Hiruko The Goblin: Mondo Macabre October 2021 Shinya Tsukamoto

[DukeTogo84]

Great news. This s a personal favorite of mine and an very solid entertaining horror film from Shinya Tsukamoto. It's pretty insane that we have almost all of his films in a little over a year.

Either way, I highly suggest checking this film out. It's pretty nuts.

Originally Posted by bruce holecheck

From my Cinema Arcana FB page:

*** A CINEMA ARCANA EXCLUSIVE ***

Shinya Tsukamoto’s weird and wild HIRUKO THE GOBLIN (1991) gets a U.S. Blu from Mondo Macabro this October!

Former pop sensation Kenji Sawada stars as a discredited archeologist who’s drawn to a rural school following a rash of strange disappearances, only to find the institution was built on a gateway to evil housing head-ripping demonic entities searching for new hosts. Can he and a group of students figure out how to stop the creatures before all hell literally breaks loose?

Based on a manga by Daijiro Morohoshi, Tsukamoto was afforded the chance to direct this feature adaptation following the surprise international success of his amazing cyberpunk debut, TETSUO THE IRON MAN (1989). While it’s more of a traditional film both narratively and stylistically, it’s still full of bizarre delights—the decapitated heads running around on spider legs are quite memorable—and it’s quite fun to see Tsukamoto try his hand at the most pure horror title of his career – albeit one with a twisted sense of humor.

Out of circulation Stateside since its 2005 Fangoria International / Media Blasters DVD, Nikkatsu have given the film a fresh 2K restoration for its 30th anniversary, recently premiering at the Cannes film market alongside a homeland theatrical re-release. Mondo Macabro will be utilizing this remaster, and their upcoming Blu-Ray will also feature a new interview with the director, a commentary from Tsukamoto authority and author Tom Mes, some vintage behind-the-scenes featurettes, and more to be announced. Expect additional details from the company in the coming months; the current plan is for the Limited Edition to be available this October during their annual Halloween sale. Watch this space!

© Bruce Holecheck, 2021

[Grethiwha]

Nice. This was officially announced for the UK today as well, by Third Window Films (whose work with Tsukamoto ever since 2012 to release his films on blu-ray was the basis for Arrow's big boxset last year).

Very excited for this; this is a hugely entertaining movie and the last film I was really craving to own from one of my favourite directors.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Grethiwha

Nice. This was officially announced for the UK today as well, by Third Window Films (whose work with Tsukamoto ever since 2012 to release his films on blu-ray was the basis for Arrow's big boxset last year).

Very excited for this; this is a hugely entertaining movie and the last film I was really craving to own from one of my favourite directors.

It's a great one for sure. One of the best of the early 90's Japanese films for sure.

Still shocked we don't have Fires on the Planes in the US though.

[themp3000]

This is a nice thing to see. Red case LE gonna look great next to Arrow’s Tsukamoto set and MM’s Gemini red case LE. I love me some cohesion.

[DukeTogo84]

I'm just glad Mondo is going with another Japanese release. Gemini was great, but the more the merrier, and what a great choice for their next one. Hopefully we get many more Japanese films from them.

[Grethiwha]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Still shocked we don't have Fires on the Planes in the US though.

Just get Third Window's Fires on the Plain; it's region free and probably much cheaper to import than what you'll spend on a boutique US release such as Hiruko. Also TWF is a great company I'm always happy to support – I almost feel bad having skipped their release of Gemini and Killing and now Hiruko and Funky Forest, because by some unexpected twist now these kinds of movies are getting Region A releases as well.

Tetsuo 3 could use a US blu-ray release – I have the French release because I can understand enough French to get through the very little Japanese dialogue in that film, but it's annoying having French subtitles over all the English dialogue... It's crazy there's no true English-friendly release of that.

Also, Nightmare Detective 1+2, albeit Tsukamoto's most commercial films, are pretty enjoyable, and would complete the collection. Right now they are released on blu-ray only in Germany.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Grethiwha

Just get Third Window's Fires on the Plain; it's region free and probably much cheaper to import than what you'll spend on a boutique US release such as Hiruko. Also TWF is a great company I'm always happy to support – I almost feel bad having skipped their release of Gemini and Killing and now Hiruko and Funky Forest, because by some unexpected twist now these kinds of movies are getting Region A releases as well.

Tetsuo 3 could use a US blu-ray release – I have the French release because I can understand enough French to get through the very little Japanese dialogue in that film, but it's annoying having French subtitles over all the English dialogue... It's crazy there's no true English-friendly release of that.

Also, Nightmare Detective 1+2, albeit Tsukamoto's most commercial films, are pretty enjoyable, and would complete the collection. Right now they are released on blu-ray only in Germany.

Worst case scenario I'll get the Third Window release, but my gut is telling me that Criterion has it, and might release it alongside the original. I might wait a bit more. There has to be a reason why it wasn't in the boxset as it's a film that Tsukamoto owns along with the other eight films in the boxset.

I probably should give Tetsuo another chance, but when I first watched it, it wasn't something I enjoyed.

Yeah, I actually like the Nightmare films, and surprised there haven't been more releases for these two as they are more commercial titles. I wonder who owns the rights to those?

[DukeTogo84]

Trailer for those that want to check it out.

“HIRUKO THE GOBLIN� Official trailer (Eng sub) - YouTube

[mogwai_macabre]

I'm down. I had never seen any Tsukamoto before the Arrow set, but loved it. Enjoyed Gemini too.

[Labor_Unit001]

thirdwindowfilms said in a Instagram comment recently that the Nightmare Detective was stuck with Weinstein since they bought the rights for a very long license.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Labor_Unit001

thirdwindowfilms said in a Instagram comment recently that the Nightmare Detective films are stuck with Weinstein since they bought the rights for a very long license.

I thought they only had the first film?

[Labor_Unit001]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I thought they only had the first film?

thirdwindow only mention the first film actually. I just assumed they had the second one as well if they had the first.

[Thieves Dont]

Very excited for this.

[A Tortured Duckling]

Goodness, how did I miss this? Hell yeah!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by bruce holecheck

Full specs for Mondo Macabro's upcoming Blu of Shinya Tsukamoto's HIRUKO THE GOBLIN (1991)!

***COVER AND SPECS REVEALED!***

One of our most requested titles in recent years, this early pop-fantasy-horror film from iconic director Shinya Tsukamoto has been restored in 2K and is getting its first ever HD release! Here are the full details:

Hieda (played by Kenji Sawada) is an eccentric archaeologist, disgraced among his peers for his theories on the supernatural. One day he receives a letter from his brother-in-law, Yabe, telling him of an ancient burial mound he has discovered in the grounds of the local high school, a discovery that might help prove Hieda’s theories to be true. When Hieda arrives at the school, which is now closed for summer vacation, he discovers that Yabe has gone missing, along with one of the school’s female pupils. Teaming up with Yabe’s son, Masao, Hieda searches for the ancient tomb, convinced that it might be the burial place of Hiruko – a fearsome demon from ancient legends.

This was director Tsukamoto’s second feature film, after the surprise success of TETSUO: THE IRON MAN. Based on a Japanese manga series, HIRUKO THE GOBLIN is an astonishing melding of Lovecraftian cosmic terror, cyberpunk splatter and Spielberg-style adventure. With brain busting special effects and an amazing array of hideous demon creatures, the film is a roller coaster ride into a unique world of terror and beauty from one of the world’s greatest filmmakers.

DISC FEATURES:
* Region A locked North American Blu-ray premiere
* 1080p presentation of 2K restoration from the OCN
* Japanese audio with optional English subtitles
* Brand new interview with director Shinya Tsukamoto
* Archival interview with Shinya Tsukamoto
* Archival intro to the film by Tsukamoto
* Archival interview with SFX director
* Archival SFX featurette
* Brand new audio commentary by Tsukamoto expert Tom Mes
* Trailer

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES:
* Brand new cover art by Gilles Vranckx
* 20 page booklet with brand new writing on the film by Asian fantasy film expert Jonathan Clements
* 1500 numbered copies in the usual red case

As with THE LAUGHING WOMAN, SUKKUBUS, and SCHOOL OF DEATH, HIRUKO THE GOBLIN will go up for pre-order next Thursday, October 21 at 9 AM Pacific (google what time that is where you live), only at mondomacabro.bigcartel.com! We're also having a little sale, and by little I mean ABSOLUTELY HUGE, with pretty much everything, including shipping fees, discounted to some degree. More details on that will be revealed next week!

Update

[DukeTogo84]

Currently live!

Get it while you can!

https://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com/p...d-case-edition

[CyberGhostface]

Haven't seen it yet but I liked Gemini so I grabbed it.

[Psychosmeg]

Will DiabolikDVD carry this title, I am having a hard time ordering though Mondo. I absolutely hate this PayPal, I wish you could just order normal from the actual website.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Psychosmeg

Will DiabolikDVD carry this title, I am having a hard time ordering though Mondo. I absolutely hate this PayPal, I wish you could just order normal from the actual website.

They might carry the non limited edition at some point or another. The limited edition can only be bought on their site.

[darkness2918]

Got my pre order in, blind buy. Can’t wait to check it out.