Vexille (Special Edition) [Blu-ray] (2007)

Vexille (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]

Amazon.com
Vexille (2007, subtitled 2077 Nippon Sakoku: “2077 Isolation of Japan”) is a CG/motion capture film that apes the popular Appleseed series. In 2077, 10 years after Japan withdrew into a sort of neo-Tokugawa isolation to pursue illegal cyborg technology, most of the population has been turned into androids by the evil Daiwa Heavy Industries. Vexille, a tough-as-press-on-nails mecha pilot in theDeunan Knute mode, joins in a raid on the remains of Tokyo to learn about the threat this technology poses. An unremarkable series of chases, mecha battles and Morris-the-Explainer-scenes ensues as Vexille, her beau Leon, and the few Japanese who still cling to their humanity destroy Daiwa’s fortified island headquarters. Most of the story elements are borrowed other films, including Appleseed Ex Machina, Dune and the two Ghost in the Shell features. Vexille was clearly a low-budget production: the poorly rendered figures ressemble wax puppets and their shadows shrink and grow like stains on their clothing. (Rated PG-13: violence, violence against women, tobacco use) –Charles Solomon



Product Description

2067: Isolation. Japan seals herself off from the eyes of the world in the face of unilateral international policy setting strict limits on the use of robotic technology. The island nation exists only behind a veil of seclusion. No soul shall enter. No soul shall leave.

2077: Revelation. The veil is breached. Japan is infiltrated by agents of the organization S.W.O.R.D., a fighting force operating outside of the protection of the United States and her allies. Their mission: Determine if the Japanese are developing banned robotic bio-technology, forbidden due to its threat to humankind.

In the battle between machine and man, humanity stands to suffer most.

Includes 2 hours of special features:

  • Opening Comments from the Locarno Film Festival
  • Following Sori’s Work as an Animation Creator
  • Voice Acting Footage
  • Creating the Cities in VEXILLE
  • 2007 Tokyo International Anime Fair Event
  • Sori’s Guest Lecture at Digital Hollywood Tokyo
  • An Old Friend Pays Sori a Visit
  • Behind-the-Scenes Footage of ICHI
  • Creating VEXILLE’s 3D Animation
  • Creating the Music in VEXILLE
  • Sori’s Closing Comments
  • The Secrets of VEXILLE
  • Original TV Spots and Previews




  • Diebuster: The Movie [Blu-ray] (2008)

    Diebuster: The Movie [Blu-ray]

    Product Description

    Studio: Infinity Resources Inc Release Date: 12/09/2008 Run time: 124 minutes Rating: R


    Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid Box Set [Blu-ray]

    Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid Box Set [Blu-ray]No description for this product could be found, but have a look over at for reviews and other information.

    Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence [Blu-ray] (2004)

    Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence [Blu-ray]

    Amazon.com

    Mamoru Oshii’s landmark Ghost in the Shell (1995) largely defined the cyberpunk genre and influenced the Matrix films in the U.S. The long-awaited sequel continues the adventures of Batou, Major Kusanagi’s former assistant, who was left behind when she disappeared into the cyber-realm of the Net. With his new human partner, Togusa, Batou investigates a series of bloody murders involving gynoids, robots with sexual functions. The case leads them to the headquarters of the Locus Solus company, where Batou uncovers the evil secret behind the creation of the gynoids. Innocence includes some staggeringly beautiful CG images, especially a parade depicting characters from Chinese mythology. Oshii contrasts this glittering beauty with a Blade Runner-esque dystopia. But even his skill as a director can’t disguise the fact that the underdeveloped story and flat characters are far less interesting than the opulent visuals. (Rated PG-13: graphic violence, violence against women, brief nudity, profanity, alcohol and tobacco use.) –Charles Solomon



    Product Description

    Studio: Infinity Resources Inc Release Date: 01/13/2009


    Afro Samurai: Resurrection – Director’s Cut [Blu-ray] (2008)

    Afro Samurai: Resurrection - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]

    Amazon.com

    The feature film Resurrection amps up the adventures of Afro Samurai, the Black warrior who debuted on Spike TV in 2007. Taciturn and deadly, Afro (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) wanders through an anachronistic, post-apocalyptic world, accompanied by motor-mouth Ninja-Ninja (also Jackson). This time, his nemesis is not the maniacal Justice from the series, but Sio (Lucy Liu), an embittered beauty who hates Afro for nearly killing her brother Jinno. She has Professor Dharman (S. Scott Bullock) recreate Afro’s father from a jawbone stolen from his grave, a scheme that leads to the ultimate Oedipal showdown. The original series was rendered primarily in brooding grays, accented by spatters of red blood; Resurrection uses brilliant blues, oranges, and reds to underscore the conflicts. Hiphop artist RZA contributes another eclectic, moody score. But the over-the-top action can’t disguise that the icy, silent Afro is a very limited character: he lacks the humanity that redeems the equally deadly swordsman Kenshin Himura in Rurouni Kenshin. Resurrection is clearly intended as an installment in a ongoing franchise. Afro kills the warrior Shichigoro (Liam O’Brien) in front of Kotaro (Zachary Gordon), his adopted son. At the end of the film, Afro sees Kotaro clutching his father’s sword, tells him, “Anytime you’re ready,” and walks into the distance. Although the many extras stress that Afro-Samurai: Resurrection was a Japanese-American co- production, the film is presented only in English. (Unrated, suitable for ages 17 and older: graphic violence, violence against women, profanity, sexual activity, grotesque imagery, nudity, risque humor, alcohol and tobacco use) –Charles Solomon



    Product Description

    Afro Samurai (Academy Award ? nominee Samuel L. Jackson) avenged his father and found a life of peace. But the legendary master is forced back into the game by a beautiful and deadly woman from his past. The sparks of violence dropped along Afro?s bloody path now burn out of control ? and nowhere are the flames of hatred more intense than in the eyes of Sio (Lucy Liu: Kill Bill). She won?t quit until Afro is schooled in the brutal lessons he dealt those who stood in his way.? There?s no such thing as final vengeance. The cycle of bloodshed spinning around the Number One Headband must roll on. Featuring the voice of Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and fresh production from The RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), the saga that began in the best-selling anime DVD of 2007 continues in AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION.

    The Director’s Cut and Blu-ray features:

  • A limited edition art book featuring forwards from the RZA, Bob Okazaki (creator) and Fuminori Kizaki (director) as well as never before seen images from the anime and the original manga.
  • Over an hour of exclusive behind the scene featurettes including the making of the anime, the making of the video game, interviews with the cast and crew, RZA in the studio, commentary from the creators and much more!

    Stills from Afro Samurai: Resurrection (Click for larger image)












  • Afro Samurai: Season One – Director’s Cut [Blu-ray]

    Afro Samurai: Season One - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]

    Amazon.com

    The violent five-part adventure Afro Samurai marks both the increasing confluence of American and Japanese pop culture and the shift in Japanese depictions of African-Americans. The popularity of hip-hop in Japan has led to more positive images of blacks, including Takashi Okazaki’s original manga. The “Director’s Cut” contains an additional 15 minutes of footage, and is even gorier than the broadcast version on Spike TV. As a boy, Afro Samurai saw his father beheaded by the maniacal Justice. The murderer sought an ancient headband that marks the wearer as the #1 warrior in the world. As an adult, Afro seeks only revenge, cutting down anyone who blocks his path to Justice. Afro Samurai depicts a oddly anachronistic world that infuses cell phones, cigarette lighters, and cyber technology into traditional Japanese culture. The elongated character designs recall Peter Chung’s Aeon Flux, and much of the series is rendered in moody grays, accented by gobbets of scarlet blood. Afro is such a taciturn figure, most of the dialogue goes to his motor-mouth comrade Ninja Ninja. This big budget production features an eclectic score by Wu-Tang Clan co-founder RZA and an A-list vocal cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson and Ron Perlman. But for all its elaborate production values and over-the-top fights, Afro Samurai suffers from a weakness at its core: Afro is so monosyllabic and cold-blooded, he’s not very interesting. His inevitable duel-to-the-death with Justice lacks the emotional punch of Spike’s face-off against Vicious in Cowboy Bebop or Kenshin’s one-on-one with Shishio in Rurouni Kenshin. This extremely violent series is not for the faint of stomach. (Rated TV MA, suitable for ages 17 and older: graphic violence, profanity, sexual activity, grotesque imagery, nudity, risque humor, alcohol and tobacco use) –Charles Solomon

    More from Studio Gonzo


    Origin: Spirits of the Past

    Trinity Blood

    Solty Rei

    Stills from Afro Samurai (click for larger image)







    More Samuel L. Jackson


    Snakes on a Plane

    Shaft

    Pulp Fiction

    More Stills (click for larger image)









    Product Description

    Ice Cold Soul and a Jones For Revenge?.now available on Blu-Ray!

    Afro Samurai (voiced by Academy Award? nominated Samuel L. Jackson) is an epic tale of a black samurai’s hunt for Justice (voiced by Ron Perlman: Hellboy Alien Resurrection ) who murdered his father. With music score by The RZA ( Kill Bill Wu Tang Clan) Afro Samurai blends traditional Japanese culture, funky technology and hip hop to create a brutally fresh entertainment experience.

    Director’s Cut features:

  • 15 MINUTES OF NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE
  • Exclusive Manga art from Afro Samurai Creator: Takashi Okazaki
  • Interview with the Creator: Takashi Okazaki
  • RZA Music Production Tour In the Booth

  • Sword of the Stranger [Blu-ray] (2007)

    Sword of the Stranger [Blu-ray]

    Product Description

    Studio: Infinity Resources Inc Release Date: 06/16/2009 Run time: 102 minutes