tyler Bates

SCI-FI/FANTASY and ACTION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY

Starring:  Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Kurt Russell, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Laura Haddock, Sean Gunn, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sylvester Stallone, Stan Lee, Michelle Yeoh, Ving Rhames, and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a 2017 science fiction-action film and adventure comedy.  It is written and directed by James Gunn and is produced by Marvel Studios.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics title, Guardians of the Galaxy (2008), which was created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and is a sequel to the 2014 film, Guardians of the Galaxy.  This second film finds the Guardians of the Galaxy trying to unravel the mystery of the origins of one of their own while evading an unhappy client intent on killing them.

In 2014, Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista), Baby Groot (voice of Vin Diesel) are renowned throughout the galaxy as the Guardians of the Galaxy.  They have been hired by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), the leader of the Sovereign race, to stop a monster from stealing valuable batteries from the Sovereign world.  That mission is successful, but also goes slightly awry, making the Guardians targets for destruction.

While on the run, the Guardians meet a mysterious man, who calls himself Ego (Kurt Russell), and his assistant, Mantis (Pom Klementieff).  Ego claims that he is Peter Quill's father, and he takes Peter, Gamora, and Drax with him to his home world.  Rocket and Baby Groot find themselves stuck with Gamora's vengeful sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan).  Things get worse when Peter's surrogate father and Ravager leader, Yondu Udonta (Michael Rooker), shows up to claim a bounty on the Guardians.  Meanwhile, on Ego's planet, Gamora begins to suspect that there is something ominous about Peter's alleged biological father.

The original Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the surprise hits of 2014, if not the surprise hit of the year.  Although I was interested in a sequel to the film, I could not imagine what a Guardians of the Galaxy 2 would like.  What we gets is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, a fun sci-fi action movie and a surprisingly thoughtful character melodrama.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the acting is really good; the special effects are impressive; the CGI-created environments, backdrops, sets (interiors and exteriors), spaceways, worlds, etc. are so dazzling in scope, color, and imagination.  The songs on the soundtrack are just the inspired choices they were for the first film.  The make-up and costumes are worthy of receiving Oscar nominations next year.

But Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 turns on the inventive and reflective storytelling of writer-director James Gunn.  I thought that Gunn might be a potentially top-notch filmmaker when I saw his film Slither (2006), one of the few horror movies that is genuinely scary while also being droll and witty.  And I have to admit that I also liked Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), for which Gunn was the credited screenwriter, so that was also a point in his favor.

With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Gunn delivers his best screenplay.  He takes what could have been a silly, frivolous, and mildly entertaining sequel to a surprising outer space, action-adventure film (the original Guardians of the Galaxy), and instead, delivers a shockingly moving rumination on what a family is, what it can be, and what forms it may take.  Vol. 2 says that family members fight and yell at each other because they care so damn much about one another – even if each individual in the family is loathed to admit how much he cares about another family member and how much she cares about the family as a group.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is just as wild and entertaining and out-there as the first movie.  It is a science fiction/space fantasy pop confection with the delightful fizz of the first film.  However, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is not just a follow-up to a hit film, nor is it just the next installment in a franchise.  It is an evolution or at least it is evidence that this franchise can grow, and James Gunn is the guy with the notion that he could really, really improve on the original with a film that engages the characters – both the leads and the supporting players – in character drama and character development.  I honestly wonder if Gunn can top himself in a third Guardians movie.

9 of 10
A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

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Saturday, August 19, 2017

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 13th to 19th, 2017 - Update #38

Support Leroy on Patreon.

MUSIC - From YahooNews:  JAY-Z opens up about the Met Gala elevator whuppin' he got from his sister-in-law Solange, sister of his wife, Beyonce.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  "Super Troopers 2" set to be released April 20, 2017.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Billy Howle has joined "Outlaw King," the next film from director David Mackenzie of "Hell or High Water."

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CULTURE - From Splinter:  Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, the young woman killed by a Trump voter in Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a defiant eulogy for her daughter.

CULTURE - From Salon:  Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up," The 40-Year-Old Virgin") explains why conservatives make bad entertainment.

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COMICS-FILM - From FlickeringMyth:  Director David F. Sandberg gives an update on his DC Extended Universe film, "Shazam."

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TELEVISION - From TVLine:  ABC has given a "put-pilot" order (which means they are more than likely to broadcast it, I think) for a live-action reboot of classic 1960s animated TV series, "The Jetsons."  Robert Zemeckis is executive producing.

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DISNEY - From Variety:  Netflix in talks with the Walt Disney Company for streaming rights to Marvel and Star Wars movies.

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CELEBRITY:  YahooCelebrity:  Iman shares rare photo of her daughter with David Bowie, Alexandria.

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HEALTH - From YahooFitness:  35-year-old fitness pro deliberately looks twice his age.

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COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies:  An international trailer for "Thor: Ragnarok" features Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange.

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MOVIES - From THR:  "The Conjuring" has launched a cinematic universe (that includes the "Annabelle" films) that works.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Cate Blanchett joins Jack Black in Eli Roth's "The House with a Clock in its Walls," based on the late John Bellairs' novel.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Lionsgate is developing an all-female production of Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

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MOVIES - From THR:  Production on "Mission: Impossible 6" will be shut down for 2 to 3 months while Tom Cruise recovers from an on-set injury.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Justin Simien of "Dear White People" is working on his next film, "Bad Hair" with his "Dear White People" team.

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OBAMA - From YahooNews:  Former President Barack Obama's #Charlottesville tweet is not the most popular in terms of "likes" in the history of Twitter.

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JAMES BOND - From THR:  On "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Daniel Craig confirms that he is returning as James Bond for the film currently known as "Bond 25."

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  The manager and friends of Joi "S.J." Harris, the stuntwoman who was killed while executing a stunt for "Deadpool 2," says she died doing what she loved.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooCelebrity:  There is a contest in which the winner and a friend can drink wine with JLaw and even have a picnic with her.

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Charlottesville, Virginia native, Chris Long, Defensive End of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, won't just "stick to sports."

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OBAMA - From YahooNews:  Former President Barack Obama's tweet about this past weekend's violence in Charlottesville, Virginia is the third most popular tweet on Twitter (in terms of "likes") ever.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  Michael Sheen and David Tennant will star in Amazon's TV adaptation of "Good Omens," the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

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TELEVISION - From TVGuide:  After 15 years of producing TV series for ABC (like "Grey's Anatomy"), Shonda Rhimes is moving to Netflix.

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POLITICS - From Reuters:  Merck CEO Kenneth C. Frazier has quit President Trump's American Manufacturing Council.  Frazier says that he is leaving over Trump's initial response to the Charlottesville White Nationalist riots, a response many consider lame and weak.  Trump's response to Frazier leaving has been more critical than Trump's response to Nazis, the KKK, and White Nationalists.

From NBCSports:  Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank also leaving Trump's manufacturing council because of the President's reluctance to criticize violent White supremacy.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  A female stunt driver has died following a motorcycle accident on the set of "Deadpool 2."

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 8/11 to 8/13/2017 weekend box office is "Annabelle: Creation" with an estimated take of $35 million.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Tom Cruise apparently injured while performing a stunt for "Mission: Impossible 6."

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MOVIES - From Indiewire:  David Lynch almost directed 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High" says the film's screenwriter, Cameron Crowe.  Amy Heckerling did direct the film.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Paramount wins the bidding war over a biopic about Leonardo da Vinci, which will star Leonardo DiCaprio.

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OBIT:

From THR:  Actor, playwright, and screenwriter, Joe Bologna, has died at the age of 82, Sunday, August 13, 2017.  As an actor, he may be best remembered for his role in 1982's "My Favorite Year."  As a screenwriter, Bologna received an Oscar nomination for 1970's "Love and Other Strangers."

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Crisis in Charlottesville:

From TheVillageVoice:  Scenes from a bloody weekend in Charlottesville.

From RSN:  Trump having hard time condemning his supporter's murderous actions.

From CNN:  Two Virginia state troopers are killed in a helicopter crash near the Charlottesville White Nationalists rally.

From YahooFinance:  Before White Nationalist James Alex Fields, Jr. drove the car that killed Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, he was photographed wearing "Vanguard America" uniform.

From YahooNews:  32-year-old Heather Heyer of Virginia has been identified as the victim the White Nationalist car attack in Charlottesville, Virginia.

From GuardianUK:  Far-right rally descends into violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

From YahooNews:  FBI begins investigation into car attack at White nationalist rally in Charlottesville.

From YahooNews:  Clash in Charlottesville in pictures.

From TheDailyBeast:  James Alex Fields, Jr. drove his car into a crowd in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing 1 and injuring at least 20.

From YahooNews:  Mother of #Charlottesville car attacker speaks.

From LATimes: Opinion - President Trump bears some responsibility for racism on display in Charlottesville.


James Wan's "Conjuring" Films Have Grossed Over $1 Billion

New Line Cinema’s “Conjuring” Universe Surpasses $1 Billion at the Global Box Office

Created by visionary filmmaker James Wan, the franchise reached the major milestone with just four films and is among the most successful horror series of all time

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After just one week in theaters around the globe, New Line Cinema’s “Annabelle: Creation” has taken in more than $110 million, not only opening in the #1 spot in numerous markets, including North America, but quickly boosting filmmaker James Wan and producer Peter Safran’s “Conjuring” universe of films over the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. The announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

In making the announcement, Kroll said, “We are thrilled with the success of ‘Annabelle: Creation’ and enormously proud to continue bringing this hugely popular ‘Conjuring’ franchise to theaters everywhere. We congratulate our colleagues at New Line Cinema, our astute marketing and distribution teams, and everyone who put their collective creative energies together to tell such wonderfully frightening stories for movie audiences around the world to enjoy.”

Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of New Line, and without question the horror genre has always been an integral and important part of the company’s DNA. While the genre has certainly evolved over the decades, watching the critical and commercial success of the ‘Conjuring’ universe has been truly spectacular and I am incredibly proud of all the talented people involved in making this happen.”

Together, New Line’s Richard Brener, President, Production, and Carolyn Blackwood, President, Content, Strategy & Operations, noted, “James Wan has a proven ability to tap into the minds of horror fans in a way few can. To reach this benchmark with just four films is truly remarkable. On behalf of everyone at New Line, we couldn’t be more excited for him, producer Peter Safran, and all the filmmakers who were so instrumental in making each of these movies so successful.”

In addition to opening in the #1 spot in the U.S. and Canada, “Annabelle: Creation” scored the highest industry opening weekend of all time for a horror film in numerous international markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary. It had the highest opening weekend grosses of all films in the “Conjuring” universe in 26 international markets, including Korea, Indonesia, Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The film dominated the Asian box office by ranking #1 in seven of eight opening markets there, out-grossing all comparable films regionally, and has already surpassed “Annabelle’s” lifetime cume in Portugal, Poland, Russia and Hong Kong, and both “Annabelle’s” and “The Conjuring’s” total cumes in Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It currently ranks #1 in ten of the 11 markets that opened yesterday, including Mexico, Brazil and UAE, and is already dominating those markets, with Mexico and three other Latin American markets, as well as UAE, showing the highest opening days ever for a horror film in those territories based on the Thursday box office alone.

Individually, several of the films that make up the New Line horror-verse are among the top all-time earners at the box office, with the “The Conjuring 2” and “The Conjuring” coming in second and third in the genre, respectively, after “The Exorcist,” and “Annabelle” at number eight. The worldwide theatrical grosses for the films stand as: “The Conjuring 2” at $320,373,500; “The Conjuring” at $319,482,193; and “Annabelle” at $257,047,661.

Next up in the New Line series is “The Nun,” based on the character appearing in “The Conjuring 2,” directed by Corin Hardy, and due in theaters July 13, 2018. The studio is also in active development with Atomic Monster and The Safran Company on “The Conjuring 3” and “The Crooked Man,” the latter also drawn on the character appearing in “The Conjuring 2.”

In “Annabelle: Creation,” several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and six girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home. They soon become the target of the doll maker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

David F. Sandberg (“Lights Out”) directed from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman, who also wrote “Annabelle.” Peter Safran and James Wan produced the film, which stars Stephanie Sigman (“Spectre”), Talitha Bateman (“The 5th Wave,” upcoming “Geostorm”), Lulu Wilson (“Ouija: Origin of Evil,” “Deliver Us from Evil”), Philippa Coulthard (“After the Dark”), Grace Fulton (“Badland”), Lou Lou Safran (“The Choice”), Samara Lee (“Foxcatcher,” “The Last Witch Hunter”), and Tayler Buck in her feature film debut, with Anthony LaPaglia (TV’s “Without a Trace”) and Miranda Otto (Showtime’s “Homeland,” “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy).

Serving as executive producers on “Annabelle: Creation” were Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Hans Ritter.

Collaborating with Sandberg behind-the-scenes from his “Lights Out” team were production designer Jennifer Spence, editor Michel Aller and composer Benjamin Wallfisch, joined by director of photography Maxime Alexandre (“The Other Side of the Door”) and costume designer Leah Butler (“Paranormal Activity 3 & 4”).

New Line Cinema presents, an Atomic Monster/Safran Company production, “Annabelle: Creation.” The film is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“Annabelle: Creation” has been rated R by the MPAA for horror violence and terror.

www.annabellemovie.com

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Friday, August 18, 2017

VIZ Media Announces RANMA ½ OVA and Movie Collection

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF RANMA ½ OVA & MOVIE COLLECTION

Three Full-Length RANMA ½ Feature Films And Eleven OVAs Based On The Classic Anime Series Make North American Debut In HD Format

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, delights anime fans and lovers of the classic RANMA ½ series as it announces the upcoming home media release of the RANMA ½ OVA & Movie Collection on September 19th, 2017.

The new one-of-a-kind collection is based on the smash hit manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi and will be released in DVD and Blu-ray editions that include eleven episode-length Original Video Animation (OVA) adventures as well as three RANMA ½ theatrical movies.

Ranma Saotome, the iconic character created by master artist Rumiko Takahashi, is back for new adventures and more than a few hilarious misunderstandings along the way! From mishaps at a holiday party to casual use of mystical trinkets to possession by cursed dolls, what’s in store for Ranma is anyone’s guess in these original anime adventures. Also included in the new home media set are two feature-length RANMA ½ movies and one special OVA-length movie that brought Ranma to theaters to make some big choices with his heart and not his head…which is usually what starts his trouble in the first place!

The RANMA ½ OVA & Movie Collection Blu-ray Edition will carry an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN and comes packaged in a premium full-color chipboard slipcase. The three-disc set features full 1080p High Definition resolution with 16:9 video aspect ratio. Subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options are available. Bonus content includes a 32-page full-color booklet, upcoming OVA previews, and clean opening and ending segments.

The RANMA ½ OVA & Movie Collection DVD Edition will carry an MSRP of $39.99 U.S. / $52.99 CAN. The three-disc home media set presents content with 16:9 video aspect ratio and features subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options. Notable bonus features include clean opening and ending segments.

“We are pleased to present RANMA ½ fans with this one-of-a-kind remastered collection filled with mystical transformations, martial arts mayhem and comedic hijinks,” says Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media’s Director of Animation Marketing. “This new set serves as a wonderful addition to the RANMA ½ universe. Catch all the zany escapades in this not-to-be-missed upcoming release.”

RANMA ½ manga creator Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA ½, and INUYASHA, which are all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

Also catch home media releases for the original RANMA ½ anime series, which are available in Blu-ray and DVD editions exclusively from VIZ Media.

For more information on RANMA ½ or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Thursday, August 17, 2017

VIZ Media Announces a Naruto Chibi Manga

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE HILARIOUS NEW MANGA SERIES NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE’S SHARINGAN LEGEND

Naruto’s Rival Returns – Cuter Than Ever And Ready For New Action Packed Adventures

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the launch of NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND, a hilarious spin-off of the world’s most popular ninja manga series, NARUTO, on September 5th, 2017.

NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND is written by Kenji Taira. The series is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will be published in print and digital editions under the Shonen Jump imprint; Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND will be available digitally via VIZ.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and Google Play Store. Subsequent volumes of the series, which is also continuing in Japan, will be published in English on a quarterly basis.

Uchiha Sasuke, the brooding loner who will do anything to avenge his clan and kill his older brother… Yes, this is that story, but with a funny twist! In NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND the characters and story have been flipped on their heads, all for the sake of comedy! With his Taka teammates Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo, Sasuke travels the land and gets into all kinds of wacky adventures. This is a side of Sasuke you’ve never seen before. One bit of advice: do not mock the Uchiha!

“Naruto’s best friend and rival, Sasuke, returns in this hijinks-filled new series,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor. “We hope fans enjoy the ‘chibi’ art-style that adds to the hilarious flavor of the series, and takes the NARUTO canon in a fun new direction!”

NARUTO manga series creator, Masashi Kishimoto, was first inspired to become a manga artist in elementary school when he read DRAGON BALL. After spending time in art college, he won the Hop Step Award for new manga artists with his story Karakuri. After considering various genres for his next project, Kishimoto decided on a story steeped in traditional Japanese culture. His first version of NARUTO, drawn in 1997, was a one-shot story about fox spirits; his final version, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, quickly became the most popular ninja manga in the world. The series would also spawn multiple anime series, movies, novels, video games and more. Having concluded NARUTO in late 2014, Masashi Kishimoto has kept himself busy with the side stories such as NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING and writing the story for the latest NARUTO anime movie, BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE, both of which focus on the title character's son, Boruto.

For additional information on NARUTO and other manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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