Archives For Japanese

If Only… Picnic

February 20, 2010 — 6 Comments

Well, now that I’m much better I can continue going through Acerk’s and my own picks for Yu Aoi wishful thinking films. We are almost done, and I really wish more people would participate, not only commenting but also suggesting your own.

Anyway… here we go~

2. Picnic

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Recover your Sense of Wonder

February 20, 2010 — 1 Comment

When I was a little kid, my parents once gave me a chemistry set. It had the little microscope, and test tubes, with different chemical components… until one day, I mixed something that turned black and it blew up. LOL Later, my parents gave me a magic set that came with a magic wand and a bunch of other stuff.

It was around that time that Frecuencia Latina used to show the David Copperfield shows, and I remember him flying out of whatever venue he was performing at. “WOW!” I thought, “he really can fly!”

Ever since those days, I haven’t experience magic with that innocent sense of wonder. Sure, David Blane was pretty good when he started out — he’s rubbish since he started that surviving in the tank act — and Criss Angel is okay, but I’ve never really warmed up to him or his show.

Now I’ve finally found out about Lu Chen (Liu Qian), a Taiwanese magician that has given me back the “Wow, how did he do that?” factor that comes with having an innocent sense of wonder. It’s not his big tricks, like escaping from a box that explodes in 60sec. while a truck is about to run over it. Lu Chen’s strength relies on his street magic with common goods like buying Tapioca Milk Tea, buying a T-shirt, or eating Baos on the street.

Thanks for giving me back my sense of wonder.

check out the playlist here.

I would have liked to find out about this a bit sooner to report, but oh well.

The resurgence of Japanese cinema in the 1990s dramatically reconfigured the aspirations, practices and reception of one of the largest and most continuous film cultures outside of the United States. This three-day event features films by three contemporary Japanese filmmakers whose work has crossed national borders and been viewed outside of Japan, elsewhere, in the world: Shinji Aoyama, Shunji Iwai and Ryuhei Kitamura.

According to a forward by the USC Biological Sciences Blog, The School of Cinematic Arts and Visions and Voices will be holding a 3-day event showcasing 6 samples of Contemporary Japanese Cinema. The films are:

  • Baton
  • Hana & Alice
  • Air Doll
  • Azumi
  • Eureka
  • Sad Vacation

The event starts today Friday 19th, until Sunday 21st [more info on that website]. According to the information provided, there will be panels discussion. Today’s panel for Baton and H&A apparently includes Shunji Iwai. We would love to have a report on anyone attending the event. It would be awesome.

Otouto Takes a Darker Tone

February 16, 2010 — 2 Comments

I found a review of Yoji Yamada’s Otouto, which will be closing the Berlinale this 21st – hopefully Yoji Yamada and the cast can be there. The review has possible spoilers~~~

So you’ve been warned!

From the The Mainichi Daily News
by Tomomi Katsuta

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If Only… Kamikaze Girls

February 11, 2010 — 5 Comments

Continuing with the If Only… Yu Aoi Edition.
We’re almost done with these, so if you haven’t
participated, you can message me. I’ll email you with details.

by Acerk

2. Kamikaze Girls

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January Films and Mid. Feb~

February 9, 2010 — 2 Comments

I’m still trying to watch The Last Station, Crazy Heart and A Single Man just so I can get done with voting for the Indie Spirit Awards, so crossing fingers that I get to watch those before the deadline…

It feels like I saw a lot of stuff these days, but the quantity might not be as much because I also saw a lot of TV shows, which would explain why I feel like I’ve seen a lot…

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Ohisashiburi desu. Like… really.

皆様 お久しぶりです。 アオイユウです。

暖かくなったり 雪が降ったり
なんだか忙しい窓外ですが

体調など 崩されていませんか。
私はすこぶる元気です。

先日 私も出演させていただいている映画
「おとうと」が公開になりました。

観てくださった方 ありがとうございます。
楽しんでいただけたでしょうか。

冬も残りわずかです。
皆様くれぐれも お身体ご自愛ください。
私は春から撮影に入る「雷桜」の準備、
乗馬の稽古を頑張ります。

ではまた。

2010.2 アオイユウ

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Fight illegal downloads, and be cool!

via Wildgrounds.

Yes, yet another downloads, distribution and torrents post. Why? Because it is important to discuss this issue as many many cases of people who download are brought to court.

It is important to point out the different types of uploaders/downloaders. First, the uploaders — there are those who upload to share and spread their interest so they find someone they can share a common interest with. Someone to talk to about this piece. However, they are often confused with the people who upload to get hits and possibly ad revenue… meaning, making a profit.

This is why so many fansubbing groups are against streaming, many streamers (unless they are authorized) upload videos that don’t belong to them (they don’t even sub stuff themselves!), since streaming is easier than download they get more hits and become more popular from other people’s work.

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Viz Cinema (Pictures, etc etc) is the answer to J-Film fans in the US, Canada… and well, pretty much the whole continent. These coming weeks, besides showcasing 20th Century Boys 2, and Gurren Lagann, Viz will be screening two of Isshin Inudo’s films. The first one being Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish — on my bday xD — and La Maison de Himiko.

Josee counts with the presence of Juri Ueno in a small role ;P alongside Satoshi Tsumabuki, and Chizuru Ikewaki. While Himiko stars Joe Odagiri and Kou Shibasaki.

more info about the screenings over at Nippon Cinema.

According to Asian Movie Pulse, Otouto — which opens in Japan this January 30th — will be the closing title of the Berlin International Film Festival on February 21st.

It will also be in competition against Zhang Yimou’s film San Qiang Pai An Jing Qi (A Simple Noodle Story), Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island, and Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer.

Will Yu and Ryo attend the festival? xD