RANMA ½ Anime Limited Edition Blu-ray Set 4 Due December 9th 2014

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF RANMA ½ ANIME SERIES SET 4 LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET

Latest Collection Of Action Packed HD Episodes Of The Legendary Martial Arts Comedy Arrive In Time For The Holidays In A New 3-Disc Blu-Ray Set; Standard Edition DVD Set Also Available

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers a fresh installment of action-packed RANMA ½ anime episodes as it announces the home media release on December 9th, 2014 of Set 4 in the continuing series of High Definition Limited Edition Blu-ray and HD Standard Edition DVD Box Sets. 

VIZ Media is releasing the revered gender-bending martial arts action comedy, based on the popular manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, in the original Japanese series order across seven Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD Box Sets. RANMA ½ is rated TV-14.

Arriving in time for the holidays, the RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set Set 4 carries an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN. The set contains Episodes 70-92 on 3 discs, presented in full 1080p High Definition resolution with the series’ original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio. Bonus features include clean openings and endings as well as series trailers. The set comes in a gorgeously illustrated chipboard box with embossed foil stamping.

The RANMA ½ Standard Edition DVD Set Set 4 also features 23 episodes presented in crisp HD with the original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio, and bonus features that include clean openings and endings and trailers. The Standard Edition DVD set is available with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.

The mayhem continues in the latest RANMA ½ home media release!! Shampoo visits Ranma, bringing a souvenir bell from China along with a Phantom Cat, who’s in search of a bride! Ranma will have to endure his fear of felines in order to defeat the Phantom Cat. Then, after a series of certain events, Ryoga becomes the strongest martial artist in the world. After that, Kuno gets his hands on a secret sword call the “Mangamaru,” which grants the user here wishes, and one of them is to have a date with the Pigtailed Girl! Finally, a mysterious foursome has come from China in search of the legendary Dragon’s Whisker and will stop at nothing to get it. But what is the Dragon’s Whisker and what does it have to do with Ranma?

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 – 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).

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

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"Interstellar" Travels Past $400 Million Worldwide Box Office

Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” Blasts Past $400 Million Worldwide

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Interstellar,” the critically acclaimed new film from Christopher Nolan, continues to soar worldwide, surpassing the $400 million mark in its third weekend in release. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Megan Colligan Paramount Pictures’ President of Worldwide Distribution Marketing. To date, the film has earned $328.9 million internationally and $120.7 million domestically for a global total approaching $450 million and counting.

    “It is so thrilling to know that audiences of all ages—and the world over—have been captivated by Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar.’ We are excited to see that the tremendous reaction to the film is being shared among moviegoers everywhere.”

The film, which had dominated the global box office in its first two weekends in release, had a phenomenal opening in China, where it has taken in an outstanding Rmb 505m ($82.5m) in the first 12 days in release and is already the second highest grossing film for the studio. The film is now the biggest Warner Bros. release ever in Korea and, in Russia, is already the highest-grossing Christopher Nolan film ever. It has shown incredible resilience, dropping only 21% in its second weekend and, over the third weekend, had an outstanding hold of -37% in a highly competitive marketplace.

Moviegoers wanting to take the journey on the largest possible canvas flocked to see “Interstellar” in IMAX theaters, generating a global total of $13.5 million in its third weekend. To date, the film has earned $33.3 million domestically and $38.7 million internationally for a worldwide total of $72 million on IMAX screens.

Said Colligan, “It is so thrilling to know that audiences of all ages—and the world over—have been captivated by Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar.’ We are excited to see that the tremendous reaction to the film is being shared among moviegoers everywhere.”

Kwan Vandenberg stated, “Christopher Nolan and his remarkable cast and filmmaking team have delivered another compelling cinematic ride that demands to be experienced on the big screen. The response of both critics and audiences alike is a testament to the film’s originality, spectacular visuals and emotional heft, and we expect enthusiastic word of mouth to continue to propel box office returns as we head into the busy holiday season.”

Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight” films, “Inception”) directed an international cast in “Interstellar,” led by Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”), Oscar winner Anne Hathaway (“Les Misérables”), Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty”), Bill Irwin (“Rachel Getting Married”), Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn (“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”), Oscar nominee John Lithgow (“The World According to Garp,” “Terms of Endearment”) and Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”). The main cast also includes Casey Affleck, Wes Bentley, Mackenzie Foy, Topher Grace and David Gyasi.

“Interstellar” was written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Lynda Obst produced the film, with Jordan Goldberg, Jake Myers, Kip Thorne and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers.

Nolan’s behind-the-scenes creative team was led by director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema (“Her”), Oscar-nominated production designer Nathan Crowley (“The Dark Knight”), Oscar-nominated editor Lee Smith (“The Dark Knight”), and Oscar-nominated costume designer Mary Zophres (“True Grit”). The score was composed by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, “The Lion King”). Oscar winner Paul Franklin (“Inception”) served as visual effects supervisor and Scott Fisher (“The Dark Knight Rises”) as special effects supervisor.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures present, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy/Lynda Obst Productions production, a film by Christopher Nolan, “Interstellar.” The film has been rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language.

www.interstellarmovie.net

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Grumble: Chapter One, Page 4 - The Title Page is On

Page 4 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleonepage004.html

This is a preview:

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of November 16 to 22, 2014 - Update #18

NEWS:

From YahooMovies:  LucasFilm has an animated feature film coming out early next year, Strange Magic.

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From DeadlineNY:  Oscar and Tony-winning director, Mike Nichols, has died at the age of 83.  The legendary film and theater director, writer and producer won an Oscar winner for 1967′s seminal The Graduate.  Nichols was also nominated for such films as Working Girl, Silkwood and Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?  Nichols amassed 10 Tony Awards, including winning as director for such plays as Barefoot In The Park, The Odd Couple, The Prisoner Of Second Avenue, and Death Of A Salesman; and winning as producer of the plays, Annie and The Real Thing.

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From YahooMovies:  Disney introduces a new kind of Cinderella.

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From Variety:  The #1 film at the November 14 to 16, 2014 box office is newcomer, Dumb and Dumber To, with an estimated take of $38.1 million.

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From FOXNews:  Jennifer Lawrence: I'm scared every time I open my door.

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From Variety:  Glen A. Larson, the prolific writer and producer of many television series, died of cancer on Friday, November 14, 2014.  He created the real "Battlestar Galactica" in the 1970s, and worked on such series as "Magnum P.I." and "Knight Rider," among others.  R.I.P. Mr. Larson and we send condolences to his family and friends.

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From WashingtonPost:  Barbara Bowman's column with the rape allegations against Bill Cosby.

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From People:  Cosby's cancelled TV guest appearances.


COMIC BOOKS:

From WallStreetCheatSheet:  Chris Pratt, star of Guardians of the Galaxy, may star as another comic book hero, in the film adaptation of Cowboy Ninja Viking.

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From YahooGames:  The mystery blue alien on Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is a member of the Kree alien race.

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From YahooCelebrity:  The Hollywood Reporter says that Marvel is planning to release an Ant-Man novel, "Ant-Man: Natural Enemy."

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From DenofGeek:  The Marvel "release calendar" for its "Phase Three" films.

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From TV Guide via YahooTV:  A lost episode from the 1960's live action "Batman" television series is now a comic book.


STAR WARS:

From YahooMovies:  Rare photos at the British Film Institute.

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From IBTimes:  A supposed second description of the first teaser trailer for Episode 7.

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From EntertainmetIE:  Someone claims they've seen the upcoming Star Wars 7 trailer.

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From FlickeringMyth:  A supposed description of the first teaser trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

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From IBTimes:  Rumors about a "Darth Bane" characters.


TRAILERS AND PREVIEWS:

From 20th Century Fox:  The first trailer for Blue Sky's "Peanuts" animated feature film debuts.

From 20th Century Fox:  The final trailer for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tombs debuts.


MUSIC:

From BET:  New music from Beyonce is leaked.  May be tied to her new greatest hits collection.

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From YahooFinance:  How Michael Jackson and other dead entertainers are making big money.

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From the VillageVoice:  A piece about the late Big Bank Hank of the Sugar Hill Gang.


REVIEWS:

From the VillageVoice:  Stephanie Zacharek writes about Jon Stewart's Rosewater.

From the VillageVoice:  Amy Nicholson on Foxcatcher.


OBITS:

From RollingStone:  Motown hit maker, Jimmy Ruffin, is dead at 78.  His best known jam was "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.

See Grumble Chapter One; Page 3 - Live!

Page 3 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleonepage003.html

This is a preview:

Review: Jennifer Lawrence Burns in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 51 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Running time: 146 minutes (2 hours, 26 minutes)
Rating: MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
DIRECTOR: Francis Lawrence
WRITERS: Simon Beaufoy and Michael deBruyn (based upon the novel by Suzanne Collins)
PRODUCERS: Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jo Willems
EDITOR: Alan Edward Bell
COMPOSER: James Newton Howard
Golden Globe nominee

SCI-FI/DRAMA/THRILLER

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seyour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Sam Claflin, Willow Shields, Paul Malcomson, Lynn Cohen, Jena Malone, and Toby Jones

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a 2013 dystopian science fiction film directed by Francis Lawrence, and it is also a direct sequel to the 2012 film, The Hunger Games.  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is based upon Suzanne Collins’ 2009 novel, Catching Fire, the second novel in The Hunger Games trilogy.  In Catching Fire the movie, Katniss Everdeen becomes a target of the Capitol after her victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion.

The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, and what was once North America is now the nation of Panem.  Panem is composed of 12 districts and The Capitol, which rules over the districts. Every year, The Capitol takes one boy and one girl (called “tributes”) from each of the 12 districts to become contestants in The Hunger Games.  Part entertainment and part intimidation of the 12 districts, these games are broadcast throughout Panem, and the 24 participants must fight to the death until only one of them remains alive – the victor.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opens a few months after the first film.  Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) were the winners of the 74th Hunger Games.  Now, the young victors have returned to their home, the impoverished District 12, and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is waiting for Katniss.  Snow is upset that the outcome of the most recent Games has sparked rebellion in the districts of Panem, with Katniss' actions in the Games being the inspiration for rebellion in the districts.

Katniss (“The Girl on Fire”) and Peeta (“The Baker's Boy”) are going on a victory tour through the districts.  During this tour, Snow wants Katniss to sell the untrue idea that her actions in the Games were out of genuine love for Peeta and were not an act of defiance against the Capitol.  This scheme doesn't exactly work out.  So Snow calls for the 75th Hunger Games to be special.  These Games will be a “Quarter Quell,” and the tributes will be selected from previous victors.  Katniss and Peeta suddenly find themselves in the Games again, and this time, the target on Katniss' back comes from players inside and outside of the Games.

Catching Fire is the middle book in Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games trilogy, although the third book, Mockingjay, is being adapted as two film.  However, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire doesn't suffer the fate of some middle films in a trilogy.  Sometimes, the middle film can come across as filler material, or it can be packed with too many characters that are not important or too many subplots that won't be resolved until the third film.  An example of that is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, which was a collection of pointless action scenes that didn't really serve much of a purpose beyond titillating young males and selling lots of tickets.

Catching Fire the movie is intense and gripping, almost every scene is important, not just to what came before or what will come after, but also to the story being told now.  When I reviewed the first film two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote that I could say without reservation that The Hunger Games captures the sense of the life and death struggle of Katniss and her competitors.  I can say the same for Catching Fire.  Like its predecessor, this movie is driven by character drama and by intimate man vs. man confrontations/encounters that freely range from sudden romance and friendship to cold-bloodied murder and assorted calculated cruelties.

I will say that I think this film offers more characters than the story can present in full-measure, not revealing how rich and how important they are.  However, almost every character does enough to be interesting or intriguing, and there are many excellent performances.  Donald Sutherland is even better and more menacing as President Snow than he was in the first film.  Woody Harrelson manages to further develop Haymitch Abernathy, surprisingly showing that there is much more to the character than one might think.  Josh Hutcherson makes Peeta Mellark the dashing young hero and co-lead that he could not be in the first film, even if that was the intention.  And I'm always happy to see Jeffrey Wright, although I wish his character, Beetee Latier, had more meat on the bone i.e. substance.

Still, as was true in The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence is everything to Catching Fire. Whatever problems this film may have, Lawrence’s skill-set as an actor delivers a performance that glosses over narrative and cinematic glitches.  She is a true movie star, and her radiant presence bleeds across the screen, leaving me awash in the essence of Katniss.  Pardon my lack of articulation, but Jennifer is the real deal.

In the first film, we watched a young woman, Katniss, who was a poor nobody, struggle to survive and ultimately to triumph, becoming a star and a legend.  Catching Fire depicts Katniss' struggle to accept her fate.  The adventure is calling the hero, and she has to be dragged towards her destiny.  This kind of story is an archetype, and when told correctly, it can be mesmerizing.  So, as she did before, Jennifer Lawrence makes The Hunger Games: Catching Fire more than it ought to be.

8 of 10
A

Thursday, November 20, 2014


NOTES:
2014 Golden Globes, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Original Song - Motion Picture” (Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, and Will Champion for the song “Atlas”)

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

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"Sailor Moon Moonlight Party 2" Set for Friday, November 21, 2014

VIZ MEDIA HOSTS SAILOR MOON MOONLIGHT PARTY 2 TO CELEBRATE NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF LATEST DUBBED EPISODES

November 21st Virtual Live Stream Soiree Coincides With

Neon Alley Episode Premieres And Will Include Live Commentary, Real Time Q&A And Trivia Contests For SAILOR MOON Prizes

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, continues to celebrate the triumphant return of the classic SAILOR MOON anime series and marks the premiere of the latest high definition Episodes 24-36 – featuring the brand new English dub cast – available to stream on Neon Alley and Hulu starting on Friday, November 21st beginning at 7:00pm (PST). The release time and date for the remaining English episodes of this epic first season will be announced during the event. These latest exclusive dubbed episodes will be available for a limited time only during the Holiday season!

Fans can join in on the festivities with VIZ Media and Neon Alley by attending Moonlight Party 2: A Celebration of SAILOR MOON Reborn! Building on the success and positive fan feedback following the first Moonlight Party held in September, the free virtual party will take place once again as a unique live stream event on VIZ Media’s YouTube channel at: http://bit.ly/SMMnLtP2 beginning at 7:00pm (PST) on Friday, November 21st.

Fans are invited participate in the event and stream SAILOR MOON Episodes 24, 25, 33, 34 and 35 (showcasing Jupiter, Venus, and Princess Serenity) via Neon Alley/Hulu and also take part in a real-time Q&A with VIZ Media staff that will run throughout the evening. Viewers can submit questions throughout the event via YouTube, in the comments sections of the actual live stream (as available), or on the official VIZ Media Facebook page, and via Twitter using the special hashtag, #MoonlightParty,

Fans also can interact with members of the VIZ Media SAILOR MOON team, which will be present during the live stream to answer questions and offer lively commentary and little known information about the series and these new episodes. A SAILOR MOON trivia contest also will take place and fans and aspiring Sailor Guardians are invited to submit their answers via Facebook and Twitter to win special prizes. SAILOR MOON fans nationwide are also encouraged to share pictures from their own Moonlight Parties by using the hashtag #MoonlightParty on their favorite social media platforms.

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. with over 3,200 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 36 series!

In the latest SAILOR MOON episodes, Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars continue their quest for the Legendary Silver Crystal as two new powerful allies join the fight. Sailor Jupiter is the tall and tough Guardian of Thunder, and Sailor Venus is the Guardian of Love and the most experienced member. Sailor Moon herself gets an impressive new power and learns more about the mysterious Tuxedo Mask. Could their distant pasts be intertwined, and does that have anything to do with the Moon Princess they seek? The final ordeal with Queen Beryl looms on the horizon, and it will take everything the Sailor Guardians have to be victorious!

“Thousands of fans joined us for our very first SAILOR MOON Moonlight Party, and the enthusiasm and love that was expressed for this iconic series inspired us to hold another event to mark the dub premiere of the concluding half of Season 1,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “Not only will viewers catch the dub debut of Sailor Jupiter voiced by Amanda Miller, and Sailor Venus, voiced by Cherami Leigh, we’ll be sharing plenty of commentary and trivia, as well awarding lots of SAILOR MOON prizes. We look forward to everyone joining us and hope this event might inspire fans to hold some Sailor Guardian soirees of their own!” 

The smash hit SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga (graphic novel) series created by Naoko Takeuchi (published in North America by Kodansha). In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy but kindhearted teenage girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way who share similar fates, Usagi and her team of planetary Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil and total annihilation! 

VIZ Media’s SAILOR MOON Season 1 Set 1 Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack as well as the Standard Edition DVD set are both now available for purchase. The SAILOR MOON Season 1 Set 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and Standard Edition DVD sets are now available for preorder from leading anime and video retailers.

Fans can also catch the brand new SAILOR MOON reboot – SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL – with new episodes (subtitled) available to stream each week on Hulu and Neon Alley.

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.