It's based on Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name. Never read the book but Robert Altman did a movie version in the '70s which I liked. It would probably be unfair to compare this to the movie because Altman's take on things was so unique (or different, or weird depending on your point of view). But the first episode was pretty good. Set in 1950's Tokyo all the cars are Chevys or Mercurys and the motorcycles are Triumphs. Tadanobu Asano looks like he'll be a pretty good Marlowe, he has the correct "I don't give a shit but that doesn't mean I don't care" attitude.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 1:18 am Post subject:
Up thru episode 4 of 'Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai'. I dunno, it's called a suspense drama but the last two episodes you knew who the bad guy (or woman in epi 4) was half way thru. Sometimes they try to be funny but if Kamikawa kicks Anne in the shins one more time when she starts to talk I'm going to scream. And we still don't know why Namase's character is the bad guy. If in fact he is at all. Very confusing.
Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 12782 Location: USA Country:
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 11:28 am Post subject:
Watching Yasashii Jikan/Affectionate Time again.
This is the 4th go round for me and second for my husband. I do believe it is one of the best dramas ever made.
I was needing something deep and meaningful without melodrama. Watching this series somehow fills an inner need.
If you have never seen it, watch it.
The scenery, the story line and the main actor are all so exceptional. _________________
It's based on Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name. Never read the book but Robert Altman did a movie version in the '70s which I liked. It would probably be unfair to compare this to the movie because Altman's take on things was so unique (or different, or weird depending on your point of view). But the first episode was pretty good. Set in 1950's Tokyo all the cars are Chevys or Mercurys and the motorcycles are Triumphs. Tadanobu Asano looks like he'll be a pretty good Marlowe, he has the correct "I don't give a shit but that doesn't mean I don't care" attitude.
Okay, you convinced me. I'm watching it now too. Although I didn't read much Chandler, I was a huge fan of his protege, Robert B. Parker. Sadly, Parker is gone too, but the family has hired other writers to continue his Spenser and Jesse Stone series. _________________
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 12:48 pm Post subject:
Eve wrote:
Watching Yasashii Jikan/Affectionate Time again.
This is the 4th go round for me and second for my husband. I do believe it is one of the best dramas ever made.
I was needing something deep and meaningful without melodrama. Watching this series somehow fills an inner need.
If you have never seen it, watch it.
The scenery, the story line and the main actor are all so exceptional.
I loved that one too. Gave it a 10/10. _________________
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:31 pm Post subject:
WhiteHawk wrote:
Okay, you convinced me. I'm watching it now too. Although I didn't read much Chandler, I was a huge fan of his protege, Robert B. Parker. Sadly, Parker is gone too, but the family has hired other writers to continue his Spenser and Jesse Stone series.
Unfortunately the ratings have been abysmal. Episode 3 got a 4.0%. Looks like something may have gotten lost in translation. I hope they don't pull the plug early on this one.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 8:35 am Post subject:
gaijinmark wrote:
Unfortunately the ratings have been abysmal. Episode 3 got a 4.0%. Looks like something may have gotten lost in translation. I hope they don't pull the plug early on this one.
Just because Chandler plays in Peoria, doesn't mean it won't tank in Tokyo.
Anyway, it's very stylish. A visual feast. _________________
^ Haha. Well, Juri-chan is adorable, that's for sure.
Started Guilty Akuma to Keiyakushita Onna, because I seem to have a weakness for Tamaki Hiroshi in white shirts Seems interesting so far, although he kind of needs a better hairstyle. I had seen Tamaki with Kanno Miho in Kekkon Shinai but they didn't have much spark there (granted, the storyline was average and romance lukewarm at best), so hopefully things will be better here. _________________
Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 4 Location: Norway Country:
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 8:52 am Post subject:
Just finished watching Going My Home. A really nice drama that left me with this type of good-feeling. I might also be biased because Abe Hiroshi has always been one of my favorite Japanese actor ever since I saw Shiroi Haru and the Trick series. I've also had a soft spot for Miyazaki Aoi after I saw Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru.
I've also started watching Yasashii Jikan, but I somehow find it difficult to really like the father and the son. Even so, I do find the friend of the passed away mother to be very likeable and Azusa, even though somewhat troubled, has a really nice personality.
Still hoping that there soon will come a new drama similar to Beautiful Rain, Mother, Woman, Tonbi and etc. Alice no Toge, Border and Bitter Blood are all okay, but not really special. It's not one of those dramas that I think I will remember after a while, but they somehow make the time pass.
Episode 1 of 'Gokuaku Ganbo'. I've always liked Machiko Ono and it's got a pretty good supporting cast, Kippei Shiina, Odagiri Joe. Tokokazu Miura runs around in a red 1980's Corvette with the worst hair dye job ever. This looks like it might be pretty good.
Btw, the synopsis they've got here isn't even remotely close to what this drama is about. Here's the right synopsis: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Gokuaku_Ganbo
Probably my favourite this season.
I guess i am not made to be a crook......i couldn't quite figure out how those schemes in ep2 worked out. But I am really hooked. Machiko Ono has good comic timing. Yeah, the supporting cast is dwarfing everyone else.
Kind of when they put a disclaimer at the end of the drama = don't try this
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 3:18 am Post subject:
Eyeyore wrote:
I guess i am not made to be a crook......i couldn't quite figure out how those schemes in ep2 worked out. But I am really hooked. Machiko Ono has good comic timing. Yeah, the supporting cast is dwarfing everyone else.
Kind of when they put a disclaimer at the end of the drama = don't try this
I'm up to epi 4. Yes, I have to admit at the end of episode 2 I was doing one of these -
I thought about watching it over again but I figured I would probably just get more confused. Honestly, I'm still not exactly sure what these people do. But it sure is fun watching them do it!
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 2061 Location: Melbourne Country:
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:01 pm Post subject:
Gobbled up all 11 episodes of Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi in 3 nights. Staying up until wee hours in the morning. If it wasn't for the need to sleep, I would have finished it in one.
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. My favourite parts are the banter between Nakai Kiichi and Koizumi Kyoko, and when the Nagakura siblings get together. Having only seen Nakai Kiichi in serious roles, his performance really surprised me. He stole the show for me. Some of the scenes are so funny, I haven't enjoyed a recent drama so much for quite a while. One of the best in recent years.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 4:05 am Post subject:
^ Up to episode 5 on the sequel. All the cast is back and they've added Kyoko Hasegawa who has fit right in. They've pretty much just picked up where they left off with the first series.
There's a funny cameo in episode 5, but if you haven't seen 'Gokauku Ganbo' you'll probably think, "What the hell was that?!"
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:18 am Post subject:
xploring wrote:
Gobbled up all 11 episodes of Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi in 3 nights. Staying up until wee hours in the morning. If it wasn't for the need to sleep, I would have finished it in one.
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. My favourite parts are the banter between Nakai Kiichi and Koizumi Kyoko, and when the Nagakura siblings get together. Having only seen Nakai Kiichi in serious roles, his performance really surprised me. He stole the show for me. Some of the scenes are so funny, I haven't enjoyed a recent drama so much for quite a while. One of the best in recent years.
When I started watching the original, I thought "Finally! A show with people my age in it!" It ended up being my favorite drama of 2012.
gaijinmark wrote:
^ Up to episode 5 on the sequel. All the cast is back and they've added Kyoko Hasegawa who has fit right in. They've pretty much just picked up where they left off with the first series.
There's a funny cameo in episode 5, but if you haven't seen 'Gokauku Ganbo' you'll probably think, "What the hell was that?!"
I totally missed it. Clue? What scene? (I didn't watch Gokuaku Ganbo) _________________
Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 12782 Location: USA Country:
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:46 am Post subject:
PeterY wrote:
I've also started watching Yasashii Jikan, but I somehow find it difficult to really like the father and the son. Even so, I do find the friend of the passed away mother to be very likeable and Azusa, even though somewhat troubled, has a really nice personality.
.
How interesting.
I found that I loved both main characters, and more and more as the series evolved. The feelings were so deep and real. The main actor is extraordinary. Just finished it for the fourth time this week.
maybe youll like it more as your get further into it.
Deciding what to see next.
So many choices. Probably something with Ryoko Yonekura in it!
_________________
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 7:49 pm Post subject:
WhiteHawk wrote:
I totally missed it. Clue? What scene? (I didn't watch Gokuaku Ganbo)
About 30 minutes into the episode when Koizumi and Uchida are bringing Iijima to the television studio to take the babysitting job. As they're going into the elevator Machiko Ono is coming out dressed as her character in 'Ganbo'. After they go into the elevator one of them makes a comment about Ono and she turns around (pissed off) and goes back into the elevator and we hear some screaming.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 9:40 pm Post subject:
gaijinmark wrote:
About 30 minutes into the episode when Koizumi and Uchida are bringing Iijima to the television studio to take the babysitting job. As they're going into the elevator Machiko Ono is coming out dressed as her character in 'Ganbo'. After they go into the elevator one of them makes a comment about Ono and she turns around (pissed off) and goes back into the elevator and we hear some screaming.
Oh yeah! I remember that now. I didn't realize she was dressed in character. That was a funny bit. _________________
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when they put a disclaimer at the end of the drama = don't try this 
Oguri Shun's Border is getting better with its plots too......well, at least the music effects are getting eerie. 
