VIZ Media Releases the Teenage Ninja Action Adventure of “Naruto: Shippuden: the Movie” on DVD This Fall

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 DVD release of Naruto: Shippuden: the Movie on November 10th. The new film is the fourth in the Naruto movie series, is rated “‘T+” for Older Teens, and will have an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.

In the newest animated feature film adventure, a powerful spirit that once threatened to destroy the world is back! Naruto’s mission is to protect a priestess named Shion, who is the only one with the power to seal away the monster. She also has the uncanny ability to predict someone’s fate. Her latest prediction: Naruto will soon die. Naruto’s only hope is to abandon Shion, but that’s not Naruto’s style. He decides to face her fatal prediction head-on — and die!

“The Naruto: Shippuden story arc is largely about growing up and as the world’s most popular ninja grows into adolescence, so have millions of his fans,” says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Director of Sales, Home Entertainment. “Naruto’s missions have become even more dangerous, and even fate will test Naruto’s skills and self confidence in this latest adventure as a mysterious princess foretells his death. We invite fans to check out all the action in this new feature film this fall!”

The Naruto: Shippuden manga and animated series pick up two years after Naruto left to train with his teacher and mentor Jiraiya. Now a teenager, the stories in the new series take a more mature and sometimes darker approach as Naruto returns to the Hidden Leaf Village to reunite with his old friends and discovers they are stronger than before — and maybe even stronger than he is! For Naruto, the spirit of a nine-tailed fox spirit trapped inside him is a metaphor for adolescence. There is a powerful force in this spunky teenager and he must learn to conquer it and overcome his own uncontrollable spirit and emotions while battling an array of villains and completing near-impossible missions.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 92 million copies to-date. The manga series (rated “T” for Teens) and animated counterpart (Naruto rated “T” for teens, and Naruto: Shippuden rated “T+” for older teens) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America. Naruto is a co-production of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc., and Pierrot Co., Ltd.

For more information on Naruto: Shippuden, and to view Naruto: Shippuden episodes (subtitled) please visit the official Naruto website at naruto.com. In addition, DTO (dubbed) is also available on iTunes. Classic Naruto episodes can be viewed on hulu.com, Playstation Network, Xbox Live, Amazon VOD and iTunes.

Cupteavity: Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea

Cupteavity's Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea

In my quest to increase my knowledge and fuel my passion, I’m always on the lookout to experience new coffees and teas. Recently, while surfing Facebook for coffee and tea groups, I discovered the Cupteavity fan page. Cupteavity hails from New Hope, Pennsylvania, and offers a wide variety of loose leaf teas ranging from traditional black and green teas to more exotic herbal tisanes and natural remedies. They were offering to send out free samples so I quickly accepted. A few days later, a package of loose leaf Earl Grey tea arrived.

Earl Grey is one of my all-time favorite teas. I frequently have it strong and sweet as a refreshing iced tea on a hot summer day, or hot and black with oatmeal and toast to start my morning just right. I’ve been disappointed with many of the brands of Earl Grey I’ve picked up, especially recently. True Earl Grey is more of a scented than flavored black tea. Its very strong aroma is the result of it being blended with or exposed to the essence of bergamot, oil from a citrus fruit. Some variations will include more orange or lemony notes, while others blend blossoms such as rose hips with them. While the aroma is potent, the fruit flavor produced by the bergamot tends to be light, and its sweet finish always reminds me of drinking the milk from a bowl of Fruit Loops. Some of the Earl Greys I’ve sampled over the years have ranged in flavor from minty to bland and grassy. While it’s one of the most popular and common traditional black teas, it seems to also be the one that’s hardest to find when it comes to high-quality, fresh teas.

Cupteavity’s Earl Grey has a heady aroma, both potent and cleansing. The strong citrus zest is set off by a hint of floral undertones. I was surprised to see the long dark leaves dotted with a small portion of lavender-colored blossoms that I believe are rose hips. I’ve never had Earl Grey blended with rose before so this was to be a true first for me. With London Fog being all the rage in cafes right now, I decided to experiment with vanilla and milk. While I steeped my tea, I also measured out some real Mexican vanilla extract (the kind you brew and age in barrels like a fine liquor), sugar and milk. I invited my teenage son to try it with me and talked him through the tasting process.

When I first poured the cups, I noted the russet color with a hint of oil swirling on the surface. When cupping my hand over the steam to inhale the aroma I noted that it was pleasant and cleansing with strong citrus, almost lemony notes, a hint of floral and an edge that reminds me slightly of mint. By cleansing I mean that after breathing in the aroma, my sinuses seemed to open up and I breathed deeper, the air seemed fresher and cooler and the aromas stronger and purer.

My first taste is always unsweetened. I slurped the tea and thought about the mouth feel of it. It came away clean with just a hint of tangy left on the back sides of my tongue. The taste was mildly malty with a slight fruit flavor and there was a mild aftertaste of floral that hinted at rose. Overall, it had a very balanced flavor, the bergamot and rose remaining tantalizing but neither dominating the flavor of the tea. Rose hips are not among my favorite flavors but their presence here was not unpleasant, just unexpected. It’s almost a tease of flavor because any time you think you’ve got the taste figured out, it eludes you again.

After trying it black, I experimented with light amounts of milk, sugar and vanilla. The resulting flavor reminded me of fresh-baked, home-made sugar cookies. While it was a bit sweet for my tastes, my son fell in love. We ended up splitting the rest of the pot, with me drinking mine black and he having me doctor up each refill with just the right amount of sugar and vanilla. While I can’t imagine myself drinking this Earl Grey on a daily basis (I tend to use Twinings most frequently), I can see myself getting this tea for special occasions or company since it is a pleasant experience that I hope to repeat. Cupteavity’s Loose Leaf Earl Grey tea is definitely one of the better Earl Greys I have had. I’m looking forward to trying other Cupteavity offerings as they have several teas I’ve not yet had the privilege of trying.

You can learn more about Cupteavity at their website, cupteavity.com, or, if you live in the New Hope area of Pennsylvania, you can look them up at 88 South Main Street.

Cinematic Titanic: 5 Nights in L.A.

from Cinematic Titanic:

Hey Everyone,
We’re excited to announce our next live shows: 5 Nights/5 Movies at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles. Come join us October 25-29th at one of our favorite venues as we perform some of our very favorite riffs:

Sunday, October 25th, 7:30pm — Legacy of Blood

See the first-time live riff of one of our favorite DVD releases! 

Monday, October 26th, 7:30pm — Danger on Tiki Island

Living on an island near a nuclear testing zone has its downsides — i.e. being terrorized by one of the worst movie monsters ever!

Tuesday, October 27th, 7:30pm — Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

See the fully re-riffed version of an MST3K classic.

Wednesday, October 28th, 7:30pm — The Alien Factor

Aliens invade Baltimore, and they have no budget!

Thursday, October 29th, 7:30pm — East Meets Watts

Stud Brown and Larry Chin take on a drug cartel in this “Kung-sploitation” classi… uh, movie.

Tickets available NOW!

$35.00 — available by calling 310-855-0350 (Visa/Mastercard only)
or drop by the Largo box office Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2-7pm.
366 N. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90048

Largo at the Coronet — largo-la.com. Doors 6:30, show 7:30.

We hope to see you there! Each night will be an event as we have different special guests lined up too! Not to mention the warm-up artistry of Dave (Gruber) Allen (on his home turf)!

Oh, and yes, while we’re all together in LA, we’ll be filming our next DVD releases.

Best,
The CT Gang

American Web TV Channel KoldCast TV Signs Local Hong Kong Production “Lumina” for Distribution

Lumina on KoldCast TV

from Jennifer Thym and KoldCast TV:

What do Keanu Reeves, Ridley Scott and Jennifer Thym have in common? They are all working on web series, the latest evolution of original online entertainment, typically short form narratives (three to five minutes) in a serial format (ten to thirty webisodes). Hong Kong is represented by the fantasy thriller Lumina the Web Series, which has just been signed by American Web TV Channel KoldCast TV to join their award-winning slate of original online content.

“This past week has been amazing,” says Lumina writer and director Jennifer Thym. “Working with KoldCast TV has been fantastic and heartening — it’s rare to meet people who are truly passionate about their work. Web series is still a burgeoning medium, and KoldCast’s strategy of being selective about its programming and pro-active about marketing is exactly what the field needs right now. I’m so excited that Lumina is now on their slate — it’s a big step for a new Hong Kong production like ours!”

Marti Resteghini, VP, Network Programming at KoldCast TV, says that KoldCast has been looking for a special series with which to launch its new International channel. “Lumina is a thrilling fairytale about love, longing and greed. It’s a timeless story that just so happens to be taking place in Hong Kong. Jennifer Thym’s strikingly beautiful series has raised the bar for web programming — both here and abroad,” says Resteghini.

Creating worlds is a passion and one that Thym enjoys. When she entered the film world in July 2008, the investment banker turned filmmaker decided to take a novel approach to reaching her audience. “With Lumina we wanted to go beyond the conventional format of short film,” says Jennifer Thym, “and create an online fantasy series with wonderful potential for interactivity with its viewers.” As theatrical and DVD sales fall around the world, viewers are increasingly turning to the web for entertainment. “The online audience is already there. To me, it’s about connecting to them with an engaging and beautifully told story.”

“Lumina will open your minds cinematically, and the story will open your hearts to the impossible,” says producer Sommer Nguyen.

Lumina stars actress and model JuJu Chan, who also stars in the new RTHK reality show on poverty and is the winner of Miss United Nation International Ambassador 2009, Miss United Nation China, Miss Congeniality and Miss TVB People’s Choice for Miss Chinatown USA Pageant 2009. Michael Chan, star of the viral hit Wall Street Fighter IV, and Vince Matthew Chung, winner of The Amazing Race Asia 3, co-star.

The series features music from around the world, including songs from groundbreaking music collective The Enigmatic Army, American college circuit favorite Tim Be Told and China Global Battle of the Bands winner Killer Soap. “Good music is integral to drawing viewers into the story, and I’m honored to have collaborated with such talented musicians,” says Jennifer Thym.

Lumina the Web Series launched this week with a triple webisode release on KoldCast TV, with new webisodes airing every Monday. The series is free to view on koldcast.tv and on luminaseries.com.

About KoldCast TV, The Web TV Network:

KoldCast TV delivers on-demand entertainment programming to a global audience in fullscreen high-definition via its line of advanced Media Players. Award-winning original web series, music, comedy, sports and lifestyles programming create the nucleus of the KoldCast Television Network. KoldCast is recognized by its content partners for its value-added and personal approach to partner relationships, and for its commitment to the marketing, promotion and organized discoverability of shows selected for broadcast on its Network. Recent series include: Blue Movies, an Official Selection of the New York Television Festival; OzGirl, winner of iTVFest’s Best Web Series; Pink, Streamy Awards Best Director winner; Luke 11:17, Webby’s Best Drama Episode nominee.

About RockGinger Limited:

RockGinger Limited is a multimedia company founded in 2008 by Jennifer Thym to produce original independent web, TV and film projects.

FOR ALL INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jennifer Thym, Director
RockGinger Limited
Mobile: +852 9546 9489
e-mail: jen@rockginger.com

OR

Sommer Nguyen, Producer
Sommertime Productions
Mobile: +1 310 629 8670
e-mail: sommer@sommertimeproductions.com

MEDIA CONTACT — KOLDCAST TV:

Marti Resteghini, VP, Network Programming and Acquisitions, KoldCast TV
e-mail: MediaInquiries@KoldCast.TV

Victory: Scientific Adventure Violence for Young Men and Literate Women

from Weta:

Victory — Pre-order yours now! The follow-up volume to Dr. Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory

Pre-order directly from Weta and get an Art Card signed by Greg Broadmore. The year’s foremost journal of progressive armaments and weaponry! Behold the latest line of defense captured in action! The second book to emerge from the printshop at Grordbort Industries, Victory follows in the footsteps of the trans-galactically successful Dr. Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory that was released last year. Filled to the brim with first hand tales of exploration and progress from the great heroes of our time, picture strips of unimaginable escapades on the frontier, never-seen-before portraits of dazzling damsels and monstrous villains, and laudable accounts of man and robot pitted against our greatest enemy (the uncivilized world), Victory is an onslaught of action-packed scientific adventure in full-spectrum color — containing facts that every boy and literate girl should know. A tongue-in-cheek look at the sometimes absurd realities of the British aristocracy of past eras. Written and illustrated by Weta Workshop Conceptual Designer Greg Broadmore, this book sumptuously details a science-fiction history that never was. Hearkening back to the classic sci-fi serials of yesteryear, it reveals the backstories and mythos of Weta Limited’s highly limited ray gun collectible line. This gorgeous 64 page full-colour hardcover will be shipping mid-November. Preview and pre-order yours here!

Fireworks frolics at the Tremontium foundry!
As you may have heard, the imitation metal devised for The Righteous Bison has caused some confusion at Dr. Grordbort’s heavy metal facility at Nether Wallop. These compounds are so similar to the naked eye, that a tub-full of the new-fangled resin made it into the furnace and caused severe breathing difficulties (you try inhaling an ignited liquid) with the 300 staff that witnessed the spectacle. Luckily, bottom-rung untrained nit-wits are easy to come by, so the workforce has already been replaced. Funerals (for those who care) are to be held on Tuesday week at the Chapel at Bishops Itchington.

Dr. Grordbort’s Infallible Forum Still Infallible!
Reports hint at a measure of success for the eclectic as well as electric bulletin boards at the Shadow and Flame. If you haven’t yet made your opinions heard, you should! Right Here!

This is how you find us online!
http://fans.wetaNZ.com/Magnus/ | Twitter: @wetaworkshop | Facebook: Weta Workshop

The Guild: Season 3 Episode 3 “Player Down” is now… up!

from The Guild:

We’re happy to announce that Guild Episode 3 “Player Down” is now live on our Microsoft platforms!

Streaming on MSN
Downloadable in HD on Xbox
Downloadable on Zune

There is a slight delay on the Xbox/Zune platforms due to software updates (especially on the Canadian upload) so you might have to check back in certain regions.

RiffTrax Live Encore Tickets on sale now! In theaters nationwide!

from RiffTrax:

Tickets for the RiffTrax Encore screening of Plan 9 from Outer Space are on sale now for only $10 each!

The original evening of live riffing captured on August 20th will be rebroadcast on Thursday October 8th in movie theatres nationwide!

Click on the link below to view the RiffTrax Encore page on Fathom, then simply enter your zip code to find the closest theatre and purchase tickets!

All event attendees will receive FREE digital goodies including the Flying Stewardesses downloadable short, an autographed digital photo of the guys, three songs by the RiffTones and an animated short of the failed Plans 1-8!

Get tickets now!

Vote on Infectious MIMOBOT Designs

from Mimoco:

Woot! It’s half-time for the IxM design challenge! Check out and vote on the amazing talent so far. And there’s still 3 weeks to enter YOUR design to win the $1,000 grand prize, with your winning design produced as a run of MIMOBOT flash drives. Just download the template and then submit your work at Infectious.

infectious.com/contests/mimobot

Lumina, Episode 3: Enter The Mirror Spy

Lumina, Episode 3: Enter The Mirror Spy premieres today. The intrigue deepens as Lumina tries to balance her work life and her new life with Ryder. As a coworker is trying to sabotage her relationship with her boss at work, someone else approaches her about her relationship with Ryder. The song “J.D.R.” by La’Dies closes out the episode, kicking up the mood to a dangerous and frantic foreboding.

VIZ Media Science Fiction Imprint Haikasoru to Debut New Novels “Zoo” and “Usurper of the Sun”

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 forthcoming release on September 15th of Zoo and Usurper of the Sun, the latest two books to be published by its Haikasoru imprint. Haikasoru is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

Otsuichi’s Zoo has been called, “haunting, emotional, and thoroughly engrossing” by Brian Keene, author of the best-selling horror novel, The Rising. Author Paul Levinson, author of The Plot to Save Socrates, described Usurper of the Sun as, “a compellingly poetic first contact story, gleaming with digital savvy, appealing human detail, and alien peril. Think Arthur C. Clarke meets Haruki Murakami, and gaze at Mercury in the sunset and sunrise with new awe.” Haikasoru is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

Zoo by Otsuichi — Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $16.00

A man receives a photo of his girlfriend every day in the mail… so that he can keep track of her body’s decomposition. A deathtrap that takes a week to kill its victims. Haunted parks and a child with the power to do anything at all, and his poor unfortunate parents. These are just a few of the stories by Otsuichi, Japan’s master of dark fantasy. Zoo sold over 740,000 copies in Japan and was made into a successful film that combined live-action and animation.

Usurper of the Sun by Housuke Nojiri — Price: $15.99 U.S. / CAN $18.99

Aki Shiraishi is a high school student working in the astronomy club and one of the few witnesses to an amazing event — a mysterious tower being built on the planet Mercury. Soon after, the enigmatic Builders construct a ring around the sun, and the ecology of Earth is threatened by its immense shadow. Aki is inspired to pursue a career in science, and the truth. She must determine the purpose of the ring and the plans of its creators, as the survival of both humanity and the alien Builders hang in the balance. A compelling new hard science fiction novel, Usurper of the Sun won a coveted Seiun Award in 2002 for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year.

For more information on Haikasoru please visit the dedicated website at haikasoru.com.

Ghost Writer — Carmen Argenziano Talks with BlogTalkRadio About His New Series

Ghost Writer

Her editor thinks she’s writing travel articles, but she’s rewriting history.

While Carmen Agenziano has had a career spanning nearly four decades, he’s probably now most recognizable as Jacob Carter on Stargate SG-1. He’s kept himself busy since leaving Stargate SG-1 with shows like CSI: NY and House, and films like Angels & Demons. He’s currently out promoting his new series, Ghost Writer. Ghost Writer stars Eileen Grubba (The Young and the Restless, Monk, Citizen Jane) as Angela, a travel writer who has some unwanted visitors.

A rookie travel writer is trying to make sense of her own life. She is pestered by ghosts at every historic location she visits for her work. They won’t let her leave until she sets the record straight on their true life stories, allowing them to move on, and allowing her to move forward.

Also featuring Barbara Bain, Kathryn Taylor, Brian Foyster, Scott C. Roe, and Jim Van Over, Ghost Writer is currently in production with a 2010 release date. To learn more about Ghost Writer, listen to Carmen’s interview on Star Trek on BlogTalkRadio on Monday, September 14, and check out these other great links:

Ghost Writer Website
Ghost Writer on Facebook
Ghost Writer on Twitter
Eileen Grubba’s Website
Eileen Grubba on IMDb
Carmen Argenziano on IMDb

New gGirls Spacebook Page

from Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls:

Hey all! Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls has started a new Facebook page, which offers more opportunities to communicate directly with Fans on Facebook. News and announcements will be posted in your news feed, instead of having to receive a note (like this one.) The vast emptiness of space is a bit overwhelming right now, and we could use some company! Please join!

Sign up here———>Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls

Over and out!
Lauren Faust