Flipping channels upon return from work, I came across スペースインベダー (Space Invader) which is the Japanese title for Invaders From Mars. It was rather dopey yet fun, which is what I think Tobe Hooper intended. I don't have the pamphlet for it (yet!) though I did scam a couple of photos off the net.
Speaking of Tobe Hooper, I recently watched Texas Chainsaw Massacre for the first time in about 30 years. I think I'll wait another thirty before I watch it again. I don't have the pamphlet for it either (yet!) though I managed to find one for my favourite of his movies. Based on the title of this post, can you guess what it is?
ps. We've lost quite a few horror icons recently. requiescat in paceTobe Hooper.
As you may have guessed, it's ポルターガイスト or Poltergeist.
A dubbed version if you like...
Here's a poolful of photos from it.
Most people credit Speilberg for this movie. Today, I'm giving Tobe his due.
Today's chocolate snack is a ghostly and vampiric Dars.
This dough-filled balloon sort of looks like a ghost and was given to me by some students today. So squishy and fun!
As you may be aware, I made a brief sojourn to Tokyo over the weekend. I left early Friday morning by Shinkansen and then wandered the streets of Shibuya for several hours until I could meet up with Andy, my neighbour from olden days.
One of my first stops was to my favourite nerd shop, Mandarake and picked up a few items which I'll show off later. I surreptitiously snapped a photo of a cool Star Trek Phaser Game that I considered buying. I also legitimately snapped photos of some of the display cases. Expensive stuff but very cool!
Also around town, I saw an ad for a Tezuka Osamu collection at Parco that unfortunately would be in town two weeks from now but in its stead, there was a cutesy art display with an awesome stuffed pink dragon that filled up the entire room!
Some of the banners and billboards around town were rather cool, so here are a few that I liked:
I had 3 pints of Hobgoblin homebrew (at Happy Hour prices) and a pizza at old pal Dave's (DJ Mixture) pub.
I finally met up with Andy and we cruised over to a nearby cinema to watch TinTin. I had extremely low expectations walking in and we both enjoyed it immensely. I especially liked the dog, the Williams score and the cameo by Spielberg. Wasn't too keen on the lengthy chase sequence or crane-battle.
(NOTE: Japanese pronunciation is タンタン・Tan-tan utilizing the original French pronunciation If they went by the English, it'd be チンチン・Chin-Chin for there is no Ti sound, only Chi. This is a no-no for Chin-chin in Japanese is a nickname for "Penis!")
After that, I retired to my "Capsule Hotel" up the street only to find that it is a haven for "Rockers"!
Apologies for this post was to have occurred yesterday but Blogger was taking forever to upload photos. Tonight it seemed to go much more quickly.
ps. Here is my tribute to Ronald Searle who I had just learned had died at the end of last year. One of my favourite illustrators, his work on "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" was true genius.
I just finished watching グレムリン Gremlins and thought I'd give you a sample.
Oops. Wrong Gremlins.
I picked up the DVD recently and I finally got around to watching it. This is my favourite scene!
I also have a copy of the Movie Pamphlet and within are several photographs, behind-the-scenes shots and storyboards.
The best photos are these sketches of Gizmo and Stripe the Gremlin and the centerfold is a pop-up of the box containing Gizmo.
I'm a little disappointed that my Gizmo doesn't sing.
Of course, I happen to have a couple of physical manifestations of Gremlins, including a Gizmo in a box wearing a Santa hat and Stripe on a tricycle. (I mean, who doesn't have these?)
There's no better way to end this episode of Creepmas than showing some of Ms. Cate's ads in Japan.
Phoebe did work in a bar in the movie so I guess that qualifies her to advertise Asahi Beer:
