Tag: kenichi matsuyama

  • Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2009 – Day2

    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

  • Four is an Unlucky Number – YAM004

    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.

  • Romance on Taiwan Edition with English Subs

    Behold!

    I don’t know about YOU, but I just found out that YesAsia is listing Don’t Laugh at my Romance on a Taiwan DVD release with English subtitles.

    Don't Laugh at my Romance - Taiwan DVD

    Title is Bu Yao Chao Xiao Wo Men de – Xin? – after all, there’s a heart there. In that  case, it would translate to Don’t Mock our Hearts… which is pretty close to Don’t Laugh at my Romance. Why is this important? Because it has English subtitles… and it’s a good film.

    English fansubs were released a while ago… so it’d be interesting to see how wel those stand up to these.

    Also, it might be the only official release with English subtitles~~~ so who knows?! Maybe with luck, I could get away with buying an American release with subtitles. *fingers crossed*

  • Maps of the Sounds of Tokyo Trailer!

    In original audio!!!! LOL

    Because I hate dubbing in general, but I have something against Spain’s Spanish dubbing… You can probably say it’s because of those “black market” Dragon Ball Spanish-dubbed videos my cousin used to buy. Ha!

    Anyway, trailer is not okay for work or public places… *TV announcer’s voice* Viewer discretion is advised.

    Map of the Sounds of Tokyo is directed by Isabel Coixet, who also worked on My Life without Me (with Sarah Polley), and you can read all about it LOL over at Nippon Cinema which has an article translated by me.

    Of course, I’m a fan of Rinko Kikuchi (or check out my comments (comment #2) on how she was snubbed), so this pretty much goes to my list of ‘want to watch’ ~~~ hopefully this year. Also, Rinko Kikuchi has a bunch of new projects… including that horribly-delayed Brothers Bloom picture with Rachel Weisz, and Mark Ruffalo… and a Japanese remake for Sideways *legasp!* I don’t want to have bad feelings about it… and the fairly-recent announced Norwegian Wood with Kenichi Matsuyama.

    [iframe width=”560″ height=”349″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/Epbvqqisads?rel=0″]

  • Yu Aoi – Fan First Year!!!

    WOOOOOO!! A freakin’ year~~~~

    Yu Aoi - Year One

    Today a year ago, I was introduced to Yu Aoi’s work on Shunji Iwai’s All About Lily Chou Chou, and the Shunji Iwai-related Rainbow Song. Little did I know that the characters that interested me the most in the films were played by the same actress. Nine days later, I watched Hula Girls, and a month later I was completely hooked with Yu Aoi, and yet another Shunji Iwai film… Hana & Alice.

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  • Yu Aoi Film Discussion – Otoko-tachi no Yamato

    Delay, again~~~ SORRY! xD Yamato took a bit longer to re-watch. I really feel it’s been just sitting… there… ANYWAY! Next up is Honey & Clover, which has also been just sitting there~~~ Promise to try to re-watch sooner.

    Something about the film:
    (from Wikipedia)
    Otoko-tachi no Yamato is a 2005 Japanese war film telling the story of Kamio, a teenage boy who ended up fighting in World War II on board of the biggest Japanese battleship, and its crew who ultimately met its death in battle.

    Genre: War, Drama
    Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyoka Suzuki, Sosuke Ikematsu, Kenichi Matsuyama, Shido Nakamura,Yu Aoi
    Appearances by: Kimiko Yo, Kayoko Shiraishi, Takahata Atsuko
    Duration: +2hrs

    Alert!!! Spoilers ahead!

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