After 5 years in Tokyo, 5 part-time jobs, 5 boyfriends, Sawako's life is going nowhere. When her father gets seriously ill she have to take over his struggling factory. Gradually she becomes the decider of her own life.
Pretty good. Given the subject matter, father goes after guys that raped and killed his daughter, it would have been easy to turn this into a "We're gonna get those bastards!!" type movie with a lot of blood, guns, beatings, etc.
But it focused more on the main three characters, Akira Terao (Yasashii Jikan) as the father and Yutaka Takenouchi and Shiro Ito as the two detectives. Instead of following the usual formula and making Takenouchi into the young, out of control, breaks all the rules detective and Ito as his wise old partner, they're both about the same in demeanor. I just wish they'd gone into a little more detail with the characters.
Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 2331 Location: in South Atami Country:
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject:
Watched a few movies over the holiday season.
Moteki, the movie. Our hero grows up and maybe gets the girl. As with the series the soundtrack is great and so is the portrayal of modern relationships. Loved it.
Zero Focus, aka Zero no Shoten, the remake. It's slow but if you are a fan of Nakatani Miki, it's a must. Wow was she icy in this.
Ghost, the Japanese remake. Wasn't keen on the original but Kirin Kiki was the medium, so I enjoyed it a little.
Villain, heavy stuff but great acting. It's about a guy who kills his date and initially kind of gets away and starts a relationship with an older lonely woman. I liked Kirin Kiki best as worn out granny.
Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Ontario Country:
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:59 pm Post subject:
Finally checked out Zebra Man and oof, wasn't expecting it to be slow moving. Still enjoyed it and Sho Aikawa was great, but will give it another go in the near future. Wanted to watch Zebra Man 2 first, since I heard how crazy it is compared to the first one.
Pretty good. A young Ken Ogata, Sumiko Sakamoto was great as the old woman. Must have been one of Mitusko Baisho's first movies because she's listed in the credits as "Introducing Mitsuko Baisho".
The first 2/3rds of the movie took some getting used to. Some pretty gross scenes (a dead baby in a rice paddy, a snake eating a rat). But the last third when Ogata takes his mom up the mountain was great.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:59 am Post subject:
Ninomiya Kazunari to star in movie adaptation of Higashino Keigo�fs �gPlatina Data�h
January 26, 2012
Higashino Keigo�fs bestselling mystery novel �gPlatina Data�h is getting a movie adaptation, starring Arashi�fs Ninomiya Kazunari. Otomo Keishi (�gRyomaden,�h �gHagetaka,�h �gRurouni Kenshin�h) will direct, and actor Toyokawa Etsushi will play a supporting role.
�gPlatina Data�h was serialized starting in 2006, and it was released in novel form in 2010. The novel has sold approximately 210,000 copies so far.
The story is set in 2017, at a time where the government is aiming to secretly control the genetic data of the population. Ninomiya plays the role of Kagura Ryuhei, a brilliant DNA specialist who works at a special DNA analysis institution established by the National Police Agency. One day, the developer of a DNA analysis system is murdered, and Kagura�fs DNA is discovered at the scene of the crime, making him the prime suspect. With no recollection of what happened, he is forced on the run.
Toyokawa will play Asama Reiji, the persistent veteran police detective in pursuit of Kagura. This will be his first detective role since�hHannin ni Tsugu�h in 2007. It will also be his first time acting together with Ninomiya.
Filming will take place between February and April. Toho plans to distribute the film in theaters in 2013.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:05 am Post subject:
'Always San-Chome no Yuhi '64 (Always: Sunset on Third Street 3)'
Japan's good old days airbrushed to cartoonish perfection
By MARK SCHILLING
The Japan Times
The "Always" films, unabashedly sentimental, meticulously realized reminiscences on the Tokyo of the Showa 30s (1955-1965), are intended for the domestic audience only. But the first two received high audience poll numbers when they screened at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, which I help program. And it wasn't just because the director, the personable Takashi Yamazaki, was there to take his bows.
Despite the cartoonish performances and the insider references to pop-culture phenomena that are obscure to foreigners, the Italian audience laughed, cried and loudly applauded. When I tell this to local industry types, they are understandably skeptical. By conventional box-office logic, these films should be about as exportable as natto (fermented soy beans).
But in telling the stories of folks living in the shadow of Tokyo Tower, when it was still a shining symbol of postwar resurgence and hope, Yamazaki hits big emotional notes with a Dickensian directness and confidence (if not artistry). Also, like the first half of "David Copperfield," the "Always" films take what is essentially a child's point of view. Their world is more highly colored than the gray, gritty reality of the time, while the adults loom larger than life, assuming the forms of angels or, occasionally, demons. In this primal setting, the usual cultural barriers dissolve.
This is also true, in spades, of the series' third entry, "Always San-Chome no Yuhi '64 (Always: Sunset on Third Street 3)," which is set in the year of the Tokyo Olympics. A youthful Japan is bursting with energy and optimism, buying cars, color TVs and the latest imported fad, electric guitars, as though there was no tomorrow.
Folks in the san-chome neighborhood are also prospering as the film begins, including the short-fused Suzuki (Shinichi Tsutsumi), the owner of a small auto-repair shop, and his ever-patient wife, Tomoe (Hiroko Yakushimaru), as well as the ever-frazzled Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka), a children's serial-story writer and candy-store proprietor, and his lovely bar-proprietress bride, Hiromi (Koyuki). Suzuki is the proud owner of a new color TV, besting Chagawa's recently bought black and white model.
But changes are also afoot that threaten the stability of their cozy little world. Suzuki's smart-mouthed son Ippei (Kazuki Koshimizu) becomes infatuated with American electric-guitar music and Mutsuko (Maki Horikita), the shop's sweet-faced, pure-hearted apprentice, starts dating a young doctor (Mirai Moriyama) who sports the latest Ivy League fashions and may have dubious intentions. Meanwhile, the publisher of Chagawa's stories threatens to dump him in favor of a popular new rival, upsetting his plan to send his brilliant adopted son Junnosuke (Kenta Suga) to college and to support the baby Hiromi will soon deliver.
Acquaintance with the first two films is recommended, if not essential, for enjoyment of "Always 3." There is no mystery, though, as to how the various plot lines will unfold: Even the film's Norman Rockwell-esque poster contains a spoiler. Also, after two outings, Suzuki's volcanic outbursts and Chagawa's chronic complaining, as well as the foibles of the other central characters, have become familiar indeed.
That said, effects maestro Yamazaki has again created a visual environment so rich in period detail, offered up for closer (and not eye-straining) inspection in 3-D, that even the more manga-esque characters feel firmly grounded in their era. Of course, the darker realities of the 1960s boom years, from the worsening air pollution to the turbulent protests against the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, are mostly scrubbed out; but for Japanese Baby Boomers nostalgic for the Tokyo of their childhoods, the airbrushed visuals will probably inspire more sighs of fond recognition than quibbles about accuracy.
As a Boomer who wasn't here for the film's peak year (I showed up a little over a decade later, after the boom had ended), "Always 3" is something like a flashback to an alternative life both comfortingly familiar (the American pop tunes and the madras shirts) and passingly strange, since nearly everyone, in manga fashion, neither grows nor changes. (Mutsuko's Aomori accent, for example, is as thick as the day she arrived in Tokyo.)
One exception is Suga as Junnosuke, a mature-beyond-his-years teen who is the film's most fully realized and well-acted character. His central conflict, between his manga artist aspirations and Chagawa's desire that he study for a safe, conventional future, is played with all stops out, however, similar to the more maudlin second-half moments of "David Copperfield."
But at the end I misted up, just as I did for "Always" (2005) and "Always 2" (2007). And I'm sure that, for one last time, the Udine audience will join me.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:38 am Post subject:
gaijinmark wrote:
Hitomi Kuroki stars as housewife rocker in "Utahime"
Wed, September 29, 2010 (8:06am EDT)
Actress Hitomi Kuroki is set to star in a new movie by television director Yoshiko Hoshida, titled "Utahime��." The film will have her playing a "rocker mama" role, which includes a scene of her and her band performing a rendition of the famous song "Smoke on the Water" by British band Deep Purple.
Kuroki plays the part of Mieko, a housewife who is troubled by her husband's apathy and her daughter's hikikomori lifestyle. She decides to form a band with two other housewives, played by Miki Maya and comedian Shizuyo Yamasaki, plus an oddball divorcee, played by Tae Kimura. The film follows their ups and downs until their performance of "Smoke on the Water" at a school festival.
Kuroki's character is in charge of the guitar and vocals. Starting at the end of July, Kuroki began guitar training under the guidance of a professional musician, and she is said to have heavily practiced the guitar on her own at home. Maya, Yamasaki, and Kimura have also been training for their respective instruments.
"Utahime��" is planned for theatrical release in early summer 2011.
It's finally being released this month. Here's the trailer, didn't even recognize Miki Maya (she's the one flipping off somebody): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZB7EuEH0hM
Joined: 05 Feb 2012 Posts: 1 Location: sweden Country:
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject: NEED SERIOUS HELP WITH ASIAN DRAMA/COMEDY
Hello everyone!
theres a movie that been naggin me for AGES,
japanese movies always have weird names so i cant rmember the name of the movie but i can remember parts of it, and im gonna state them here and i hope someone will read this and might have an idea what i mean.
Here GOES:
Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:
The movie is about some guy, he live in a shitty place, next to some girl which i think hated her life,(or it was the guy i cant remember) there were alot of trash bags everywhere and it was so sad. and then suddenly the guy started seeing ghosts, which lived with him and made him go crazy about it, in the end he ended up spending time with each and everyone of them and do their "last wish on earth" sort of thing so they can go "into the light" and leave the world as we know it.
this movie is what i would call a drama and comedy. i hope anyone got any clues what so ever.
i think the name is something like:
living with ghosts.
my family "something something"
NOT REALLY SURE. im clueless! please help anyone! im going crazy!
I had seen her in a couple of pretty forgettable dramas (Hitomi and Naka nai to Kimeta Hi) but she was great in "Tokyo Koen". It's nice to see somebody you didn't think much of surprise you.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject:
Japan Academy Award Winners
�gYoukame no Semi�h wins in 10 categories at 35th Japan Academy Prize
March 2, 2012
The 35th Japan Academy Prize award ceremony was held on Friday. Although most of the winners were announced in January, the �gBest�h awards in each category were finally revealed. Narushima Izuru�fs �gYoukame no Semi,�h starring Inoue Mao and Nagasaku Hiromi, overwhelmed the competition by winning in 10 of the 13 domestic categories.
��Picture of the Year: Youkame no Semi
��Animation of the Year: Kokurikozaka Kara
��Director of the Year: Narushima Izuru (Youkame no Semi)
��Screenplay of the Year: Okudera Satoko (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Harada Yoshio (Oshika-mura Soudouki)
��Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Inoue Mao (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Denden (Tsumetai Nettaigyo)
��Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Nagasaku Hiromi (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Achievement in Music: Yasukawa Goro (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Fujisawa Masakazu (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction: Kanazawa Masao (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction: Nishioka Yoshinobu / Harada Tetsuo (Saigo no Chushingura)
��Outstanding Achievement in Sound Recording: Fujimoto Kenichi (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing: Sanjo Chise (Youkame no Semi)
��Outstanding Foreign Language Film: The King�fs Speech
Princess Toyotomi - Starts off promising, an alternate version of Japanese history, but quickly becomes predictable. The movie ends up being rather dull, especially the final third. Trailer: http://youtu.be/9A9mbDCnlPw
Usagi Drop - A heartwarming, family film. Ashida Mana is cute. It almost felt like a propaganda film, telling the Japanese to have children, "children are nice and all obstacles can be overcome." Trailer: http://youtu.be/tYvxhmIBO7Q
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:44 am Post subject:
�gStrawberry Night�h drama series gets a theatrical movie
March 21, 2012
The Fuji TV drama series �gStrawberry Night�h ended on Tuesday, getting 15.9% ratings for its final episode. The series finished with a strong average of 15.4% ratings, so it was not surprising that the finale came with an announcement that there will be a movie adaptation.
Based on a bestselling mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya, �gStrawberry Night�h started out as a 2-hour drama special in November 2010, starring actress Takeuchi Yuko. It was turned into a full series this season, with Takeuchi reprising the lead role.
A producer for the series stated that the movie adaptation was actually decided several months ago. It has not yet been announced when the movie is planned to be released.
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) Schilling's review:
