Japanese Movies/Discussion/Recommendations

Finally got around to watching Handsome Suit... :victory:

Like EstherM said, it's funny and light... A good movie for a Friday evening. :applaud:

Jav_sol wrote:
I really liked Love Exposure, thought it was awesome. But, like Sion Sono's other works, it might not be for everyone's liking. If like me, you enjoy Sono's films, then you'll be glued to your seat for four hours. :victory:

Nice! Still looking forward to it, but just haven't had anytime to watch it yet. Well, I could've watched it this past week, but with the weather we're having I've been chilling on the balcony and enjoying the sun whenever I'm not working :hehe:


Gaku sounds promising, even if it reminds me of Stallone's Cliffhanger for some odd reason :bonk:. At least the scenery will be spectacular!

Mmm, I'm not sure if this is in the right thread so mods can move this post at their discretion, but I saw this linked at Nippon Cinema and I thought it was interesting so just wanted to share!

Japanese actors who can actually act

If you've ever watched a Japanese television 'dorama,' you may think that the stars' highly mannered -- and frankly terrible -- 'acting' is some sort of untranslatable Japanese aesthetic. Actually they are just terrible actors whose agencies are more interested in using them to endorse soft drinks and vacuum cleaners.

The good news, however, is that there are plenty of great actors in Japan who study their craft as diligently as anybody in the Actor's Studio. The bad news is that unless they're attached to the right management agency, they often don't even get a chance to audition, let alone appear in films of note.

So we thought it's about time to reward the Japanese actors who don't get enough love in the Japanese media. Pressed to come up with a list of modern Japanese cinema's most skilled thespians, names like Ken Watanabe, Koji Yakusho, Rinko Kikuchi, Tadanobu Asano and Rie Miyazawa may come to mind. The following list, however, gives props to seven lesser-known names who care enough about their art to get under the skin of their characters, and into the hearts of the movie-going masses.

Shinobu Terajima
37-year-old Terajima hails from an acting dynasty that includes famous mother Sumiko Fuji. Although the busy actress has won numerous stage and screen accolades at home, her international profile got a major boost this February with her best actress prize in Berlin for her role in Koji Wakamatsu's searing WWII drama "Caterpillar." Her earlier performances in "Vibrator" and "It's Only Talk," both directed by Ryuichi Hiroki, stand as two of the great portrayals of modern Japanese women in the last decade.
Japanese actors

Ryo Kase
Inspired to become an actor by Tadanobu Asano, Kase joined the boutique agency run by Asano's father, also home to Rinko Kikuchi. From his role as a young man accused of groping on a train in the Kafkaesque "I Just Didn't Do It" to his idealistic soldier in Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima," Kase is an extremely versatile performer who never seems to hit a false note. Kase plays a key role as a yakuza mobster in Takeshi Kitano's hotly anticipated return to the crime genre "Outrage." Kase was so good that Kitano physically applauded his acting on set. Also watch for him in Gus Van Sant's upcoming film, which we hear may be called "Restless."

Sakura Ando
This daughter of actor-director Eiji Okuda has performance in her DNA. "Sight & Sound" critic and co-founder of Japanese cinema site midnighteye.com Jasper Sharp explains Ando's appeal: "She doesn't fit the mold of a conventional beauty but has a powerful, smoldering presence on screen that manages to draw the limelight away from the higher-profile stars." Ando mesmerizes as a Droog-inspired cult recruiter in Sion Sono's "Love Exposure" and inspires great empathy in Yuki Tanada's high school drama "Ain't No Tomorrows," to name just two of her shining performances. She's the best thing about upcoming existential road movie "A Crowd of Three."

Kazunari Ninomiya
A household name in Japan as a member of boy band Arashi, 26-year-old Kazunari "Nino" Ninomiya is an extremely busy stage and screen actor, songwriter and radio personality under influential talent factory Johnny's & Associates. He's best known internationally for his humanistic portrayal of Private Saigo in Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima," which some say forms the heart of the film. With a clear and intelligent face, he also impresses in an early role as a sociopathic teen in "The Blue Light" and movie-stealing cameo in road movie "Heaven's Door." His role in upcoming manga adaptation "Gantz" is generating considerable Internet buzz. A true example of natural talent.

Masato Sakai
Sakai is the antithesis of mannered acting. You never quite know what this exciting, constantly smiling actor will do next, but you can always see him thinking. After impressing in supporting roles in "Climber's High" and "The Triumphant Return of General Rouge," Sakai effortlessly made the leap to leading man. His portrayal of an assassination patsy in January 2010 release "Golden Slumber" has been one of the acting highlights of this year. Interest is strong in Sakai's forthcoming role as an 'abacus samurai' in jidaigeki "Bushi No Kakeibo."


Tae Kimura
This striking 39-year-old actress trained in dance has had a prolific career in TV but took a while to warm up to larger roles on the big screen. Her work in affecting 2008 drama "All Around Us" is one of the most accurate portrayals of depression ever committed to film, winning her a best actress prize at the usually predictable Japan Academy Awards. She quickly moved up to the A-list with appearances in "Zero Focus" and "The Unbroken." Anticipation is high for her grueling role in the upcoming "Tokyo Island" ("Tokyo-jima") alongside Yosuke Kubozuka, himself a unique talent but with a spotted career.

Yuriko Yoshitaka
Yuriko Yoshitaka's typical kawaii magazine-cover looks belie the 21-year-old's charismatic acting skills. Check out her debut role in Sion Sono's 2005 social horror film "Noriko's Dinner Table" or her brave performance in 2008 body art drama "Snakes and Earrings." "Physically she is like the halfway point in a morph from Chiaki Kuriyama to Kou Shibasaki, but while she is less obviously eye-catching than them, she has a presence that blows them both out of the water," enthuses author and Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes. Yoshitaka will act alongside Ninomiya in "Gantz."

http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/none/japanese-actors-who-can-actually-act-433396

Of course the list is up for dispute and was compiled by a single author, but I'm glad to see Kase Ryo, Nino, Masato Sakai, and Yoshitaka Yuriko up there! I'm a little surprised Nino and Yuriko are included though, because they seem popular enough to me. I'm glad Nino is acknowledged though; I became a fan of him before I knew what a Japanese male idol was, but I often feel like people will immediately disregard him for the fact that he's an idol without taking into consideration what he can offer. Didn't know Kase Ryo was a fan of Tadanobu Asano! Cool that they are in the same agency now :)

I bet a lot of people would like to add a few more names to this list though!

If youLre based in Belgium, you might wish to check out the programme of this yearLs BIFFF (BrusselLs International Fantastic Film Festival in April). Quite a few Japanese movies will be on the menu :victory: : Summer Wars, Fish Story, 20th century boys 2 and 3 to name a few.

http://bifff.net/

I have seen most but will go and re-watch Summer Wars on the big screen as well a few other Asian flicks.

Just viewed Departures, I highly suggest this movie. :applaud: It's about the burial procedures, considering that as the theme it's not depressing at all, actually it's quite a positive and uplifting film, small but such a good cast, definitely recommended. :victory:
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Downloaded Hole in the Sky recently, starring Terajima Susumu and Kikuchi Rinko... Anyone have any opinions/reviews on that film?

High Kick Girl was my latest watch, don't need more than one brain cell to figure out the plot, :bleh: there isn't one, but if you like non-stop karate action than I recommend it. :nut:
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from Kawaii Joyuu:

gBECKh press conference
Posted by HPriest On March - 31 - 20102 COMMENTS

Today was the press conference for the upcoming live-action movie adaption of popular manga "BECK" starring Mizushima Hiro (25) and Sato Takeru (21).

BECK will be a youth film about growth and friendship while telling the story of a 5 member band. Mizushima plays the role of a brilliant guitarist. "I had not guitar experience at all and therefore I had to cut a lot of hours of sleep for practice," Mizushima revealed. Sato plays a guitarist as well. "I had no experience either and I even got blisters on my fingers, because I practiced too much," he said.

The rest of the cast includes Nakamura Aoi (19), Kutsuna Shiori (17) and more. They've also announced that they are going to use Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Around the World" and Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger" as the two theme songs for the movie.

BECK will open in Japan on September 04.

Just watched The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, it was terrific, absorbing, even though I didn't understand the few twists at the end. Definitely one of the best movies I have seen in the last few years. Naka Riisa is starring again in the third-instalment (this time a live-action) this year. Someone has already posted a review on imdb, hopefully it will be available soon.

xploring wrote:Just watched The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, it was terrific, absorbing, even though I didn't understand the few twists at the end. Definitely one of the best movies I have seen in the last few years. Naka Riisa is starring again in the third-instalment (this time a live-action) this year. Someone has already posted a review on imdb, hopefully it will be available soon.

Great film. One of the best animated films I've seen in quite a while. If you enjoyed the movie I suggest you watch the more recently released animated film Summer Wars which was also directed by Hosoda, of Girl Who Leapt Through Time fame.

^ Oooh, I just looked and asiandvdclub.org has this available for download... Adding this film to my download queue. :victory:

Tu_triky wrote:

Great film. One of the best animated films I've seen in quite a while. If you enjoyed the movie I suggest you watch the more recently released animated film Summer Wars which was also directed by Hosoda, of Girl Who Leapt Through Time fame.

Thanks. I downloaded it... this will encourage me to watch Summer Wars.

The animation/artwork wasn't great but the storytelling more than makes up for it.

bmwracer wrote:^ Oooh, I just looked and asiandvdclub.org has this available for download... Adding this film to my download queue. :victory:

It's pretty entertaining, I gather you'll enjoy watching it.

xploring wrote:


Thanks. I downloaded it... this will encourage me to watch Summer Wars.

The animation/artwork wasn't great but the storytelling more than makes up for it.

Film is definitely about the storytelling; however, the less flamboyant style of animation some how serves the story well.

xploring wrote:Thanks. I downloaded it... this will encourage me to watch Summer Wars.

That's available at asiandvdclub as well. :victory:

Mikako Tabe, Haruma Miura to star in "Kimi ni Todoke"

The "Kimi ni Todoke" live-action film now has a cast: actress Mikako Tabe and actor Haruma Miura will take on the starring roles. The movie was first revealed in January, though no details were known at the time.

The original manga by Karuho Shiina has sold more than 10 million copies over 10 volumes so far, and an animated version just finished airing on NTV. The story revolves around a shy and misunderstood high school girl named Sawako Kuronuma (Tabe), whose appearance resembles the character Sadako from the horror movie "Ringu." When Shota Kazehaya (Miura), one of the most popular boys in school, begins talking to her, her life completely changes.

Although the manga is still ongoing, the movie version is said to have an original ending. Shooting starts in late April, and the film is set to open in theaters on September 25. Naoto Kumazawa ("Rainbow Song," "DIVE!!") is directing.

Foxy Rica, first of the Rica trilogy starring Rika Aoki, from the early 70's. Not quite as good as a Sugimoto/Ike flick, but if you're a fan of the films from that era than I really recommend it! :applaud:

So,My friend is a actor and he told me that there is a Japanese Movie going to be made in Lunenburg Nova Scotia sometime this year...I dont know how true this is or who is going to be in this movie...But ill let you all know when i learn more about this

gaijinmark wrote:Haruma Miura to star in "Kimi ni Todoke"

ohh no...
Love the manga :bow: but Haruma Miura is not on my dreamlist :shakehead: . I am sure bmwracer-san will agree.

Spent the long easter-weekend in Barcelona and saw some ads for the BAFF - Barcelona Asian Film Festival - from 30.04 to 09.05, for our Catalonia-based Japan-fans this could be interesting (http://www.baff-bcn.org/es/). The programme is not online yet.

EstherM wrote:ohh no...
Love the manga :bow: but Haruma Miura is not on my dreamlist :shakehead: . I am sure bmwracer-san will agree.

Wholeheartedly. :bleh: