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Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2009 – Day3

June 18, 2009 — 4 Comments

Continuing with this Blogathon (hmm… I’m finding it harder and harder to write) – I read the following post by Ulrik about Japanese subtitle distribution on blu-ray~ sad, sad indeed~

But the question is… would you buy blu-ray/DVDs with English subs?

Many of us, who watch through torrents and P2P, would probably not buy. I know a LOT of people who think they have the right to not buy a film they love – I get a little pissed when they say that. Not because they do not pay for films… but because they don’t WANT to pay for things they supposedly LOVE. I really can’t stand that.

You will always find me with little money on the wallet or my bank account (depending on where I do the buying…) because I literally spend whatever I get to cash in on the films I love (and used to be films I liked, LOL). It’s really depressing, if you think about it economicaly~ but my love for certain films make it worth the while. Really, watching films and talking about films make me forget about my surroundings hahaha.

[so please, ads my clicking. oh yes, i did again~~ LOL]

So I yearn for English (or Spanish… or even French as of lately) subtitles, so why aren’t they getting subbed? And even sadder (but not as sad as others…) – Why do some films take over six months to get fansubbed?? I worship fansubbers, because they provide something so very useful. But it would be nice to get DVDs with subs, right?

So let’s see… Hmm… I dunno if I can make it to 10 films, so we’ll see~~

The Japanese Films I’ve Bought with English Subtitles

Not including Region 1 releases
Hooray for multi-region players! Yes, because I still haven’t made the change to Blu-ray xD

  • Memories of Matsuko 2-disc Special Edition [Hong Kong]
    I bought this one right away after watching the film. I loved the film so much, that I didn’t even cared that the only version I could find online was a Region 3. This also happened to be the first Region 3 disc I ever bought. I ended up really happy with the product because everything came subtitled (including extras), and at a descent price.
  • GUU GUU Datte Neko de Aru 2-disc First Press Limited Edition [Japan]
    I have to admit. It hurt me to pay~ LOL – Specially because the Korean version is half the price, but I also must admit that I was curious to see the difference between Japanese DVDs and the rest… so this became my first ever official Japanese DVD.
  • The first Inuyasha Movie (Toki o Koeru Omoi, Affections through Time)[Japan?]
    – hahaha, I know~ – I used to watch Inuyasha when I was in school. It was during those years that my friends had tried to anime-fying me, so I went to this “specialized” in anime shop in town, and bought a copy of the film. Though I’m not entirely sure now if it was a real copy or a bootleg, because to tell you the truth… it doesn’t compared to my copy of GUU GUU.
    And in the end… I bought a Region 1 copy. LOL
  • Love Letter 10th Anniversary Version [Hong Kong]
    I can’t remember right now if the Japanese was available for purchase, when I bought this. I really, really love Shunji Iwai’s work (part of the reason I want to watch New York, I Love You now~), so I just couldn’t help myself from getting a copy of Love Letter… because I’m a sap. I was slightly disappointed on this release due to some issues with the sync of subs, but I can live with that. If I come around some more extra cash, I would consider getting a better copy though~~~
  • Niji no Megami [Hong Kong]
    Truth be told… I wish this film had a better release, but since this is the only version I found with subs – this one it is! LOL’ – Again, it’s got Shunji Iwai on it as a stamp, so I couldn’t help myself. Add to that Yu Aoi and Juri Ueno. I’m lost. Plus, Hayato Ichihara is a cutie. He’s weird here, but he’s so so pretty.

Some other films, I’ve found on Region 1. But I only wish someone would release Hyakuman-en with subs – and I know they aren’t films but I would love someone would release Camouflage (this one doesn’t even have complete fansubs!) and Osen with subs. LOL

Come on WOWOW~ Get on with it! You’ve already licensed Hito no SEKKUSU as a Free Region with Subs in Taiwan! Which I’m so thinking of buying… but really, I’m more interested in getting Camouflage subbed/fansubbed… okay, and maybe Hyakuman-en.

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I’m ready for Voltaic!!!

June 18, 2009 — Leave a comment

I dunno if my wallet is, though~~~ xD

I haven’t bought anything non-Asian for… I dunno how long. xP

Bjork - Voltaic

Wow, I still can’t believe I saw Bjork live, right in front hahaha for real. Nearly two years ago~~~ *sighs* – Anyway, here’s the link where you can see the video… it does get you pumping~ WEEEEEE

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Take a Plane – Watch Honokaa Boy~

June 17, 2009 — 4 Comments

That’s one of Yu’s films released this year. FYI.
[more info here]

I was reading an article over at wildgrounds.com about why Japanese DVDs aren’t English subbed, and I got a link to… Inflight Entertainment~~~ *wha~~~~* One of these days you’ll take a plane… and without knowing it, you will be able to catch Honokaa Boy with English subs!!!! [Current Movies at Emphasis.net]

honokaa boy (Drama)

Film Festivals:
– 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival
– 2009 Cannes Film Festival

Based on Leo Yoshida’s novel, honokaa boy features sensational young talent of the year, Masaki Okada together with acclaimed veteran actress Chieko Baisho in this touching, coming-of-age pic.

Leo (Masaki Okada) is an awkward young man, not quite at ease with the world. Accompanying his girlfriend on a trip to Hawaii, their temperamental personalities clash and the relationship soon falters.

Six months on, Leo finds himself living in Honokaa, a small town he stumbled upon whilst on his Hawaiian holiday. Through his job in a movie theatre, he meets Bee (Chieko Baisho) and strikes up a friendship with the elderly woman. Leo’s comfortable existence however soon comes to an abrupt halt when he encounters local girl Mariah (Jun Hasegawa) and her presence in his life triggers dramatic consequences….

Cast: Masaki Okada, Yu Aoi, Jun Hasegawa, Chieko Baisho
Director: Atsushi Sanada
Duration: 112min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide ex Japan

*sighs* it’s all about the money, eh?

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Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2009 – Day2

June 17, 2009 — 3 Comments

I just got really into Japanese film about a year ago (thank you, Internet) – a few of my friends are really into J-Pop and anime, but none of them are really interested in any J-films or directors. When I went abroad to study, I met a bunch of people who were into films (duh! it was film school, after all) and we went into films all the way.

One of my first memories  (maybe 2003?) of Japanese Cinema was Battle Royal. My! What an example, eh? I was blown away~~ I don’t have other memories of J-Film prior to that other than animated films like Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away) and Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke)… which brings me to my post of the day for the Blogathon~~~

The Top10 Japanese Films I Watch this Past Year

in the order in which I saw them from earliest to latest~
only between these past 365 days – some of my fave didn’t make it

  • Kiraware Matsuko no Issho (Memories of Matsuko)
    by Tetsuya Nakashima (loads of people with Miki Nakatani, and Eita)
  • Tekkonkinkreet
    by Michael Arias (voice of Yu Aoi)
  • Love Letter
    by Shunji Iwai
  • Cha no Aji (The Taste of Tea)
    by Katsuhito Ishii
  • Sasame-yuki (The Makioka Sisters)
    by Kon Ichikawa
  • Tenshi no Tamago (Angel’s Egg)
    by Mamoru Oshii – sooooo weird xD
  • Wool 100%
    by Mai Tominaga
  • Hyakuman-en to Nigamushi Onna (One Million Yen Girl)
    by Yuki Tanada (starring Yu Aoi)
  • Tsumiki no Ie (La Maison en Petits Cubes)
    by Kunio Kato *short film
  • Aruitemo, Aruitemo (Still Walking)
    by Hirokazu Kore-eda

Almost made it, xD

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Looks like it’s going to be a fun Portman Year

June 17, 2009 — 1 Comment

=D

First for the obvious… many of us still haven’t seen Eve and her New York, I Love You shorts (the one she directs, and the one she stars in – there’s also one with Shunji Iwai!!).

Then, there’s also Brothers with Tobey and Jakey G~~~ later this year (?), then there’ll be Important Artifacts and Personal Property From the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry – *phew* that was long… with Brad Pitt.

There’ll be Hesher with Joseph Gordon-Levitt by Spencer Susser~~~

There will also be Your Highness by Danny McBride (Superbad, Fanboys, Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder) – and now add to that, the Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, The Wrestler).

You can all do a dance now.

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Me in Numerology~

June 16, 2009 — 2 Comments

Someone I know did one of those silly FB test application things on numerology, which made me revisit mine. As you probably know, I did a bit of numerology back in my fandom years – which was pretty accurate, if I may say so~

Anyway, here is mine as a quick result ;)
with links after the break, so you can quickie check yours too~

Continue Reading…

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Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2009 – Day1

June 16, 2009 — 7 Comments

and a half~~~

I just read over NipponCinema that the Japanese Cinema Blogathon has started. (yesterday, really…)

What is the Japanese Cinema Blogathon?

Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2009

Someone over at Wildgrounds.com thought it’d be a cool idea to unite forces in order to promote Japanese Cinema. Write, share ideas… anything goes as long as it’s about Japanese Cinema. Check their list of on-going activities…

I’ll start off with something simple…

What I Like about Japanese Cinema

My history with Japanese Cinema isn’t as broad as other people’s. I don’t watch too many older classics, because they are harder to get~~ I mean, it’s just easier to get contemporary stuff. ;P but there are some really great films that I’ve been able to watch this past year.

1. They can be about nothing at all, yet hold so much meaning or be so entertaining.
I saw Kore-eda’s Aruitemo, Aruitemo (Still Walking) a couple of days ago. I think that’s perhaps my favorite Japanese film from last year *laughs* – besides from the fact that I really like Hiroshi Abe *laughs*. That film felt so right to me, from the moment we saw Ryo’s sister and mother discussing and trying to cook in the kitchen, to the very last scene of Ryo’s family walking. There was no big reveal of someone having another kid, or someone getting kidnapped or killed, someone having an affair – none of that. One of the things that just stands out was Ryo and his mom finally remembering the name of the Sumo wrestler… and always being late. Heartbreaking.

A similar thing I can tell you of Linda Linda Linda, which I saw and liked, but LOVED after repeated viewings. Nobuhiro Yamashita’s story of a group of girls trying to make it on time to play on the school festival. Nothing at all! But add to that Doona Bae as non-Japanese lead singer, and rock!!

2. They can be bizarrely good.
From high-on-drug-styled film Survive Style 5+, bike-riding rococo lolita adventures on Shimotsuma Monogatari (Kamikaze Girls), Moulin Rouge!-meets-Amelie-meets-Sin City-esque dramedy musical Kiraware Matsuko no Issho (Memories of Matsuko) – or even high-school-hardcore-Survivor Battle Royale. They are not your typical film, they can only be Japanese. LOL

3. They don’t treat animation as if it’s only for kids.
Yes, Japanese Cinema is not only Anime – to the dismay of some of my friends – but they do a pretty darn good job animating films like Paprika, Tekkonkinkreet, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies. Since the day I discovered Hotaru no Haka 6 years ago, it’s become my favorite animated film to date. LOL

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Four is an Unlucky Number – YAM004

June 16, 2009 — 8 Comments

LOL’

Does that say enough to you? Really, read the editor’s note. Lots of things on this new issue… new problems, new films, new music…

Reviews of films from the blockbuster season… Star Trek, Wolverine, Terminator Salvation, Up~~~ Brothers Bloom. Short film reviews, concert reviews… of Kiss in Lima. Music reviews of The Sounds, Green Day, Shiina Ringo… a bunch of K-pop courtesy of Julz~~~ off you go to Japan!!! WOOOOO – there’s Life on Mars, House M.D. and my more “professional” review of Yu Aoi’s Portugirl.

Yam004

Head over here.

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スペイン語早口言葉 for 日本人

June 15, 2009 — 2 Comments

SUPEINgo Hayakusa Kotoba for Nihon Jin. xD

Spanish Tongue Twisters for Japanese.

I always think Japanese people would have an easy transition to Spanish (pronunciation-wise) – and to sort of prove it, I wanted to type some tongue twisters in Spanish in Katakana~~~ LOL’
Let’s see how that goes~~~
Just a couple of them

Plus, Jugemu is wayyyyy more difficult than any of these, I think~ xD

Continue Reading…

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Pretty School Day @ Kyoto Saga U.

June 14, 2009 — Leave a comment

I’ve taken photos when I was studying… ~~~ Now, if only my school days had looked like THAT.

Kyoto Saga Art University

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In English, Japanese, Photoshoots, Sharing
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