Beloved Japanese franchise Kamen Rider roars onto the big screen

Having successfully resurrected such popular franchises with Shin Godzilla (2016) and last year’s Shin Ultraman, awardwinning filmmaker Hideaki Anno now brings his unique vision to another cult favorite: The Japanese TV series Kamen Rider, which ran from 1971-’73 and has been a cult favorite ever since — as well as a personal favorite of Anno’s.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kamen Rider’s cancellation, Fathom Events and Toei Company Ltd. have joined forces to present Shin Kamen Rider, which will make its U.S. theatrical premiere at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 31st at hundreds of theaters nationwide, including the Greensboro Grande & RPX, 3205 Northline Ave., Greensboro. Tickets are $14.95 (general admission) and $12.81 (children under 12) and can be purchased here: https://www.fathomevents.com/. The film will be shown in its original Japanese with English subtitles. Additional theaters may be added closer to the screening date.

Shin Kamen Rider adheres closely to the Shin Kamen mythos fashioned by series creator Shotari Ishinomori (1938’98), one of Japan’s most esteemed comic artists and widely revered as one of the architects of manga, having also created Astro Boy, 8th Man, and what would later be known as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The original Kamen Rider ran for 98 episodes and has been in syndication ever since, where it gained an international following among manga mavens.

The film version stars Sosuke Ikematsu as Takeshi Hongo, a hotshot biker who is kidnapped by the operatives of the Sustainable Happiness Organization with Computational Knowledge Embedded Remodeling — better known as “S.H.O.C.K.E.R.” — and transformed into a grasshopper-hybrid cyborg with amazing superpowers. (Folks, you can’t make this stu up!)

With the help of potential love interest Ruriko Midorikawa (Minami Hamabe),

Hongo is able to escape the S.H.O.C.K.E.R. stronghold in explosive fashion. Adopting the guise of the “Masked Rider,” Hongo declares war on S.H.O.C.K.E.R. and embarks on a one-man (or one-cyborg) crusade to thwart their plans for global domination while coming to terms with his new powers and the responsibility that comes with them.

Shin Kamen Rider is Anno’s love letter to one of Japan’s most enduring “tokusatsu” franchises and the motorcyclebound superhero he describes as his dearest childhood icon. Fans of the series will undoubtedly detect the many easter eggs and nods spanning the franchise’s history.

“Hideaki Anno is living the dream of every teenager with a video camera and some action figures,” wrote Matt Schley in The Japan Times. “With Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman, and now Shin Kamen Rider, the director has been handed the reins to Japan’s most beloved special-e ects franchises and allowed to run wild. Anno embraces the 1970s-style camp to its hilt. This film isn’t a parody, though: He’s having fun, not poking fun. The reverence for the material is evident.”

For more information, visit https:// www.fathomevents.com/. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.

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SALEM BAND 2023 SEASON-OPENING SUMMER CONCERT, AWESOME ‘80’S!

BY EILEEN YOUNG

The ‘80’s are back! Celebrate with Salem Band at our season-opening concert in Salem Square. This program includes a wide variety of musical styles. Want to sing along? No problem — we o er several opportunities led by song leader Michelle Rhodes. Love ‘80’s popular music? We have your favorites by Whitney Houston, Journey, and Gloria Estefan. Are you a fan of John Williams movie music? We have you covered with an excellent arrangement from the Superman film series spanning the decade of 1978-1987 and starring Christopher Reeve. Guest vocalist Michael Martinez will sing a jazzy Blue Moon with the band. Michael is a Music Educator, Vocalist, and Conductor in the area who specializes in coaching and arranging for a cappella vocal ensembles.

Visit the 1880’s and even the 1780’s with Salem Band through music from the hit show, Oklahoma, and the blockbuster 1984 film about Mozart, Amadeus!, The band will conclude the program with the dramatic Great Gate of Kiev by Moussorgsky — a grand ending to an eclectic concert.

Arrive early to enjoy pre-concert music at 6:45 pm by The Salem Band Flute Ensemble. This small group is sounding terrific and you won’t want to miss the tone that the bass flute adds to the traditional flute ensemble! There’s nothing more All-American than enjoying a classic band concert in the town Square! Be sure to get your program upon arrival — if yours has a sticker on the inside, you will receive a free Salem Band 250th Anniversary t-shirt!

Food vendors Gunny Smitty’s Hot Dogs and To the Moon & Back will be on site with hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream/ Italian ice for purchase, or take your own picnic supper. Bring a lawn chair or blanket — there is no formal seating in Salem Square. Street parking is available in Old Salem as well as lot parking on Academy Street/Old Salem Road.

WANNA go?

This event is free in Salem Square, Old Salem!. The rain date is Friday, May 26, 2023. Established in 1771, Salem Band is the oldest, continuous mixed wind ensemble in the nation, celebrating 250 years in 2021-2022. Contact Eileen Young, Music Director, for more information. Want to learn more about this historic band? Order our recently-released book, The Salem Band, tracing the history of Salem Band and the Moravian Church, with loads of historical photos: https://salemband.org/the-salemband/ . As per our Mission, all Salem Band concerts are free and open to the public so that the entire community may enjoy and experience the music.