Category: Arts & Culture

Make Your Own Digital Mix Tape

from Rhino Entertainment:

Remember when love was as simple as a tape full of slow jams and a six-pack? The long lost days of making a mix for your baby are back again and they’ve been upgraded. Pick up our groovy cassette* USB in black, blue, purple or pink, and we’ll help you fill it up with 20% off your choice of our digital collection**.

*Free Ground Shipping offer valid through 11:59pm, February 10, 2010 for U.S. Addresses only. **20% off Digital Tracks valid only in the same cart and purchase as the USB Cassette. You must add your digital tracks to the same cart and purchase as the USB Cassette to receive the discount, which is automatic at checkout. Rhino reserves the right to extend, modify, or discontinue these offers any time without notice.

Saving the World is Hard… Saving Yourself is Even Harder in Exciting New Manga Series “Bokurano: Ours”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight fans with the release of Mohiro Kitoh’s manga series, Bokurano: Ours on February 16th. The manga is rated “T+” for Older Teens and will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint and carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

One summer, fifteen kids innocently wander into a nearby seaside cave. There they meet a strange man who invites them to play an exciting new video game. This game, he explains, pits one lone giant robot against a horde of alien invaders. To play the game, all they have to do is sign a simple contract. The game stops being fun when the kids find out the true purpose of their pact.

“This release continues to demonstrate the success of our innovative partnership with Japan’s Ikki magazine, and sci-fi fans and manga connoisseurs won’t want to miss the debut of this addictive series,” says Leyla Aker, Senior Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “Fans of Mohiro Kitoh already know that he’s a master at blending psychological suspense with amazing action, and we’re excited to introduce his work to a whole new readership.”

Bokurano: Ours is one of the flagship series of Ikki magazine, published in Japan since 2003 and home to some of the most innovative and compelling titles in the world of contemporary manga. The series is currently available to read online at SigIKKI.com, the groundbreaking web destination for a broad range of unique manga designed for mature audiences.

Mohiro Kitoh made his manga debut in 1995 with the series, Vandemiere’s Wings. In addition to Shadow Star, his other notable manga works include, Hallucination from the Womb and Zansho — A Collection of Short Stories. Bokurano: Ours was adapted into a novel, Bokurano: Alternative, by Ohki Renji as well as a 24-episode animated series produced by studio Gonzo.

For more information on other VIZ Signature titles and to check out a sneak peek of chapter one through six of Bokurano: Ours please visit SigIKKI.com.

Dr. Romanelli X Hello Kitty “Anatomy” Figures

from Mimoco:

We’re happy to announce the latest and greatest addition to Stuff We Like!

Dr. Romanelli has gotten together with Sanrio for a special collaboration produced by MEDICOM TOY. The inspiration for the collection stems from the good doctor’s fascination with medical science.

Also… don’t forget about our very own Hello Kitty X MIMOBOT series — available in 5 styles!

ThinkGeek less than threes you

from ThinkGeek:

Oh frabjous day!

In a missive that made designerds and code monkeys everywhere swoon with Valentiney love, our sweetheart Google announced they would stop supporting IE6. Or as our codeslingers call it, IE666. Google pulled out their vorpal blades and with a snicker-snack, they left IE6 dead. Hearing the news was just like being in high school and getting a pass out of P.E. We are chortling with joy. Callooh! Callay! We love you, Google. Muah! Now, if you could only do something about Comic Sans and Papyrus fonts…

i <3 u!
Prove you love them for more than their <body> with these awesome Valentine’s Day gifts.

Get $10 off your > $40 order!
To celebrate the sweetness of geek love and the pure, delicious awesome of IE6 dying a rightful death, we open our hearts so you don’t have to empty your wallets. Use the code SWEETGEEKS to get $10 off your $40 order until 11:59 pm EST on 2/6/2010. We won’t tell your sweetie that you got a sweet discount. You just pile on the presents and look like the romantic hero and it’ll be our little secret.

Find more What’s New items at ThinkGeek!

VIZ Pictures to Release “20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope” on DVD

from VIZ Pictures:

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, will release the science fiction feature 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope on DVD on February 16th in North America through its distributor, VIZ Media. 20th Century Boys will carry a MSRP of $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN.

The 20th Century Boys saga is based on Naoki Urasawa’s manga series, 20th Century Boys (published in the US by VIZ Media), which has become a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 20 million copies of the 24 volumes. Urasawa is the creator of many famous works such as the hit manga series Monster and Pluto, also published in the US by VIZ Media.

The film is directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, who began directing commercials and music videos at Nihon Television. One of his most recent films includes Happily Ever After (2007), also released by VIZ Pictures and distributed by VIZ Media. Both Naoki Urasawa and music director Ryomei Shirai are fans of the 1970’s rock music scene and chose “20th Century Boys” by T.REX (Imperial Records) as the main theme song.

The story began in 1969 when a young boy named Kenji and his friends write “The Book of Prophecy” in which they write about a future where they fight against an evil organization trying to take over the world and bring about doomsday. Years later in 1997, a mysterious cult being led by a man only known as “Friend” emerges and begins to gain strong influence over society. A series of catastrophic events begin to occur mirroring the prophecies made up by the young Kenji and the greatest fear is the climax of “The Book” becoming a reality; December 31st, 2000, a terrifying giant virus-spreading robot will attack the entire city of Tokyo leading to the end of mankind. The only people who know about “The Book” are Kenji and his childhood friends. Who is “Friend”? Will Kenji and his friends be able to save mankind and live to see the 21st Century?

In 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope it is 2015, and “Friend” rules a disturbing new world. Kenji has been missing since the Bloody New Year’s Eve of 2000, and his niece Kanna is now in high school. Her history textbook contains a fabricated story about Kenji and his friends being the terrorists behind the horrific events of 2000. Kanna, knowing the truth, openly resents this, and as a result she is marked as a problem child by her teacher and sent to the Friend Land program because of her anti-Friend behavior. Friend Land is a facility where people with rebellious behavior are re-educated. As the program begins, Kanna and her classmate Kyoko Koizumi achieve high marks and are sent to the advanced program called the Bonus Stage, where they find themselves in a virtual reconstruction of 1971, when Kenji and his friends were kids. There, each of the girls learns crucial secrets about “Friend.”

The surviving secret base members have been separated since Bloody New Year’s Eve but each has spent the last 15 years in various activities opposing Friend and his regime. As Kenji’s friends all try to find out the truth about Friend, they discover the shocking existence of The New Book of Prophecy, the sequel to The Book of Prophecy. The New Book describes an event: In 2015, at a church in Shinjuku, a savior will rise to uphold justice but will be assassinated. Who is the savior? Once again, Doomsday looms near…

To celebrate this DVD release, VIZ Pictures will be holding a special screening event at VIZ Cinema in San Francisco on February 9th at 7:30 PM. Ticket for admission is $25.00, which will include a ticket for the screening, a copy of the 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope DVD, poster, and pin! Additionally, VIZ Pictures is raffling off 20th Century Boys T-shirts before the show so come watch the film for a chance to win! Tickets are available at the box office or online at vizcinema.com. For more information about this event, please visit vizcinema.com or viz-pictures.com.

“20th Century Boys has been a mega hit since it mesmerized audiences with its U.S. theatrical premiere of 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End in the summer of 2009, and we are excited to announce the U.S. debut of 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. “We also hope fans in the San Francisco Bay Area can join us for the one night only special screening at VIZ Cinema to experience 20th Century Boys on the Big Screen.”

For more information on 20th Century Boys or other VIZ Pictures titles, please visit viz-pictures.com.

VIZ Media Announces New DVD Releases for March 2010

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in March 2010. This includes the final box set release of Honey and Clover, the next installments of the Pokémon Elements series, as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular Bleach and Naruto: Shippuden series. Also releasing is the live action feature film — Hisashi Tenmyouya: Samurai Nouveau from VIZ Pictures. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

Honey and Clover Box Set 3
Rated “T+” for Older Teens
MSRP: $59.90 US / $85.99 CAN
Available March 16

Yuta returns from his journey of self-discovery only to find everyone around him deep in their own struggles to shape their futures. Ayumi finds herself increasingly included in projects involving Takumi and Rika, and the strain is breaking her. Far away in America, Shinobu and his brother’s endless quest for money finally helps them achieve their ultimate goal, while back home Hagumi must face the devastating consequences of an accident that could change her life forever. Can the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of art ever be one and the same?

Contains Season 2, Episodes 1-12. For more information on Honey and Clover, please visit honeyandclover.viz.com.

Shonen Jump releases include:

Bleach Volume 26
Rated “T” for Teens
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN
Available March 23

The Bount leader Jin Kariya has obtained the Jokai Crest and is absorbing its immense power. While Ichigo and the others rest and prepare for their next battle, the Soul Reapers are warned by Rantao that there are many Crests within the Seireitei, and all may explode if Kariya’s Crest is released. Head Captain Yamamoto mobilizes all Soul Reapers to find and seal the remaining Crests. Then, atop Sokyoku Hill, Ichigo faces Kariya in their final clash!

Contains episodes 105-109. For more information on Bleach, please visit bleach.viz.com.

Naruto: Shippuden Volume 7
Rated “T+” for Older Teens
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN
Available March 9

In their battle with Sasori, Granny Chiyo and Sakura must make life-or-death choices to bring the puppet master down. Outside the Akatsuki hideout, Team Guy have fought the copies of themselves to the point of exhaustion, but Rock Lee’s plan sets fire to their fighting spirits. Meanwhile, Naruto and Kakashi have caught up to Deidara, and Kakashi prepares to unleash his newest jutsu — the Mangekyo Sharingan!

Contains episodes 27-30. For more information on Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, please visit naruto.com.

Pokémon releases include:

Pokémon Elements, Volume 9: Ghost
Rated “A” for All Ages
MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN
Available March 23

Pokémon Elements, Volume 10: Rock
Rated “A” for All Ages
MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN
Available March 23

Following the Pokémon All Star series set, the Pokémon Elements collection consists of the most important episodes commemorating the different types of Pokémon characters. Each disc showcases a Pokémon type with three all-time favorite episodes.

From VIZ Pictures (Live Action Feature Films):

Hisashi Tenmyouya: Samurai Nouveau, NEW PEOPLE Artist Series Volume 4
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN
Available March 9

A graphic designer turned contemporary artist, Hisashi Tenmyouya brings his own style of NEO-Traditional Japanese Painting to the art world. Tenmyouya reveals his soul through melding of modern urban subjects with traditional methods of painting.

For more information on VIZ Pictures, please visit viz-pictures.com.

VIZ Media Blends Man & Machine in New “Biomega” Manga Debut

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will debut the cyberpunk action manga series Biomega on February 2nd. The new series, rated “M” for Mature Audiences, will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint and will carry a MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Zoichi Kanoe plunges into the depths of 9JO, a sprawling island city in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in search of Eon Green, a girl with the power to transmute the N5S virus. The deadly contagion is spreading across the world, turning humans into disfigured, zombie-like “drones.” But he’s not the only one looking for her. Agents of the Public Health Service’s Compulsory Execution Unit are also in hot pursuit, with sinister designs of their own. Zoichi and his trans-human allies have no time to waste; the countdown to the apocalypse has begun!

“Tsutomu Nihei created Biomega with a jaw-dropping, intensely powerful art style that reflects his background in modern architecture,” says Leyla Aker, Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “The main characters — the “enhanced” human Zoichi and Fuyu, the AI in his rocket of a motorcycle — navigate this apocalyptic landscape in a story that offers pure speed, action, and suspense. Both manga and American comics fans won’t want to miss this exciting debut!”

Tsutomu Nihei debuted with the acclaimed manga short story Blame!, which was nominated for North America’s Harvey Award and won the Shiki Award in Japan. The artist also created NOiSE, a manga prequel to Blame!. His visually striking Wolverine tie-in Snikt! was published by Marvel Comics along with a commission by Bungie Studios for the Halo graphic novel.

For more information on this title, or others from VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

VIZ Media Announces the Release of “Dinosaur King”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the release of Volume 1 and 2 of the new VIZ Kids series Dinosaur King. This manga is rated “A” for All Ages and will carry a MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

Dinosaur King by creator Yohei Sakai tells the story of Max who is obsessed with dinosaurs. He knows his Tapejara from his Pteranodon and can find fossils better than a trained paleontologist. When he discovers a stone tablet that transports him to the age of dinosaurs, it’s a dream come true — until it becomes a nightmare. From King, his new dinosaur friend, Max learns that an evil genius named Dr. Z has enslaved the dinosaurs so he can use their hidden powers to take over the world! Now Max has to defeat Dr. Z and his Alpha Gang to save the ancient beasts and life as we know it. Volume 1 will release February 2, 2010.

In Volume 2, which will release in April of this year, King’s mother is trapped somewhere in Alpha Mountain, and it’s up to Max to rescue her. But Dr. Z has set perilous traps for him at every turn! He and King are more in sync than ever with their attacks, but will it be enough to defeat the Alpha Gang and conquer Alpha Mountain? Both volume one and volume two contain bonus trading cards inside, limited quantities available. Volume 2 will be releasing in April 6, 2010.

The titles under the VIZ Kids imprint offer engaging manga and manga-related content intended specifically for a younger audience. All VIZ Kids products share the same core values of strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and lots of good humor in an effort to delight a whole new generation of readers.

For more information on this title or other VIZ Kids titles, please visit vizkids.com.

From the “Star Wars” Archive: Reflections on “Empire”

from StarWars.com:

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. For the entire year, Lucasfilm is celebrating this landmark movie, including making Empire a central theme to this year’s Star Wars Celebration event in August. Look for retrospective features on StarWars.com throughout the year, as well as here, in the Homing Beacon.

Back in 1990, Empire celebrated its first major milestone at ten years old. Then, Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine asked director Irvin Kershner to recall how he came to be director of Episode V.

“I had a phone call from [producer] Gary Kurtz who asked me if I would be interested, and I said I would think about it. I talked about it with my agent and I said, ‘Oh, what a hard act to follow! Star Wars! I don’t know.’ I was kind of put off by the enormity of the job and having to not top it. I never believe in topping, I believe in just making something which stands on its own terms. I thought, ‘What a difficult job!’ I met with George Lucas at Universal over lunch and he began talking about what he wanted to do and how important the second film was, because if the second one worked, then he could make more. If the second one didn’t work, then that would be the end of Star Wars. So I thought about it and said, ‘Well, why do you want me? Of all the younger guys around, all the hot-shots, why me?’ And I remember he said to me, ‘Well, because you know everything a Hollywood director is supposed to know but you’re not Hollywood.’ I liked that.

“Of course, I’ve always liked George and respected him. I loved his little films and his stuff at USC. I had some seminars with him when I was teaching and he was making some little films. I remember THX 1138 and, in fact, did my best to make Warner release it. They were reluctant to release it. So I finally decided, ‘Why not direct this Star Wars film.’ However, I didn’t know it would take me almost three years! So, I went up to see George and he took me to his office and showed me these drawings of what would later be Skywalker Ranch. He said, ‘This is what this film will pay for.’ He showed me drawings of the buildings, etc. But he said, ‘This will only happen if Empire works.’ And that was something else I had to carry on my shoulders. I thought, ‘Wow, what a dream! That’s incredible!’ You know, it’s not like saying, ‘Look, we’re going to make a lot of money!’ It’s saying, ‘We’re going to build something.’ And that was the difference for me. That’s what hooks me every time. You know, money itself means nothing. It’s what’s done with it that matters.

“So, George convinced me. Actually, he didn’t have to try very hard.”