Gunparade March – Volume 2
Label: MVM
Certificate: 12
Discs: 1. (4 episodes)
Running time: 100 mins approx
Video: 4:3
Sound: English 2.0, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English.
Release date: 5th October 2009
RRP: £15.99 – Amazon – Play
Brief synopsis:
Mankind’s war against the alien invaders rumbles on as the seemingly unstoppable horde chip away at what’s left of humanity’s beleaguered fighting forces. Each loss brings them one step closer to defeat while each death brings them one step c loser to extinction. The young members of Unit 5121 have learnt the hard way that out on the front-lines there are no guarantees and the next person to fall could easily be you. Danger and destruction hound them day in, day out, while the ever-present possibility of dying is never far from their minds. Will their experiences on the battlefield truly make them… or break them?
A SFL review for the first volume in this series can be found here.
Extras:
Production Art Gallery; Trailers.
Gunparade March – Volume 2 will be available from most high streets and online retailers from 5th October 2009.
Desert Punk – Volume 5
Label: MVM
Certificate: 15
Discs: 1. (4 episodes)
Running time: 96 mins approx
Video: 4:3
Sound: English 5.1, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English.
Release date: 5th October 2009
RRP: £15.99 – Amazon – Play
Brief synopsis:
Desert Punk continues his quest for money, women and more money with plenty of sarcastic put-downs, explosive action and, just as much lechery and lewdness as we’ve come to expect from our… errr… hero. Whilst on an underground mission, the diminutive Desert Punk and his (somewhat) trusty and equally short-arse sidekick each come up against blasts from their respective pasts. There’s a big deception afoot and it seems that everyone and their dog is in on it. Will the unsuspecting Punk fall for their schemes, hook line and sinker or will he pull through like the indestructible cockroach he seems to be?
Previous SFL reviews for this series can be found here, here and here.
Extras:
An interview with the singer of the new Opening and Closing themes; Textless versions of the new songs; “Desert Punk Radio” – Final Show Taping Footage; Trailers.
Desert Punk – Volume 5 will be available from most high streets and online retailers from 5th October 2009.
X – Volume 1
Label: Manga Entertainment.
Certificate: 15
Discs: 1. (5 episodes)
Running time: 125 mins approx
Video: 4:3
Sound: English 5.1, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English.
Release date: 19th October 2009
RRP: £15.99 – Amazon – Play
Brief synopsis:
The End of Days are close at hand and a mystical faction known as “Dragons of Heaven” believe that the only way for the Earth to be saved is through the total and unequivocal extermination of mankind. Opposing them are a second faction known as “Dragons of Earth” who wish to thwart the Dragons of Heaven and ensure humanity’s survival. According to the prophecies foretold by the great seer there is only one man who holds the power and the rightful position to shape mankind’s destiny. This man is Kamui Shiro and it is said that when he returns from his long absence and journeys to the city of Tokyo there will be another who will rise up against him. After many years spent away from the city, Kamui is reluctant to join the battle but when his friends are dragged into the war to end all wars, Kamui finds he must take his prophesised place if he is to save not just his friends, but the whole world.
Comments:
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll; Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust), this release contains the first 4 episodes of this classic 2001 anime series based upon the long running manga series – even though it’s now on what seems to be a permanent hiatus – X/1999. Also included on this release is a DVD only preview episode, “An Omen”, which serves to set the scene and introduce the characters to those unfamiliar with the original manga. Like also series based on works by popular manga team CLAMP, the art style takes a little getting used to but once you’re over that hurdle it becomes evident that this series was wonderfully animated and still looks good for it’s age.
Extras:
Trailers; “An Omen” promo.
X – Volume 1 will be available from most high streets and online retailers from 19th October 2009.
Reviewer: Penfold