Hello,

Despite all the big cinematic events this year--the return of Indy; Stephen Chow's first movie in three years; John Woo returning to Asia in epic style; Jackie and Jet on screen together; Tony Stark, Bruce Wayne et al; a notable Tsui Hark "re-imagining," a Johnny To picture three years in the making--the one movie that has me most excited stars this guy standing next to Alice Mak:

http://gb.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2005/07/04/wb050702010.jpg

The synopsis from Bliss' site has been on-line since last August '07 but the inter-webs have been surprisingly silent on the dimwitted kung-fu pig:

http://www.mcdull.hk/#animation

Any other McDull fans looking forward to this one?

And yes, I'm also looking forward to Jack Black's movie not to mention Pixar's robot story. What a year so far--besides the aforementioned, add: one WKW redux of a badly neglected film; Kim-Tak back on golden time; Nakama Yukie in _Gokusen 3_, plus a new Kim Ok-bin movie (directed by Park Chan-wook no less) and a new TV show starring Hyori--this year is turning out to be a vintage one for your idol fluff.

And let's not forget Morning Musume's latest single, "Resonant Blue":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_qXdfI2HZ8

:P

Hey Brian,

Enough with the MM already. Until another yo-yo girl movie comes out, can you put down the teeny-bopper J-pop for something more wholesome like, say, Japanese cowgirls in their twenties wearing bikinis (alongside what appear to be feather boas and stiletto boots) fighting undead zombies with samurai swords? See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQEC_91KkHo

I'm sure Sheldon Warnock has already done one of his write-ups for "Onechanbara" on one of the other more cult-oriented boards. What a truly loaded summer cinema season--I'm kinda surprised Subway Cinema didn't pick this one up for this year's festival. Could've been a real midnight hoot. But given this and "Dainipponjin," I suppose more refined wins out.

Jolly Roger Inc. (K.K. Jorî Rojâ) released Yôhei Fukuda's Oneechanbara: The Movie theatrically in Japan on April 26th.

The screenplay for Oneechanbara: The Movie was written by Fukuda (who was also the movie's cinematographer) and Yasutoshi Murakawa, based on the video game series "The oneechanbara". The movie stars Eri Otoguro, Manami Hashimoto, Tomohiro Waki, Chise Nakamura, Satoshi Hakuzen, Hiroaki Kawatsure, Tomoya Nagai, Sari Kurauchi, Ai Hazuki, Tarô Suwa, and Tetsu Watanabe. Tsuyoshi Kazuno was responsible for its visual effects. Kakusei Fujiwara was responsible for its special make-up effects. Gô Ohara was the action director for it.

Those who are interested in Oneechanbara: The Movie may also wish to watch the trailer for Ken'ichi Fujiwara's High School Girl Rika: Zombie Hunter (Saikyô heiki joshikôsei: Rika - zonbi hantâ vs saikyô zonbi Gurorian) - a.k.a. "Nihombie 3".

Oneechanbara: The Movie official website (w/ theatrical & teaser trailers, stills, etc.)

* * *

High School Girl Rika: Zombie Hunter trailer (QuickTime)

GOMORRAHY.com: High School Girl Rika: Zombie Hunter (w/ trailer, flyer, stills, etc.)

HIGH SCHOOL GIRL RIKA: ZOMBIE HUNTER...

HIGH SCHOOL GIRL ZOMBIE HUNTER...

HIGH SCHOOL ZOMBIE HUNTER...

ZOMBIE HUNTER HIGH SCHOOL...

ZOMBIE HIGH SCHOOL...

Hmmm...it's still missing something...wait I've got it!

ZOMBIE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

A Disney/Sci-Fi Channel original!

With a guest appearance by Morning Musume:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Zaqzb5if0

:lol:

Hey, you're not so far off, Yi Lee. I've got some related news. See my thread, "Sammo Hung Meets Morning Musume."

By the way, Brian, where are you based? MM are coming to Shanghai late in June, so if you are in Hong Kong, maybe you can come up and see them.

Will the New York City subway take me there? :D

Angela Mao's supposed to be appearing at Subway Cinema's New York Asian Film Festival in June, so I'll stay home for that.

The English-language title of Oneechanbara: The Movie is "Chanbara Beauty". The movie is set to be screened at this year's New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which runs from June 20th to July 6th.

Chanbara Beauty official website (w/ theatrical & teaser trailers, stills, etc.)

* * *

YouTube: NYAFF 2008 trailer page

Hi Yi Lee --

Am a fellow Mcdull fan but thought the fella was busy doing other things -- e.g., ice skating in Festival Walk and doing an upcoming concert with the HK Sinfonietta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15VT35gVyOQ&feature=related

http://www.hksl.org/concerts/programme_overview.aspx

(Yeah, Mcdull is more than a movie star here in Hong Kong... :P )

Hey Yvonne,

Thanks for the ice skating link. It's things like that for which I find the piglet so endearing. Looking forward to your review of the summer (?) McDull mania when the film is released.