Death Note

For those of you out there who missed the Death Note feature films, let us just say this -- see these flicks immediately. They're nothing short of stellar and are easily up there with some of the best Japanese imports we've ever gotten here in the States. Of course since they were so good, an American remake is on the way, and we've got the scoop on who'll be at the helm.

VIZ Media is building on the psychological suspense of the popular Death Note series with the release of Death Note: L, Change the World, a new novel featuring the master detective from the hit animated and manga series. In this updated storyline detective L's name has been placed in a Death Note. He has twenty-three days to bring a terrorist group to justice, or they will use a deadly new virus to change the world...by killing off most of humanity.

When it comes to DVD releases, August 18th marks a week of threes. We get the third chapter in the Death Note series, the third season of "Dexter", a re-release of the first three Final Destination flicks, three Icons of Sci-Fi, and a trio of zombies.

Viz Pictures announced today that the final chapter in its popular Death Note live action series, L, Change the World, directed by the legendary Hideo Nakata, will be hitting DVD on August 18th.

If you've never checked out the Death Note series, brothers and sisters, you've been missing out. It's easily one of the single most captivating and visually arresting franchises around, and now through the magic of the remake, American audiences will be getting their very own version of the tale.

Still on the fence as to whether or not you want to attend the two-night only theatrical event for Death Note: L, Change the World? Well, how about if you can watch the first 10 minutes and then snag a pair of tickets for Wednesday, April 29th's subtitled screening?

As a reminder to keep next week's two-night only theatrical event for Death Note: L, Change the World in the forefront of everyone's mind, Viz Pictures has prepared a trailer and is offering Dread Central readers a chance to win tickets.

As you may remember, Death Note: L, Change the World will be shown theatrically during a limited two-night, multi-city run on April 29th and 30th, 2009. Thanks to VIZ Pictures and Trans World Entertainment, you can take part in a special giveaway campaign at participating F.Y.E. and Suncoast stores to receive a free ticket to attend the English-dubbed screening on April 30th (while supplies last).

As they did with the first two Death Note live action films, Viz Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced that it will team with NCM Fathom to present Death Note: L, Change the World in a limited two-night, multi-city event on April 29th and 30th.

We've already made you guys aware of the Xbox LIVE series of short films called Horror Meets Comedy, and now comes word that animated action series Bleach and Death Note (both Uncut and English dubbed) are available via LIVE as well.

Just a quick reminder that this weekend, October 10-12, Rock & Shock hits Worcester, Mass once more!

As you should already know by now, Death Note II: The Last Name (review) is being given a fairly substantial theatrical release this coming October 15th and 16th by its distributor, VIZ Pictures.

UPDATE: In addition to Joost.com as mentioned below, all three of these VIZ animes (Death Note, Naruto, Bleach) can also be found on Hulu.com. Hulu is an online video service that offers hit TV shows, movies and clips at Hulu.com and other online destination sites — all for free, anytime in the U.S.

Reviewed by Debi Moore Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, Ken'ichi Matsuyama, Asaka Seto, Takeshi Kaga Directed by Shusuke Kaneko Distributed by VIZ Pictures

We first reported the news that VIZ Pictures will be releasing the live action Death Note (review) DVD on September 16, 2008, way back in June, but details on the disc were scarce. Today VIZ Media sent out a press release with the skinny on what we can expect.