Sword Devil

Trilogy of the Sword 3....(Director - Kenji Misumi)....this is the story of Hanpei (played by Raizo Ichikawa), a man of ill birth who, after becoming a flower arranger for a mad daimyo, learns the art of iai (sword draw-attack) from a ronin he sees while picking flowers. Based also on a novel by Renzaburo Shibata. An amazing film with an amazing final showdown...

'Veronica,' 'Wild' bow in Films in Progress

"Restless"MADRID -- Brazilian Marcelo Gomes' "Once Upon a Time Veronica" and Chilean Marialy Rivas' "Young and Wild" will unspool in San Sebastian Films in Progress, a films at rough cut showcase. Gomes' "Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures," which played Cannes' 2005 Un Certain Regard, remains one of the most talked-about Brazilian first features of the last decade. "Veronica," about a girl trying to make a new life for herself in Recife, slots into the co-production deal between France's Urban Factory and Sara Silveira's Sao Paulo-based Dezenove Som e Imagem. Another burgeoning Latin American artpic producer with a keen eye for new talent, Pablo and Juan de Dios Larrain's Fabula in Chile, is producing "Wild," the feature debut of LGBT pioneer Marialy Rivas, about the bisexual daughter of fervent Evangelist parents. A young love tale set under Argentina's dictatorship, Benjamin Avila's "Clandestine Childhood" is lead produced by Luis Puenzo's Historias Cinematograficas. The three other FIP contenders are less well-known: Gabriel Marino's Mexican road movie, "A Secret World," about a 19-year-old girl trying to find herself; Colombian Juan Andres Arango's "The Beach," a Bogota-set coming-of-age drama; and Juan Carlos Maneglia and Tana Schembori's thriller "7 Boxes," a rare Paraguayan production. Also announced Tuesday, San Sebastian's Arab cinema rough-cut sidebar Cinema in Motion will highlight new productions from Palestinian Annemarie Jacir ("Salt of the Sea") and Lebanese helmer duo Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige ("I Want to See"). Jacir will present '60s-set "When I Saw You," about the 12-year-old son of a Palestinian refugee in Jordan, Hadjithomas and Joreige "Une fusee dans le ciel," a docu-feature about Lebanon's now-forgotten space program. Cinema in Motion also features Lebanese Civil War docu "Confession and Struggle," from Eliane Raheb, and Yahya Alabdallah's "The Last Friday," turning on a broke taxi drivers attempts to win back the woman he loves. Friday" forms part of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission's drive to back low-budget pics with high-profile stars -- such as Ali Suliman ("Body of Lies"). Cinema in Motion takes place Sept. 19; FIP runs Sept. 21-22. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Tony Scott Prepared to Join 'Wild Bunch'

Oh individuals Scott boys. It had been just Thursday mid-day that Moviefone reported that Ridley Scott was speaking to Warner Bros. about creating another 'Blade Runner' -- a study verified with a pr release from Alcon Entertainment, with a financing cope with the studio (The filmmakers haven't yet revealed if the project is a prequel or follow up towards the original). Now comes word that brother Tony Scott is within early foretells direct a reboot of Mike Peckinpah's 1969 classic Western 'The Wild Bunch.' The film -- that was occur Texas and Mexico in 1913 -- was questionable because of its extreme, slow-motion violence and amoral attitude because it adopted four grizzled outlaws -- realizing that they are dinosaurs inside a dying Old West -- wishing to create one further score. William Holden, Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine, Ben Manley and Warren Oates starred. Because of its time, it had been the bloodiest film to ever hit the giant screen (Should you haven't see 'The Wild Bunch,' you have to go out at this time and rent or buy it). Before he jumps on 'The Wild Bunch,' Scott will require about the 'Hells Angels,' a thriller concerning the competition between your Angels and the other motorcycle gang, The Mongols. That will not start until the coming year, however, and only when Scott will get his selection of stars to experience the Angels' well known leader Sonny Barger -- and Scott wants Shaun Bridges. Incidentally, talking about redos: Scott continues to be thinking of getting sequels to his 'Top Gun' and 'The Hunger,' in addition to a redo of '20,000 Leagues Underneath the Ocean.' And Screen Gems is on the point of to produce redo of some other of Peckinpah's questionable films, 'Straw Dogs,' on Sept. 16. Tip o' the hat to Variety, Deadline.

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D: Movie Review

Life is too short for Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D. The ability of the story's villain to speed up time, the better to hurry the day until Armageddon, merely makes you wish you had access to fast-forward button to shorten the misery, just as the countless fart jokes and dismal fourth-dimensional Aroma-Scope (the same scratch-and-sniff card used by John Waters for Polyester 20 years ago) create an intense desire to get out into the fresh air without delay. Arriving eight years after the lame third installment in Dimension's profitable series, this seems like far too little way too late.our editor recommends'Spy Kids 4': Watch New Trailer With Jessica Alba and Ricky Gervais as a Talking Dog (Video) 'Spy Kids 4-D' Stars Describe 'Aromascope' Smells Decorously but absurdly encapsulating the contemporary notion of the working mom, bulgingly pregnant secret agent Marissa Wilson (Jessica Alba) uses a zip line and engages some enemy goons in a martial arts contest just before checking into a hospital to give birth. A year later, the villainous Time Keeper (whose face is an old-fashioned mantle clock) is a tick away from stealing time from the rest of the world. So, with Marissa sidelined with her gaseous little tot, her tiresome stepchildren (Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook), in the company of a chatty dog (voiced by Ricky Gervais at his least amusing), jump into the breach to do battle with the time bandit's helium-voiced henchman against a backdrop of cheap-looking visual effects, which are often dominated by giant turning clock gears in this digital age. The incessant banter spewing from the mouths of the two child leads is both puerile and dull, with writer-director Robert Rodriguez seemingly far more interested in airing banal views about how busy parents and kids could arrange to spend more quality time together than in creating anything resembling a coherent plot or suspense. Once upon a time a promising filmmaker, Rodriguez still works frequently but to ever-diminishing returns, exhibiting laziness as a writer and slap-dash tendencies as a director. Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara, who played the title characters in the first three franchise entries, 2001-3, are back but all grown up now playing secondary agents for the spy outfit OSS. Jeremy Piven essays the head of the organization, as well as two other roles but he, like all the others here, is just marking time and cashing the checks. Everyone's time, that of the filmmakers as well as the audience, is worth more than this. Dimension chose not to press-screen the picture, and all of three people were present for the 12:01 a.m. show caught. Opens: Friday, Aug. 19 (Dimension) Production companies: Troublemaker Studios Cast: Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Rowan Blanchard, Mason Cook, Ricky Gervais, Jeremy Piven, Danny Trejo Director-screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez Producers: Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellan Executive producers: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein Directors of photography: Robert Rodriguez, Jimmy Lindsey Costume designer: Nina Proctor Editor: Dan Zimmerman Music: Carl Thiel, Robert Rodriguez PG rating, 88 minutes Jessica Alba Ricky Gervais Robert Rodriguez Spy Kids 4 Jeremy Piven

Box Office Report: 'The Help' Gains on 'Rise of the Apes;' 'Glee: The 3D Concert Movie' Sings Off Key

The Friday box office turned into an unexpectedly close race between holdover Rise of the Planet of the Apes and new entry The Help, with Rise of the Apes only holding a narrow lead. Preliminary estimates showed 20th Century Fox's Rise of the Apes grossing $7.8 million, while DreamWorks and Participant Media's The Help earned $7 million to $7.5 mllion. Most box observers are still betting on Rise of the Apes to win the weekend, but if The Help--based on Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel about Southern white women and their maids--continues to overperform, the outcome could change. As it stands now, Rise of the Apes is predicted to earn $25.5 million for the weekend, while The Help is expected to gross between $20 million and $22 million. Disney, which is distributing the movie, is being conservative in its estimate, and sticking to $20 million. Even at $20 million, that would put the The Help's five-day debut (the pic opened on Wednesday) at a stellar $30 million, better than expected and reflecting strong word of mouth. Directed by Tate Taylor, the movie received a rare A+ CinemaScore and is playing especially well both in African-American communities and upscale cinemas, including the ArcLight in Los Angeles. Three other new films entered the market on Friday to mixed results--Warner Bros./New Line's Final Destination 5, Sony and Media Rights Capital's R-rated action comedy 30 Minutes or Less and Fox's Glee: The 3D Concert Movie. Final Destination 5, released in 3D, looked to gross $7.3 million on Friday, putting the pic on track to earn $18 million for the weekend, slightly less than expected. The pic received a B+ CinemaScore, with males making up 54% of the audience. Ruben Fleischer's 30 Minutes or Less and Glee: The Movie both came in lower than expected, grossing an estimated $4.5 million and $3 million, respectively, at the Friday box office. Earning a B CinemaScore, 30 Minutes or Less is now projected to open to $13 million, verus the $15 million to $17 million that Sony and MRC were hoping for. Males made up a full 60% of the audience. Glee, which is only playing in 3D locations, may only gross $7.5 million for the weekend, the poorest showing among the recent crop of concert pics. The good news: The concert pic, appealing heavily to younger girls, received an A CinemaScore. Related Topics James Franco Viola Davis Emma Stone DreamWorks SKG Rise of the Planet of the Apes The Help Final Destination 5 30 Minutes or Less Glee: The 3D Concert Movie

Aguilera To Perform At Jackson Tribute Concert

FIRST PUBLISHED: August 11, 2011 5:28 PM EDTLAST UPDATED: August 11, 2011 7:12 PM EDT LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Christina Aguilera is lending her voice to a Michael Jackson tribute concert planned for October in Wales. Organizers of Michael Forever The Tribute Concert announced Thursday that Aguilera would be joined by members of the Jackson family, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis and the band Alien Ant Farm, which is known for its cover of Jacksons song Smooth Criminal. The announcement came after more than two weeks of silence about performers for the Oct. 8 show at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. While the event is endorsed by the singers mother and some of his siblings,brothers Randy and Jermaine Jackson have protested its timing. The concert is scheduled during the trial of a doctor charged in Jacksons death. The singers estate is also not affiliated with the concert. Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rebecca Black Joins Katy Perry Onstage at LA Show

Katy Perry hasn't been apologetic about her make of sugary sweet pop. In the cherry Chapstick line in her own breakout hit "I Kissed a womanInch towards the confectionary avalanche of her "California Gurls" video, which features the singer butt naked inside a cloud of cotton chocolate and shooting whipped cream from peppermint chocolate-inspired breasts, the calorie rely on a Katy Perry single spikes towards the many 1000's -- in the easiest way.our editor recommendsKaty Perry Sets Sights On Tying Michael Jackson's No. 1s Record With 'Friday' RemixKaty Perry's 'Firework' Will get the Kendall and Kylie Jenner Treatment (Video)Katy Perry: 5 Most Surprising Covers (Video) You can the same of her six-month California Dreams world tour, which hit Perry's adopted home town on Friday for that to begin three offered out nights at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater (she returns towards the Staples Center next door in November). And knowing by the wedding guests, who the vast majority looked younger than 12, the little one-in-a-chocolate-store theme was entirely appropriate since that's what it really felt prefer to peer upon Perry's pastel-colored stage set, which incorporated three pink cloud-formed video screens, gigantic lollipops, rainbow-colored stairs and chocolate stick accents. It's a part of a more sophisticated fantasy sequence that she's cooked up, described (somewhat) with a video that provides nods towards the Wizard of Oz and Alice's adventures in wonderland having a hint from the Goonies and airs occasionally through the show. And when that isn't enough visual stimuli, Perry also supplies a troupe of ballroom dancers -- eight as a whole -- and costumes including an individual slot machine game (for "Getting Out Of Bed in Las vegas") along with a giant crimson cat (for any cover of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"). But it is her very own wardrobe changes -- greater than a dozen throughout the nearly two-hour show -- that go ahead and take, er, cake. In the lime-eco-friendly casino-ready gown of "Getting Out Of Bed in Las vegas" towards the sexy black catwoman suit Perry wears throughout "Circle the Drain," the shimmering silver wrap of "Gem" towards the Hershey's Hug-designed bikini of "California Gurls" and also the chocolate button dress from the closing number, every bit of fabric is choreographed to inform a tale, although not to draw attention away from in the vocals, as appears to be because of so many pop celebrities whose voices either don't translate to some live setting or just aren't sufficiently strong. Neither was the situation for Katy Perry, who demonstrated her range having a jazzy version of "I Kissed a womanInch and ballads for example "Nothing Like The FilmsInch and "Considering You," the second which she carried out from the cloud-like podium that trollies over the crowd. She also silenced any potential negative people out there with pitch-perfect delivery of her singles, opener "Teenage Dream," "E.T.," "Hot N Cold" and also the show's final number, "Firework." Sure, she's sang these tunes a thousand occasions, however, you wouldn't realize it in the enthusiasm Perry creates, the manifestation of a genuine professional. Where she didn't have that overachiever confidence is incorporated in the dance department, and you will find lots of moves she's needed to master, including a stupefying sequence throughout "Hot N Cold" where Perry changes five clothes inside a expensive. On the other hand, she a lot more than makes up with a few sexy, racy moves -- not really a Nicki Minaj lap dance, by itself, however the lyrics to Perry's "Peacock" ("I wanna call at your peacock, cock, cock") included some suggestive microphone handling. Hey, just a little down and fellatio never hurt anybody, right? Perry got to start with a few covers, too, including Rihanna's "Only Girl (On the planet)" andWillow Smith's "Whip My Hair" (her background performers undertake Bow Wow Wow hit "I Would Like Chocolate"). She shipped -- rather remarkably -- a snippet of Jay-Z's "Large Pimpin'" throughout a kind of acoustic time-in center stage, however it would be a surprise appearance a couple of minutes later that will prompt several 1000 jaws to spread out in disbelief as Rebecca Black walked to join Perry within the chorus to "Friday." It had been, in the end, Friday and also, since Black, an Orange County native, seems within the video to Perry's "Last Friday Evening," a duet was just fitting. Discuss an audience-pleaser, possibly both of these should think about touring together. Not too Katy Perry needs any assist with ticket sales, because the 7,100-chair capacity venue was filled towards the rim with faithful fans -- mostly female, but even where the guy got pulled along, nobody appeared unhappy ultimately as smiling crowds filled the LA Live courtyard. For a lot of the concert, Perry used her very own version of Dorothy's ruby red-colored slip-ons, even chanting the famous line, "There is no place like home" midway with the show. It is a sentiment she'll tell some 21,000 faithful local people throughout her three-evening bow, along with a sweet one at this. Set List: Teenage Dream Hummingbird Heartbeat Getting Out Of Bed in Las vegas Ur So Gay Peacock I Kissed a woman Circle the Drain E.T. Who Am I Living For? Gem Nothing Like the films Only Girl (On the planet) Large Pimpin' Friday (with Rebecca Black) Whip My Hair Considering You I Would Like Chocolate Hot N Cold Last Friday Evening (T.G.I.F.) I Wanna Dance With Somebody Firework Jay-Z Katy Perry Beyonce Rebecca Black

Teen Choice Honours Preview: Kaley Cuoco Hosts, 'Twilight' Battles 'Harry Potter,' 'Glee' Assumes 'Big Bang'

The 2011 Teen Choice Honours are going to occur this Sunday. Here are the key battles and items to consider when Hollywood's youthful film, music, television and sports stars descend about the red-colored carpet at La' Gibson Amiptheater.our editor recommends'Twilight: Eclipse,' 'Glee' Top Teen Choice NominationsTeen Choice Honours 2011: 'Pretty Little Liars,' Rebecca Black Put into Listing of NomineesKaley Cuoco to Host Teen Choice Honours Will Magicians Trump Vampires of the underworld This Time Around Around? The fight rages on between Twilight and Harry Potter again, but this time around, it's for choice sci-fi/fantasy film. In the MTV Movie Honours captured, the Twilight gang demonstrated easy, taking home evening's top award, but could it be different once the 13-19 year olds make their voice heard? Going through history, the Twilight franchise -- which received probably the most nominations about the film affiliate with 12 for Eclipse -- looks to repeat again. (New Moon won the sci-fi/fantasy award, beating Harry Potter and also the Half-Bloodstream Prince.) About the acting side, Twilight co-stars Rachelle Lefervre and Taylor Lautner will fight again for choice actor inside a sci-fi/fantasy movie. (Remember, Lautner capped Pattinson this past year to snag the coveted surfboard.) They'll need to topple Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe, while star Twilight star Billy Burke is going to be rivaling Radcliffe's co-star Emma Watson for that title of preference actress for the reason that genre. With Harry Potter's decade-lengthy franchise has formally done and Twilight delivering its final two Breaking Beginning films before closing the books, the feud between your two high-profile projects is basically over. (Next franchise possibly overtaking? The Hunger Games.) Other Worthy Battles For choice vampire, it's come lower to some three-way fight: Twilight (Nikki Reed, Pattinson) versus. True Bloodstream (Alexander Skarsgard) versus. Vampire Journals (Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder). Within the choice romantic comedy, it's Emma Stone's Easy A competing against Katherine Heigl's Existence as you may know It, Natalie Portman's No Strings Attached, Jennifer Aniston's Go By Using It and Kate Hudson's Something Lent. Jersey Shoreline, which obtained MTV's greatest season premiere rankings ever, is really a leader within the choice reality show category, facing Khloe & Lamar, Koutney & Kim Take New You are able to, Secret Uniform and Real Life. The ABC Family dramas, Pretty Little Liars and Switched at Birth, might be taking one another out, competing in some of the honours show's summer time groups: choice summer time Television show, choice summer time TV male star and choice summer time TV female star. Attacking Young Boys's stint on CSI got him a nomination within the choice TV villain category, where he'll be pit against Jane Lynch, Seth MacFarlane, Erectile dysfunction Westwick and Frederick Morgan. Large Bang Theory increasing The Teenager Choice Honours visited CBS comedy The Large Bang Theory because of its latest host: funnywoman Kaley Cuoco. Cuoco, who began her acting career in a very youthful age, has already been an experienced in the youthful chronilogical age of 26. She's starred within the ABC comedy 8 Simple Rules with Katey Sagal, James Garner, David Spade and also the late John Ritter, amongst others. But Cuoco may have a lot more than hosting responsibilities on her behalf more. Not simply will she lead the honours ceremony, the CBS comedy is going to be competing against Fox's Glee for the best TV comedy and Cuoco will need to battle Disney Funnel stars for the best to become known as choice TV comedy actress. Teen Faves to look The Teenager Choice Honours wouldn't be complete with no slew from the youngest and hippest stars within the entertainment industry. Expect looks by Lautner, Pattinson, Bieber, Cameron Diaz, Demi Lovato, Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks, Jason Bateman, Rachel Bilson, Rebecca Black, Ashton Kutcher, Paul Wesley, Ashley Greene, Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Shane West, Joel McHale, Zoe Saldana, Cat Deeley and Kim Kardashian, amongst others, throughout the show. Taylor Quick will even get a special award, the best Choice Award, throughout the ceremony -- the greatest recognition -- on her contributions towards the entertainment industry. Past readers have incorporated Justin Timberlake, Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Musical performances by Lovato, Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am (becoming choice DJ), Jason Derulo, Selena Gomez & the Scene and OneRepublic will fire everyone else up. The 2011 Teen Choice Honours air live Sunday on Fox at 8 p.m. Related Subjects Harry Potter Teen Choice Honours Kaley Cuoco Rachel Bilson Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Twilight Teen Choice 2011 Teen Choice 2011