Sho Kosugi on Blu-ray

[NoirFan]

Maybe Code Red or Scorpion? They've released several Crown International films. I was pleased to see the trailer included on the first Trailer Trauma.

[chanbara]

Originally Posted by willo007

Sho On Blu!! 2016



Now all we need is:


1985 9 Deaths Of The Ninja
1988 Black Eagle
1990 Blind Fury

And last but not least, movie-wise, we need the tragically lesser-known but excellent Aloha Summer http://www.shokosugitheninja.com/Alo...r_Pictures.htm

TV-wise there's nothing on Blu-ray, but The Master is out on German DVD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Master-...rds=sho+kosugi and Ninja Sentai Kakuranger is now out with English subtitles on Region 1 (Sho guest stars in episodes 28 and 29 fighting his son Kane who co-stars in the series): http://www.amazon.com/Power-Rangers-...vies-tv&sr=1-1

[chanbara]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

Oh I'd buy 9 Deaths of the Ninja in a heartbeat! One of the funniest films I have ever seen.

Incidentally, I had the old US DVD which was horrible (4:3) but bought a Korean R0 DVD which was the proper 2:35(ish) ratio and looked pretty much as good as you could expect for a DVD of this budget etc.

Cmon somebody! Release 9 Deaths! Ive seen far worse films getting blu-ray releases!

Thanks for the heads up on the Korean R0 DVD. I picked one up on Ebay for just a few bucks and it is indeed a major improvement over the old 4:3 letterboxed print from BCI that was on the MAXIMUM ACTION double feature set with Kill Point. That print was incorrectly matted to 1.85:1, so seeing the film in full anamorphic 2.35:1 for the first time is extra cool. The Director of Photography on the film was Roy H. Wagner who also lensed Sho's next ninja film Pray For Death, so it's great to finally see the full composition of shots in their full colorful glory.

The only disappointing thing about the Korean DVD is that inexplicably there's a segment of about 30 seconds in length missing from the opening theme credits. It's pretty jarring as it happens mid-lyric near the end of the segment, right after the "Executives in Charge of Production" credit. I read somewhere that BCI supposedly released the film in anamorphic 2:35:1 on their "Maximum Action 10 Movie Set" (https://www.amazon.com/Maximum-Actio.../dp/B001302UO0). Seems strange that it would be in that format in that set when it was 4:3 Letterbox (matted incorrectly to 1.85:1) on their "Maximum Action Double Feature" release. Does anyone have it? And if so, does it have the full opening theme intact on it? Am hoping the missing segment is only a problem on the Korean DVD, so that if the film gets a Blu-ray release it won't have the same flaw.

[movieman1979]

Originally Posted by chanbara

And last but not least, movie-wise, we need the tragically lesser-known but excellent Aloha Summer http://www.shokosugitheninja.com/Alo...r_Pictures.htm

TV-wise there's nothing on Blu-ray, but The Master is out on German DVD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Master-...rds=sho+kosugi and Ninja Sentai Kakuranger is now out with English subtitles on Region 1 (Sho guest stars in episodes 28 and 29 fighting his son Kane who co-stars in the series): http://www.amazon.com/Power-Rangers-...vies-tv&sr=1-1

Dammit, I always forget he was in Ninja Assassin. I need to pick that up, thankfully it's priced to bargain bin. Then I just need Enter The Ninja for all that's currently available

[Mateo Sanboval]

It seems hard to believe that 9 Deaths, Black Eagle, and Blind Fury do not have, or are not slated for, Region A releases. The latter two have star power going for them and 9 Deaths seems a likely follow up to the releases we already have. I wonder if there are rights issues? I'm guessing it's not a sales issue as Pray for Death and Rage of Honor were among the first discs to sell out at the current Barnes & Noble Arrow sale.

PS - Here's a interesting footnote in the form of a poster for a film that never got past the pre-funding stage.



PPS - I may have posted that pic before, but it's still cool so there

[cicada88]

Could someone in the know post a ranked Sho Kusugi movie list?

[Pete Rock]

Originally Posted by cicada88

Could someone in the know post a ranked Sho Kusugi movie list?

1) Revenge of the Ninja (83)
2) Pray for Death (85)
3) Enter the Ninja (81)
4) Ninja III: The Domination (84)
5) Rage of Honor (87)
6) Black Eagle (88)
7) Nine Deaths of the Ninja (85)

[cicada88]

Originally Posted by Pete Rock

1) Revenge of the Ninja (83)
2) Pray for Death (85)
3) Enter the Ninja (81)
4) Ninja III: The Domination (84)
5) Rage of Honor (87)
6) Black Eagle (88)
7) Nine Deaths of the Ninja (85)

Thanks!

[chanbara]

Blind Fury is coming.

Here's the announcement on Mill Creek's official Youtube channel:

Blind Fury - on Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment - YouTube

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by Pete Rock

1) Revenge of the Ninja (83)
2) Pray for Death (85)
3) Enter the Ninja (81)
4) Ninja III: The Domination (84)
5) Rage of Honor (87)
6) Black Eagle (88)
7) Nine Deaths of the Ninja (85)

I still maintain that 9 Deaths is the most entertaining of them though! If you're not laughing at 9 Deaths there is probably something wrong with you. What makes it more funny is that Sho seems to be completely oblivious to the wrongness around him and plays it totally straight!

[chanbara]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

I still maintain that 9 Deaths is the most entertaining of them though! If you're not laughing at 9 Deaths there is probably something wrong with you. What makes it more funny is that Sho seems to be completely oblivious to the wrongness around him and plays it totally straight!

Not sure what film you're watching, but Sho is clearly in on the fact that they're making a tongue-in-cheek James Bond spoof: playing guitar on a tennis racquet, fighting little people hitmen in a comedic way, the opening training exercise, the old man disguise with the eyebrow lift "nice disguise, huh?", etc... etc...

It's my least favorite of Sho's ninja movies because of the comedic tone, but I can see why some people enjoy it, and would buy it on Blu-ray upon release.

[UniSol GR77]

Originally Posted by chanbara

Blind Fury is coming.

Here's the announcement on Mill Creek's official Youtube channel:

Blind Fury - on Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment - YouTube

It seems like there will be more Kosugi BD explosions this year. I'm just 100% pleased they are preserving his stellar legacy on HD for the many generations to come.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by chanbara

Not sure what film you're watching, but Sho is clearly in on the fact that they're making a tongue-in-cheek James Bond spoof: playing guitar on a tennis racquet, fighting little people hitmen in a comedic way, the opening training exercise, the old man disguise with the eyebrow lift "nice disguise, huh?", etc... etc...

It's my least favorite of Sho's ninja movies because of the comedic tone, but I can see why some people enjoy it, and would buy it on Blu-ray upon release.

I dunno...is he in on the fact or not?! And I know the film very well because its bloody hilarious.

The bad guys make Suicide Squad look completely normal!

[chanbara]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

I dunno...is he in on the fact or not?!

He is.

Sho plays his role in 9 Deaths of the Ninja in a very comedic way. Whether it be scratching his head with a gun in the helicopter, or the way he comically takes a drink of champagne after coming aboard the boat, or how he plays his scenes when he's in disguise, etc..., he's playing the role in keeping with the comedic tone of the film.

The only scenes that are played seriously (as they should be) are the ninja fights (flashback and in the cave). Everything else Sho plays in the same comedic tone as his compatriots. He even has the silly code name of Lollipop and carries some on his belt with his ninja weapons! He absolutely knew they were making an action-comedy film. He didn't know it would be as silly as it ended up being, or that they'd dub his voice so badly, or that the villains would be completely ridiculous and over the top, but Sho was fully aware that they were not making a serious film and he played the role accordingly.

I have no idea where you got the notion that he was playing it straight from watching his performance in the film.

[UniSol GR77]

Originally Posted by chanbara

He is.

Sho plays his role in 9 Deaths of the Ninja in a very comedic way. Whether it be scratching his head with a gun in the helicopter, or the way he comically takes a drink of champagne after coming aboard the boat, or how he plays his scenes when he's in disguise, etc..., he's playing the role in keeping with the comedic tone of the film.

The only scenes that are played seriously (as they should be) are the ninja fights (flashback and in the cave). Everything else Sho plays in the same comedic tone as his compatriots. He even has the silly code name of Lollipop and carries some on his belt with his ninja weapons! He absolutely knew they were making an action-comedy film. He didn't know it would be as silly as it ended up being, or that they'd dub his voice so badly, or that the villains would be completely ridiculous and over the top, but Sho was fully aware that they were not making a serious film and he played the role accordingly.

I have no idea where you got the notion that he was playing it straight from watching his performance in the film.

I subscrive to every word written in this post.

Just a question:

How much was Sho popular in the States during his heydays?

[chanbara]

Originally Posted by UniSol GR77

How much was Sho popular in the States during his heydays?

I was pretty young at the time, but I can tell you that amongst martial arts movie fans and martial arts students he was very popular. He was featured on the cover of all of the martial arts magazines, and interviewed and profiled numerous times. His posters were on the walls of martial arts dojos, and martial arts supply stores. He was the face and ultimate image of the modern day ninja, and it was no accident that he was selected to co-star with and double Lee Van Cleef when NBC decided to make a ninja TV series (The Master) or that Honda chose him to portray a ninja in their Honda Hurricane commercial. I'm not sure how well known he was to the general public, but I remember talking to my aunt about his movies (and she never watched martial arts movies much less ninja movies) and she knew who he was.

[UniSol GR77]

Originally Posted by chanbara

I was pretty young at the time, but I can tell you that amongst martial arts movie fans and martial arts students he was very popular. He was featured on the cover of all of the martial arts magazines, and interviewed and profiled numerous times. His posters were on the walls of martial arts dojos, and martial arts supply stores. He was the face and ultimate image of the modern day ninja, and it was no accident that he was selected to co-star with and double Lee Van Cleef when NBC decided to make a ninja TV series (The Master) or that Honda chose him to portray a ninja in their Honda Hurricane commercial. I'm not sure how well known he was to the general public, but I remember talking to my aunt about his movies (and she never watched martial arts movies much less ninja movies) and she knew who he was.

Yeah, your depiction seems very accurate. It was the same here in Italy. I guess he was ultra-popular until 1988 rolled out with new icons like JCVD.

[chanbara]

Originally Posted by UniSol GR77

Yeah, your depiction seems very accurate. It was the same here in Italy. I guess he was ultra-popular until 1988 rolled out with new icons like JCVD.

The end of the ninja craze was also a big factor. Sho was so closely associated with ninja roles, that it was difficult for some of his fans to accept him playing anything else. The plan was for him to play more secret agent type roles. This worked well with Rage of Honor (the film 9 Deaths of the Ninja should have been) where he maintained his ninja persona with loads of ninja weapons and tactics, but when these elements were dropped for Black Eagle, a lot of fans were disappointed.

At the same time, Sho began working in his native Japan on films like the period samurai film Journey of Honor (aka Kabuto aka Shogun Mayeda aka Shogun Warrior) and the modern yakuza film Kyokuto Kuroshakai (Drug Connection). He also had a high profile role in the Taiga Drama period TV series Ryukyu no Kaze (Dragon Spirit) and focused a lot of his time on helping his son Kane break into movies and TV in Japan, so fans outside of Japan weren't able to watch his work anymore. For a lot of people in North America, his return in Ninja Assassin was the first time they'd seen him since his glory days.

[chanbara]

Slightly OT, but an Enhanced Edition of the Revenge of the Ninja Soundtrack is now available (limited to 1000 copies):

https://www.varesesarabande.com/blog...e-of-the-ninja

Mine is on the way.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by chanbara

He is.

Sho plays his role in 9 Deaths of the Ninja in a very comedic way. Whether it be scratching his head with a gun in the helicopter, or the way he comically takes a drink of champagne after coming aboard the boat, or how he plays his scenes when he's in disguise, etc..., he's playing the role in keeping with the comedic tone of the film.

The only scenes that are played seriously (as they should be) are the ninja fights (flashback and in the cave). Everything else Sho plays in the same comedic tone as his compatriots. He even has the silly code name of Lollipop and carries some on his belt with his ninja weapons! He absolutely knew they were making an action-comedy film. He didn't know it would be as silly as it ended up being, or that they'd dub his voice so badly, or that the villains would be completely ridiculous and over the top, but Sho was fully aware that they were not making a serious film and he played the role accordingly.

I have no idea where you got the notion that he was playing it straight from watching his performance in the film.

How do you know this for sure though?! It seems to me that Sho thinks he's in a James Bond film but as for everyone else...

And is it me or do some of the cast look rather...whacked out most of the time. I am sure no recreational drugs had any part in this film. Watch it close and you'll see what I mean.

Too many drugs boys! Too. Many. Drugs! (She's not kidding...)