Category: Japanese

  • Yu Aoi Film Discussion – Honokaa Boy

    You know what this means right? I finally saw a new Yu Aoi film, so I can move the queue just a little bit. We’re discussing Honokaa Boy first, then Ikechan to Boku… instead of One Million Yen Girl because of the length of roles that Yu had in the films… and we’re leaving Hyakuman-en up on the feature spot for a while… ;P

    First a little about the film~
    Honokaa Boy tells the story of a boy – Okay, a young man – who ends up living in the small Hawaiian city of Honokaa, after he mysteriously falls in love with the place during a failed trip with his girlfriend. In there, he meets a bunch of quirky people that are very likable, who end up having an impact on his life.

    Genre: Dramedy with a bit of Romance
    Starring: Masaki Okada, Chieko Baisho, Keiko Matsuzaka, Jun Hasegawa
    Duration: almost 2hrs

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  • Lily Chou Chou – Ether

    This is the best I’m going to get from Lily. A new song.

    For those of you who don’t know, Lily Chou Chou is the fictional singer portrayed in Shunji Iwai’s film All About Lily Chou Chou. Lily was played by Salyu on the film, and there was an album released under that artist name. This is the only new material ever since the film was released… and it’s even rare to get to hear the Lily songs in a Salyu concert.

    If you haven’t watched All About Lily Chou Chou, it is a rough experience.

    Visitor Uzaigaijin kept me posted on the status of her concert ticket, and she messaged me saying she got one! So she will be writing a review of Lily Chou Chou’s concert this week for YAM Magazine. ;P

    I’m excited and jealous. xD

  • Asia Pacific Screen Winners 2010

    They were held today at my worst possible timezone. I only made it to the Best Actress award… barely. I was already nodding off, but I had to stay up for that one.

    I knew Yun Jeong-hee was pretty much a shoo-in for Best Actress for her amazing role on Poetry — what’s up with all these Korean ahjumas, they are fierce! — but I was secretly rooting for Fan Xu on Aftershocks because her role left me emotionally drained.

    Also~~~ APSA > Oscar – why?

    Please, awarding Aftershocks, Poetry and Caterpillar? Anyone who awards these, it’s on my good list — even if it’s not an “official” category, Shinobu Terajima winning the Jury Award is big. Oscars will never EVER nominate Shinobu Terajima for Best Actress — unless they surprise me. Please, surprise me  — and they will never ever nominated Yun Jeong-hee either. Considering Japan and Korea chose other films to send…

    Anyway! So many awards, eh? Check the sidebar to keep up to date with the Award Season~~~

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  • Juri Ueno as Gou on NHK’s 2011 Taiga Drama

    You know, I was watching the last episode of Ryomaden on Sunday’s afternoon before lunch. Sorry, Ryoma-san ~~~ I didn’t feel ya. But I did feel Teruyuki Kagawa’s Iwasaki — frienemy of Ryoma. Just like I enjoyed Kiyomori’s grey relationship with Yoshitsune.

    There’s something about not so good characters in history that’s just wayyyyy more interesting than the heroes. Heroes are boring. That’s why Atsuhime was so good! She was actually sent to manipulate the Shogun in favor of her clan… then she married the Shogun, and not-really turned on her family, but she didn’t do what she was sent to do.

    Looking forward to Gou… as well as Kenichi Matsuyama’s starring on the 2012 NHK Taiga drama about the life of Kiyomori. That’s all sorts of awesome considering he’s gonna battle it out with Hiroshi Tamaki playing Yoshitsune’s father, Minamoto.

    Yup, I just showed you all my samurai / taiga drama knowledge right there.

    It’s like I know history! I feel knowledgeable ~~~

  • FLOWERS Review at the 14th Sydney Japanese Film Fest

    If you remember, there was a negative (and the only) review for FLOWERS that I ran into. I didn’t look for more… because I was lazy, and I forgot. However, I ran into this info:

    The 14th Sydney Japanese Film Festival is showing FLOWERS and Otouto.

    As I rant that every film festival gets more up-to-date stuff than my local festivals… I also read a sweet quite glowing positive FLOWERS review, which resembles uzaigaijin‘s thoughts on FLOWERS.

    But the single biggest thing that makes “Flowers” so remarkable is the authenticity of its feel from a cinematic viewpoint. It is an experience tailored to the psychology of moviegoers as a class. As such, it functions as a tribute not only to the growth of Japan as a society, but to the development of movie-making in general.

    And I love that they mention that Yu-chan is one of the most talented and bankable actresses. (see Why Raiou Needs to Reach #1, which it didn’t)

    Koizumi-san, at least, shares his vision of the 1930s in gorgeous antiquated tones as he beautifully captures Yu Aoi, one of Japan’s most talented and bankable actresses, in crisp black and white. Aoi-san comes across delightfully in vintage; the part well suits her subtle and subdued acting style. She flawlessly looks the part of the Yamato Nadeshiko, resplendent in various kimonos and decked out in traditional bridal regalia. One of the most memorable scenes in the film sees Aoi-san running through a sakura (cherry tree) grove in full bloom with mountains visible in the distance, a wide shot reminiscent of some old time silver screen epic.

    You can read the full review over at the Japanese Film Festival blog.

  • LivingSocial Albums~

    Previously known as TuneSocial? xD

    Recently listened to~~~

    Divided on whether or not buy the Monkey Majik Best collection because the album doesn’t have the oh-so-sweet Forever version with the kiddos and the old people. As if I could hate rainbows and puppies!

    Then there’s Mavis Fan 1999 album, I Want Us to Be Together – so SO freaking-tastic. Frak! This type of albums is what makes me wish I could understand Mandarin, and makes Chinese music all sorts of awesome.

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  • Bokura no Ongaku – Our Music – Yu Aoi x Chatmonchy Interview

    Thanks to Acerk for the find, as well as user gp0patt0jp for the upload~~~

    Now time to slap myself for not understanding Japanese. Major fail, Amy. Major~

    It’s interesting to see that Yu Aoi’s interviews this year have been… more relaxed than before. It’s really really great to see her smiling and giggling during an interview.

    From what I got, they talked about her piano playing… and her piano practicing habits before? They also talked a bit about something about English.

    And of course she talks about food. I can’t be mistaken about that one xD

    [iframe src=”https://www.tudou.com/v/W7EsjPNV5Sk/v.swf” width=”480″ height=”400″]

    someone cares to explain the video to us? xD

    — EDIT w/ on-the-go translation by Nina —

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  • Bokura no Ongaku – Our Music – Yu Aoi x Chatmonchy – Bus Romance

    Not really the best of captures, but we’ll take what we can with YouTube removing stuff. Once again, YouTube users~~~ contact me in order to figure out how to keep the videos online. Your upload credits will be kept.

    Thanks hirokisakurajima for the upload~

    OMG, Yu-chan plays the piano!!!

    I had read about that, but never actually believed it… you know, it is the internet.

    I think it might be time for a Wikipedia update, right?

    By the way, her last Ongaku appearance… which was uploaded by rocking user aoinohoho is gone because YouTube deleted the account – understandable. Aoinohoho, if you still visit the site would love to get hold of those videos.

    Which leads me to a rant. Seriously Japan broadcasters, REALLY? As if you’re going to release interviews for sale. Even the likes of Letterman, and all those night shows have clips online. What’s up with that!?

    Fuji TV, you fail at worldwide distribution.

  • Shunji Iwai Fake Criterion Collection

    I was re-watching the DVD for Swallowtail Butterfly that I bought after watching the film on YouTube xD – and Because I’m cheap, I bought the Hong Kong version, when the Japanese version comes with English subtitles. I don’t think it’s the DVD per se, but the way it was shot. I don’t really know what it is, it’s scratchy, and it could certainly be because the film is kinda old. However, I would like to see a clean better release by Criterion… of all of Shunji Iwai written and directed films~

    Fake Criterion Collection: Shunji Iwai Collection - Love Letter

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  • Yu Aoi + Satoshi Tsumabuki for New Hideki Noda Play

    Yu Aoi and Satoshi Tsumabuki are set to star in Hideki Noda’s new play, Minami he (To South), at the Metropolitan Art Space from February 10 to March 31, 2011. Tickets will be on sale beginning January 8th.

    via Nikkan Sports + Tokyo Stages

    So Yu will be busy with the opening of Coin de Rue — opening the 11th — and this.

    It’s like she knows is my birthday x’D

    I could be wrong on this one, but this is the third time she does theater, right? First, Shakespeare playing Desdemona. Then Gakuya, and now this? Well, it’s not like I can attend the theater, since I won’t be understanding anything said xD