Toy Robot Video sublabel

[Finch]

Cliff MacMillan's new label releasing in the US and UK

official YouTube channel

As per dwk's post in the Arrow speculation thread, all titles announced are dual territory except for the 1987 Masters of the Universe, a US exclusive.

Opening lineup: Masters of the Universe, Ninja Wars, Roaring Fire, Guvyer 2 and Marshmellows

[MichaelB]

If Ninja Wars is the film I think it is, it has one of the all-time show-stopping set-pieces of its era, in which a ninja defeats an enemy by projectile-vomiting into his face, the vomit then instantly hardening into a lumpy yellow carapace. Which the ninja then raps with his knuckles and, laughing, says "You have seen the skill of a true ninja!"

Indeed we have.

[Mr Sausage]

If Ninja Wars is the film I think it is, it has one of the all-time show-stopping set-pieces of its era, in which a ninja defeats an enemy by projectile-vomiting into his face, the vomit then instantly hardening into a lumpy yellow carapace. Which the ninja then raps with his knuckles and, laughing, says "You have seen the skill of a true ninja!"

Indeed we have.

Imagine my surprise to see this isn't a Godfrey Ho cut-and-paste job starring Richard Harrison, but an actual Japanese action film starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba!

It has shot to the top of my to watch list.

[MichaelB]

I've just watched the Japanese trailer on Toy Robot's YouTube channel, and am delighted to confirm that it's definitely the same film, albeit with picture quality a gazillion miles ahead of the VHS rental copy I watched more than forty years ago.

The start of the projectile vomit scene is about a minute in.

[Finch]

I'm even more excited about Roaring Fire.

[Mr Sausage]

I've just watched the Japanese trailer on Toy Robot's YouTube channel, and am delighted to confirm that it's definitely the same film, albeit with picture quality a gazillion miles ahead of the VHS rental copy I watched more than forty years ago.

The start of the projectile vomit scene is about a minute in.

And the whole movie is up on Tubi if anyone wants to try it out before purchase.

[dwk]

They also are releasing Junya Sato's Manhunt (1976)

[Finch]

Thanks for alerting us to Ninja Wars on Tubi, Mr Sausage. I thought this was an okay time waster and sleazier than expected, a bit too much for my liking. Misumi stages the bloodletting a lot better and more elegantly in his Lone Wolf and Cub entries than Saito does here.

[tenia]

Have to say that being in France, where there is a recent label called Roboto Films, and who has released recently Roaring Fire, seeing another label released it, being called Toy Robot, and having a typo on the Roaring Fire announcement saying it stars Sonny "China"...
I wondered originally if this was serious.

[Orlac]

Masters of the Universe is one of my major nostalgia comfort blankets. Mind you, I first saw it when I was 5 and couldn't get past the first reveal of Skeletor - took me 4 years to see the rest of the movie!

[Finch]

Their US & UK website launch had to be delayed but the UK only titles are available to pre-order on other sites.

The specs are

Making its Blu-ray debut with a new master transferred from the best surviving film elements, this set contains two cuts of the film - the Original 1994 version of Guyver: Dark Hero and an Enhanced version, with new special effects. Directed by creature effects wizard Steve Wang (KUNG FU RASCALS, DRIVE).

Extras
Three new audio commentaries including one with director Steve Wang
NEW interviews with producer / director Steve Wang, actors David Hayter & Kathy Christopherson, screenwriter Nathan Long, composer Les Claypool III and other members of the cast and crew
Behind-the-Scenes footage from the original shoot
Archival Making of Guyer: Dark Hero
Trailers
Photo Galleries including sketches

Extras
NEW Audio Commentary by Jonathan Clements
NEW A Japanese Ninja: author Matt Alt on NINJA WARS
NEW The Way of the Ninja: author and academic Daisuke Miyao on the ninja in Japanese Cinema
Theatrical Trailers
VHS version (in standard definition)

Extras
NEW - Audio Commentary with film historian Brian Bankston
NEW - Fire-storm!, Japanese film critic Akihiko Ito on Sonny Chiba, the man, the actor, the legend
NEW - A Roaring Success, critic James Mudge (easternKicks.com) offers a retrospective on Roaring Fire
NEW - Wrestle with Fire, pro-wrestling critic and film writer Chris Lines on the life and times of Abdullah the Butcher
Theatrical trailer & TV Spot
NEW - A Buffet of Comedy and Action, critic Clément Rauger discusses the secrets of Roaring Fire

Bonus Materials
- Audio commentary with director Daniel DelPurgatorio and actors Kue Lawrence and Kai Cech
- Deleted Scene
- Filming the Dream Sequence
- Two short films directed by Daniel DelPurgatorio: Other (2012, 15 mins); Body(s) (2015, 18 mins)
- Video Podcast interviews
- Storyboards
- Behind-the-scenes stills gallery
- Script Pages

[Finch]

US only

Toy Robot Video is proud to present a newly unearthed Preview Cut of the film featuring never-before-seen footage, including new and extended scenes plus alternate takes.

Extras
Preview Cut of Masters of the Universe
New interview with actor Robert Duncan McNeill
New interview with actor Anthony De Longis
New interview with production designer William Stout
Audio Commentary with the director
Behind The Legend, archival featurette
Teaser Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
Stills Gallery
Production Design Gallery
New Audio Commentary with production designer William Stout