Archives For Films

I really, REALLY hate Japanese trailers.

[iframe width=”480″ height=”390″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/500Z8Z0KTmk?rel=0″]

Not tagging this as trailers yet.

The film, as it looks there, looks a bit rubbish. The black & white looks really dull, though I saw some of a sakura shot, and it look kind of interesting.

Guess who’s #10 on the list of The 20 to Watch Between 25-30?

But it’s, of course, Eita!

Born in Tokyo, Japan on December 13th 1982. He might be unknown to almost everyone, unless you are already familiar with Japanese films and series, but this 27-year-old actor has proven that you should keep on watching him.

His list of films include Aoi Haru (Blue Spring), Azumi, Densha Otoko, Su-ki-da and Memories of Matsuko. Of course, Matsuko as a film works because of so many different aspects including Eita’s ability to make you want to connect with the brilliant Miki Nakatani.

Last year, Eita worked on two films that seemed to be in many of the “best of lists” in Japan, including the acclaimed Dear Doctor — by famous director Miwa Nishikawa, who wrote and directed Yureru (Sway) — as well as the seemingly popular April Bride, directed by indie acclaimed director Ryuichi Hiroki.

Add to that his recurring role as Mine on the Nodame Cantabile franchise [headed by fellow 20 to watch Juri Ueno] which sprung not only an 11-episode series, and two television special, but also two theatrical films opening on December 2009 and this month.

There is a certain softness in Eita’s aura that translates well whenever he’s on screen, making him perfect to play the sensible young man. He doesn’t even need to speak a single word, even though you probably would need the subtitles to actually understand what he is saying [unless, of course, you speak Japanese], but whenever he’s in a dramatic scene… all of that doesn’t matter. He’ll deliver the goods in a way that language would really not be a barrier.

Very few [men or women] can captivate you like this.

The first time I saw Let the Right One in [LtROi], I was left with a shivering tingle. Obviously, it became my fave film of 2008, and I have seen it seven times already… loving the slightly unconventional love story, and presenting a wonderful character such as Eli.

This is why I don’t have to tell you how mad I was when I heard about the remake, right?

Well, not long ago… in fact, just after I commented on The Auteurs about watching it again, someone asked me what I felt about the remake. After a few minutes thinking about it, I concluded that I wasn’t as mad as I was when the news broke. I still don’t think Let Me In could be as good as LtROi and/or bring anything new to the genre.

Possibly, the best thing that could make me sway my decision is the casting of not only Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, (500) Days of Summer), but also Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road). A moody and beautiful trailer would also help.

However, there’s still the fact that they probably won’t tackle certain topics by changing Eli’s name to Abbey, which makes her a full girl unless I don’t know any guy names that could be shortened to Abbey… you know like sometimes Ashley is a guy or girl name? Add to that the fact that Richard Jenkins’ character is called “The Father” – weird.

I’ll quote someone on IMDb who seems to explain it better…

By having Abbey being a girl, they’ve already killed one of the things I love about the original book, its not a conventional love story, it’s more about the idea of what love is and what it means. There is something so strangely touching about how Oskar is willing to still accept Eli in his life even after everything he finds out about Eli, I just found that really touching in the original novel. – damann861

I will probably watch the film… if it comes to local theaters, and if it doesn’t… well, I will probably take the time to download it. I mean, it all comes down to the trailer and the production stills. I want to see how it looks like before…

What are your thoughts on American remakes of foreign films?

Should they have waited a few more years to remake LtROi?

but it sure is time for YAM009 =D

is the cover kowaii??? [scary??] I would love to hear your opinion on fansubbing, as well as distribution, which are two topics I always bring up one way or the other.

You are also welcomed to comment on reviews and give suggestions.

With no further ado, go over here for download.

I’m starting out my list this week… with lack of visitor’s response.

No complaining from you then~~~

I’m gonna start out with 5 of the guys, followed by 5 of the girls like last time. Only properly.

Continue Reading…

Teens of the 90’s

April 11, 2010 — 2 Comments

I watched all sorts of crap in the 90s, like… I could really be your teen comedy viewer. I’m still a sucker for a good love story… but, I think… I’m a little more picky now.

So I’ve made yet another list in The Auteurs~~~

Of course, no particular order~

Specifically to Julz, since we’re nearly the same age. What movies did you watch? Anyone else who was a teen in the 90s… early or late 90s. What movies?

I would watch teen comedies… like I’m pretty sure I could be ashamed of the things I’ve watched regarding teen comedies from Can’t Hardly Wait [listed] to things like Drive me Crazy [yes, with Melissa Joan Hart… and that Crazy Britney music video xD] to everything around and in-between teen romcoms.

From all the romcoms I have seen during those years, the only one that comes to mind at the moment that I don’t feel guilty about liking… and own on DVD is 10 Things I Hate About You. You could say I have a huge Ledger, Levitt and Julia Stiles bias~~~

There’s also the teenage “horror” flicks… from The Faculty [listed] to things like The Blair Witch Project [also listed] and those I Know What You Did movies also with Jennifer Love Hewitt… which I shamefully own. Those I own shamefully. LOL

And… oh god~ Cruel Intentions. I obviously rented the film [I don’t even know if it opened in theaters in here], so I rented it. I couldn’t have been older than 14 years old, so I was with my dad doing some grocery shopping when I stopped by the video store~~~ Me being the biggest Buffy fan — hence Sarah Michelle Gellar fan — caught the cover of the film and wanted to get it for the weekend. I’m telling you, it’s not such a good idea to rent a film Spanish-titled Juegos Sexuales (sexual games) with your father paying the bill.

I love Ryan Phillippe’s smugness on that role, and it’s not a shameful admission this one. I like Cruel Intentions, it’s just so satisfying to watch that last scene with The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony. Obviously, I was a girl with a crush on Phillippe… but THANK GOD it only lasted those years.

And… thank god for quiver killers? LOL

I’m dying to watch this =D
I love the cast! I mean, Moore + Bening + Ruffalo + Wasikowska?
What more can I ask for?

And well… look at Josh Hutcherson! He’s older now! Wish he’d grown more though…

There’s a new list posted on Hollywood News (?) showcasing their Top10 Actresses Under the Age of 30. My main problem with the list is how BROAD the meaning of “Under 30” really is. With that title, you could have included Dakota Fanning since she began acting.

Their list is pretty unsurprising… except for maybe #2, whom… well, I’ve already argued on why I didn’t include her name in my 20 to Watch list on a site comment. And to agree with some of the comments made in the list,

Whadya know they’re all f-cking white.
Sarah

I think it’s time for me to get cracking on that new list of mine.

You know, the series following 20 Actors Between 20-25 to Watch until They’re 30, as well as The Ten 20-to-Watch Who Didn’t Make it. How is that for specific? Some of my choices made it to their Top10

So how about some comments on who to add?

Rules are:
– Must be an actress… or actor – doing both lists at the same time
– Between the ages of 25-30
– Mostly work for film [but some TV work is ok]
– Awarded is nice, but not really mandatory
– Can work in any film industry around the world
– Must have interesting film projects lined up for the next year or two.
– Franchises are nice too… but mixed up with indie film work.

Like in the previous list, ranking is a mix of popularity, critically-acclaimed projects, how interesting are their roles, project brands [collabs with who, or what franchises], etc etc.

I’m always for diversity… but when that diversity gets done by diversity, it gets seen by diversity, and in the end… the people that need diversity the most [straight white people, I suppose in America?] never get to watch these films.

Other than that… I hope I ran into a copy of this — legally, or not so legally… depending on distribution. *hint nudge* online distribution *cough cough* it’s always important to make people watch. Otherwise, how else who other people learn about diversity? Right?

[iframe src=”https://player.vimeo.com/video/8724794?portrait=0&color=ffffff” width=”560″ height=”315″]

and well, hi there~
Ricky Martin, Anna Paquin, Sean Hayes?

It’s nice to see you =D

don’t wanna mark this off as a trailer because I don’t have a graphic…

Cinematical has an interesting post asking “What’s your Favorite Disney Animated Feature since Lion King?” To which I have always said that I’ve enjoyed many of them. Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch and The Emperor’s New Groove being possibly at the top of my list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0xGBNl2fE

However, I have also enjoyed Treasure Planet — with it’s luscious sky-boarding animation. And I also remember I enjoyed Atlantis: The Lost Empire… though I don’t really recall a specific reason why. Maybe it was the bad guys and that most of the other characters were flawed.

I even went to the theater to catch Home on the Range, which I was disappointed it being the last ever 2D animated flick Disney was ever going to make… which it wasn’t. And I also enjoyed Brother Bear fine. I think Disney’s dismissal on the animation genre is that it ultimately began release straight-to-video 2d animated films making it seem like 2d Animation was no longer worthy of a theatrical release. Shame on you!

Add to that the fact that Disney characters weren’t ever really flawed, Aladdin was a thief (street rat) with a heart of gold~~~ Simba was a bit of a hothead, Quasi was… well, a hunchback… but that’s hardly a flaw. Tarzan didn’t speak English… but as storytelling advances and begins having characters that are good but not perfect, we want to see imperfect characters in a positive light. Characters like Mulan who was a little rebellious, and didn’t fit the mold she was supposed to fit, Kuzko who was selfish like no other… or Lilo who didn’t have many friends.

Also, check out Cinematical’s list of Disney Vets who should return to Disney.