kndy-nt2099

Way back in 1986, I remember watching this religously on the local International Channel in Los Angeles. Before then, a dorama that took place in a laundromat caught my attention but when that ended..."Tsumatachi no Kagai Jugyo" was there. From the crazy opening theme of the cast dancing and the all out storyline about mothers who want their children to do well in their test scores to get into the best school. The parents in this case over do it by selecting certain desks/chairs to help them study, Wada Akiko's character cooking up some strange brew or liquid concoctions for their child. But of course, with the mothers being too serious for their kids, the kids just want to have fun and the typical teenage love triangle exists. The fathers are either working too hard, getting drunk or becoming wannabe geishas because they are not getting any attention from their wives who are overly obsessed with their children doing their best in their test scores adds up to a very entertaining drama. If you can find it, definitely worth watching! - KNDY

The majority of the work that Oda Yuji has been a part of in the last decade continue to capture my attention.  Kitano Takeshi will always be known for his movies around the world but thanks to DVD's, many people are starting to catch a glimpse of the Oda Yuji.

Around the world, Oda Yuji has caught the attention of many fans through his Japanese doramas and the movie "Odoru Daisousasen" (aka Bayside Shakedown).  The other actress that I'm sure brought in the audience to watch this movie
is Matsushima Nanako who is regarded as the top actress in Japanese entertainment today.

In the many years of watching Japanese movies, I don't think I have ever watched a Japanese big-budget movie in the scale of "WHITEOUT".  Fuji and TOHO went all out in making this movie that you literally don't want to leave your seat for a minute.

According to the production notes, fans camped out to watch this movie.  You take Japan's two big name actors, put them in a movie with a very large budget.  The studios took a risk and won as evident with the box office returns.

Fans will definitely enjoy his latest blockbuster "WHITEOUT".  A movie that can be compared to "Die Hard" meets "Cliffhanger".  Oda's character as Togashi Teruo is unlike the hero's in both of those movies.  From beginning to end, he doesn't have a Gung Ho attitude nor the "yippy kai yay - I'm going to kick some ass" look.  The man is driven to make things right after the death of his colleague.  Matsushima's Hirakawa Chiaki is a character that has nothing but anger for Togashi.  As a man that escaped and let her fiance die.  To watch Togashi's motivation into the end will make you
appreciate this movie. 

As for the DVD, I'm grateful to watch this movie in Dolby Digital 5.1. Hopefully this movie will be re-released with a DTS soundtrack.  There are many scenes where your rear speakers will be used as things zoom and explode.  As for the video quality, it's pretty good.  I don't think I noticed many artifacts especially during the dark scenes of the movie.

As for the special features, I have to score this DVD a little low.  Sure, this year we are starting to see many Asian related DVD's to finally learn that DVD fans want more for their buck and that includes special features. You won't find a director's commentary, deleted scenes and outtakes on this
DVD but you will find the typical trailer and information on the movie and the actors (snore...).

Otherwise, the DVD is still worth getting.

From beginning to end you will be captivated by "WHITEOUT".  One can only hope that we see more big budgeted action movies come from Japan.

I enjoyed "WHITEOUT" a lot.  Maybe not as much as I enjoyed Oda's "Odoru Daisousasen: The Movie" but it's still a movie worth checking out.

This drama was very good... and I was very surprised to see powerful performances from the KinKi Kids guys.  A lot of situations in this drama that can make you say "Oh, this is one of those screwed up-dark dramas" but if you stay with it until the end, it shows its strength and how powerful this drama is.  A very sad drama but a very good storyline focusing on happiness and to win the attention of their fathers.

What "Asunaro Hakusho" was in 1993 bringing together young Japanese actors that would become one of Japan's top actors and actresses today, in 1995 another drama brought together a fine cast. The drama was called, "Wakamono no Subete". Another Japanese Generation Y drama which I consider one of my favorites of all time.  Loved it so much that I still wear the"Stay Gold" Wakamono no Subete t-shirt to this day. The theme song "Tomorrow Never Knows" by Mr. Children pretty much encompasses what this dorama is about. Friendship, betrayal, and much more. Very good performances from the cast and a drama that put Kimura Takuya and Suzuki Anju ahead in the popularity polls for top entertainer on geinou magazines at the time. It has it's dark moments (well, it is a dark drama) but the surprise ending will shock any drama watcher. I'm not at all into dark dramas but this one, I'm not sure why I like it...I just do. A very dark and intriguing drama with an ending that will yank out your heart and stomp on it!- KNDY [note: The book version ends on a happier note].

One thing that I love about this drama is the style & the music. It's so different from other dramas that I love watching it. The characters of course are a bit of a mismatch...but they play their roles perfectly. They fit their roles perfectly. It's just the chances of these two opposites being together would be a bit overboard.
When I watch trendy Japanese dramas, I focus in on things that many people don't. From the style, the settings, the locations selected. "With Love" has some really good locations that I even had to travel to Tokyo to Odaiba to check out the "Statue of Liberty" across from the Fuji Sankei Biru and Takenouchi Yutaka's fashion is just really cool! The music is also great and I highly recommend the soundtracks. Each time I watch the engagement party scene, I can't help but smile and tear...what a powerful scene and to see how music does influence a drama's setting. - KNDY