Tokyo Pop (1988) coming from Kino Lorber on October 3 - Blu-ray Forum

whiteberry · 08-11-2023, 08:16 AM

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Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners) and takes up work as a hostess at a karaoke bar. Just when she’s at her breaking point, she meets Hiro (Diamond Yukai), a rock ‘n’ roller whose band is looking for their big break. They form a romantic and musical connection and Hiro convinces Wendy to become their lead singer. Through a combination of hustle and luck, they stumble into their 15 minutes of fame, but Wendy soon comes to realize that being a gaijin rocker may be nothing more than a passing fad. An underseen gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tokyo Pop takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city’s vibrant pop culture.

Extras

Audio commentary by director Fran Rubel Kuzui
Re-Release Trailer

https://kinolorber.com/product/tokyo-pop

Original Trailer:

New Trailer:

Original Poster:

Warner Home Video VHS:

Soundtrack:
https://www.discogs.com/master/75218...ure-Soundtrack

Carrie Hamilton "Never Forget" 7" promotional single:
https://www.discogs.com/release/1470...n-Never-Forget

2019 Introduction and Q&A with director Fran Rubel Kuzui:

Articles on the 4K restoration and Kino Lorber's theatrical re-release:

Thanks To Carol Burnett And Dolly Parton, New Life For A 1988 Film (The New York Times, August 4, 2023)
Fran Rubel Kuzui On Tokyo Pop (rogerebert.com, August 02, 2023)

Kino Lorber's website for the theatrical re-release:
https://kinolorber.com/film/tokyo-pop

Kino Lorber's press kit with director Fran Rubel Kuzui's "Reflections On Tokyo Pop, 35 Years Later":
https://4f399d350e4882ff73b9-0f00c87...0Kit_Final.pdf

Reviews:
https://letterboxd.com/film/tokyo-pop/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096281/reviews
https://www.metacritic.com/movie/tokyo-pop

whiteberry · 08-12-2023, 04:22 AM

1988 PROMOTIONAL INTERVIEWS

Carrie Hamilton

Carrie appeared on the May 11, 1988, episode of Fox's The Late Show With Ross Shafer:

Powerlifters Hatfield, Pasanella, Magruder, Grizzly Brown The Late Show '88 - YouTube

Her segment starts at 13:40.
Carol Burnett's Daughter Carries On (The Hollywood Reporter, April 14, 1988)

Fran Rubel Kuzui

Fran appeared on the April 8, 1988, episode of the Fresh Air radio show:
https://freshairarchive.org/segments...zuis-tokyo-pop

Walter Kafka · 08-12-2023, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteberry

1988 PROMOTIONAL INTERVIEWS

Carrie Hamilton

Carrie appeared on the May 11, 1988, episode of Fox's The Late Show With Ross Shafer:

Powerlifters Hatfield, Pasanella, Magruder, Grizzly Brown The Late Show '88 - YouTube

Her segment starts at 13:40.
Carol Burnett's Daughter Carries On (The Hollywood Reporter, April 14, 1988)

Fran Rubel Kuzui

Fran appeared on the April 8, 1988, episode of the Fresh Air radio show:
https://freshairarchive.org/segments...zuis-tokyo-pop

Thanks for the interview. Ross Shafer hosted a bad revival of Match Game. Sad about Carrie Hamilton. She died at 38.

whiteberry · 08-13-2023, 11:05 PM

Diamond Yukai traveled to Los Angeles for the screening at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 8 and afterwards attended the reception at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles:

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I came to the Chinese Theater in LA to participate in the premiere of TOKYOPOP.

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...38050799673344

Quote:

TOKYO POP premiere screening & party was a great success！Although it's a film from about 35 years ago, I think this feeling is perfect for America now！

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...26353330429952

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attended the Chinese Theater premiere in front of actress Carol Burnett, mother of Carrie Hamilton. We performed HIRO'S SONG.

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...88722386550784

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Participated in the TOKYOPOP reception party

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...91364420595712

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On Aug 8, “Tokyo Pop Revisited" was held at @JHLosAngeles with a screening of the 1988 film Tokyo Pop, directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui and starring Carrie Hamilton and Diamond Yukai. It was also attended by CG Sone, Director Fran Kuzui, and Carol Burnett (mother of Carrie Hamilton).

https://twitter.com/JPNConsulateLA/s...77604271091712

Quote:

Today I went to Carrie Hamilton grave and prayed before I sang her song.

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...45599819026432

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After 35 years, we will release videos of the revival screening in Hollywood, the premiere at the Chinese Theater, the reception party at Japan House, and the singing performance of the theme song!

HIRO'S SONG
https://youtu.be/wJPn25Z2Zrg

NEVER FORGET
https://youtu.be/zPLNTo17pVI

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...37245377003522

More photos of his trip are on his two Twitter accounts:
https://twitter.com/diamondyukai
https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS (staff account)

MifuneFan · 08-22-2023, 03:16 AM

This has been delayed to December 5th.

vivafriend5 · 08-22-2023, 06:59 AM

This is one of my most wanted Blu-rays. So many people in the cast have passed away.

whiteberry · 10-04-2023, 05:13 PM

Kino's page no longer lists an audio commentary by director Fran Rubel Kuzui

It originally said:

Quote:

Extras

Audio commentary by director Fran Rubel Kuzui
Re-Release Trailer

Now it says:

Quote:

Extras

Re-Release Trailer

https://kinolorber.com/product/tokyo-pop

whiteberry · 10-30-2023, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteberry

Diamond Yukai traveled to Los Angeles for the screening at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 8 and afterwards attended the reception at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles:

Diamond Yukai has posted a video of his trip to the US on YouTube:

Quote:

#TOKYOPOP A video of the performance at the LA premiere screening and reception party is now available

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...61340444700962

More videos have been posted on Twitter:

Walking outside the TCL Chinese Theatre:
https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...98569744421067

Visiting Carrie Hamilton's grave:
https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...59567930667334

Meeting Carol Burnett (Carrie's mom):
https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...09194264170989

Attending the reception party at Japan House:
https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...93459453235423

whiteberry · 10-30-2023, 06:52 AM

Diamond Yukai, Fran Rubel Kuzui, and Kaz Kuzui walking the red carpet at the Tokyo International Film Festival:

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...25241931788374

Videos:

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...86055065362876

https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...93552819986604

The page for Tokyo Pop on the Tokyo International Film Festival's website:
https://2023.tiff-jp.net/en/lineup/film/3611SPS02

shane01 · 12-08-2023, 03:35 PM

This arrived yesterday afternoon! Can’t wait to revisit!

disco1979 · 12-27-2023, 06:21 AM

Picked this up today and watched it. Very charming film. The transfer looks terrific.

K1NG J0RDAN · 12-28-2023, 11:39 PM

Curious why they didn’t release a 4K since it’s a 4K restoration.

MifuneFan · 02-20-2024, 11:42 AM

Third Window Films will be releasing this in the UK with more extras later this year:

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

actually, will be out from us later this year (with many more extras)

Sommerswerd · 01-14-2025, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Third Window Films will be releasing this in the UK with more extras later this year:

Is there any more news on the Third Window Films release?

MifuneFan · 01-14-2025, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

Is there any more news on the Third Window Films release?

Not much. It was rated by BBFC for Third Window back in October, so we should hopefully be seeing something sooner than later.

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/tokyo...jpwwc0zmdgxota

It's also definitely still coming as TWF hinted at a classic from Fran Rubel Kuzui in their New Year's newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/thirdwindowfilms/widk2wol14-10977812

Sommerswerd · 03-30-2025, 09:13 AM

Extras for the upcoming release from Third Window Films:

• Director Fran Rubel Kuzui audio commentary
• James Balmont video essay
• Director Q&A at the Japan Society
• Panel Discussion at the Tokyo Film Festival
• Trailer
• 8 page booklet
• Slipcase Edition (Limited to 2000 copies)

https://thirdwindowfilms.com/films/tokyo-pop/

Splatterhouse 5 · 03-30-2025, 09:42 AM

I swear, every Kino sale, I put this movie in the basket, and then I eventually eliminate it when it comes to shaving the cost down to something that financially agrees with me. I’ve been curious about this one for a while, but there are always bigger priorities for me in the Kino sales. I have a feeling that I’d have a quick trigger finger on this one when/if it goes “while supplies last”.

08-22-2023, 03:16 AM	#5
MifuneFan Blu-ray Emperor Top contributor Member since:Mar 2012 Location:New York City 4K collection:27 Blu-ray collection:1143 Trading Score:69	This has been delayed to December 5th.

08-22-2023, 06:59 AM	#6
vivafriend5 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2011 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:40 Trading Score:7	This is one of my most wanted Blu-rays. So many people in the cast have passed away.

10-30-2023, 06:52 AM	#9
whiteberry Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jun 2013	Diamond Yukai, Fran Rubel Kuzui, and Kaz Kuzui walking the red carpet at the Tokyo International Film Festival: https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...25241931788374 Videos: https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...86055065362876 https://twitter.com/DiamondyukaiS/st...93552819986604 The page for Tokyo Pop on the Tokyo International Film Festival's website: https://2023.tiff-jp.net/en/lineup/film/3611SPS02

12-08-2023, 03:35 PM	#10
shane01 Power Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2011 Location:The Southland 4K collection:451 Blu-ray collection:1406 DVD collection:339 MA collection:268 Digital collection:17 iTunes collection:117 Prime collection:3 Trading Score:133	This arrived yesterday afternoon! Can’t wait to revisit!

12-27-2023, 06:21 AM	#11
disco1979 Special Member Member since:Jun 2017 Location:Toronto, Ontario 4K collection:264 Blu-ray collection:2169	Picked this up today and watched it. Very charming film. The transfer looks terrific.

12-28-2023, 11:39 PM	#12
K1NG J0RDAN Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2012 Location:Louisville, KY 4K collection:1197 Blu-ray collection:1859 DVD collection:42 Trading Score:106	Curious why they didn’t release a 4K since it’s a 4K restoration.

03-30-2025, 09:13 AM	#16
Sommerswerd Special Member Member since:Jul 2014 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:2	Extras for the upcoming release from Third Window Films: • Director Fran Rubel Kuzui audio commentary • James Balmont video essay • Director Q&A at the Japan Society • Panel Discussion at the Tokyo Film Festival • Trailer • 8 page booklet • Slipcase Edition (Limited to 2000 copies) https://thirdwindowfilms.com/films/tokyo-pop/

03-30-2025, 09:42 AM	#17
Splatterhouse 5 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2023 4K collection:255 Blu-ray collection:1659 DVD collection:313	I swear, every Kino sale, I put this movie in the basket, and then I eventually eliminate it when it comes to shaving the cost down to something that financially agrees with me. I’ve been curious about this one for a while, but there are always bigger priorities for me in the Kino sales. I have a feeling that I’d have a quick trigger finger on this one when/if it goes “while supplies last”.

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