Based on the first book in the series of bestselling ‘John Rain’ novels by acclaimed author and former CIA operative Barry Eisler, the action-packed crime-thriller, Rain Fall, brings Eisler’s half-Japanese, half-American anti-hero to the screen for the first time in the form of award winning Japanese star, Keppei Shiina (The Last Princess; Sakuran).

Adapted for the screen and directed by Max Mannix (Dance Of The Dragon), this slickly mounted, tense thriller co-stars Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight; Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix), veteran Japanese actor Akira Emoto (Ichi; Memories Of Matsuko; Sinking Of Japan), Kyoko Hasegawa (Nanayo), Misa Shimizu (The Unbroken; The Harimaya Bridge) and Dirk Hunter (Undead).

Former US Special Force soldier turned contract killer John Rain is an assassin who specializes in making his ‘hits’ look like deaths from natural causes. Following his own, strict, self-imposed code of conduct, Rain only targets key figures and never accepts a job if it involves killing a woman or a child. But complications arise during Rain’s latest assignment when he becomes attracted to a young woman named Midori, the beautiful daughter of his most recent victim.

It soon becomes apparent that the killing of Midori’s father and its repercussions are just one small part of a much wider conspiracy involving both the CIA and Tokyo’s gangland crimelords. Now, both Rain and Midori have become targets themselves and Rain is forced to compromise his beliefs and to risk everything to protect the girl he loves before she is eliminated as collateral damage for being an innocent witness to a vast CIA cover up operation.

A hard boiled action thriller that will appeal to fans of the ‘Bourne’ movies, Rain Fall marks star Keppei Shiina as an action star in the making and features and typically powerful performance from Gary Oldman as Rain’s nemesis, the Chief Officer of the CIA’s Tokyo Bureau.

Rain Fall (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£15.99) by Momentum Pictures on 29th March 2010.

The Hollywood Reporter says Futabasha, publisher of the original manga by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya on which Park Chan-wook’s film was based, has filed a case against Show East in Seoul, alleging the Korean company never had the right to negotiate a remake. The issue is further complicated by the fact that Show East has closed down and its CEO has disappeared. (Which itself sounds like it could be out of a Korean thriller?)

Despite this the production is moving ahead. An original US adaption of Oldboy was muted as far back as 2006, eventually with Justin Lin attached as director.

We talk to Yuri Lowenthal, star of Jinno in Afro Samurai and Afro Samurai: Resurrection, about life as an Anime voice actor…

What attracted you to the role of Jinno in the Afro Samurai films?

The fact that they asked me to play him. Not to be flip, but we rarely, as actors get to choose what roles we’d like to play. Unless of course, we’re Sam Jackson… But what thrilled me about getting to play him was his amazing arc as a character. He starts off as one guy and ends up in a very different, very very dark place. Plus I got to kick Sam Jackson’s ass. And they keep bringing him back from the dead for me to play again. And he’s a twin-sword-wielding insane cyborg death machine with a giant teddy bear head. What’s not to like?

How did you become involved in voice acting for Anime films (and video games) in the first place?

I started as an on-camera and theatre actor. I had always been in love with the many products of voice acting (mostly in the form of cartoons and video games) but never really thought of it as a possible career path until I moved out to LA where that work was a bit more available. I took a class to learn more about it, and my teacher ended up getting a job directing the dub of an anime series. I auditioned for him, was cast, and I started meeting people in that circle. That job led to others, which led to others. The more I worked, the … more I worked.

Are there any roles you’ve particularly enjoyed over the years?

It’s almost impossible to pick one character as a favorite. Some of my favorites include Superman from Legion of Superheroes, Ben Tennyson from Ben 10 Alien Force, The Prince from the Prince of Persia VG series, Kamal from ilovebees, Sasuke from Naruto, Yosuke from Persona 4, Suzaku from Code Geass, Simon from Gurren Lagann, Haseo from the .//Hack G.U. games, and of course Jinno/Kuma from Afro Samurai. Do you see how this is a hard question?

How was it working with far better known calibre of co-stars on Afro Samurai, like Samuel L. Jackson and Ron Perlman for a change?

“Working with” is an interesting term in voice acting. I actually didn’t even meet Sam until a couple of months ago at the release party for the Afro Samurai video game, despite the fact that I had been working opposite him for years. I do love getting to work on projects “with” them, though. Being a huge nerd, I’ve loved these guys for years and it’s an honor to even be associated with projects they’re involved in.

Have you been surprised by the popularity of the Afro Samurai character?

Only in that characters like this don’t usually get introduced to the masses as forcefully as Afro has. Certainly not because he’s not deserving of it. And it’s really a take-no-prisoners kind of franchise, not for the faint of heart, so I’m surprised, but happily so. It’s definitely my kind of show/movie/game.

Do you like the anonymity of voice work, or would you prefer to be ‘seen’ in more movies (and perhaps recognised in the street more often)?

Some days I feel one way, and some days I’m happy that I can go about my life and not be bothered. It all depends on the day. It’s a very odd type of fame. I don’t yet make enough money to buy a walled castle in the Hollywood Hills, so I think I’ll have to be okay with anonymous for the time being… In any case, I’m glad I was recognized enough to talk to you guys today. Thanks.

Afro Samuari: Resurrection, The Director’s Cut is released by Manga Entertainment on DVD on 27 April. The DVD will include: Afro Samurai Game; Enter the RZA; Afro in Depth; Afro Samurai: Meets the West Part 1; Afro Samurai: Meets the West Part 2; Afro Samurai at San Diego Comic-Con 2008 and Part A Video Commentary.

Thanks to Yuri Lowenthal for his time, and Farhana Shaikh of The Associates for forwarding the questions to him.

Check out the trailer and see what you think!

The live action adventure centers on the heroic Goku (Justin Chatwin – War of the Worlds), a powerful warrior who discovers his inner strength and protects the Earth from an evil rogue bent on dominating the Universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.

Dragonball: Evolution will be released in cinemas around the UK on 8 April.

Dragonball Evolution will be released in UK cinemas on 8 April.

Get your (rare) groove on with Dennis Coffey’s legendary soundtrack to the equally notorious (for all the wrong reasons!) Jim Kelly vehicle…

In 1974 director Robert Close and producer Fred Weintraub had something of a problem. Their Enter The Dragon had been a huge success, exporting the Bruce lee phenomenon to an international audience – only their star tragically died before it was even released! What could they do next? How about giving his co-star Jim Kelly a chance – you know, the one who gets killed off pretty early? Then you’d not only cover kung fu, but blaxplotation too – get that Mr. Weintraub two exploitation genres for the price of one!

Only there was a reason Jim Kelly didn’t make it anywhere near the end credits. Wooden doesn’t go far enough, the man makes the cast of Stingray look like a National Theatre production! And Close’s direction does little better – combined with such a pitiful script – you quickly realise just how much of Dragon was directed by Lee himself. Subsequent efforts on Lee cash-in Game Of Death and early Jackie Chan crossover vehicle Battle Creak Brawl only went to prove that.

Only the inclusion former Bond girl and general Blaxpolitation queen Gloria Hendry goes any way towards regressing the misdemeanour. But Black Belt Jones’ reputation is well deserved, it’s even featured in the 2004 documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made. (Surely not – I mean however bad, there are a LOT of other bad movies in the world!) But enough of the film itself, we can leave that to a future ‘Guilty Pleasure’ (maybe!) – no, we’re here to talk about the soundtrack!

And what about it? It’s really the classic Blaxplotation soundtrack that never was, with only the Theme From Black Belt ever making it to vinyl. Dennis Coffey was best for his 1971 instrumental (and popular hip hop breakbeat) Scorpio. A member of the legendary Motown Funk Brothers, Coffey had played guitar on dozens of hits for the label long before going solo.

The Main Theme is a rare groove classic the song owes less to Coffey’s guitar playing than the distinctive overlaid scatting that make up the majority of the tune. The effect is not unlike 80s German producer George Kranz’s massive electro classic Trommeltanz aka Din Daa Daa, and it would be nice to think Kranz was influenced by Coffey.

So there’s no doubting how ‘unofficial’ this release is. For one thing, much of the soundtrack seems to be taken straight from the film, complete with dialogue – which at least gives you a chance to enjoy how bad that is! That may go much of the way to explain why this is only available on vinyl, most likely to cover up just how bad some of the recording is.

There are two versions of the main theme, with a second complete with kung fu cries, fantastic or what? There’s also some great additional music, particular the variations on the Love Theme. Elsewhere there are jazzier or just plain dramatic scores.

It would have been nice, however, if this release had a least gone someway to show which parts were Dennis Coffey and which parts were responsible by Luchi De Jesus. It would be easy enough to guess Coffey was just the Main and Love themes, but even that might not be true?

Is it a match for Lalo Schifrin’s Enter The Dragon score? Well, not quite… But one thing is for sure – this is fantastically Kitsch fun!

The Karate Kid will be played by Will Smith’s son, Jaden. Will Smith confirmed his son will be appearing with Chan this morning on BBC’s Breakfast programme.

The original Karate Kid was played by Ralph Macchio, but people often to forget that two time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank made her cinematic debut in The Next Karate Kid.

Read more on the BBC News website »